Chapter

1 1|     the fate of some man of merit or~some landed proprietor
2 2| these are times when hidden merit is~overlooked, whereas if
3 3|    said Falleix, "do men of merit need protectors and~influence
4 4|     of dress Bixiou had the merit of never being ridiculous;~
5 4|     a spy or a man~of solid merit. Desroys was, however, simple
6 6|    because the man has~such merit, and because the measure
7 7|   My ignorance of~your real merit has saved you from des Lupeaulx'
8 7|     and where every form of~merit or distinction is silently