"Yes, without any possible reason."
"Well, gentlemen, I told you what the result would be. What an effective dénouement!—It is hardly a success,—it ought to be called a triumph."
"It proves that our friendship has done every thing;—we were all here, and filled the house. It was quite a family affair."
"The thing must be tried before an impartial audience."
"To speak frankly, it is in spite of your friendship that Gercourt has succeeded."
"Oh! you are always talking paradoxes, Morville. As soon as any one is your friend, even if he had killed father and mother, he would be excusable in your eyes."
"And the best reason would be, my dear sir, when that friend had written a delightful comedy: at least you must allow some extenuating circumstances to his crime. In the first place, he could not believe that the success he desired would be so disagreeable to you; and I can assure you, that in that particular there was no premeditation on his part."
"You are joking now, Morville.
"I only say the truth."
"Well, if you were the friend of that woman who wears that very odd head-dress, you would maintain that it was in the best possible taste."