He broke off, therefore, completely with the Water Drinkers and went away to live alone.
Five or six days after Francine's funeral, Jacques went to a monumental mason of the Montparnasse cemetery and offered to conclude the following bargain with him.

The mason was to furnish Francine's grave with a border, which Jacques reserved the right of designing, and in addition to supply the sculptor with a block of white marble.

In return for this Jacques would place himself for three months at his disposition, either as a journeyman stone-cutter or sculptor.

The monumental mason then had several important orders on hand.

He visited Jacques' studio, and in presence of several works begun there, had proof that the chance which gave him the sculptor's services was a lucky one for him.