When Monsieur de Solis brought him up to Balthazar and told of his admission to the Ecole Polytechnique, the father thanked the professor with a wave of his hand, and said:-- "I am very glad; Gabriel may become a man of science." "Oh, my brother," cried Marguerite, as Balthazar went back to his laboratory, "work hard, waste no money; spend what is necessary, but practise economy.

On the days when you are allowed to go out, pass your time with our friends and relations; contract none of the habits which ruin young men in Paris.

Your expenses will amount to nearly three thousand francs, and that will leave you a thousand francs for your pocket-money; that is surely enough." "I will answer for him," said Emmanuel de Solis, laying his hand on his pupil's shoulder.
A month later, Monsieur Conyncks, in conjunction with Marguerite, had obtained all necessary securities from Claes.

The plan so wisely proposed by Emmanuel de Solis was fully approved and executed.

Face to face with the law, and in presence of his cousin, whose stern sense of honor allowed no compromise, Balthazar, ashamed of the sale of the timber to which he had consented at a moment when he was harassed by creditors, submitted to all that was demanded of him.