At that time the French Emperor was in precarious health and scarcely in full control of his powers.
"A History of the Third French Republic"
C. H. C. Wright
Ellen felt more lively, and stronger, her sleep and appetite returned, and while the old practitioner withdrew deeply hurt, and mortified, I enjoyed the first pleasures of fame though it still stood on a very precarious footing, and I felt the happiness of having delivered those dear to me, from a heavy care.
"The Dead Lake and Other Tales"
Paul Heyse
My situation's a very precarious one; a frozen crop would break me.
"A Prairie Courtship"
Harold Bindloss