He occasionally talks of committing suicide, of throwing himself into the sea; but this idea of his has been stolen so many times over that he gives it up in disgust.
When he does die, it will be of spite.
You will survive the loss of him without difficulty.
His presence is a hair in your soup, a crumb in your bed.
The French social failure is not uncommonly a philosopher, and even keeps a spark of facetiousness through all his misfortunes.
About ten years ago, I was talking one day with a Frenchman, who had been established in England some time. Established! I am getting facetious, too, you see.
I was erroneously maintaining to him that imprisonment was still inflicted in England for debt.
"You are mistaken, I can assure you," said he.
"I do not think so," I replied.
"Imprisonment for debt was abolished two years ago."