Then, being aroused from her somnolence by the servant, who brought in the salt-cellar and the water-bottle, she inquired: "And you, Monsieur Chevalier, is all well with you ?" No, all was not well with him.

The critics were out to "down" him.

And the proof that they had combined against him was that they all said the same thing; they said his face lacked expression.
"My face lacking in expression!" he cried indignantly.

"They should have called it a predestined face.

Madame Nanteuil, I aim high, and it is that which does me harm.