'Since Sorel is not delighted and overwhelmed by my proposal, as he ought naturally to be, it is clear,' he said to himself, 'that overtures have been made to him from another quarter; and from whom can they have come, except from Valenod?'
Puisque Sorel n’est pas ravi et comblé de ma proposition, comme naturellement il devrait l’être, il est clair, se dit-il, qu’on lui a fait des offres d’un autre côté ; et de qui peuvent-elles venir, si ce n’est du Valenod ?