We passed our time like two young fellows of twenty-three who have little money and less occupation.

Bonaparte was always poorer than I.
Every day we conceived some new project or other.

We were on the look-out for some profitable speculation.

At one time he wanted me to join him in renting several houses, then building in the Rue Montholon, to underlet them afterwards.

We found the demands of the landlords extravagant--everything failed.
At the same time he was soliciting employment at the War Office, and I at the office of Foreign Affairs.