第5章

Theusurersallapplaudedthesedoctrineswithashakeoftheirmetallicheads。Anonlookerwouldhavefanciedheheardthecreakingofill-oiledmachinery。”Come，Gigonnet，showalittlefeeling，”saidChaboisseau，”they’veknityourstockingsforthirtyyears。””Thatcountsforsomething，”remarkedGobseck。”Areyouallalone？Isitsafetospeak？”saidMitral，lookingcarefullyabouthim。”Icomeaboutagoodpieceofbusiness。””Ifitisgood，whydoyoucometous？”saidGigonnet，sharply，interruptingMitral。”AfellowwhowasagentlemanoftheBedchamber，”wentonMitral，”aformer’chouan，’——what’shisname？——LaBillardiereisdead。””True，”saidGobseck。”Andournephewisgivingmonstrancestothechurch，”snarledGigonnet。”Heisnotsuchafoolastogivethem，hesellsthem，oldman，”saidMitral，proudly。”HewantsLaBillardiere’splace，andinordertogetit，wemustseize——””Seize！You’llneverbeanythingbutasheriff’sofficer，”putinMetivier，strikingMitralamicablyontheshoulder；”Ilikethat，I

do！””SeizeMonsieurClementdesLupeaulxinourclutches，”continuedMitral；”Elisabethhasdiscoveredhowtodoit，andheis——””Elisabeth”；criedGigonnet，interruptingagain；”dearlittlecreature！shetakesafterhergrandfather，mypoorbrother！heneverhadhisequal！Ah，youshouldhaveseenhimbuyingupoldfurniture；

whattact！whatshrewdness！WhatdoesElisabethwant？””Hey！hey！”criedMitral，”you’vegotbackyourbowelsofcompassion，papaGigonnet！Thatphenomenonhasacause。””Alwaysachild，”saidGobsecktoGigonnet，”youaretooquickonthetrigger。””Come，GobseckandGigonnet，listentome；youwanttokeepwellwithdesLupeaulx，don’tyou？You’venotforgottenhowyoupluckedhiminthataffairabouttheking’sdebts，andyouareafraidhe’llaskyoutoreturnsomeofhisfeathers，”saidMitral。”Shallwetellhimthewholething？”askedGobseck，whisperingtoGigonnet。”Mitralisoneofus；hewouldn’tplayashabbytrickonhisformercustomers，”repliedGigonnet。”Yousee，Mitral，”hewenton，speakingtotheex-sheriffinalowvoice，”wethreehavejustboughtupallthosedebts，thepaymentofwhichdependsonthedecisionoftheliquidationcommittee。””Howmuchwillyoulose？”askedMitral。”Nothing，”saidGobseck。”Nobodyknowsweareinit，”addedGigonnet；”Samanonscreensus。””Come，listentome，Gigonnet；itiscold，andyournieceiswaitingoutside。You’llunderstandwhatIwantintwowords。Youmustatonce，betweenyou，sendtwohundredandfiftythousandfrancs(withoutinterest)intothecountryafterFalleix，whohasgonepost-haste，withacourierinadvanceofhim。””Isitpossible！”saidGobseck。”Whatfor？”criedGigonnet，”andwhereto？””TodesLupeaulx’smagnificentcountry-seat，”repliedMitral。”Falleixknowsthecountry，forhewasbornthere；andheisgoingtobuyuplandallroundthesecretary’smiserablehovel，withthetwohundredandfiftythousandfrancsIspeakof，——goodland，wellworththeprice。Thereareonlyninedaysbeforeusfordrawingupandrecordingthenotarialdeeds(bearthatinmind)。Withtheadditionofthisland，desLupeaulx’spresentmiserablepropertywouldpaytaxestotheamountofonethousandfrancs，thesumnecessarytomakeamaneligibletotheChamber。Ergo，withitdesLupeaulxgoesintotheelectoralcollege，becomeseligible，count，andwhateverhepleases。

Youknowthedeputywhohasslippedoutandleftavacancy，don’tyou？”

Thetwomisersnodded。”DesLupeaulxwouldcutoffalegtogetelectedinhisplace，”

continuedMitral；”buthemusthavethetitle-deedsofthepropertyinhisownname，andthenmortgagethembacktousfortheamountofthepurchase-money。Ah！nowyoubegintoseewhatIamafter！Firstofall，wemustmakesureofBaudoyer’sappointment，anddesLupeaulxwillgetitforusontheseterms；afterthatissettledwewillhandhimbacktoyou。Falleixisnowcanvassingtheelectoralvote。Don’tyouperceivethatyouhaveLupeaulxcompletelyinyourpoweruntilaftertheelection？——forFalleix’sfriendsarealargemajority。NowdoyouseewhatImean，papaGigonnet？””It’saclevergame，”saidMetivier。”We’lldoit，”saidGigonnet；”youagree，don’tyou，Gobseck？Falleixcangiveussecurityandputmortgagesonthepropertyinmyname；

we’llgoandseedesLupeaulxwhenallisready。””We’rerobbed，”saidGobseck。”Ha，ha！”laughedMitral，”I’dliketoknowtherobber！””Nobodycanrobusbutourselves，”answeredGigonnet。”ItoldyouweweredoingagoodthinginbuyingupalldesLupeaulx’spaperfromhiscreditorsatsixtypercentdiscount。””Takethismortgageonhisestateandyou’llholdhimtighterstillthroughtheinterest，”answeredMitral。”Possibly，”saidGobseck。

AfterexchangingashrewdlookwithGobseck，Gigonnetwenttothedoorofthecafe。”Elisabeth！followitup，mydear，”hesaidtohisniece。”Weholdyourmansecurely；butdon’tneglectaccessories。Youhavebegunwell，cleverwoman！goonasyoubeganandyou’llhaveyouruncle’sesteem，”

andhegraspedherhand，gayly。”But，”saidMitral，”MetivierandChaboisseauhearditall，andtheymayplayusatrickandtellthemattertosomeoppositionjournalwhichwouldcatchtheballonitswayandcounteracttheeffectoftheministerialarticle。Youmustgoalone，mydear；Idarenotletthosetwocormorantsoutofmysight。”Sosayinghere-enteredthecafe。

Thenextdaythenumeroussubscriberstoacertainliberaljournalread，amongtheParisitems，thefollowingarticle，insertedauthoritativelybyChaboisseauandMetivier，share-holdersinthesaidjournal，brokersforpublishers，printers，andpaper-makers，whosebehestsnoeditordaredrefuse:——”YesterdayaministerialjournalplainlyindicatedastheprobablesuccessorofMonsieurleBarondelaBillardiere，MonsieurBaudoyer，oneoftheworthiestcitizensofapopulousquarter，wherehisbenevolenceisscarcelylessknownthanthepietyonwhichtheministerialorganlaidsomuchstress。Whywasthatsheetsilentastohistalents？DiditreflectthatinboastingofthebourgeoisenobilityofMonsieurBaudoyer——which，certainly，isanobilityasgoodasanyother——itwaspointingoutareasonfortheexclusionofthecandidate？Agratuitouspieceofperfidy！anattempttokillwithacaress！ToappointMonsieurBaudoyeristodohonortothevirtues，thetalentsofthemiddleclasses，ofwhomweshalleverbethesupporters，thoughtheircauseseemsattimesalostone。Thisappointment，werepeat，willbeanactofjusticeandgoodpolicy；consequentlywemaybesureitwillnotbemade。”

