Since then he had jealously longed to be received back into the good graces of the directors.
Felicite was surprised at the modesty of his ambition, and told him so.
To open letters and risk the galleys just for the sake of selling a few dictionaries and grammars! "Eh!" he exclaimed in a shrill voice, "it's an assured sale of four or five thousand francs a year.

I don't aspire to impossibilities like some people." She did not take any notice of his last taunting words.

No more was said about his opening the letters.

A treaty of alliance was concluded, by which Vuillet engaged that he would not circulate any news or take any step in advance, on condition that the Rougons should secure him the custom of the college.

As she was leaving, Felicite advised him not to compromise himself any further.