"He's a very handsome man, however."
"Yes, of the same height as M. Legras; but there is something hard and false and stern in his appearance."
"Yes, for some time past; formerly he was gayer, more open. Now monsieur never chats; he has grown proud."
"That's not surprising; he has made money."
"Yes, by shaving beards perhaps."
"It's a good deal more likely he has made it by assisting the love affairs of some great nobleman, in procuring and abducting some beauty."
"Come, ladies, don't be so malicious. As for me, you know I haven't a bad tongue. Touquet is very skilful at his trade. I know very well that in order to buy and pay for that house where he now is he must have shaved a good many faces; but they say now the barber is very steady and economical."
"When the devil is old—"
"Touquet is not old; he's hardly over forty years."
"Adopting that little girl should have brought him good luck."