第1章

LucienhadgonetoParis；andDavidSechard，withthecourageandintelligenceoftheoxwhichpaintersgivetheEvangelistforaccompanyingsymbol，sethimselftomakethelargefortuneforwhichhehadwishedthateveningdownbytheCharente，whenhesatwithEvebytheweir，andshegavehimherhandandherheart。Hewantedtomakethemoneyquickly，andlessforhimselfthanforEve’ssakeandLucien’s。Hewouldplacehiswifeamidtheelegantandcomfortablesurroundingsthatwerehersbyright，andhisstrongarmshouldsustainherbrother’sambitions——thiswastheprogrammethathesawbeforehiseyesinlettersoffire。

Journalismandpolitics，theimmensedevelopmentofthebooktrade，ofliteratureandofthesciences；theincreaseofpublicinterestinmatterstouchingthevariousindustriesinthecountry；infact，thewholesocialtendencyoftheepochfollowingtheestablishmentoftheRestorationproducedanenormousincreaseinthedemandforpaper。ThesupplyrequiredwasalmosttentimesaslargeasthequantityinwhichthecelebratedOuvrardspeculatedattheoutsetoftheRevolution。

ThenOuvrardcouldbuyupfirsttheentirestockofpaperandthenthemanufacturers；butintheyear1821thereweresomanypaper-millsinFrance，thatnoonecouldhopetorepeathissuccess；andDavidhadneitheraudacityenoughnorcapitalenoughforsuchspeculation。

MachineryforproducingpaperinanylengthwasjustcomingintouseinEngland。Itwasoneofthemosturgentneedsofthetime，therefore，thatthepapertradeshouldkeeppacewiththerequirementsoftheFrenchsystemofcivilgovernment，asystembywhichtherightofdiscussionwastobeextendedtoeveryman，andthewholefabricbaseduponcontinualexpressionofindividualopinion；agravemisfortune，forthenationthatdeliberatesisbutlittlewonttoact。

So，strangecoincidence！whileLucienwasdrawnintothegreatmachineryofjournalism，wherehewasliketoleavehishonorandhisintelligencetorntoshreds，DavidSechard，atthebackofhisprinting-house，foresawallthepracticalconsequencesoftheincreasedactivityoftheperiodicalpress。Hesawthedirectioninwhichthespiritoftheagewastending，andsoughttofindmeanstotherequiredend。Hesawalsothattherewasafortuneawaitingthediscovererofcheappaper，andtheeventhasjustifiedhisclearsightedness。Withinthelastfifteenyears，thePatentOfficehasreceivedmorethanahundredapplicationsfrompersonsclaimingtohavediscoveredcheapsubstancestobeemployedinthemanufactureofpaper。Davidfeltmorethaneverconvincedthatthiswouldbenobrillianttriumph，itistrue，butausefulandimmenselyprofitablediscovery；andafterhisbrother-in-lawwenttoParis，hebecamemoreandmoreabsorbedintheproblemwhichhehadsethimselftosolve。

TheexpensesofhismarriageandofLucien’sjourneytoParishadexhaustedallhisresources；heconfrontedtheextremeofpovertyattheveryoutsetofmarriedlife。Hehadkeptonethousandfrancsfortheworkingexpensesofthebusiness，andowedalikesum，forwhichhehadgivenabilltoPostelthedruggist。Soherewasadoubleproblemforthisdeepthinker；hemustinventamethodofmakingcheappaper，andthatquickly；hemustmakethediscovery，infact，inordertoapplytheproceedstotheneedsofthehouseholdandofthebusiness。Whatwordscandescribethebrainthatcanforgetthecruelpreoccupationscausedbyhiddenwant，bythedailyneedsofafamilyandthedailydrudgeryofaprinter’sbusiness，whichrequiressuchminute，painstakingcare；andsoar，withtheenthusiasmandintoxicationofthemanofscience，intotheregionsoftheunknowninquestofasecretwhichdailyeludesthemostsubtleexperiment？Andtheinventor，alas！aswillshortlybeseen，hasplentyofwoestoendure，besidestheingratitudeofthemany；idlefolkthatcandonothingthemselvestellthem，“Suchaoneisaborninventor；hecouldnotdootherwise。Henomoredeservescreditforhisinventionthanaprinceforbeingborntorule！Heissimplyexercisinghisnaturalfaculties，andhisworkisitsownreward。”andthepeoplebelievethem。

