It is urgent that you should have immediate employment.

Pray, what can you do?
Not much of anything, I fancy;--like most college bred boys, you can do a little of everything, and nothing well.

Had I a son, and an enormous income, I would have him taught a trade." Paul bit his lip; but he knew the portrait was a true one.
"And now," continued Mascarin, "I have come to your aid, and what do you say to a situation with a salary of twelve thousand francs ?" This sum was so much greater than Paul had dared to hope, that he believed Mascarin was amusing himself at his expense.
"It is not kind of you to laugh at me, under the present circumstances," remarked he.
Mascarin was not laughing at him; but it was fully half an hour before he could prove this to Paul.
"You would like more proof of what I say," said he, after a long conversation.

"Very well, then; shall I advance your first month's salary ?" And as he spoke, he took a thousand-franc note from his desk, and offered it to Paul.

The young man rejected the note; but the force of the argument struck him; and he asked if he was capable of carrying out the duties which such a salary doubtless demanded.
"Were I not certain of your abilities, I should not offer it to you," replied Mascarin.