28. plus qu'un. Notice the difference between this phrase and plus d'une (p. 142, l. 13).
[161.]--29. pas un d'entre eux. Note the insertion of entre; when spoken, un d'eux would not be clear; note also that entre suffers no elision (see note to p. 77, l. 11).
[164.]--14. après boire. An example of the present infinitive used after après (cf. il est parti après avoir bu un verre d'eau).
[167.]--6. à peine eus-je allumé. Note that à peine causes inversion and that it is used with the past anterior (see notes to p. 136, l. 4 and p. 3, l. 25).
[168.]--29. et que mon histoire vous ait intéressé. When que is used to avoid the repetition of si, the subjunctive is employed.
FRANÇOIS COPPÉE
Paris, 1842--Paris, 1908
Coppée is known as a poet and writer of short stories. His work usually deals with the pathetic side of humble life. He has been accused of sentimentality and superficiality; he is, however one of the most popular and accomplished of the modern French poets, a dramatist of some merit and the author of a number of Contes relating to the life of the peuple, particularly in and about Paris.
Important works: Poésies (several collections, 1864-1890), Théâtre (best plays: Le Passant, 1869; Le Luthier de Crémone, 1876; Les Jacobites, 1885; Pour la Couronne, 1895), and several volumes of Contes (the two stories given in this collection are from his Longues et Brèves, published in 1893).
Edition: Lemerre.