Marriagebringsprofoundmentalandphysicalperturbationsintoagirl’slife；andifshemarriesundertheordinaryconditionsoflowermiddle-classlife，shemustmoreoverbegintostudytotallynewinterestsandinitiateherselfintheintricaciesofbusiness。Withmarriage，therefore，sheentersuponaphaseofherexistencewhensheisnecessarilyonthewatchbeforeshecanact。Unfortunately，David’sloveforhiswiferetardedthistraining；hedarednottellhertherealstateofaffairsonthedayaftertheirwedding，norforsometimeafterwards。Hisfather’savaricecondemnedhimtothemostgrindingpoverty，buthecouldnotbringhimselftospoilthehoneymoonbybeginninghiswife’scommercialeducationandprosaicapprenticeshiptohislaboriouscraft。Soitcametopassthathousekeeping，nolessthanworkingexpenses，ateupthethousandfrancs，hiswholefortune。ForfourmonthsDavidgavenothoughttothefuture，andhiswiferemainedinignorance。Theawakeningwasterrible！Postel’sbillfelldue；therewasnomoneytomeetit，andEveknewenoughofthedebtanditscausetogiveupherbridaltrinketsandsilver。

ThateveningEvetriedtoinduceDavidtotalkoftheiraffairs，forshehadnoticedthathewasgivinglessattentiontothebusinessandmoretotheproblemofwhichhehadoncespokentoher。Sincethefirstfewweeksofmarriedlife，infact，Davidspentmostofhistimeintheshedinthebackyard，inthelittleroomwherehewaswonttomouldhisink-rollers。ThreemonthsafterhisreturntoAngouleme，hehadreplacedtheoldfashionedroundink-ballsbyrollersmadeofstrongglueandtreacle，andanink-table，onwhichtheinkwasevenlydistributed，animprovementsoobviousthatCointetBrothersnosoonersawitthantheyadoptedtheplanthemselves。

Bythepartitionwallofthiskitchen，asitwere，Davidhadsetupalittlefurnacewithacopperpan，ostensiblytosavethecostoffuelovertherecastingofhisrollers，thoughthemouldshadnotbeenusedtwice，andhungthererustinguponthewall。Norwasthisall；asolidoakdoorhadbeenputinbyhisorders，andthewallswerelinedwithsheet-iron；heevenreplacedthedirtywindowsashbypanesofribbedglass，sothatnoonewithoutcouldwatchhimathiswork。

WhenEvebegantospeakaboutthefuture，helookeduneasilyather，andcuthershortatthefirstwordbysaying，“Iknowallthatyoumustthink，child，whenyouseethattheworkshopislefttoitself，andthatIamdead，asitwere，toallbusinessinterests；butsee。”

hecontinued，bringinghertothewindow，andpointingtothemysteriousshed，“thereliesourfortune。Forsomemonthsyetwemustendureourlot，butletusbearitpatiently；leavemetosolvetheproblemofwhichItoldyou，andallourtroubleswillbeatanend。”

Davidwassogood，hisdevotionwassothoroughlytobetakenuponhisword，thatthepoorwife，withawife’sanxietyastodailyexpenses，determinedtospareherhusbandthehouseholdcaresandtotaketheburdenuponherself。Soshecamedownfromtheprettyblue-and-whiteroom，whereshesewedandtalkedcontentedlywithhermother，tookpossessionofoneofthetwodensatthebackoftheprinting-room，andsetherselftolearnthebusinessroutineoftypography。Wasitnotheroisminawifewhoexpectederelongtobeamother？

DuringthepastfewmonthsDavid’sworkmenhadlefthimonebyone；

therewasnotenoughworkforthemtodo。CointetBrothers，ontheotherhand，wereoverwhelmedwithorders；theywereemployingalltheworkmenofthedepartment；thealluringprospectofhighwagesevenbroughtthemafewfromBordeaux，moreespeciallyapprentices，whothoughtthemselvessufficientlyexperttocanceltheirarticlesandgoelsewhere。WhenEvecametolookintotheaffairsofSechard’sprintingworks，shediscoveredthatheemployedthreepersonsinall。

