"I am well off, sir," he replied; "but I have not always been so.

Until I was forty-five years old, my life was a series of absurd and useless privations.

I had a father who wasted my youth, ruined my life, and made me the most pitiable of human creatures." There are men who can never divest themselves of their professional habits.

M.Daburon was at all times and seasons more or less an investigating magistrate.
"How, M.Tabaret," he inquired, "your father the author of all your misfortunes ?" "Alas, yes, sir! I have forgiven him at last; but I used to curse him heartily.

In the first transports of my resentment, I heaped upon his memory all the insults that can be inspired by the most violent hatred, when I learnt,--But I will confide my history to you, M.Daburon.