From the first day Madam Basile had taken me under her
protection, she had endeavored to make me serviceable in the
warehouse; and, finding I understood arithmetic tolerably well, she
proposed his teaching me to keep the books; a proposition that was but
indifferently received by this humorist, who might, perhaps, be
fearful of being supplanted. As this failed, my whole employ,
besides what engraving I had to do, was to transcribe some bills and
accounts, to write several books over fair, and translate commercial
letters from Italian into French. All at once he thought fit to accept
the before rejected proposal, saying he would teach me bookkeeping
by double-entry, and put me in a situation to offer my services to
M. Basile on his return; but there was something so false,
malicious, and ironical, in his air and manner, that it was by no
means calculated to inspire me with confidence. Madam Basile,
replied archly, that I was much obliged to him for his kind offer, but
she hoped fortune would be more favorable to my merits, for it would
be a great misfortune, with so much sense, that I should only be a
pitiful clerk.
She often said, she would procure me some acquaintance that might be
useful; she doubtless felt the necessity of parting with me, and had
prudently resolved on it. Our mute declaration had been made on a
Thursday, the Sunday following she gave a dinner. A Jacobin of good
appearance was among the guests, to whom she did me the honor to
present me.
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