FirstinorderstoodCerizet，anapprenticeofDidot’s，whomDavidhadchosentotrain。Mostforemenhavesomeonefavoriteamongthegreatnumbersofworkersunderthem，andDavidhadbroughtCerizettoAngouleme，wherehehadbeenlearningmoreofthebusiness。Marion，asmuchattachedtothehouseasawatch-dog，wasthesecond；andthethirdwasKolb，anAlsacien，atonetimeaporterintheemployoftheMessrs。Didot。Kolbhadbeendrawnformilitaryservice，chancebroughthimtoAngouleme，andDavidrecognizedtheman’sfaceatareviewjustashistimewasabouttoexpire。KolbcametoseeDavid，andwassmittenforthwithbythecharmsoftheportlyMarion；shepossessedallthequalitieswhichamanofhisclasslooksforinawife——therobusthealththatbronzesthecheeks，thestrengthofaman(Marioncouldliftaformoftypewithease)，thescrupuloushonestyonwhichanAlsaciensetssuchstore，thefaithfulservicewhichbespeaksasterlingcharacter，andfinally，thethriftwhichhadsavedalittlesumofathousandfrancs，besidesastockofclothingandlinen，neatandclean，ascountrylinencanbe。Marionherself，abig，stoutwomanofthirty-six，feltsufficientlyflatteredbytheadmirationofacuirassier，whostoodfivefeetseveninhisstockings，awell-builtwarrior，strongasabastion，andnotunnaturallysuggestedthatheshouldbecomeaprinter。So，bythetimeKolbreceivedhisfulldischarge，MarionandDavidbetweenthemhadtransformedhimintoatolerablycreditable“bear。”thoughtheirpupilcouldneitherreadnorwrite。

Jobprinting，asitiscalled，wasnotsoabundantatthisseasonbutthatCerizetcouldmanageitwithouthelp。Cerizet，compositor，clicker，andforeman，realizedinhispersonthe“phenomenaltriplicity“ofKant；hesetuptype，readproof，tookorders，andmadeoutinvoices；butthemostpartofthetimehehadnothingtodo，andusedtoreadnovelsinhisdenatthebackoftheworkshopwhilehewaitedforanorderforabill-headoratradecircular。Marion，trainedbyoldSechard，preparedandwetteddownthepaper，helpedKolbwiththeprinting，hungthesheetstodry，andcutthemtosize；

yetcookedthedinner，nonetheless，anddidhermarketingveryearlyofamorning。

EvetoldCerizettodrawoutabalance-sheetforthelastsixmonths，andfoundthatthegrossreceiptsamountedtoeighthundredfrancs。Ontheotherhand，wagesattherateofthreefrancsperday——twofrancstoCerizet，andonetoKolb——reachedatotalofsixhundredfrancs；

andasthegoodssuppliedfortheworkprintedanddeliveredamountedtosomehundredoddfrancs，itwascleartoEvethatDavidhadbeencarryingonbusinessatalossduringthefirsthalf-yearoftheirmarriedlife。Therewasnothingtoshowforrent，nothingforMarion’swages，norfortheinterestoncapitalrepresentedbytheplant，thelicense，andtheink；nothing，finally，bywayofallowanceforthehostofthingsincludedinthetechnicalexpression“wearandtear。”awordwhichowesitsorigintotheclothsandsilkswhichareusedtomoderatetheforceoftheimpression，andtosaveweartothetype；asquareofstuff(theblanket)beingplacedbetweentheplatenandthesheetofpaperinthepress。

Evemadearoughcalculationoftheresourcesoftheprintingofficeandoftheoutput，andsawhowlittlehopetherewasforabusinessdraineddrybytheall-devouringactivityofthebrothersCointet；forbythistimetheCointetswerenotonlycontractprinterstothetownandtheprefecture，andprinterstotheDiocesebyspecialappointment——theywerepaper-makersandproprietorsofanewspapertoboot。Thatnewspaper，soldtwoyearsagobytheSechards，fatherandson，fortwenty-twothousandfrancs，wasnowbringingineighteenthousandfrancsperannum。EvebegantounderstandthemotiveslurkingbeneaththeapparentgenerosityofthebrothersCointet；theywereleavingtheSechardestablishmentjustsufficientworktogainapittance，butnotenoughtoestablisharivalhouse。

