I had not the slightest sympathy with the audience below the stage.

They are good people, doubtless, but do I know them?
Are they anything to me?
Can I care for being brought before their view again to-morrow?
Will the examination be anything but a task to me--a task I wish well over ?" "Shall I take it out of your hands ?" "With all my heart; if you do not fear failure." "But I should fail.

I only know three phrases of English, and a few words: par exemple, de sonn, de mone, de stares--est-ce bien dit?
My opinion is that it would be better to give up the thing altogether: to have no English examination, eh ?" "If Madame consents, I consent." "Heartily ?" "Very heartily." He smoked his cigar in silence.

He turned suddenly.
"Donnez-moi la main," said he, and the spite and jealousy melted out of his face, and a generous kindliness shone there instead.
"Come, we will not be rivals, we will be friends," he pursued.

"The examination shall take place, and I will choose a good moment; and instead of vexing and hindering, as I felt half-inclined ten minutes ago--for I have my malevolent moods: I always had from childhood--I will aid you sincerely.