It may be to-morrow, without even having prepared him or taught him his part.

Suppose we found that he was honest! Imagine--if he returned a firm negative to all your dazzling offers!" Mascarin rose to his feet in his turn.

"I do not think that there is any chance of that," said he.
"Why not, pray ?" "Because when Tantaine brought him to me, he had studied him carefully.
He is as weak as a woman, and as vain as a journalist.

Besides, he is ashamed at being poor.

No; I can mould him like wax into any shape I like.