Cerizet, the once opulent friend and protector of Theodose, was the muddy mire still clinging to the Provencal, and the former manager of the joint-stock company saw very plainly that his tool wanted to brush himself on entering a sphere where decent clothing was a necessity.
"Well, my dear Theodose," began Thuillier, "we have hoped to see you every day this week, and every evening we find our hopes deceived.

As this is our Sunday for a dinner, my sister and my wife have sent me here to beg you to come to us." "I have been so busy," said Theodose, "that I have not had two minutes to give to any one, not even to you, whom I count among my friends, and with whom I have wished to talk about--" "What?
have you really been thinking seriously over what you said to me ?" cried Thuillier, interrupting him.
"If you had not come here now for a full understanding, I shouldn't respect you as I do," replied la Peyrade, smiling.

"You have been a sub-director, and therefore you must have the remains of ambition--which is deucedly legitimate in your case! Come, now, between ourselves, when one sees a Minard, that gilded pot, displaying himself at the Tuileries, and complimenting the king, and a Popinot about to become a minister of State, and then look at you! a man trained to administrative work, a man with thirty years' experience, who has seen six governments, left to plant balsams in a little garden! Heavens and earth!--I am frank, my dear Thuillier, and I'll say, honestly, that I want to advance you, because you'll draw me after you.

Well, here's my plan.

We are soon to elect a member of the council-general from this arrondissement; and that member must be you.