What may not Francois hope to become?
'Hmph!' answers M.Arouet Senior, steadily, so long as he lives.

Here are one or two subsequent phases, epochs or turning-points, of the young gentleman's career.
"PHASIS FIRST (1725-1728) .-- The accomplished Duc de Sulli (Year 1725, day not recorded), is giving in his hotel a dinner, such as usual; and a bright witty company is assembled;--the brightest young fellow in France sure to be there; and with his electric coruscations illuminating everything, and keeping the table in a roar.

To the delight of most; not to that of a certain splenetic ill-given Duc de Rohan; grandee of high rank, great haughtiness, and very ill-behavior in the world; who feels impatient at the notice taken of a mere civic individual, Arouet Junior.
_ 'Quel est done ce jeune homme qui parle si haut,_ Who is this young man that talks so loud, then ?' exclaims the proud splenetic Duke.
'Monseigneur,' flashes the young man back upon him in an electric manner, 'it is one who does not drag a big name about with him; but who secures respect for the name he has!' Figure that, in the penetrating grandly clangorous voice (VOIX SOMBRE ET MAJESTUEUSE), and the momentary flash of eyes that attended it.

Duc de Rohan rose, in a sulphurous frame of mind; and went his ways.

What date?
You ask the idle French Biographer in vain;--see only, after more and more inspection, that the incident is true; and with labor date it, summer of the Year 1725.