Onthemorrow，Friday，theusualdayforthedinnergivenbyMadameRabourdin，whomdesLupeaulxhadleftatmidnight，radiantinbeauty，onthestaircaseoftheBouffons，arminarmwithMadamedeCamps(MadameFirmianihadlatelymarried)，theoldroueawokewithhisthoughtsofvengeancecalmed，orratherrefreshed，andhismindfullofalastglanceexchangedwithCelestine。”I’llmakesureofRabourdin’ssupportbyforgivinghimnow，——I’llgetevenwithhimlater。Ifhehasn’tthisplaceforthetimebeingI

shouldhavetogiveupawomanwhoiscapableofbecomingamostpreciousinstrumentinthepursuitofhighpoliticalfortune。Sheunderstandseverything；shrinksfromnothing，fromnoideawhatever！——

andbesides，Ican’tknowbeforehisExcellencywhatnewschemeofadministrationRabourdinhasinvented。No，mydeardesLupeaulx，thethinginhandistowinallnowforyourCelestine。Youmaymakeasmanyfacesasyouplease，Madamelacomtesse，butyouwillinviteMadameRabourdintoyournextselectparty。”

DesLupeaulxwasoneofthosemenwhotosatisfyapassionarequiteabletoputawayrevengeinsomedarkcorneroftheirminds。Hiscoursewastaken；hewasresolvedtogetRabourdinappointed。”Iwillprovetoyou，mydearfellow，thatIdeserveagoodplaceinyourgalley，”thoughtheasheseatedhimselfinhisstudyandbegantounfoldanewspaper。

Heknewsowellwhattheministerialorganwouldcontainthatherarelytookthetroubletoreadit，butonthisoccasionhedidopenittolookatthearticleonLaBillardiere，recollectingwithamusementthedilemmainwhichduBruelhadputhimbybringinghimthenightbeforeBixiou’samendmentstotheobituary。HewaslaughingtohimselfasherereadthebiographyofthelateComtedaFontaine，deadafewmonthsearlier，whichhehadhastilysubstitutedforthatofLaBillardiere，whenhiseyesweredazzledbythenameofBaudoyer。

Hereadwithfurythearticlewhichpledgedtheminister，andthenherangviolentlyforDutocq，tosendhimatoncetotheeditor。Butwhatwashisastonishmentonreadingthereplyoftheoppositionpaper！Thesituationwasevidentlyserious。Heknewthegame，andhesawthatthemanwhowasshufflinghiscardsforhimwasaGreekofthefirstorder。Todictateinthiswaythroughtwoopposingnewspapersinoneevening，andtobeginthefightbyforestallingtheintentionsoftheministerwasadaringgame！Herecognizedthepenofaliberaleditor，andresolvedtoquestionhimthatnightattheopera。Dutocqappeared。”Readthat，”saiddesLupeaulx，handinghimoverthetwojournals，andcontinuingtorunhiseyeoverotherstoseeifBaudoyerhadpulledanyfurtherwires。”Gototheofficeandaskwhohasdaredtothuscompromisetheminister。””ItwasnotMonsieurBaudoyerhimself，”answeredDutocq，”forheneverlefttheministryyesterday。Ineednotgoandinquire；forwhenI

tookyourarticletothenewspaperofficeImetayoungabbewhobroughtinaletterfromtheGrandAlmoner，beforewhichyouyourselfwouldhavehadtobow。””Dutocq，youhaveagrudgeagainstMonsieurRabourdin，anditisn’tright；forhehastwicesavedyoufrombeingturnedout。However，wearenotmastersofourownfeelings；wesometimeshateourbenefactors。Only，rememberthis；ifyoushowtheslightesttreacherytoRabourdin，withoutmypermission，itwillbeyourruin。Astothatnewspaper，lettheGrandAlmonersubscribeaslargelyaswedo，ifhewantsitsservices。Hereweareattheendoftheyear；thematterofsubscriptionswillcomeupfordiscussion，andIshallhavesomethingtosayonthathead。AstoLaBillardiere’splace，thereisonlyonewaytosettlethematter；andthatistoappointRabourdinthisveryday。””Gentlemen，”saidDutocq，returningtotheclerks’officeandaddressinghiscolleagues。”Idon’tknowifBixiouhastheartoflookingintofuturity，butifyouhavenotreadtheministerialjournalIadviseyoutostudythearticleaboutBaudoyer；then，asMonsieurFleurytakestheoppositionsheet，youcanseethereply。

MonsieurRabourdincertainlyhastalent，butamanwhointhesedaysgivesasix-thousand-francmonstrancetotheChurchhasadevilishdealmoretalentthanhe。”

Bixiou[entering]。”Whatsayyou，gentlemen，totheFirstEpistletotheCorinthiansinourpiousministerialjournal，andthereplyEpistletotheMinistersintheoppositionsheet？HowdoesMonsieurRabourdinfeelnow，duBruel？”

DuBruel[rushingin]。”Idon’tknow。”[HedragsBixioubackintohiscabinet，andsaysinalowvoice]”Mygoodfellow，yourwayofhelpingpeopleislikethatofthehangmanwhojumpsuponavictim’sshoulderstobreakhisneck。YougotmeintoascrapewithdesLupeaulx，whichmyfollyinevertrustingyourichlydeserved。Afinethingindeed，thatarticleonLaBillardiere。Isha’n’tforgetthetrick！Why，theveryfirstsentencewasasgoodastellingtheKinghewassuperannuatedanditwastimeforhimtodie。AndastothatQuiberonbit，itsaidplainlythattheKingwasa——WhatafoolIwas！”

Bixiou[laughing]。”Blessmyheart！areyougettingangry？Can’tafellowjokeanymore？”

DuBruel。”Joke！jokeindeed。Whenyouwanttobemadehead-clerksomebodyshalljokewithyou，mydearfellow。”

Bixiou[inabullyingtone]。”Angry，arewe？”

DuBruel。”Yes！”

Bixiou[dryly]。”Somuchtheworseforyou。”

DuBruel[uneasy]。”Youwouldn’tpardonsuchathingyourself，I

know。”

Bixiou[inawheedlingtone]。”Toafriend？indeedIwould。”[TheyhearFleury’svoice。]”There’sFleurycursingBaudoyer。Hey，howwellthethinghasbeenmanaged！Baudoyerwillgettheappointment。”

[Confidentially]”Afterall，somuchthebetter。DuBruel，justkeepyoureyeontheconsequences。Rabourdinwouldbeamean-spiritedcreaturetostayunderBaudoyer；hewillsendinhisregistration，andthatwillgiveustwoplaces。Youcanbeheadofthebureauandtakemeforunder-head-clerk。Wewillmakevaudevillestogether，andI’llfagatyourworkintheoffice。”

DuBruel[smiling]。”Dearme，Ineverthoughtofthat。PoorRabourdin！

Ishallbesorryforhim，though。”

Bixiou。”Thatshowshowmuchyoulovehim！”[Changinghistone]”Ah，well，Idon’tpityhimanylonger。He’srich；hiswifegivespartiesanddoesn’taskme，——me，whogoeverywhere！Well，good-bye，mydearfellow，good-bye，anddon’towemeagrudge！”[Hegoesoutthroughtheclerks’office。]”Adieu，gentlemen；didn’tItellyouyesterdaythatamanwhohasnothingbutvirtuesandtalentswillalwaysbepoor，eventhoughhehasaprettywife？”

Henry。”Youaresorich，you！”

Bixiou。”Notbad，myCincinnatus！Butyou’llgivemethatdinnerattheRocherdeCancale。”

Poiret。”ItisabsolutelyimpossibleformetounderstandMonsieurBixiou。”

Phellion[withanelegaicair]。”MonsieurRabourdinsoseldomreadsthenewspapersthatitmightperhapsbeserviceabletodepriveourselvesmomentarilybytakingthemintohim。”[Fleuryhandsoverhispaper，Vimeuxtheofficesheet，andPhelliondepartswiththem。]

