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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from The Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: peer of France. At the present moment he saw that Time was getting the
better of him; for his lavish dissipations were beginning to wear upon
his person, as they had already worn out his divers fortunes. In spite
of his splendid exterior, he knew himself, and could not be deceived
about that self. He intended to "make an end"--to marry.
A man of acute mind, he was under no illusion as to the apparent
consideration in which he was held; he well knew it was false. No
women were truly on his side, either in the great world of Paris or
among the bourgeoisie. Much secret malignity, much apparent good-
humor, and many services rendered were necessary to maintain him in
his present position; for every one desired his fall, and a run of
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