What an ass I made of myself! I found a great brute of a man there, who thrashed me within an inch of my life, and then kicked me downstairs.

See, he made his mark rather more plainly than I liked." And removing his cap, the boy showed several bruises about his forehead.
During this conversation Tantaine and the lad had been walking slowly up the Champs Elysees, and had by this time arrived just opposite M.
Gandelu's house, where Andre was at work.

Tantaine sat down on a bench.
"Let us rest a bit," said he; "I am tired out; and now let me tell you, my lad, that your tale only shows me that it is experience you want.
Now, I have any amount of that, and I was really the prime mover in most of Mascarin's schemes.

If I were to start on my own account, I should be driving in my carriage in twelve months.

The only thing against my success is my age, for I am getting to be an old man.