He was my friend; you stood there, as indeed you have always stood, in the attitude of a foe.
You wounded Canaples, maltreated Vilmorin, defied me; and yet but for my intervention, mille diables sir, you had been torn to pieces." "All this I grant is very true, Monsieur," I made reply, with deep suspicion in my soul.

"Yet, pardon me, if I confess that to me it proves no more than that you acted as a generous enemy.

Pardon my bluntness also--but what profit do you look to make from gaining my friendship ?" "You are frank, Monsieur," he said, colouring slightly, "I will be none the less so.

I am a frondeur, an anti-cardinalist.

In a word, I am a gentleman and a Frenchman.