My mother has only two weeks' leave of absence; her place is a permanent one, and she must not risk it.

As for me, in the month of October I have an important work, which Schinner has just obtained for me from a peer of France; so you see, madame, my future fortune is in my brushes." This speech was received by Madame Hochon with much amazement.

Though relatively superior to the town she lived in, the old lady did not believe in painting.

She glanced at her goddaughter, and again pressed her hand.
"This Maxence is the second volume of Philippe," whispered Joseph in his mother's ear, "-- only cleverer and better behaved.

Well, madame," he said, aloud, "we won't trouble Monsieur Hochon by staying very long." "Ah! you are young; you know nothing of the world," said the old lady.
"A couple of weeks, if you are judicious, may produce great results; listen to my advice, and act accordingly." "Oh! willingly," said Joseph, "I know I have a perfectly amazing incapacity for domestic statesmanship: for example, I am sure I don't know what Desroches himself would tell us to do if my uncle declines to see us." Mesdames Borniche, Goddet-Herau, Beaussier, Lousteau-Prangin and Fichet, decorated with their husbands, here entered the room.
When the fourteen persons were seated, and the usual compliments were over, Madame Hochon presented her goddaughter Agathe and Joseph.