I liked you the first time I saw you, and I will abide by that.

It would be quite odious for me to come talking to you as if I could patronize you.
I have told you before that I envy you; vous m'imposez, as we say.

I didn't know you much until within five minutes.

So we will let things go, and I will say nothing to you that, if our positions were reversed, you would not say to me." I do not know whether in renouncing the mysterious opportunity to which he alluded, Bellegarde felt that he was doing something very generous.
If so, he was not rewarded; his generosity was not appreciated.

Newman quite failed to recognize the young Frenchman's power to wound his feelings, and he had now no sense of escaping or coming off easily.
He did not thank his companion even with a glance.