[50] le solide, the essential thing.
[51] Il a donné sa démission; as was formerly the case at the U. S. Naval Academy, a graduate of the École polytechnique either enters the government service or else may resign and enter civil life.
[52] va-t-il vouloir de ma fille, will he be willing to take my daughter.
[53] je vous donnerai de ses nouvelles, I'll report to you about him.
[54] Y songez-vous, charmante? are you thinking of that, my dear?
[55] je ne sais quoi de mobile et d'inquiet, an indefinable shifting and restlessness of expression.
[56] en poussant plus avant, upon closer examination.
[57] que je ne vous ai vu, since I have seen you.
[58] où en sont vos affaires? how are your affairs progressing?
[59] Voyez comme je tombe mal, at what an ill-timed moment I come.