In all his calculations, therefore, he had regarded the sale of the Fouques' property as the final consummation.

This sale, by placing a round sum of money in his hands, would enable him to marry the daughter of some merchant who would take him into partnership.

At this period the wars of the First Empire were greatly thinning the ranks of eligible young men.

Parents were not so fastidious as previously in the choice of a son-in-law.

Pierre persuaded himself that money would smooth all difficulties, and that the gossip of the Faubourg would be overlooked; he intended to pose as a victim, as an honest man suffering from a family disgrace, which he deplored, without being soiled by it or excusing it.
For several months already he had cast his eyes on a certain Felicite Puech, the daughter of an oil-dealer.