But he put the question without acrimony, for he felt that Madame de Cintre's brother was a good fellow, and he had a presentiment that on this basis of good fellowship they were destined to understand each other.

Only, if there was anything to laugh at, he wished to have a glimpse of it too.
"To begin with," said the young man, as he extended his hand, "have I come too late ?" "Too late for what ?" asked Newman.
"To smoke a cigar with you." "You would have to come early to do that," said Newman.

"I don't smoke." "Ah, you are a strong man!" "But I keep cigars," Newman added.

"Sit down." "Surely, I may not smoke here," said M.de Bellegarde.
"What is the matter?
Is the room too small ?" "It is too large.

It is like smoking in a ball-room, or a church." "That is what you were laughing at just now ?" Newman asked; "the size of my room ?" "It is not size only," replied M.de Bellegarde, "but splendor, and harmony, and beauty of detail.