"Would she receive me?" said Monsieur Antoine, and his round eyes gleamed for an instant.
"Why not?" said Marcel.
"Oh! yes, she would receive me in her courtyard, or at best in her ante-chamber, standing up, between two doors, as she receives a dog or an attorney!"
"You are a great stickler for manners, aren't you, for a man who won't take his hat off his head for anybody? But never fear: Madame d'Estrelle is as courteous to decent people of our class as to the greatest aristocrats. To prove it, she is on the best of terms with my aunt Thierry, and they are almost friends already."
"Ah!—Well, that is because madame your aunt is noble! The nobles understand each other like thieves at a fair!"
"Sapristi! uncle, once more I ask you what in heaven's name you have against your sister-in-law?"
"I have—Well, I detest her!"
"So I see; but why?"
"Because she is noble. Don't talk to me about your nobles! They are all heartless and ungrateful!"
"Did you love her, I wonder?"