With the influence of Jusco, Arthur, who was just wandering alone in the banquet hall, immediately became the center of a small circle.
Before Arthur returned from Louis's room, only a couple of kind gentlemen, who took pity on him, spoke with him.
As for his original friends, the Great Dumas, who had returned to Paris, was busy re-establishing his social status in the theater circle; Balzac was scheming to thwart Dumas' aspirations, while Hugo played the peacemaker between them.
The naturally shy Chopin was surrounded heavily by groups of noblewomen. Of course, not all piano-loving ladies were drawn to him because Liszt's burden was obviously heavier than Chopin's.
There were also some shrewd gentlemen skilled in finance sneakily gathering around Liszt. If Heine were here, he would surely see through their tricks, as these gentlemen were most likely collecting Liszt's leftover cigar ends, which could fetch a hundredfold price on the market.
