No one could understand where he got his money from. But the person who marvelled most at the dashing and luxurious life led by Alphonse was his friend and partner.

After they dissolved their partnership, most of the custom and the best connection passed by degrees into Charles’s hands. This was not because he in any way sought to run counter to his former partner; on the contrary, it arose simply from the fact that Charles was the more capable man of the two. And as Alphonse had now to work on his own account, it was soon clear to anyone who observed him closely that, in spite of his promptitude, his amiability, and his prepossessing appearance, he was not fit to be at the head of an independent business.

And there was one person who did observe him closely. Charles followed him step by step with his sharp eyes; every blunder, every extravagance, every loss - he knew all to a nicety, and he wondered how Alphonse could keep going so long.

They had as good as grown up together. Their mothers were cousins; the families had lived near each other in the same street; and in a city like Paris, proximity is as important as relationship in promoting closeness. Moreover, the boys went to the same school.