Here is the rest; be careful how you spend it, monsieur; consider what you have left of it as your stake on the green cloth of fortune." During the last eight days Savinien had made many reflections on the present conditions of life.

Competition in everything necessitated hard work on the part of whoever sought a fortune.

Illegal methods and underhand dealing demanded more talent than open efforts in face of day.
Success in society, far from giving a man position, wasted his time and required an immense deal of money.

The name of Portenduere, which his mother considered all-powerful, had no power at all in Paris.

His cousin the deputy, Comte de Portenduere, cut a very poor figure in the Elective Chamber in presence of the peerage and the court; and had none too much credit personally.