Yes, I welcomed you to my house with the greatest pleasure; and there was, I admit, a motive of self-interest behind my pleasure--" "Ah!" "You have a career before you," she whispered in his ear, "a future without limit; you will be deputy, minister!" (What happiness for an ambitious man when such things as these are warbled in his ear by the sweet voice of a pretty woman!) "Oh, yes! I know you better than you know yourself.

Rabourdin is a man who could be of immense service to you in such a career; he could do the steady work while you were in the Chamber.

Just as you dream of the ministry, so I dream of seeing Rabourdin in the Council of State, and general director.

It is therefore my object to draw together two men who can never injure, but, on the contrary, must greatly help each other.

Isn't that a woman's mission?
If you are friends, you will both rise the faster, and it is surely high time that each of you made hay.