You shall have no cause to complain of me, Monsieur le comte; the world shall consider me among the unfortunate suitors of your charming daughter.

Give me your word of honor to say nothing on the subject to any one, not even to Mademoiselle Modeste, because," he added, throwing a word of promise to the ear, "my circumstances may so change that I can ask you for her without 'dot.'" "I promise you that," said the colonel.

"You know, monsieur, with what assurance the public, both in Paris and the provinces, talk of fortunes that they make and unmake.

People exaggerate both happiness and unhappiness; we are never so fortunate nor so unfortunate as people say we are.

There is nothing sure and certain in business except investments in land.