said Newman, »how far the artistic point of view may take
a man! But in this case I must request that you don't let it take you too far.
You have learned a wonderful deal about Mademoiselle Noémie in a quarter of an
hour. Let that suffice; don't follow up your researches.«
    »My dear fellow,« cried Bellegarde, with warmth, »I hope I have too good
manners to intrude.«
    »You are not intruding. The girl is nothing to me. In fact, I rather dislike
her. But I like her poor old father, and for his sake I beg you to abstain from
any attempt to verify your theories.«
    »For the sake of that seedy old gentleman who came to fetch her?« demanded
Valentin, stopping short. And on Newman's assenting, »Ah no, ah no,« he went on
with a smile. »You are quite wrong, my dear fellow; you needn't mind him.«
    »I verily believe that you are accusing the poor gentleman of being capable
of rejoicing in his daughter's dishonour.«
    »Voyons!« said Valentin; »who is he? what is he?«
    »He is what he looks like: as poor as a rat, but very high-toned.«
    »Exactly. I noticed him perfectly; be sure I do him justice. He has had
losses, des malheurs, as we say. He is very low-spirited, and his daughter is
too much for him. He is the pink of respectability, and he has sixty years of
honesty on his back. All this I perfectly appreciate. But I know my fellow-men
and my fellow-Parisians, and I will make a bargain with you.« Newman gave ear to
his bargain and he went on. »He would rather his daughter were a good girl than
a bad one, but if the worst comes to the worst, the old man will not do what
Virginius did. Success justifies everything. If Mademoiselle Noémie makes a
figure, her papa will feel - well, we will call it relieved. And she will make a
figure. The old gentleman's future is assured.«
    »I don't know what Virginius did, but M. Nioche will shoot Miss Noémie,«
said Newman. »After that, I suppose his future will be assured in some snug
prison.«
    »I am not a cynic; I am simply an observer,« Valentin rejoined.
»Mademoiselle Noémie interests me; she is