He had been rendered thoughtful, however, by the story of Bergaz and the burglary, and would only answer her in a general way.
Meantime, Hyacinthe was renewing his acquaintance with his school-fellows, Francois and Antoine.

He had accompanied the Princess to Montmartre against his own inclinations; but since she had taken to whipping him he had become afraid of her.

The chemist's little home filled him with disdain, particularly as the chemist was a man of questionable reputation.

Moreover, he thought it a duty to insist on his own superiority in the presence of those old school-fellows of his, whom he found toiling away in the common rut, like other people.
"Ah! yes," said he to Francois, who was taking notes from a book spread open before him, "you are at the Ecole Normale, I believe, and are preparing for your licentiate.

Well, for my part, you know, the idea of being tied to anything horrifies me.