"Well, suppose you were a Jew," said Albert; "what harm would it do you? Aren't there men of merit, men of genius, in all religions? and in respect to the arts, fortune, and talents, the Jewish nation is one of the most richly endowed at this moment. We are not living in the barbarous times when the people loved of God were so badly treated, when the children of Israel were compelled to wear a distinguishing mark on their clothes and their hats." "It was a yellow mark," said Célestin, with a sneer. "Yes; and now that color has become so fashionable that a yellow mark would not be distinctive at all. Ah! there's a young actress from the Variétés. Whom is she with to-day?" "With an Englishman who is in a fair way to ruin himself for her. It won't take long; she makes her adorers strike a fast pace." "She is right; she is the fashion now, and she is making the most of it. It doesn't last long in Paris." "But it seems to me that I could mention several ladies of her stamp who have been the fashion for fifteen years at least. What a pile of money they have fricasseed, eh?" "Do you know, I like the word _fricasseed_; it's a fact that they spend it with all sorts of sauce." "If only they had the sense to put some of it by; then they wouldn't be obliged to end as box openers, after cutting a brilliant figure on the stage." "Put money by! that's a reflection quite worthy of Tobie! What I can't understand is, how he ever made up his mind to buy such a big pin, with a cameo. How much did your cameo cost, Tobie? and your cane must have cost a lot, too. Damnation! what a swell! he denies himself nothing!" "True," said Célestin; "but it would be well to know if it's all real gold." Monsieur Tobie Pigeonnier blushed to the end of his nose; but he affected to laugh heartily, and replied: "Ah! Monsieur de Valnoir, how unkind of you! When you find me wearing anything that isn't of the first quality, you will be very sharp. I care for nothing, of any sort, that is not really choice. It's the same with my linen--I must always have the very finest. The shirt I am wearing cost me seventy-five francs." "Have you many dozens of that sort?" "Why, yes; I like to have a lot of linen; I was brought up to that habit. My mother had five or six large wardrobes filled with sheets--all fine Holland. When I go into partnership with my aunt, I shall deny myself nothing; I shall have only the finest damask on my table----" "Have you an aunt in business?" "Yes; she sells all sorts of goods on commission. It's a big establishment: twelve clerks and eight travelling men. She promised long ago to put me at the head of it; and if it hadn't been for some escapades of mine, she'd have done it before now." Célestin began to whistle between his teeth, and Albert, who had not been listening to Tobie for several minutes, suddenly exclaimed: "Isn't that Madame Baldimer in that little _citadine_?"