He made fresh acquaintances on every hand,
and was more than ever the brilliant and popular Monsieur
Alphonse; but Charles kept an eye on his growing debts.
He had Alphonse watched as closely as possible, and, as their
business was of the same kind, could form a pretty good estimate
of the other's earnings. His expenses were even easier to
ascertain, and he soon assured himself of the fact that Alphonse
was beginning to run into debt in several quarters.
He cultivated some acquaintances about whom he otherwise cared
nothing, merely because through them he got an insight into
Alphonse's expensive mode of life and rash prodigality. He sought
the same cafes and restaurants as Alphonse, but at different
times; he even had his clothes made by the same tailor, because
the talkative little man entertained him with complaints that
Monsieur Alphonse never paid his bills.
Charles often thought how easy it would be to buy up a part of
Alphonse's liabilities and let them fall into the hands of a
grasping usurer. But it would be a great injustice to suppose that
Charles for a moment contemplated doing such a thing himself. It
was only an idea he was fond of dwelling upon; he was, as it were,
in love with Alphonse's debts.
But things went slowly, and Charles became pale and sallow while
he watched and waited.
He was longing for the time when the people who had always looked
down upon him should have their eyes opened, and see how little
the brilliant and idolized Alphonse was really fit for.
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