When he saw Chamoureau laughing with all his might, Edmond began to believe that the widower's grief was less incurable than he had hitherto supposed.
But Eléonore's husband soon ceased to laugh and began to sigh once more, saying:
"You can understand, Monsieur Edmond, that one couldn't be bored in the company of so clever a woman."
"Yes, I can understand it."
"The fact is, that with her there was a constant fire of bons mots, sallies and repartees, eh, Freluchon?"
"That's so; in conversation she had the knack of forcing one to be agreeable; she imparted her own wit to others."
"Exactly! So that now there's a void in my life, which I shall never succeed in filling, alas!"
"I beg your pardon, but with time, the greatest griefs are allayed."
"Time won't have any effect on mine. Oh, no! I can feel it in the depths of my soul. Dear Eléonore! O God! O God! hi! hi! hi!"
And Monsieur Chamoureau produced his handkerchief again and put it to his eyes.