"
When Alphonse was on all occasions preferred to him, Charles
rejoiced; he was proud of his friend. He wrote his exercises,
prompted him at examination, pleaded his cause with the masters,
and fought for him with the boys.
At the commercial academy it was the same story. Charles worked
for Alphonse, and Alphonse rewarded him with his inexhaustible
amiability and unfailing good-humor.
When subsequently, as quite young men, they were placed in the
same banker's office, it happened one day that the principal said
to Charles: "From the first of May I will raise your salary."
"I thank you," answered Charles, "both on my own and on my
friend's behalf."
"Monsieur Alphonse's salary remains unaltered," replied the chief,
and went on writing.
Charles never forgot that morning. It was the first time he had
been preferred or distinguished before his friend. And it was his
commercial capacity, the quality which, as a young man of
business, he valued most, that had procured him this preference;
and it was the head of the firm, the great financier, who had
himself accorded him such recognition.
The experience was so strange to him that it seemed like an
injustice to his friend. He told Alphonse nothing of the
occurrence; on the contrary, he proposed that they should apply
for two vacant places in the Credit Lyonnais.
Alphonse was quite willing, for he loved change, and the splendid
new banking establishment on the Boulevard seemed to him far more
attractive than the dark offices in the Rue Bergere.
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