Five times twelve are sixty; so you see that it is only a fair exchange." The laughter was all on my side, and the fine councillor went away rather crestfallen.

One of the gentlemen present at the discussion, finding my answer to his taste, came up to Camille, and asked her in a whisper who I was.

We got acquainted at once.
It was M.de Marigni, whom I was delighted to know for the sake of my brother whose arrival in Paris I was expecting every day.

M.de Marigni was superintendent of the royal buildings, and the Academy of Painting was under his jurisdiction.

I mentioned my brother to him, and he graciously promised to protect him.