AtthatmomentdesLupeaulx，comingleisurelydownstairstobreakfastwiththeminister，wasaskinghimselfwhether，beforeplayingatrumpcardforthehusband，itmightnotbeprudenttoprobethewife’sheartandmakesureofarewardforhisdevotion。Hewasfeelingaboutforthesmallamountofheartthathepossessed，when，ataturnofthestaircase，heencounteredhislawyer，whosaidtohim，smiling，”Justaword，Monseigneur，”inthetoneoffamiliarityassumedbymenwhoknowtheyareindispensable。”Whatisit，mydearDesroches？”exclaimedthepolitician。”Hasanythinghappened？””IhavecometotellyouthatallyournotesanddebtshavebeenbroughtupbyGobseckandGigonnet，underthenameofacertainSamanon。””MenwhomIhelpedtomaketheirmillions！””Listen，”whisperedthelawyer。”Gigonnet(reallynamedBidault)istheuncleofSaillard，yourcashier；andSaillardisfather-in-lawtoacertainBaudoyer，whothinkshehasarighttothevacantplaceinyourministry。Don’tyouthinkIhavedonerighttocomeandtellyou？””Thankyou，”saiddesLupeaulx，noddingtothelawyerwithashrewdlook。”Onestrokeofyourpenwillbuythemoff，”saidDesroches，leavinghim。”Whatanimmensesacrifice！”muttereddesLupeaulx。”Itwouldbeimpossibletoexplainittoawoman，”thoughthe。”IsCelestineworthmorethantheclearingoffofmydebts？——thatisthequestion。I’llgoandseeherthismorning。”

SothebeautifulMadameRabourdinwastobe，withinanhour，thearbiterofherhusband’sfate，andnopoweronearthcouldwarnheroftheimportanceofherreplies，orgivehertheleasthinttoguardherconductandcomposehervoice。Moreover，inadditiontohermischances，shebelievedherselfcertainofsuccess，neverdreamingthatRabourdinwasunderminedinalldirectionsbythesecretsappingofthemollusks。”Well，Monseigneur，”saiddesLupeaulx，enteringthelittlesalonwheretheybreakfasted，”haveyouseenthearticlesonBaudoyer？””ForGod’ssake，mydearfriend，”repliedtheminister，”don’ttalkofthoseappointmentsjustnow；letmehaveanhour’speace！Theycrackedmyearslastnightwiththatmonstrance。TheonlywaytosaveRabourdinistobringhisappointmentbeforetheCouncil，unlessI

submittohavingmyhandforced。Itisenoughtodisgustamanwiththepublicservice。ImustpurchasetherighttokeepthatexcellentRabourdinbypromotingacertainColleville！””Whynotmakeoverthemanagementofthisprettylittlecomedytome，andridyourselfoftheworryofit？I’llamuseyoueverymorningwithanaccountofthegameofchessIshouldplaywiththeGrandAlmoner，”

saiddesLupeaulx。”Verygood，”saidtheminister，”settleitwiththeheadexaminer。Butyouknowperfectlywellthatnothingismorelikelytostriketheking’smindthanjustthosereasonstheoppositionjournalhaschosentoputforth。Goodheavens！fancymanagingaministrywithsuchmenasBaudoyerunderme！””Animbecilebigot，”saiddesLupeaulx，”andasutterlyincapableas——””——asLaBillardiere，”addedtheminister。”ButLaBillardierehadthemannersofagentleman-in-ordinary，”

replieddesLupeaulx。”Madame，”hecontinued，addressingthecountess，”itisnowanabsolutenecessitytoinviteMadameRabourdintoyournextprivateparty。ImustassureyousheistheintimatefriendofMadamedeCamps；theywereattheOperatogetherlastnight。IfirstmetheratthehotelFirmiani。Besides，youwillseethatsheisnotofakindtocompromiseasalon。””InviteMadameRabourdin，mydear，”saidtheminister，”andprayletustalkofsomethingelse。”

CHAPTERVII

SCENESFROMDOMESTICLIFE

Parisianhouseholdsareliterallyeatenupwiththedesiretobeinkeepingwiththeluxurythatsurroundsthemonallsides，andfewtherearewhohavethewisdomtolettheirexternalsituationconformtotheirinternalrevenue。ButthisvicemayperhapsdenoteatrulyFrenchpatriotism，whichseekstomaintainthesupremacyofthenationinthematterofdress。FrancereignsthroughclothesoverthewholeofEurope；andeveryonemustfeeltheimportanceofretainingacommercialsceptrethatmakesfashioninFrancewhatthenavyistoEngland。Thispatrioticardorwhichleadsanationtosacrificeeverythingtoappearances——tothe”paroistre，”asd’AubignesaidinthedaysofHenriIV——isthecauseofthosevastsecretlaborswhichemploythewholeofaParisianwoman’smorning，whenshewishes，asMadameRabourdinwished，tokeepupontwelvethousandfrancsayearthestylethatmanyafamilywiththirtythousanddoesnotindulgein。

Consequently，everyFriday，——thedayofherdinnerparties，——MadameRabourdinhelpedthechambermaidtodotherooms；forthecookwentearlytomarket，andtheman-servantwascleaningthesilver，foldingthenapkins，andpolishingtheglasses。Theill-advisedindividualwhomighthappen，throughanoversightoftheporter，toenterMadameRabourdin’sestablishmentabouteleveno’clockinthemorningwouldhavefoundherinthemidstofadisorderthereverseofpicturesque，wrappedinadressing-gown，herhairill-dressed，andherfeetinoldslippers，attendingtothelamps，arrangingtheflowers，orcookinginhasteanextremelyunpoeticbreakfast。ThevisitortowhomthemysteriesofParisianlifewereunknownwouldcertainlyhavelearnedfortherestofhislifenottosetfootinthesegreenroomsatthewrongmoment；awomancaughtinhermatinmysterieswouldeverafterpointhimoutasamancapableoftheblackestcrimes；orshewouldtalkofhisstupidityandindiscretioninamannertoruinhim。ThetrueParisianwoman，indulgenttoallcuriositythatshecanputtoprofit，isimplacabletothatwhichmakesherloseherprestige。Suchadomiciliaryinvasionmaybecalled，notonly(astheysayinpolicereports)anattackonprivacy，butaburglary，arobberyofallthatismostprecious，namely，CREDIT。Awomanisquitewillingtoletherselfbesurprisedhalf-dressed，withherhairabouthershoulders。

Ifherhairisallherownshescoresone；butshewillneverallowherselftobeseen”doing”herownrooms，orshelosesherpariostre，——thatpreciousSEEMING-TO-BE！

MadameRabourdinwasinfulltideofpreparationforherFridaydinner，standinginthemidstofprovisionsthecookhadjustfishedfromthevastoceanofthemarkets，whenMonsieurdesLupeaulxmadehiswaystealthilyin。Thegeneral-secretarywascertainlythelastmanMadameRabourdinexpectedtosee，andso，whensheheardhisbootscreakingintheante-chamber，sheexclaimed，impatiently，”Thehair-

dresseralready！”——anexclamationaslittleagreeabletodesLupeaulxasthesightofdesLupeaulxwasagreeabletoher。Sheimmediatelyescapedintoherbedroom，wherechaosreigned；ajumbleoffurnituretobeputoutofsight，withotherheterogeneousarticlesofmoreorratherlesselegance，——adomesticcarnival，inshort。ThebolddesLupeaulxfollowedthehandsomefigure，sopiquantdidsheseemtohiminherdishabille。Thereissomethingindescribablyalluringtotheeyeinaportionoffleshseenthroughanhiatusintheundergarment，moreattractivefarthanwhenitrisesgracefullyabovethecircularcurveofthevelvetbodice，tothevanishinglineoftheprettiestswan’s-neckthateverloverkissedbeforeaball。Whentheeyedwellsonawomaninfulldressmakingexhibitionofhermagnificentwhiteshoulders，dowenotfancythatweseetheelegantdessertofagranddinner？Buttheglancethatglidesthroughthedisarrayofmuslinsrumpledinsleepenjoys，asitwere，afeastofstolenfruitglowingbetweentheleavesonagardenwall。”Stop！wait！”criedtheprettyParisian，boltingthedoorofthedisorderedroom。

