As to Maurice, before he went to rejoin Mademoiselle Irma at the Rue Monsieur-le-Prince, he walked part of the way with Amedee.
"These comrades of ours are a little stupid, aren't they ?" said he to his friend.
"I must say that they almost disgust me," replied the young man.

"Their brutal way of speaking of women and love wounded me, and you too, Maurice.

So much the worse! I will be honest; you, who are so refined and proud, tell me that you did not mean what you said--that you made a pretence of vice just to please the others.

It is not possible that you are content simply to gratify your appetite and make yourself a slave to your passions.

You ought to have a higher ideal.