"And then," Morange exclaimed, as he opened the dining-room window,
"there is also this."

Outside, a balcony ran along the house-front, and at that height the view
was really a very fine one, similar to that obtained from the Beauchene
mansion but more extensive, the Seine showing in the distance, and the
heights of Passy rising above the nearer and lower house-roofs.

Valerie also called attention to the prospect. "It is magnificent, is it
not?" said she; "far better than the few trees that one can see from the
quay."

The servant was now bringing the boiled eggs and they took their seats at
table, while Morange victoriously explained that the place altogether
cost him sixteen hundred francs a year. It was cheap indeed, though the
amount was a heavy charge on Morange's slender income. Mathieu now began
to understand that he had been invited more particularly to admire the
new flat, and these worthy people seemed so delighted to triumph over it
before him that he took the matter gayly and without thought of spite.
There was no calculating ambition in his nature; he envied nothing of the
luxury he brushed against in other people's homes, and he was quite
satisfied with the snug modest life he led with Marianne and his
children. Thus he simply felt surprised at finding the Moranges so
desirous of cutting a figure and making money, and looked at them with a
somewhat sad smile.

Valerie was wearing a pretty gown of foulard with a pattern of little
yellow flowers, while her daughter, Reine, whom she liked to deck out
coquettishly, had a frock of blue linen stuff. There was rather too much
luxury about the meal also. Soles followed the eggs, and then came