SherangforTherese，calledforherdaughter，thecook，andtheman-

servant，wishingshepossessedthewhistleofthemachinistattheOpera。Hercall，however，answeredthesamepurpose。Inamoment，anotherphenomenon！thesalonassumedapiquantmorninglook，quiteinkeepingwiththebecomingtoilethastilygottogetherbythefugitive；

wesayittoherglory，forshewasevidentlyacleverwoman，inthisatleast。”You！”shesaid，comingforward，”atthishour？Whathashappened？””Veryseriousthings，”answereddesLupeaulx。”YouandImustunderstandeachothernow。”

Celestinelookedatthemanbehindhisglasses，andunderstoodthematter。”Myprinciplevice，”shesaid，”isoddity。Forinstance，Idonotmixupaffectionswithpolitics；letustalkpolitics，——business，ifyouwill，——therestcancomelater。However，itisnotreallyodditynorawhimthatforbidsmetomingleill-assortedcolorsandputtogetherthingsthathavenoaffinity，andcompelsmetoavoiddiscords；itismynaturalinstinctasanartist。Wewomenhavepoliticsofourown。”

Alreadythetonesofhervoiceandthecharmofhermannerswereproducingtheireffectonthesecretaryandmetamorphosinghisroughnessintosentimentalcourtesy；shehadrecalledhimtohisobligationsasalover。Acleverprettywomanmakesanatmosphereaboutherinwhichthenervesrelaxandthefeelingssoften。”Youareignorantofwhatishappening，”saiddesLupeaulx，harshly，forhestillthoughtitbesttomakeashowofharshness。”Readthat。”

Hegavethetwonewspaperstothegracefulwoman，havingdrawnalineinredinkroundeachofthefamousarticles。”Goodheavens！”sheexclaimed，”butthisisdreadful！WhoisthisBaudoyer？””Adonkey，”answereddesLupeaulx；”but，asyousee，heusesmeans，——

hegivesmonstrances；hesucceeds，thankstosomecleverhandthatpullsthewires。”

ThethoughtofherdebtscrossedMadameRabourdin’smindandblurredhersight，asiftwolightningflasheshadblindedhereyesatthesamemoment；herearshummedunderthepressureofthebloodthatbegantobeatinherarteries；sheremainedforamomentquitebewildered，gazingatawindowwhichshedidnotsee。”Butareyoufaithfultous？”shesaidatlast，withawinningglanceatdesLupeaulx，asiftoattachhimtoher。”Thatisasitmaybe，”hereplied，answeringherglancewithaninterrogativelookwhichmadethepoorwomanblush。”Ifyoudemandcaution-moneyyoumayloseall，”shesaid，laughing；”I

thoughtyoumoremagnanimousthanyouare。Andyou，youthoughtmelessapersonthanIam，——asortofschool-girl。””Youhavemisunderstoodme，”hesaid，withacovertsmile；”ImeantthatIcouldnotassistamanwhoplaysagainstmejustasl’EtourdiplayedagainstMascarille。””Whatcanyoumean？””ThiswillprovetoyouwhetherIammagnanimousornot。”

HegaveMadameRabourdinthememorandumstolenbyDutocq，pointingouttoherthepassageinwhichherhusbandhadsoablyanalyzedhim。”Readthat。”

Celestinerecognizedthehandwriting，readthepaper，andturnedpaleundertheblow。”Alltheministries，thewholeserviceistreatedinthesameway，”

saiddesLupeaulx。”Happily，”shesaid，”youalonepossessthisdocument。Icannotexplainit，eventomyself。””Themanwhostoleitisnotsuchafoolastoletmehaveitwithoutkeepingacopyforhimself；heistoogreataliartoadmitit，andtoocleverinhisbusinesstogiveitup。Ididnotevenaskhimforit。””Whoishe？””Yourchiefclerk。””Dutocq！Peoplearealwayspunishedthroughtheirkindnesses！But，”

sheadded，”heisonlyadogwhowantsabone。””Doyouknowwhattheothersideofferme，poordevilofageneral-

secretary？””What？””Iowethirty-thousandandoddmiserablefrancs，——youwilldespisemebecauseitisn’tmore，buthere，Igrantyou，Iamsignificant。Well，Baudoyer’sunclehasboughtupmydebts，andis，doubtless，readytogivemeareceiptforthemifBaudoyerisappointed。””Butallthatismonstrous。””Notatall；itismonarchicalandreligious，fortheGrandAlmonerisconcernedinit。BaudoyerhimselfmustappointCollevilleinreturnforecclesiasticalassistance。””Whatshallyoudo？””Whatwillyoubidmedo？”hesaid，withcharminggrace，holdingouthishand。

Celestinenolongerthoughthimugly，norold，norwhiteandchillingasahoar-frost，norindeedanythingthatwasodiousandoffensive，butshedidnotgivehimherhand。Atnight，inhersalon，shewouldhavelethimtakeitahundredtimes，buthere，aloneandinthemorning，theactionseemedtoolikeapromisethatmightleadherfar。”Andtheysaythatstatesmenhavenohearts！”shecriedenthusiastically，tryingtohidetheharshnessofherrefusalunderthegraceofherwords。”Thethoughtusedtoterrifyme，”sheadded，assuminganinnocent，ingenuousair。”Whatacalumny！”crieddesLupeaulx。”Onlythisweekoneofthestiffestofdiplomatists，amanwhohasbeenintheserviceeversincehecametomanhood，hasmarriedthedaughterofanactress，andhasintroducedheratthemostiron-boundcourtinEuropeastoquarteringsofnobility。””Youwillcontinuetosupportus？””Iamtodrawupyourhusband’sappointment——Butnocheating，remember。”

Shegavehimherhandtokiss，andtappedhimonthecheekasshedidso。”Youaremine！”shesaid。

DesLupeaulxadmiredtheexpression。

[Thatnight，attheOpera，theoldcoxcombrelatedtheincidentasfollows:”Awomanwhodidnotwanttotellamanshewouldbehis，——anacknowledgmentawell-bredwomanneverallowsherselftomake，——

changedthewordsinto’Youaremine。’Don’tyouthinktheevasioncharming？”]”Butyoumustbemyally，”heanswered。”Nowlisten，yourhusbandhasspokentotheministerofaplanforthereformoftheadministration；

thepaperIhaveshownyouisapartofthatplan。Iwanttoknowwhatitis。Findout，andtellmeto-night。””Iwill，”sheanswered，whollyunawareoftheimportantnatureoftheerrandwhichbroughtdesLupeaulxtothehousethatmorning。”Madame，thehair-dresser。””Atlast！”thoughtCelestine。”Idon’tseehowIshouldhavegotoutofitifhehaddelayedmuchlonger。””Youdonotknowtowhatlengthsmydevotioncango，”saiddesLupeaulx，rising。”YoushallbeinvitedtothefirstselectpartygivenbyhisExcellency’swife。””Ah，youareanangel！”shecried。”AndIseenowhowmuchyouloveme；youlovemeintelligently。””To-night，dearchild，”hesaid，”IshallfindoutattheOperawhatjournalistsareconspiringforBaudoyer，andwewillmeasureswordstogether。””Yes，butyoumustdinewithus，willyounot？Ihavetakenpainstogetthethingsyoulikebest——””Allthatissolikelove，”saiddesLupeaulxtohimselfashewentdownstairs，”thatIamwillingtobedeceivedinthatwayforalongtime。Well，ifsheIStrickingmeIshallknowit。I’llsetthecleverestofalltrapsbeforetheappointmentisfairlysigned，andI’llreadherheart。Ah！mylittlecats，Iknowyou！for，afterall，womenarejustwhatwemenare。Twenty-eightyearsold，virtuous，andlivinghereintherueDuphot！——ararepieceofluckandworthcultivating，”thoughttheelderlybutterflyashefluttereddownthestaircase。”Goodheavens！thatman，withouthisglasses，mustlookfunnyenoughinadressing-gown！”thoughtCelestine，”buttheharpoonisinhisbackandhe’lltowmewhereIwanttogo；Iamsurenowofthatinvitation。Hehasplayedhispartinmycomedy。”

