"Who Knows?" (Qui Sait?) by Guy de Maupassant

Published 1890.

In 1890, the words 'introvert' and 'extrovert' did not yet exist, those would come along soon enough, in 1909, but not quite yet at the time of this writing. But clearly that is what the narrator is describing.

It is generally agreed that this story was de Maupassant's last story before his madness overtook him. Yet it is a very clearly written and elegant story, so the madness must have overwhelmed him very suddenly.

Signad: I can't find anything about this, not even if it is a play or an opera. There is, unfortunately, a business by the name of SignAd, which occupies all the results from google when searching for it. There is an opera by the name of Signa, but its first performance was in 1893, after this story was already published, so that's not it. Regardless, I gave the word as French a pronunciation as I could manage, not knowing anything about it.

Eau de Robec: There is indeed a small tributary of the Seine by the name of Robec that passes through Rouen.

chasuble: a sleeveless outer vestment worn by the officiating priest at mass

Louis XIII: King of France from 1610 to 1643. That's a legit antique, even for 1890 - at least 250 years old!

Henry II: There was a Henry II of England from 1154 to 1189, but also a Henry II of France from 1547 to 1559. Since the story is set in France, let's go with the French king. That makes the table on the order of 350 years old!

The picture used is a post card depicting Rue Eau-de-Robec, Rouen

To follow along: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/593/593-h/593-h.htm#chap11