 The Abb  Fran ois Birotteau and the Abb  Hyacinthe Troubert, both of whom are priests at Tours, have separate lodgings in the house belonging to the crabby spinster Sophie Gamard in that city. Birotteau is an other-worldly, gentle, introspective type; Troubert, who is ten years younger than his fellow boarder, is very much of the world: he is a careerist devoured by ambition.
Birotteau prides himself on his furniture and fine library, inherited from his friend and predecessor as parish priest of Saint-Gatien de Tours. Without reading all its clauses, or at least without remembering them, he signs a document handed to him by Mlle Gamard, forfeiting his entitlement to his lodgings and making over their contents to her in the event of his vacating his premises for any considerable period. He leaves them for a fortnight s stay in the country, where he is served with a possession order by his landlady s lawyer. On returning home he finds Troubert installed in his apartments, in full possession of his furniture and his library, whilst he himself has been moved into inferior rooms.
Birotteau abandons any prospect of a lawsuit to regain his property, as his friends in the provincial aristocracy of Tours gradually withdraw their backing. In return for giving up his rooms he had expected to be appointed to the vacant canonry of the cathedral. Instead, he is demoted to a much poorer parish two or three miles out of Tours. Deprived of his library and furniture, he leaves Mlle Gamard s, thinking that this will indirectly bring him, through Troubert, the canonry which never comes. Troubert, on the other hand, is first appointed Vicar-General of the diocese of Tours, then Bishop of Troyes, scarcely deigning to look in Birotteau s direction as he speeds past his colleague s dilapidated presbytery on his way to his diocese.
Who becomes the Vicar-General of the Tours diocese? Which of the two priests received furniture from someone who died? Where are Abbe Francois Birrotteau and Abbe Hyacinthe Troubert priests?  Who takes over Birotteau's quarters when he goes away for a break?  Where does Birotteau believe he will wind up once he gives up his room? How much older is Birotteau than Troubert? Who is promoted to vicar?  Who serves Birotteau the possession order?  Who owns the house where Birotteau and Troubert reside? Where was Francois when Hyacinthe moved into his apartment? Who had Birotteau sign the document that forfeited his worldly goods?  What type of person is Troubert? What is Birotteau's pride?  Why is Birotteau unable to get his belongings back? What happened after Francois' friends stopped supporting him? Which priest is younger?  Who owns the house where the two priests live? Who winds up in Birotteau's vacant apartment? Who becomes Bishop of Troyes? Who is the crabby spinster?  Who is demoted to a poorer parish?  How did Gamard gain control over Birotteau's belongings? What appointment did Francois want to receive? What is the age difference between Birotteau and Troubert? What is the name of the parish where Birotteau is the priest? How are Birotteau and Troubert different?  Where was the parish Birotteau relocated to, according to the story? Why did Birotteau lose his furniture and library? Who's lawyer serves Birotteau with possession papers?