Answer:
The answer is: thinks Monsieur Maillard is someone to be admired.
Explanation:
In order to properly understand what an author wants to convey, it is very important to "read between the lines." It is easy to draw conclusions once you are able to master finding clues in a passage.
The excerpt above shows some details on how Edgar Allan Poe wants to infer , when it comes to the characters' personalities. It is clear that he wanted to let readers know that "Mr. Monsieur Maillard is someone to be admired" because it is backed by certain descriptions of him. For example, Monsieur Maillard was described as a "portly, fine-looking gentleman of the old school, with a polished manner, and a certain air of gravity which was very impressive." This means that he is "well-mannered," thus he's someone who is to be admired. He also showed politeness by doing a handshake, a greeting which means you want nothing else but "peace."
