You have learned a wonderful deal about Mademoiselle
Noemie in a quarter of an hour. Let that suffice; don't follow up your
researches."
"My dear fellow," cried Bellegarde with warmth, "I hope I have too good
manners to intrude."
"You are not intruding. The girl is nothing to me. In fact, I rather
dislike her. But I like her poor old father, and for his sake I beg you
to abstain from any attempt to verify your theories."
"For the sake of that seedy old gentleman who came to fetch her?"
demanded Valentin, stopping short. And on Newman's assenting, "Ah no, ah
no," he went on with a smile. "You are quite wrong, my dear fellow; you
needn't mind him."
"I verily believe that you are accusing the poor gentleman of being
capable of rejoicing in his daughter's dishonor."
"Voyons," said Valentin; "who is he? what is he?"
"He is what he looks like: as poor as a rat, but very high-toned."
"Exactly. I noticed him perfectly; be sure I do him justice. He has
had losses, des malheurs, as we say. He is very low-spirited, and his
daughter is too much for him. He is the pink of respectability, and he
has sixty years of honesty on his back. All this I perfectly appreciate.
But I know my fellow-men and my fellow-Parisians, and I will make a
bargain with you." Newman gave ear to his bargain and he went on.
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