I. croyait toujours avoir : account for this use of the

infinitive, already explained in the notes.

4. qu'on s'épargnait : the indicative is used hère after la seule because the statement is made in a positive manner, not admitting of any doubt. Cf. note, p. i 1. 2.

c'était : note the fréquent use of ce before être when the order of the two parts of the sentence may be inverted.