When，atfiveo’clockintheafternoon，Rabourdincamehometodressfordinner，hiswifepresidedathistoiletandpresentlylaidbeforehimthefatalmemorandumwhich，liketheslipperintheArabianNights，thelucklessmanwasfatedtomeetateveryturn。”Whogaveyouthat？”heasked，thunderstruck。”MonsieurdesLupeaulx。””Sohehasbeenhere！”criedRabourdin，withalookwhichwouldcertainlyhavemadeaguiltywomanturnpale，butwhichCelestinereceivedwithunruffledbrowandalaughingeye。”Andheiscomingbacktodinner，”shesaid。”Whythatstartledair？””Mydear，”repliedRabourdin，”IhavemortallyoffendeddesLupeaulx；

suchmenneverforgive，andyethefawnsuponme！DoyouthinkIdon’tseewhy？””Themanseemstome，”shesaid，”tohavegoodtaste；youcan’texpectmetoblamehim。Ireallydon’tknowanythingmoreflatteringtoawomanthantopleaseaworn-outpalate。After——””Atrucetononsense，Celestine。Spareamuch-triedman。Icannotgetanaudienceoftheminister，andmyhonorisatstake。””Goodheavens，no！Dutocqcanhavethepromiseofagoodplaceassoonasyouarenamedheadofthedivision。””Ah！Iseewhatyouareabout，dearchild，”saidRabourdin；”butthegameyouareplayingisjustasdishonorableastherealthingthatisgoingonaroundus。Alieisalie，andanhonestwoman——””Letmeusetheweaponsemployedagainstus。””Celestine，themorethatmandesLupeaulxfeelsheisfoolishlycaughtinatrap，themorebitterhewillbeagainstme。””WhatifIgethimdismissedaltogether？”

Rabourdinlookedathiswifeinamazement。”Iamthinkingonlyofyouradvancement；itwashightime，mypoorhusband，”continuedCelestine。”Butyouaremistakingthedogforthegame，”sheadded，afterapause。”InafewdaysdesLupeaulxwillhaveaccomplishedallthatIwantofhim。Whileyouaretryingtospeaktotheminister，andbeforeyoucanevenseehimonbusiness，Ishallhaveseenhimandspokenwithhim。Youarewornoutintryingtobringthatplanofyourbraintobirth，——aplanwhichyouhavebeenhidingfromme；butyouwillfindthatinthreemonthsyourwifehasaccomplishedmorethanyouhavedoneinsixyears。Come，tellmethisfineschemeofyours。”

Rabourdin，continuingtoshave，cautionedhiswifenottosayawordabouthiswork，andafterassuringherthattoconfideasingleideatodesLupeaulxwouldbetoputthecatnearthemilk-jug，hebegananexplanationofhislabors。”Whydidn’tyoutellmethisbefore，Rabourdin？”saidCelestine，cuttingherhusbandshortathisfifthsentence。”Youmighthavesavedyourselfaworldoftrouble。Icanunderstandthatamanshouldbeblindedbyanideaforamoment，buttonurseitupforsixorsevenyears，that’sathingIcannotcomprehend！Youwanttoreducethebudget，——avulgarandcommonplaceidea！Thebudgetought，onthecontrary，toreachtwohundredmillions。Then，indeed，Francewouldbegreat。Ifyouwantanewsystemletitbeoneofloans，asMonsieurdeNucingenkeepssaying。Thepoorestofalltreasuriesistheonewithasurplusthatitneveruses；themissionofaministeroffinanceistoflinggoldoutofthewindows。Itwillcomebacktohimthroughthecellars；andyou，youwanttohoardit！Thethingtodoistoincreasetheofficesandallgovernmentemployments，insteadofreducingthem！

Sofarfromlesseningthepublicdebt，yououghttoincreasethecreditors。IftheBourbonswanttoreigninpeace，letthemseekcreditorsinthetownsandvillages，andplacetheirloansthere；

aboveall，theyoughtnottoletforeignersdrawinterestawayfromFrance；somedayanaliennationmightaskusforthecapital。WhereasifcapitalandinterestareheldonlyinFrance，neitherFrancenorcreditcanperish。That’swhatsavedEngland。Yourplanisthetradesman’splan。Anambitiouspublicmanshouldproducesomeboldscheme，——heshouldmakehimselfanotherLaw，withoutLaw’sfatalill-

luck；heoughttoexhibitthepowerofcredit，andshowthatweshouldreduce，notprincipal，butinterest，astheydoinEngland。””Come，come，Celestine，”saidRabourdin；”mixupideasasmuchasyouplease，andmakefunofthem，——I’maccustomedtothat；butdon’tcriticiseaworkofwhichyouknownothingasyet。””DoIneed，”sheasked，”toknowaschemetheessenceofwhichistogovernFrancewithacivilserviceofsixthousandmeninsteadoftwentythousand？Mydearfriend，evenallowingitweretheplanofamanofgenius，akingofFrancewhoattemptedtocarryitoutwouldgethimselfdethroned。Youcankeepdownafeudalaristocracybylevellingafewheads，butyoucan’tsubdueahydrawiththousands。

Andisitwiththepresentministers——betweenourselves，awretchedcrew——thatyouexpecttocarryoutyourreform？No，no；changethemonetarysystemifyouwill，butdonotmeddlewithmen，withlittlemen；theycryouttoomuch，whereasgoldisdumb。””But，Celestine，ifyouwilltalk，andputwitbeforeargument，weshallneverunderstandeachother。””Understand！Iunderstandwhatthatpaper，inwhichyouhaveanalyzedthecapacitiesofthemeninoffice，willleadto，”shereplied，payingnoattentiontowhatherhusbandsaid。”Goodheavens！youhavesharpenedtheaxetocutoffyourownhead。HolyVirgin！whydidn’tyouconsultme？Icouldhaveatleastpreventedyoufromcommittinganythingtowriting，or，atanyrate，ifyouinsistedonputtingittopaper，Iwouldhavewrittenitdownmyself，anditshouldneverhaveleftthishouse。GoodGod！tothinkthathenevertoldme！That’swhatmenare！capableofsleepingwiththewifeoftheirbosomforsevenyears，andkeepingasecretfromher！Hidingtheirthoughtsfromapoorwomanforsevenyears！——doubtingherdevotion！””But，”criedRabourdin，provoked，”forelevenyearsandmoreIhavebeenunabletodiscussanythingwithyoubecauseyouinsistoncuttingmeshortandsubstitutingyourideasformine。Youknownothingatallaboutmyscheme。””Nothing！Iknowall。””Thentellittome！”criedRabourdin，angryforthefirsttimesincehismarriage。”There！itishalf-pastsixo’clock；finishshavinganddressatonce，”shecriedhastily，afterthefashionofwomenwhenpressedonapointtheyarenotreadytotalkof。”Imustgo；we’lladjournthediscussion，forIdon’twanttobenervousonareception-day。Goodheavens！thepoorsoul！”shethought，asshelefttheroom，”itIS

hardtobeinlaborforsevenyearsandbringforthadeadchild！Andnottrusthiswife！”

