Pierre, on the contrary, felt absolute confidence in him, not that he had more intuition than his wife, but because external appearances sufficed him, and he flattered himself by believing in the genius of a son who was his living image.

A month prior to the Revolution of February, 1848, Eugene became restless; some special inspiration made him anticipate the crisis.

From that time forward he seemed to feel out of his element at Plassans.

He would wander about the streets like a distressed soul.

At last he formed a sudden resolution, and left for Paris, with scarcely five hundred francs in his pocket.
Aristide, the youngest son, was, so to speak, diametrically opposed to Eugene.