The assumption of a fatality in misery always irritated his strong good nature--it was almost the only thing that did so; and he felt the impulse to wipe it out, as it were, with the sponge of his own prosperity.

The papa of Mademoiselle Noemie, however, had apparently on this occasion been vigorously indoctrinated, and he showed a certain tremulous eagerness to cultivate unexpected opportunities.
"How much do I owe you, then, with the frame ?" asked Newman.
"It will make in all three thousand francs," said the old man, smiling agreeably, but folding his hands in instinctive suppliance.
"Can you give me a receipt ?" "I have brought one," said M.Nioche.

"I took the liberty of drawing it up, in case monsieur should happen to desire to discharge his debt." And he drew a paper from his pocket-book and presented it to his patron.
The document was written in a minute, fantastic hand, and couched in the choicest language.
Newman laid down the money, and M.Nioche dropped the napoleons one by one, solemnly and lovingly, into an old leathern purse.
"And how is your young lady ?" asked Newman.

"She made a great impression on me." "An impression?
Monsieur is very good.

Monsieur admires her appearance ?" "She is very pretty, certainly." "Alas, yes, she is very pretty!" "And what is the harm in her being pretty ?" M.Nioche fixed his eyes upon a spot on the carpet and shook his head.
Then looking up at Newman with a gaze that seemed to brighten and expand, "Monsieur knows what Paris is.