"But how will your mother receive him?" said M. de Croisenois. "He has such extravagant, generous and independent ideas."
"Look," said mademoiselle de la Mole, "look at the independent man who bows down to the ground to M. Descoulis while he grabs hold of his hand. I almost thought he was going to put it to his lips."
"Descoulis must stand better with the powers that be than we thought," answered M. de Croisenois.
"Sainclair comes here in order to get into the academy," said Norbert. "See how he bows to the baron L——, Croisenois."
"It would be less base to kneel down," replied M. de Luz.
"My dear Sorel," said Norbert, "you are extremely smart, but you come from the mountains. Mind you never bow like that great poet is doing, even to God the Father."
"Ah there's a really witty man, M.
