Ah! Monsieur Habert, Monsieur Habert! Why, I fancied that you were always in the skies absorbed in your passion for art, and far removed from all base mundane interests! But you really understand these things like a banker or a notary.

Nothing escapes you, nothing.

It is wonderful." Narcisse must have felt the sting of the prelate's delicate sarcasm.

At bottom, beneath this make-believe Florentine all-angelicalness, with long curly hair and mauve eyes which grew dim with rapture at sight of a Botticelli, there was a thoroughly practical, business-like young man, who took admirable care of his fortune and was even somewhat miserly.
However, he contented himself with lowering his eyelids and assuming a languorous air.

"Oh!" said he, "I'm all reverie; my soul is elsewhere." "At all events," resumed Nani, turning towards Pierre, "I am very glad that you were able to see such a beautiful spectacle.