Asforme，thoughIhavelatelycomeintothequarter，Ican，thankstotheinfluenceIenjoythroughcertainlegalbenefitsdonetothepoor，materiallyadvancehisinterests。Imight，perhaps，haveputmyselfforwardforthisposition；butservingthepoorbringsinbutlittlemoney；and，besides，themodestyofmylifeisoutofkeepingwithsuchdistinctions。Ihavedevotedmyself，monsieur，totheserviceoftheweak，likethelateCouncillorPopinot，——asublimeman，asyoujustlyremarked。IfIhadnotalreadychosenacareerwhichisinsomesortmonastic，andprecludesallideaofmarriageandpublicoffice，mytaste，mysecondvocation，wouldleadmetotheserviceofGod，totheChurch。IdonottrumpetwhatIdo，likethephilanthropists；Idonotwriteaboutit；Isimplyact；IampledgedtoChristiancharity。TheambitionofourfriendThuillierbecomingknowntome，Ihavewishedtocontributetothehappinessoftwoyoungpeoplewhoseemtomemadeforeachother，bysuggestingtoyouthemeansofwinningtherathercoldheartofMonsieurThuillier。\"
Phellionwasbewilderedbythistirade，admirablydelivered；hewasdazzled，attracted；butheremainedPhellion；hewalkeduptothelawyerandheldouthishand，whichlaPeyradetook。
\"Monsieur，\"saidthecommander，withemotion，\"Ihavemisjudgedyou。
WhatyouhavedonemethehonortoconfidetomewilldieTHERE，\"
layinghishandonhisheart。\"Youareoneofthemenofwhomwehavetoofew，——menwhoconsoleusformanyevilsinherentinoursocialstate。Righteousnessisseensoseldomthatourtoofeeblenaturesdistrustappearances。Youhaveinmeafriend，ifyouwillallowmethehonorofassumingthattitle。Butyoumustlearntoknowme，monsieur。IshouldlosemyownesteemifInominatedThuillier。No，mysonshallneverownhishappinesstoanevilactiononhisfather’spart。Ishallnotchangemycandidatebecausemyson’sinterestsdemandit。Thatiscivicvirtue，monsieur。\"