"Yes; there is nothing surprising that you should be a surveyor, especially as you acted under the eyes of such great people."
"Great people! I do not understand."
"What! you did not know?"
"What do you mean?"
"You did not know who that lady and gentlemen on the balcony were?"
"I declare—"
"Oh! how fortunate I am to be able to enlighten you. Only imagine, M. Poulain; you had for admirers Madame de Montpensier and M. de Mayneville. Do not go away. If a still more illustrious person—the king—saw you—"
"Ah! M. Briquet—"
"Never mind; I am only anxious for your good."
"But what harm have I done to the king, or to you, or anybody?"