Shewentbackintotheroom。”Ifyouhadlistenedtomeyouwouldneverhadintercededtokeepyourchiefclerk；hestolethatabominablepaper，andhas，nodoubt，keptafac-simileofit。Adieu，manofgenius！”

Thenshenoticedthealmosttragicexpressionofherhusband’sgrief；

shefeltshehadgonetoofar，andrantohim，seizedhimjustashewas，alllatheredwithsoap-suds，andkissedhimtenderly。”DearXavier，don’tbevexed，”shesaid。”To-night，afterthepeoplearegone，wewillstudyyourplan；youshallspeakatyourease，——I

willlistenjustaslongasyouwishmeto。Isn’tthatniceofme？

WhatdoIwantbetterthantobethewifeofMohammed？”

Shebegantolaugh；andRabourdinlaughedtoo，forthesoapsudswereclingingtoCelestine’slips，andhervoicehadthetonesofthepurestandmoststeadfastaffection。”Goanddress，dearchild；andaboveall，don’tsayawordofthistodesLupeaulx。Swearyouwillnot。ThatistheonlypunishmentthatI

impose——””IMPOSE！”shecried。”ThenIwon’tswearanything。””Come，come，Celestine，Isaidinjestareallyseriousthing。””To-night，”shesaid，”Imeanyourgeneral-secretarytoknowwhomIamreallyintendingtoattack；hehasgivenmethemeans。””Attackwhom？””Theminister，”sheanswered，drawinghimselfup。”Wearetobeinvitedtohiswife’sprivateparties。”

InspiteofhisCelestine’slovingcaresses，Rabourdin，ashefinisheddressing，couldnotpreventcertainpainfulthoughtsfromcloudinghisbrow。”Willsheeverappreciateme？”hesaidtohimself。”Shedoesnotevenunderstandthatsheisthesoleincentiveofmywholework。Howwrong-

headed，andyethowexcellentamind！——IfIhadnotmarriedImightnowhavebeenhighinofficeandrich。Icouldhavesavedhalfmysalary；mysavingswell-investedwouldhavegivenmeto-daytenthousandfrancsayearoutsideofmyoffice，andImightthenhavebecome，throughagoodmarriage——Yes，thatisalltrue，”heexclaimed，interruptinghimself，”butIhaveCelestineandmytwochildren。”Themanflunghimselfbackonhishappiness。Tothebestofmarriedlivestherecomemomentsofregret。Heenteredthesalonandlookedaroundhim。”TherearenottwowomeninPariswhounderstandmakinglifepleasantasshedoes。Tokeepsuchahomeasthisontwelvethousandfrancsayear！”hethought，lookingattheflower-

standsbrightwithbloom，andthinkingofthesocialenjoymentsthatwereabouttogratifyhisvanity。”Shewasmadetobethewifeofaminister。WhenIthinkofhisExcellency’swife，andhowlittleshehelpshim！thegoodwomanisacomfortablemiddle-classdowdy，andwhenshegoestothepalaceorintosociety——”Hepinchedhislipstogether。Verybusymenareapttohaveveryignorantnotionsabouthouseholdmatters，andyoucanmakethembelievethatahundredthousandfrancsaffordlittleorthattwelvethousandaffordall。

Thoughimpatientlyexpected，andinspiteoftheflatteringdishespreparedforthepalateofthegourmet-emeritus，desLupeaulxdidnotcometodinner；infacthecameinverylate，aboutmidnight，anhourwhencompanydwindlesandconversationsbecomeintimateandconfidential。AndocheFinot，thejournalist，wasoneofthefewremainingguests。”Inowknowall，”saiddesLupeaulx，whenhewascomfortablyseatedonasofaatthecornerofthefireplace，acupofteainhishandandMadameRabourdinstandingbeforehimwithaplateofsandwichesandsomeslicesofcakeveryappropriatelycalled”leadencake。””Finot，mydearandwittyfriend，youcanrenderagreatservicetoourgraciousqueenbylettinglooseafewdogsuponthemenweweretalkingof。Youhaveagainstyou，”hesaidtoRabourdin，loweringhisvoicesoastobeheardonlybythethreepersonswhomheaddressed，”asetofusurersandpriests——moneyandthechurch。Thearticleintheliberaljournalwasinstitutedbyanoldmoney-lendertowhomthepaperwasunderobligations；buttheyoungfellowwhowroteitcaresnothingaboutit。Thepaperisabouttochangehands，andinthreedaysmorewillbeonourside。Theroyalistopposition，——forwehave，thankstoMonsieurdeChateaubriand，aroyalistopposition，thatistosay，royalistswhohavegoneovertotheliberals，——however，there’snoneedtodiscusspoliticalmattersnow，——theseassassinsofCharlesX。havepromisedmetosupportyourappointmentatthepriceofouracquiescenceinoneoftheiramendments。Allmybatteriesaremanned。

IftheythreatenuswithBaudoyerweshallsaytotheclericalphalanx，’Suchandsuchapaperandsuchandsuchmenwillattackyourmeasuresandthewholepresswillbeagainstyou’(foreventheministerialjournalswhichIinfluencewillbedeafanddumb，won’tthey，Finot？)。’AppointRabourdin，afaithfulservant，andpublicopinioniswithyou——’””Hi，hi！”laughedFinot。”So，there’snoneedtobeuneasy，”saiddesLupeaulx。”Ihavearrangeditallto-night；theGrandAlmonermustyield。””Iwouldratherhavehadlesshope，andyoutodinner，”whisperedCelestine，lookingathimwithavexedairwhichmightverywellpassforanexpressionofwoundedlove。”Thismustwinmypardon，”hereturned，givingheraninvitationtotheministryforthefollowingTuesday。

Celestineopenedtheletter，andaflushofpleasurecameintoherface。Noenjoymentcanbecomparedtothatofgratifiedvanity。”Youknowwhatthecountess’sTuesdaysare，”saiddesLupeaulx，withaconfidentialair。”Totheusualministerialpartiestheyarewhatthe’Petit-Chateau’istoacourtball。Youwillbeattheheartofpower！

YouwillseetheretheComtesseFeraud，whoisstillinfavornotwithstandingLouisXVIII。’sdeath，DelphinedeNucingen，MadamedeListomere，theMarquised’Espard，andyourdearFirmiani；Ihavehadherinvitedtogiveyouhersupportincasetheotherwomenattempttoblack-ballyou。Ilongtoseeyouinthemidstofthem。”

Celestinethrewupherheadlikeathoroughbredbeforetherace，andre-readtheinvitationjustasBaudoyerandSaillardhadre-readthearticlesaboutthemselvesinthenewspapers，withoutbeingabletoquaffenoughofit。”THEREfirst，andNEXTattheTuileries，”shesaidtodesLupeaulx，whowasstartledbythewordsandbytheattitudeofthespeaker，soexpressiveweretheyofambitionandsecurity。”CanitbethatIamonlyastepping-stone？”heaskedhimself。Herose，andwentintoMadameRabourdin’sbedroom，whereshefollowedhim，understandingfromamotionofhisheadthathewishedtospeaktoherprivately。”Well，yourhusband’splan，”hesaid；”whatofit？””Bah！theuselessnonsenseofanhonestman！”shereplied。”Hewantstosuppressfifteenthousandofficesanddotheworkwithfiveorsixthousand。Youneverheardofsuchnonsense；Iwillletyoureadthewholedocumentwhencopied；itiswritteninperfectgoodfaith。Hisanalysisoftheofficialswaspromptedonlybyhishonestyandrectitude，——poordearman！”

