He is the most obstinate, pig-headed camel that ever lived, and I believe he has returned to Toulon in the best of health.

No, thank you," he added, refusing my offer of cigarettes, "I don't smoke.

It disturbs the perfect adjustment of my nerves, and so imperils my gigantic combinations.

It is also distasteful to my cats." "You must miss them greatly," said I.
He sighed--then his face lit up with inspiration.
"Ah, signor! What would one not sacrifice for an idea, for duty, for honour, for the happiness of those we love ?" "Those are sentiments, Monsieur Papadopoulos," I remarked, "which do you infinite credit." "And, therefore, I express them, sir," he replied, "to show you what manner of man I am." He paused for a moment; then bending forward, his hands on his little knees--he was sitting far back in the chair and his legs were dangling like a child's--he regarded me intently.
"Would you be equally chivalrous for the sake of an idea ?" I replied that I hoped I should conduct myself _en galant homme_ in any circumstances.
"I knew it," he cried.

"My intuition is never wrong.