Oscar then did the errands of the office and prepared his lessons for the law-school,--and prepared them elaborately; for Godeschal, and frequently Desroches himself, pointed out to their pupil authors to be looked through and difficulties to overcome.

He was not allowed to leave a single section of the Code until he had thoroughly mastered it to the satisfaction of his chief and Godeschal, who put him through preliminary examinations more searching and longer than those of the law-school.

On his return from his classes, where he was kept but a short time, he went to his work in the office; occasionally he was sent to the Palais, but always under the thumb of the rigid Godeschal, till dinner.

The dinner was that of his master,--one dish of meat, one of vegetables, and a salad.

The dessert consisted of a piece of Gruyere cheese.