I was born at La Chatre; the college of La Chatre absorbed eighteen years of my life.

Our head master used to remark that college is a second home; whereby I have always fancied he did some injustice to the first.
My school-days were hardly over when my uncle and guardian, M.Brutus Mouillard, solicitor, of Bourges, packed me off to Paris to go through my law course.

I took three years over it: At the end of that time, just eighteen months ago, I became a licentiate, and "in the said capacity"-- as my uncle would say took an oath that transformed me into a probationary barrister.

Every Monday, regularly, I go to sign my name among many others on an attendance list, and thereby, it appears, I am establishing a claim upon the confidence of the widow and the orphan.
In the intervals of my legal studies I have succeeded in taking my Arts Degree.

At present I am seeking that of Doctor of Law.