The things we do!

I owe scarcely anything.
I have paid off Moss every halfpenny for his confounded rings and
gimcracks. I asked father about this melancholy news as we walked away
from Madame de Florac.
"He is not near so rich as we thought. Since he has been at home he says
he has spent greatly more than his income, and is quite angry at his own
extravagance. At first he thought he might have retired from the army
altogether; but after three years at home, he finds he cannot live upon
his income. When he gets his promotion as full Colonel, he will be
entitled to a thousand a year; that, and what he has invested in India,
and a little in this country, will be plenty for both of us. He never
seems to think of my making money by my profession. Why, suppose I sell
the 'Battle of Assaye' for 500 pounds? that will be enough to carry me on
ever so long, without dipping into the purse of the dear old father.
"The Viscount de Florac called to dine with us. The Colonel said he did
not care about going out: and so the Viscount and I went together.


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