DesLupeaulxwasallthemorereassuredbythegenuinelaughwhichaccompaniedthesejestingandcontemptuouswords，becausehewasajudgeoflyingandknewthatCelestinespokeingoodfaith。”Butstill，whatisatthebottomofitall？”heasked。”Well，hewantstodoawaywiththeland-taxandsubstitutetaxesonconsumption。””WhyitisoverayearsinceFrancoisKellerandNucingenproposedsomesuchplan，andtheministerhimselfisthinkingofareductionoftheland-tax。””There！”exclaimedCelestine，”Itoldhimtherewasnothingnewinhisscheme。””No；butheisonthesamegroundwiththebestfinancieroftheepoch，——theNapoleonoffinance。Somethingmaycomeofit。Yourhusbandmustsurelyhavesomespecialideasinhismethodofputtingtheschemeintopractice。””No，itisallcommonplace，”shesaid，withadisdainfulcurlofherlip。”JustthinkofgoverningFrancewithfiveorsixthousandoffices，whenwhatisreallyneededisthateverybodyinFranceshouldbepersonallyenlistedinthesupportofthegovernment。”

DesLupeaulxseemedsatisfiedthatRabourdin，towhominhisownmindhehadgrantedremarkabletalents，wasreallyamanofmediocrity。”Areyouquitesureoftheappointment？Youdon’twantabitoffeminineadvice？”shesaid。”Youwomenaregreateradeptsthanweinrefinedtreachery，”hesaid，nodding。”Well，then，sayBAUDOYERtothecourtandclergy，todivertsuspicionandputthemtosleep，andthen，atthelastmoment，writeRABOURDIN。””TherearesomewomenwhosayYESaslongastheyneedaman，andNO

whenhehasplayedhispart，”returneddesLupeaulx，significantly。”Iknowtheydo，”sheanswered，laughing；”buttheyareveryfoolish，forinpoliticseverythingrecommences。Suchproceedingsmaydowithfools，butyouareamanofsense。Inmyopinionthegreatestfollyanyonecancommitistoquarrelwithacleverman。””Youaremistaken，”saiddesLupeaulx，”forsuchamanpardons。Therealdangeriswiththepettyspitefulnatureswhohavenothingtodobutstudyrevenge，——Ispendmylifeamongthem。”

Whenalltheguestsweregone，Rabourdincameintohiswife’sroom，andafteraskingforherstrictattention，heexplainedhisplanandmadeherseethatitdidnotcutdowntherevenuebutonthecontraryincreasedit；heshowedherinwhatwaysthepublicfundswereemployed，andhowtheStatecouldincreasetenfoldthecirculationofmoneybyputtingitsown，intheproportionofathird，oraquarter，intotheexpenditureswhichwouldbesustainedbyprivateorlocalinterests。Hefinallyprovedtoherplainlythathisplanwasnotmeretheory，butasystemteemingwithmethodsofexecution。Celestine，brightlyenthusiastic，sprangintoherhusband’sarmsandsatuponhiskneeinthechimney-corner。”AtlastIfindthehusbandofmydreams！”shecried。”MyignoranceofyourrealmerithassavedyoufromdesLupeaulx’sclaws。Icalumniatedyoutohimgloriouslyandingoodfaith。”

Themanweptwithjoy。Hisdayoftriumphhadcomeatlast。Havinglaboredformanyyearstosatisfyhiswife，hefoundhimselfagreatmanintheeyesofhissolepublic。”Toonewhoknowshowgoodyouare，howtender，howequableinanger，howloving，youaretenfoldgreaterstill。But，”sheadded，”amanofgeniusisalwaysmoreorlessachild；andyouareachild，adearlybelovedchild，”shesaid，caressinghim。Thenshedrewthatinvitationfromthatparticularspotwherewomenputwhattheysacredlyhide，andshowedittohim。”HereiswhatIwanted，”shesaid；”DesLupeaulxhasputmefacetofacewiththeminister，andwereheamanofiron，hisExcellencyshallbemadeforatimetobendthekneetome。”

ThenextdayCelestinebeganherpreparationsforentranceintotheinnercircleoftheministry。Itwasherdayoftriumph，herown！

Nevercourtesantooksuchpainswithherselfasthishonestwomanbestoweduponherperson。Nodressmakerwaseversotormentedashers。

MadameRabourdinforgotnothing。Shewentherselftothestablewhereshehiredcarriages，andchoseacoupethatwasneitherold，norbourgeois，norshowy。Herfootman，likethefootmenofgreathouses，hadthedressandappearanceofamaster。AbouttenontheeveningoftheeventfulTuesday，shelefthomeinacharmingfullmourningattire。Herhairwasdressedwithjetgrapesofexquisiteworkmanship，——anornamentcostingthreethousandfrancs，madebyFossinforanEnglishwomanwhohadleftParisbeforeitwasfinished。Theleaveswereofstampediron-work，aslightasthevine-leavesthemselves，andtheartisthadnotforgottenthegracefultendrils，whichtwinedinthewearer’scurlsjustas，innature，theycatchuponthebranches。

Thebracelets，necklace，andearringswereallwhatiscalledBerliniron-work；butthesedelicatearabesquesweremadeinVienna，andseemedtohavebeenfashionedbythefairieswho，thestoriestellus，arecondemnedbyajealousCarabossetocollecttheeyesofants，orweaveafabricsodiaphanousthatanutshellcancontainit。MadameRabourdin’sgracefulfigure，mademoreslenderstillbytheblackdraperies，wasshowntoadvantagebyacarefullycutdress，thetwosidesofwhichmetattheshouldersinasinglestrapwithoutsleeves。

Ateverymotionsheseemed，likeabutterfly，tobeabouttoleavehercovering；butthegownheldfirmlyonbysomecontrivanceofthewonderfuldressmaker。Therobewasofmousselinedelaine——amaterialwhichthemanufacturershadnotyetsenttotheParismarkets；adelightfulstuffwhichsomemonthslaterwastohaveawildsuccess，asuccesswhichwentfurtherandlastedlongerthanmostFrenchfashions。Theactualeconomyofmousselinedelaine，whichneedsnowashing，hassinceinjuredthesaleofcottonfabricsenoughtorevolutionizetheRouenmanufactories。Celestine’slittlefeet，coveredwithfinesilkstockingsandturk-satinshoes(forsilk-satinisinadmissibleindeepmourning)wereofelegantproportions。Thusdressed，shewasveryhandsome。Hercomplexion，beautifiedbyabran-

bath，wassoftlyradiant。Hereyes，suffusedwiththelightofhope，andsparklingwithintelligence，justifiedherclaimstothesuperioritywhichdesLupeaulx，proudandhappyonthisoccasion，assertedforher。

Sheenteredtheroomwell(womenwillunderstandthemeaningofthatexpression)，bowedgracefullytotheminister’swife，withahappymixtureofdeferenceandofself-respect，andgavenooffencebyacertainrelianceonherowndignity；foreverybeautifulwomanhastherighttoseemaqueen。Withtheministerhimselfshetooktheprettyairofsaucinesswhichwomenmayproperlyallowthemselveswithmen，evenwhentheyaregranddukes。Shereconnoitredthefield，asitwere，whiletakingherseat，andsawthatshewasinthemidstofoneofthoseselectpartiesoffewpersons，wherethewomeneyeandappraiseeachother，andeverywordsaidechoesinallears；whereeveryglanceisastab，andconversationaduelwithwitnesses；whereallthatiscommonplaceseemscommonerstill，andwhereeveryformofmeritordistinctionissilentlyacceptedasthoughitwerethenaturallevelofallpresent。Rabourdinbetookhimselftotheadjoiningsaloninwhichafewpersonswereplayingcards；andthereheplantedhimselfonexhibition，asitwere，whichprovedthathewasnotwithoutsocialintelligence。”Mydear，”saidtheMarquised’EspardtotheComtesseFeraud，LouisXVIII。’slastmistress，”Parisiscertainlyunique。Itproduces——

whenceandhow，whoknows？——womenlikethisperson，whoseemsreadytowillandtodoanything。””Shereallydoeswill，anddoesdoeverything，”putindesLupeaulx，puffedupwithsatisfaction。

