[120] La leçon de Pierre était faite, Peter had been well instructed.
[121] je lui ai forçé la main, I have forced his hand. The term refers to the custom at cards of playing so that your opponent will have to play a card he does not wish to.
[122] Que vous faut-il de plus, what more do you want.
[123] j'y songe, I have it.
[124] le plus noble cœur, the noblest soul.
[125] Ménélas, etc., as related in the Iliad, Paris, son of Priam, king of Troy, aided by Venus, carried off Helen, the wife of Menelaus, and the most beautiful woman in the world. Menelaus, having assembled his friends, followed to reclaim her and thus brought on the Trojan war.
[126] que comptez-vous donc devenir, what are your intentions with regard to the future.
[127] mais voyez si j'aurais bonne grâce à l'introduire, just see what a fine appearance I should make in introducing her.
[128] C'était... dit, what he said was true enough, but Mme Benoît would not admit it.
[129] sa rareté, his seclusion; his rare appearance.