"Yes, he is the man I respect. But how is it you do not guess the name of the other?"
"I confess, monsieur, I should be puzzled to name anyone else in whom I can have inspired sufficient interest to cause him to take the trouble to recommend me to you."
"It was M. Deviolaine."
"M. Deviolaine?" I repeated, in considerable surprise.
"Yes, M. Deviolaine.... Is he not related to you?"
"Certainly, monsieur; but when my mother begged M. Deviolaine to have the goodness to recommend me to Monseigneur le Duc d'Orléans, M. Deviolaine met the request so coldly...."
"Oh, you know, brusqueness is almost the leading trait in the character of our worthy Conservator.... You must not pay any heed to that."
"I fear, monsieur, that if my good cousin spoke much of me to you, in recommending me to you, he has not flattered me."
"That would not be bad for you, since it would but give you a chance to surprise me agreeably."
"He has probably told you I was idle?"