What ?" he exclaimed, at a gesture of Canalis, "don't you admire the faculty which enables a wily man to get the better of a man of genius?
it takes the closest observation of his vices, and his weaknesses, and the wit to seize the happy moment.

Ask diplomacy if its greatest triumphs are not those of craft over force?
If I were your secretary, Monsieur le baron, you'd soon be prime-minister, because it would be my interest to have you so.

Do you want a specimen of my talents in that line?
Well then, listen; you love Mademoiselle Modeste distractedly, and you've good reason to do so.

The girl has my fullest esteem; she is a true Parisian.

Sometimes we get a few real Parisians born down here in the provinces.