Canalispushedthishabittoofar;forheoftenforgottoansweraspeechwhichrequiredananswer，andpassed，withouttheordinarytransitionsofcourtesy，tothesubject，whateveritwas，thatpreoccupiedhim。Thoughsuchimpertinenceisacceptedwithoutprotestfromamanofmarkeddistinction，itstirsaleavenofhatredandvengeanceinmanyhearts;inthoseofequalsitevengoessofarastodestroyafriendship。IfbychanceMelchiorwasforcedtolisten，hefellintoanotherfault;hemerelylenthisattention，andnevergaveit。Thoughthismaynotbesomortifying，itshowsakindofsemi—
concessionwhichisalmostasunsatisfactorytothehearerandleaveshimdissatisfied。Nothingbringsmoreprofitinthecommerceofsocietythanthesmallchangeofattention。Hethathearethlethimhear，isnotonlyagospelprecept，itisanexcellentspeculation;
followit，andallwillbeforgivenyou，evenvice。CanalistookagreatdealoftroubleinhisanxietytopleaseModeste;butthoughhewascompliantenoughwithher，hefellbackintohisnaturalselfwiththeothers。
Modeste，pitilessforthetenmartyrsshewasmaking，beggedCanalistoreadsomeofhispoems;shewanted，shesaid，aspecimenofhisgiftforreading，ofwhichshehadheardsomuch。Canalistookthevolumewhichshegavehim，andcooed（forthatistheproperword）apoemwhichisgenerallyconsideredhisfinest，——animitationofMoore’s\"LovesoftheAngels，\"entitled\"Vitalis，\"whichMonsieurandMadameDumay，MadameLatournelle，andGobenheimwelcomedwithafewyawns。
\"Ifyouareagoodwhist—player，monsieur，\"saidGobenheim，flourishingfivecardsheldlikeafan，\"ImustsayIhavenevermetamanasaccomplishedasyou。\"