"Before a man risks
his money, he takes care to make some inquiries. Mamma's remaining bonds
were sold last October. Ah! the Rue de Provence is an expensive place!
I have made an estimate, which is at home. Juliette is a charming woman,
to be sure; she has not her equal, I am convinced; but she is expensive,
devilish expensive."
Noel was enraged at hearing his Juliette thus spoke of by this
honourable personage. But what reply could he make? Besides, none of
us are perfect; and M. Clergeot possessed the fault of not properly
appreciating women, which doubtless arises from the business
transactions he has had with them. He is charming in his business
with the fair sex, complimenting and flattering them; but the coarsest
insults would be less revolting than his disgusting familiarity.
"You have gone too fast," he continued, without deigning to notice his
client's ill looks; "and I have told you so before. But, you would not
listen; you are mad about the girl. You can never refuse her anything.
Fool! When a pretty girl wants anything, you should let her long for it
for a while; she has then something to occupy her mind and keep her from
thinking of a quantity of other follies.
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