The chimney-piece was covered with vulgar ornaments, a clock with four columns in mahogany, and candelabra under glass shades.

The study, where the three men seated themselves before a soft-coal fire, was the study of a lawyer just beginning to practise.

The furniture consisted of a desk, an armchair, little curtains of green silk at the windows, a green carpet, shelves for lawyer's boxes, and a couch, above which hung an ivory Christ on a velvet background.

The bedroom, kitchen, and rest of the apartment looked out upon the courtyard.
"Well," said Cerizet, "how are things going?
Are we getting on ?" "Yes," replied Theodose.
"You must admit," cried Dutocq, "that my idea was a famous one, in laying hold of that imbecile of a Thuillier ?" "Yes, but I'm not behindhand either," exclaimed Cerizet.

"I have come now to show you a way to put the thumbscrews on the old maid and make her spin like a teetotum.