I had had to work all my life, now I had nothing to do.

I had lived close to great traditions, now there was no habit of life to keep them alive in me.

I spent money freely, but it gave me no pleasure.

I once was a valet to a great man, now I had the income of a gentleman, and was no gentleman.
Ah, do you not shrink from me, Monsieur le Cure ?" The Cure did not reply, but made a kindly gesture, and Valmond continued: "Sick of everything, one day I left Quebec hurriedly.

Why I came here I do not know, save that I had heard it was near the mountains, was quiet, and I could be at peace.