"You see that he cared as little for your friendship as for your admiration."
"Ah, that would be an ingrate, indeed!"
"That may be; but if you wish, in your turn, to put this ingrate at your feet, there is a way for you to do so."
"To put him at my feet! Oh, abbé, if you could work this miracle! but, no, no, you are without pity, you play upon my credulity."
"The miracle is very simple; refuse absolutely all that this man demands of you, because if he has no need of your friendship or your admiration, he has evidently great need of your leaving off your suit against this Captain Horace. Refuse that, and you will hold your man. I do not know for how long a time you will hold him, but you will hold him. We will see afterward how to prolong your power. I am, you see, a man of wise counsel."
"Abbé, you open my eyes, you are right; in refusing his demands, I shall force him to return to me."
"Well, do you agree to it?"
"I was blind, silly! But what do you want, abbé? Despair, inanition! The stomach reacts so terribly on the brain. Ah, why was I so weak as to sign this nonsuit?"
"It is time to recall it."
"You think so, abbé?"