"My mind is stronger than I; I must let my imagination have free run, and no one will ever know what that particular turn of mind has cost me.

Even my family do not think me serious.

Aunt Desvarennes has forbidden any kind of enterprise, under pretence that I bear her name, and that I might compromise it because I have twice failed.

My aunt paid, it is true.

Do you think it is generous of her to take advantage of my situation, and prohibit my trying to succeed?
Are inventors judged by three or four failures?
If my aunt had allowed me I should have astonished the world." "She feared, above all," said Marechal, simply, "to see you astonishing the Tribunal of Commerce." "Oh! you, too," moaned Savinien, "are in league with my enemies; you make no account of me." And young Desvarennes sank as if crushed into an armchair and began to lament.