un malin avoué, ' a sly dog, M. Chatfinet, a

retired lawyer.' Malin (L. malignus) has often the sensé of * malicious,' 'evil,' * malignant,' etc., but very often of 'élever,' *sly,' etc., as hère. Chatfinet {chat fin) is a significant name applied to the retired lawyer. Avoué most closely corresponds to 'solicitor' with us, and avocat to 'barrister.' Ancien signifies 'former,' 'retired,' etc., while vieux signifies ' old ' in years.