Moreau was really thinking of some day proposing Oscar to the count as his successor.
But to give to the devil and to God what respectively belongs to them, perhaps it would be well to show the causes of Oscar Husson's silly self-conceit, premising that he was born in the household of Madame Mere.

During his early childhood his eyes were dazzled by imperial splendors.

His pliant imagination retained the impression of those gorgeous scenes, and nursed the images of a golden time of pleasure in hopes of recovering them.

The natural boastfulness of school-boys (possessed of a desire to outshine their mates) resting on these memories of his childhood was developed in him beyond all measure.

It may also have been that his mother at home dwelt too fondly on the days when she herself was a queen in Directorial Paris.