’I do.  I know very well.  They are absolutely disgraceful.  A social connection with the first crossing-sweeper would be less objectionable.’  He spoke with a degree of energy of which he was himself altogether unaware.  He knit his brows, and his eyes flashed, and his nostrils were extended.  Of course she thought of his own offer to herself.  Of course, her mind at once conceived,—­not that the Melmotte connection could ever really affect him, for she felt sure that she would never accept his offer,—­but that he might think that he would be so affected.  Of course he resented the feeling which she thus attributed to him.  But, in truth, he was much too simple-minded for any such complex idea.  ‘Felix,’ he continued, ’has already descended so...