Since I had lived in the house of Madam Dupin, I had always been
satisfied with my situation, without showing the least sign of a
desire to improve it. The addition which, in conjunction with M. de
Francueil, she had made to my salary, was entirely of their own
accord. This year M. de Francueil, whose friendship for me daily
increased, had it in his thoughts to place me more at ease, and in a
less precarious situation. He was Receiver-General of finance. M.
Dudoyer, his cash-keeper, was old and rich, and wished to retire. M.
de Francueil offered me this place, and to prepare myself for it, I
went, during a few weeks, to M. Dudoyer, to take the necessary
instructions. But whether my talents were ill-suited to the
employment, or that Dudoyer, who I thought wished to procure his place
for another, was not in earnest in the instructions he gave me, I
acquired by slow degrees, and very imperfectly, the knowledge I was in
want of, and could never understand the nature of accounts, rendered
intricate, perhaps designedly. However, without having possessed
myself of the whole scope of the business, I learned enough of the
method to pursue it without the least difficulty; I even entered on my
new office; I kept the cashbook and the cash; I paid and received
money, took and gave receipts; and although this business was so ill
suited to my inclinations as to my abilities, maturity of years
beginning to render me sedate, I was determined to conquer my disgust,
and entirely devote myself to my new employment.
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