I am curious to see just how things will go.

Yes, I know what you are going to say: this horrible Paris hardens one's heart.

But it quickens one's wits, and it ends by teaching one a refinement of observation! To see this little woman's little drama play itself out, now, is, for me, an intellectual pleasure." "If she is going to throw herself away," Newman had said, "you ought to stop her." "Stop her?
How stop her ?" "Talk to her; give her some good advice." Bellegarde laughed.

"Heaven deliver us both! Imagine the situation! Go and advise her yourself." It was after this that Newman had gone with Bellegarde to see Madame Dandelard.

When they came away, Bellegarde reproached his companion.
"Where was your famous advice ?" he asked.