AtthismomentthewilyMadameRabourdinwascourtingtheminister’swife。CarefullycoachedtheeveningbeforebydesLupeaulx，whoknewallthecountess’sweakspots，shewasflatteringherwithoutseemingtodoso。Everynowandthenshekeptsilence；fordesLupeaulx，inloveashewas，knewherdefects，andsaidtoherthenightbefore，”Becarefulnottotalktoomuch，”——wordswhichwerereallyanimmenseproofofattachment。BertrandBarrereleftbehindhimthissublimeaxiom:”Neverinterruptawomanwhendancingtogiveheradvice，”towhichwemayadd(tomakethischapterofthefemalecodecomplete)，”Neverblameawomanforscatteringherpearls。”

Theconversationbecamegeneral。FromtimetotimeMadameRabourdinjoinedin，justasawell-trainedcatputsavelvetpawonhermistress’slaceswiththeclawscarefullydrawnin。Theminister，inmattersoftheheart，hadfewemotions。TherewasnotanotherstatesmanundertheRestorationwhohadsocompletelydonewithgallantryashe；eventheoppositionpapers，the”Miroir，””Pandora，”

and”Figaro，”couldnotfindasinglethrobbingarterywithwhichtoreproachhim。MadameRabourdinknewthis，butsheknewalsothatghostsreturntooldcastles，andshehadtakenitintoherheadtomaketheministerjealousofthehappinesswhichdesLupeaulxwasappearingtoenjoy。Thelatter’sthroatliterallygurgledwiththenameofhisdivinity。Tolaunchhissupposedmistresssuccessfully，hewasendeavoringtopersuadetheMarquised’Espard，MadamedeNucingen，andthecountess，inaneight-earconversation，thattheyhadbetteradmitMadameRabourdintotheircoalition；andMadamedeCampswassupportinghim。Attheendofthehourtheminister’svanitywasgreatlytickled；MadameRabourdin’sclevernesspleasedhim，andshehadwonhiswife，who，delightedwiththesiren，invitedhertocometoallherreceptionswhenevershepleased。”Foryourhusband，mydear，”shesaid，”willsoonbedirector；theministerintendstounitethetwodivisionsandplacethemunderonedirector；youwillthenbeoneofus，youknow。”

HisExcellencycarriedoffMadameRabourdinonhisarmtoshowheracertainroom，whichwasthenquitecelebratedbecausetheoppositionjournalsblamedhimfordecoratingitextravagantly；andtogethertheylaughedovertheabsurditiesofjournalism。”Madame，youreallymustgivethecountessandmyselfthepleasureofseeingyouhereoften。”

Andhewentonwitharoundofministerialcompliments。”But，Monseigneur，”shereplied，withoneofthoseglanceswhichwomenholdinreserve，”itseemstomethatthatdependsonyou。””Howso？””Youalonecangivemetherighttocomehere。””Prayexplain。””No；IsaidtomyselfbeforeIcamethatIwouldcertainlynothavethebadtastetoseemapetitioner。””No，no，speakfreely。Placesaskedinthiswayareneveroutofplace，”saidtheminister，laughing；forthereisnojesttoosillytoamuseasolemnman。”Well，then，Imusttellyouplainlythatthewifeoftheheadofabureauisoutofplacehere；adirector’swifeisnot。””Thatpointneednotbeconsidered，”saidtheminister。”yourhusbandisindispensabletotheadministration；heisalreadyappointed。””Isthataveritablefact？””Wouldyouliketoseethepapersinmystudy？Theyarealreadydrawnup。””Then，”shesaid，pausinginacornerwhereshewasalonewiththeminister，whoseeagerattentionswerenowverymarked，”letmetellyouthatIcanmakeyouareturn。”

Shewasonthepointofrevealingherhusband’splan，whendesLupeaulx，whohadglidednoiselesslyuptothem，utteredanangrysound，whichmeantthathedidnotwishtoappeartohaveoverheardwhat，infact，hehadbeenlisteningto。Theministergaveanill-

temperedlookattheoldbeau，who，impatienttowinhisreward，hadhurried，beyondallprecedent，thepreliminaryworkoftheappointment。HehadcarriedthepaperstohisExcellencythatevening，anddesiredtotakehimself，onthemorrow，thenewsoftheappointmenttoherwhomhewasnowendeavoringtoexhibitashismistress。Justthentheminister’svaletapproacheddesLupeaulxinamysteriousmanner，andtoldhimthathisownservantwishedhimtodelivertohimatoncealetteroftheutmostimportance。

Thegeneral-secretarywentuptoalampandreadanotethusworded:——

Contrarytomycustom，Iamwaitinginyourante-chambertoseeyou；youhavenotamomenttoloseifyouwishtocometotermswithYourobedientservant，Gobseck。

Thesecretaryshudderedwhenhesawthesignature，whichweregretwecannotgiveinfac-simile，foritwouldbevaluabletothosewholiketoguesscharacterfromwhatmaybecalledthephysiognomyofsignature。Ifeverahieroglyphicsignexpressedananimal，itwasassuredlythiswrittenname，inwhichthefirstandthefinalletterapproachedeachotherlikethevoraciousjawsofashark，——insatiable，alwaysopen，seekingwhomtodevour，bothstrongandweak。Asforthewordingofthenote，thespiritofusuryalonecouldhaveinspiredasentencesoimperative，soinsolentlycurtandcruel，whichsaidallandrevealednothing。ThosewhohadneverheardofGobseckwouldhavefelt，onreadingwordswhichcompelledhimtowhomtheywereaddressedtoobey，yetgavenoorder，thepresenceoftheimplacablemoney-

lenderoftheruedesGres。Likeadogcalledtoheelbythehuntsman，desLupeaulxlefthispresentquestandwentimmediatelytohisownrooms，thinkingofhishazardousposition。Imagineageneraltowhomanaide-de-campridesupandsays:”Theenemywiththirtythousandfreshtroopsisattackingonourrightflank。”

AveryfewwordswillservetoexplainthissuddenarrivalofGigonnetandGobseckonthefieldofbattle，——fordesLupeaulxfoundthembothwaiting。Ateighto’clockthatevening，MartinFalleix，returningonthewingsofthewind，——thankstothreefrancstothepostboysandacourierinadvance，——hadbroughtbackwithhimthedeedsofthepropertysignedthenightbefore。TakenatoncetotheCafeThemisbyMitral，thesesecuritiespassedintothehandsofthetwousurers，whohastened(thoughonfoot)totheministry。Itwaspasteleveno’clock。

DesLupeaulxtrembledwhenhesawthosesinisterfaces，emittingasimultaneouslookasdirectasapistolshotandasbrilliantastheflashitself。”Whatisit，mymasters？”hesaid。

Thetwoextortionerscontinuedcoldandmotionless。Gigonnetsilentlypointedtothedocumentsinhishand，andthenattheservant。”Comeintomystudy，”saiddesLupeaulx，dismissinghisvaletbyasign。”YouunderstandFrenchverywell，”remarkedGigonnet，approvingly。”Haveyoucomeheretotormentamanwhoenabledeachofyoutomakeacoupleofhundredthousandfrancs？””Andwhowillhelpustomakemore，Ihope，”saidGigonnet。”Somenewaffair？”askeddesLupeaulx。”Ifyouwantmetohelpyou，considerthatIrecollectthepast。””Sodowe，”answeredGigonnet。”Mydebtsmustbepaid，”saiddesLupeaulx，disdainfully，soasnottoseemworstedattheoutset。”True，”saidGobseck。”Letuscometothepoint，myson，”saidGigonnet。”Don’tstiffenyourchininyourcravat；withusallthatisuseless。Takethesedeedsandreadthem。”