Then the policeman, in view of showing that he harbored no spite, produced the cover of his little box, which he had just finished; it bore the inscription in marquetry: "To Auguste, a token of friendship." Lantier, feeling exceedingly flattered, lounged back and spread himself out so that he almost sat upon Virginie.

And the husband viewed the scene with his face the color of an old wall and his bleared eyes fairly expressionless; but all the same, at moments the red hairs of his moustaches stood up on end of their own accord in a very singular fashion, which would have alarmed any man who was less sure of his business than the hatter.
This beast of a Lantier had the quiet cheek which pleases ladies.

As Poisson turned his back he was seized with the idea of printing a kiss on Madame Poisson's left eye.

As a rule he was stealthily prudent, but when he had been disputing about politics he risked everything, so as to show the wife his superiority.

These gloating caresses, cheekily stolen behind the policeman's back, revenged him on the Empire which had turned France into a house of quarrels.