His fortune proved much larger than was suspected: my share amounted to an income from investments in stocks, houses, etc., to upwards of sixty thousand francs a-year; and as I wanted six years to my majority of course the capital on attaining my majority would be increased by accumulation.

My mother desired to keep me near her; my uncle, who was joint guardian with her, looked with disdain on our poor little provincial cottage; so promising an heir should acquire his finishing education under masters at Paris.
Long before I was of age, I was initiated into politer mysteries of our capital than those celebrated by Eugene Sue.

When I took possession of my fortune five years ago, I was considered a Croesus; and really for that patriarchal time I was wealthy.

Now, alas! my accumulations have vanished in my outfit; and sixty thousand francs a-year is the least a Parisian can live upon.

It is not only that all prices have fabulously increased, but that the dearer things become, the better people live.
When I first came out, the world speculated upon me; now, in order to keep my standing, I am forced to speculate on the world.