"Why, what other effect should it have on me?"
"Ah! women are cruel sometimes. But, no matter! if I had known you before Monléard, I would have solicited the honor of making you Comtesse de la Bérinière."
"Oh! I am not joking. But fate willed otherwise. And I say again that Monléard is a lucky dog.—By the way, how is his arm?"
"It is improving slowly; he can't use it yet."
"It's a long while getting well.—And to think that that accident happened the very day after your wedding!"
"Yes, the next day."
"He fell on the stairs, I believe?"
"Yes, he slipped, and fell on his arm."
"For heaven's sake, Monsieur de la Bérinière, do come and advise my partner, Monsieur Batonnin. Upon my word, he's been making mistake after mistake!"