"That is preferable to women's indifference." To prolong the conversation he added:
"I will go with you as far as the Place Grenette." And he immediately resumed:
"Why this haste in judging? They praise one, crush another without understanding even the underlying principles of debate."
"That all comes from Mme. Derize's call," explained M. Prémereux. "Nothing more is necessary to focus their criticism."
They reached the City Park, the shade of which, after the sunny roads, brought them a breath of cool air. It is a little park like those of England, where the trees, young elms and plane trees, mingle their branches above the damp green lawns. A black swan with a red beak was swimming on a little pond to reach the tiny island where his little house was built. Water could be heard trickling from a fountain. An avenue of lime trees in flower shed their intoxicating scent like a fine dust. At this warm hour of the day, the garden was a refuge of peace, softness and sweet reveries.
The counselor took off his hat to enjoy this pleasant sensation, but Philippe Lagier resisted these natural influences.
"No," said he, without removing his hat, "I will tell you what shocks society. It is when one presumes to ignore it."
"You are right," agreed the old judge. But Philippe did not hear him.
"Just think: to hold as worthless the prejudices of public opinion and the art of reconciling duty and pleasure. So the world detests every emotion that is sincere. What can they think of Mme. Passerat who finds a means of having two husbands—one for his money, and the other to be in the style."
"For heaven's sake, be quiet. I dine with her every Saturday and her cuisine is the very best in Grenoble."