en retraite, * on half -pay

16. Vu son peu de fortuite, ' Considering the smallnes3 of his means.' 18. École poly technique = OUI Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. ïhe first jive in order of merit, at the leaving examination, are generally appointed Government Engineers of roads, and bridges, or mines ; the next fifteen are drafted into the Royal Engineers {le génie), the remainder receive commissions in the artillery. 34. grande^ * in a large way. '

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6. parloir. A room in French schools, set apart for parents who come to see their children during term-time. 15. instantes prières, ' earnest entreaties. '

28. à ce je ne sais quoi d' adorable, ' to that indescribable charm.'

31. craignant qu'elle refusât. Note the Subjunctive refusât after verbs oîfearing. Cf. Latin : vereor ne veniat.

34. bien entendu, * of course. ' Cf. comme de raison, with the same meaning.

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8. je Vécoute. Translate: *I am ail attention,' if you would be idiomatic.

25. fut mis au courant de la situation, * was informed how matters stood. '

27. ne pouvait . . . qui me convint. Note the Subjunctive after a négative clause followed by a relative pronoun. Cf. Latin : Nullum est animal praeter hominem quod rationis particeps sit.

32. et dans l'état où en sont les choses, * and considering how matters stand. ' Cf. Où en étes-vous de votre travail ? ' How is your work progressing ? ' En être là! * To hâve come to that ! '