It was in vain that M. de Renal urged Sorel to conclude the bargain there and then: the astute old peasant met him with an obstinate refusal; he wished, he said, to consult his son, as though, in the country, a rich father ever consulted a penniless son, except for form's sake.
Ce fut en vain que M. de Rênal pressa Sorel de conclure sur-le-champ : l’astuce du vieux paysan s’y refusa opiniâtrement ; il voulait, disait-il, consulter son fils, comme si, en province, un père riche consultait un fils qui n’a rien, autrement que pour la forme.