“To the President of the Civil Court:
“Monsieur Plumet, of 27 Rue Hauteville, in the city of Paris, by Counsellor Boule, his advocate, craves leave—”
It was a proceeding against a refractory debtor, the commonest thing in the world.
“Monsieur Massinot!”
“Yes, sir.”
“Who brought these papers?”
“A very pretty little woman brought them this morning while you were out, sir.”
“Monsieur Massinot, whether she was pretty or not, it is no business of yours to criticise the looks of the clients.”
“I did not mean to offend you, Monsieur Mouillard.”
“You have not offended me, but you have no business to talk of a ‘pretty client.’ That epithet is not allowed in a pleading, that’s all. The lady is coming back, I suppose?”