once he remembered.
Influenced by envy and covert admiration, the Moranges, despite
themselves, no doubt, had tried to copy the Beauchenes. Always short
of money as they were, they could only and by dint of great sacrifices
indulge in a species of make-believe luxury. Nevertheless they were
proud of it, and, by imitating the envied higher class from afar, they
imagined that they drew nearer to it.

"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
cutlets, and afterwards asparagus.

The conversation began with some mention of Janville.

"And so your children are in good health? Oh! they are very fine
children indeed. And you really like the country? How funny! I think
I should feel dreadfully bored there, for there is too great a lack
of amusements. Why, yes, we shall be delighted to go to see you there,
since Mad