He warily sounded a nature that could be warped to the exigencies of any plan, provided it was profitable.

At each of the three visits Sibilet grumbled at his fate.
"Employ me, cousin," he said; "take me as a clerk and make me your successor.

You shall see how I work.

I am capable of overthrowing mountains to give my Adeline, I won't say luxury, but a modest competence.

You made Monsieur Leclercq's fortune; why won't you put me in a bank in Paris ?" "Some day, later on, I'll find you a place," Gaubertin would say; "meantime make friends and acquaintance; such things help." Under these circumstances the letter which Madame Soudry hastily dispatched brought Sibilet to Soulanges through a region of castles in the air.