"It would be too sad," said Canalis, turning to Modeste with a
charming little bow, "if this Madonna were not framed in a manner
worthy of her divine perfections."
That was the only thing Canalis said to Modeste. He affected not to
look at her, and behaved like a man to whom all idea of marriage was
interdicted.
"Ah! my dear Madame Mignon," cried the notary's wife, as soon as the
gravel was heard to grit under the feet of the Parisians, "what an
intellect!"
"Is he rich?--that is the question," said Gobenheim.
Modeste was at the window, not losing a single movement of the great
poet, and paying no attention to his companion. When Monsieur Mignon
returned to the salon, and Modeste, having received a last bow from
the two friends as the carriage turned, went back to her seat, a
weighty discussion took place, such as provincials invariably hold
over Parisians after a first interview. Gobenheim repeated his phrase,
"Is he rich?" as a chorus to the songs of praise sung by Madame
Latournelle, Modeste, and her mother.
"Rich!" exclaimed Modeste; "what can that signify! Do you not see that
Monsieur de Canalis is one of those men who are destined for the
highest places in the State.
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