Newman spoke of his interview with M.Nioche and his daughter, and said he was afraid Valentin had judged the old man correctly.

He had found the couple hobnobbing together in all amity; the old gentleman's rigor was purely theoretic.

Newman confessed that he was disappointed; he should have expected to see M.Nioche take high ground.
"High ground, my dear fellow," said Valentin, laughing; "there is no high ground for him to take.

The only perceptible eminence in M.
Nioche's horizon is Montmartre, which is not an edifying quarter.

You can't go mountaineering in a flat country." "He remarked, indeed," said Newman, "that he has not forgiven her.