To tell you the truth, that is not whatwould
influence me.
Perhapseven then I was no more able to say, for I
have not an observant mind.
Verdurin wasconvinced that men who are truly
remarkable are capable of all sortsof follies.
Come along, tell uswho played the part, and you
shall have some galantine to take home,said Mme. Play this, look, this piece, its
divine, she cried. I may give you a further instance, that of the Princess ofBaden.
When the piece eame to an end, I ventured to ask for some Franck,which appeared to
cause Mme. One can see that hes aneducated man, and well bred. I made him do me a
portrait of Cottard, not tomention all the sketches he has made of me. Add but a
fourth adjective, and, of her initial friendliness, therewould be nothing left. Only
that we put you on the left, replied M. The Zerbine, he imagines that everybody will
know at oncewhat it means. Of course what helacks is originality and taste, he has a
terrible memory.
Saint-Simon tries to make out that this was an
abuse on our part, inwhich he is entirely mistaken. This offer may have arisen, in
the Marquiss mind, from nothing morethan a vague wish to be polite. This might have
been said by the Duc de Guermantes.
No, but ask Cottard, Brichot, he used to have his
place laidat my table, he came every day.
He wrote to them, he argued with them, he,Elstir!
Verdurin; that is thetime for fine storms at sea.
After all, I cant see why you wouldnt invite his
wife,said Cottard, he would be with us still.
After the doctors oglings, he found his
hostsinsulting frankness suffocating. But feeling that her dress was not unambitious
I said to her somethingpolite and even admiring.
One can see that hes aneducated man, and well bred.
I know it is not good form to speak of the merits ofones own family.
Hesnot in the least like Helleu, said
Mme.
Ys, pronounces her far superiorto the other and
emigrates to her house.
You are talking about Chantepie, I am certain,
saidM. Just as he hadgenuine artistic tendencies, which had never come to fruition,
so M. And he gave theProfessor purple hair, said Mme.
For once in a way she had failed to effect a
breach.
With Brichot, however,there was another
reason.
The Zerbine, he imagines that everybody will know
at oncewhat it means. It is true that they admitted that the china wasgood.