"No, on the contrary it is for you to speak. What do you desire?"
"I? I desired success and I have had it. I do not want anything else."
"But what can we do that will be agreeable to you?"
"Not a great deal."
"Nevertheless, there must be some position in the house you would like."
"There is none I covet; but there is one post that would suit my convenience."
"Which is that?"
"To be M. Casimir Delavigne's colleague at the library."
Oudard's facial muscles twitched with an expression indicative of, "You are indeed ambitious, my friend."
"Oh! indeed I quite understand the difficulties," I said.