“I shall try, in the first place, General, to repair my fortune, which is much shattered. I am not so great a stranger to business as people suppose, and my father’s connections and my own will give me a footing in some great financial or industrial enterprise. Once there, I shall succeed by force of will and steady work. Besides, I shall fit myself for public life, and aspire, when circumstances permit me, to become a deputy.” “Well, well, a man must do something. Idleness is the parent of all vices. See; like yourself, I am fond of the horse--a noble animal. I approve of racing; it improves the breed of horses, and aids in mounting our cavalry efficiently. But sport should be an amusement, not a profession. Hem! so you aspire to become a deputy?” “Assuredly.” “Then I can help you in that, at least. When you are ready I will send in my resignation, and recommend to my brave and faithful constituents that you take my place. Will that suit you?” “Admirably, General; and I am truly grateful. But why should you resign?” “Why? Well, to be useful to you in the first place; in the second, I am sick of it. I shall not be sorry to give personally a little lesson to the government, which I trust will profit by it. You know me--I am no Jacobin; at first I thought that would succeed. But when I see what is going on!” “What is going on, General?” “When I see a Tonnelier a great dignitary! It makes me long for the pen of Tacitus, on my word. When I was retired in ‘forty-eight, under a mean and cruel injustice they did me, I had not reached the age of exemption. I was still capable of good and loyal service; but probably I could have waited until an amendment. I found it at least in the confidence of my brave and faithful constituents. But, my young friend, one tires of everything. The Assemblies at the Luxembourg--I mean the Palace of the Bourbons--fatigue me. In short, whatever regret I may feel at parting from my honorable colleagues, and from my faithful constituents, I shall abdicate my functions whenever you are ready and willing to accept them. Have you not some property in this district?” “Yes, General, a little property which belonged to my mother; a small manor, with a little land round it, called Reuilly.” “Reuilly! Not two steps from Des Rameures! Certainly--certainly! Well, that is one foot in the stirrup.” “But then there is one difficulty; I am obliged to sell it.” “The devil! And why?” “It is all that is left to me, and it only brings me eleven thousand francs a year; and to embark in business I need capital--a beginning. I prefer not to borrow.” The General rose, and once more his military tramp shook the gallery. Then he threw himself back on the sofa.