WhenEvetookthemanagementofthebusiness，shebeganbytakingstock。ShesetKolbandMarionandCerizettowork，andtheworkshopwasputtorights，cleanedout，andsetinorder。ThenoneeveningwhenDavidcameinfromacountryexcursion，followedbyanoldwomanwithahugebundletiedupinacloth，EveaskedcounselofhimastothebestwayofturningtoprofittheoddsandendsleftthembyoldSechard，promisingthatsheherselfwouldlookafterthebusiness。

Actinguponherhusband’sadvice，Mme。Sechardsortedalltheremnantsofpaperwhichshefound，andprintedoldpopularlegendsindoublecolumnsuponasinglesheet，suchaspeasantspasteontheirwalls，thehistoriesofTheWanderingJew，RoberttheDevil，LaBelleMaguelonneandsundrymiracles。EvesentKolboutasahawker。

Cerizethadnotamomenttosparenow；hewascomposingthenaivepages，withtheroughcutsthatadornedthem，frommorningtonight；

Marionwasabletomanagethetakingoff；andalldomesticcaresfelltoMme。Chardon，forEvewasbusycoloringtheprints。ThankstoKolb’sactivityandhonesty，Evesoldthreethousandbroadsheetsatapennyapiece，andmadethreehundredfrancsinallatacostofthirtyfrancs。

Butwheneverypeasant’shutandeverylittlewine-shopfortwentyleaguesroundwaspaperedwiththeselegends，afreshspeculationmustbediscovered；theAlsaciencouldnotgobeyondthelimitsofthedepartment。Eve，turningovereverythinginthewholeprintinghouse，hadfoundacollectionoffiguresforprintinga“Shepherd’sCalendar。”akindofalmanacmeantforthosewhocannotread，letterpressbeingreplacedbysymbols，signs，andpicturesincoloredinks，red，blackandblue。OldSechard，whocouldneitherreadnorwritehimself，hadmadeagooddealofmoneyatonetimebybringingoutanalmanacinhieroglyph。Itwasinbookform，asinglesheetfoldedtomakeonehundredandtwenty-eightpages。

Thoroughlysatisfiedwiththesuccessofthebroadsheets，apieceofbusinessonlyundertakenbycountryprintingoffices，Mme。SechardinvestedalltheproceedsintheShepherd’sCalendar，andbeganituponalargescale。MillionsofcopiesofthisworkaresoldannuallyinFrance。ItisprinteduponevencoarserpaperthantheAlmanacofLiege，aream(fivehundredsheets)costinginthefirstinstanceaboutfourfrancs；whiletheprintedsheetssellattherateofahalfpennyapiece——twenty-fivefrancsperream。

Mme。Secharddeterminedtouseonehundredreamsforthefirstimpression；fiftythousandcopieswouldbringintwothousandfrancs。

AmansodeeplyabsorbedinhisworkasDavidinhisresearchesisseldomobservant；yetDavid，takingalookroundhisworkshop，wasastonishedtohearthegroaningofapressandtoseeCerizetalwaysonhisfeet，settinguptypeunderMme。Sechard’sdirection。TherewasaprettytriumphforEveonthedaywhenDavidcameintoseewhatshewasdoing，andpraisedtheidea，andthoughtthecalendaranexcellentstrokeofbusiness。Furthermore，Davidpromisedtogiveadviceinthematterofcoloredinks，foranalmanacmeanttoappealtotheeye；andfinally，heresolvedtorecasttheink-rollershimselfinhismysteriousworkshop，soastohelphiswifeasfarashecouldinherimportantlittleenterprise。

Butjustastheworkbeganwithstrenuousindustry，therecamelettersfromLucieninParis，heart-sinkinglettersthattoldhismotherandsisterandbrother-in-lawofhisfailureanddistress；andwhenEve，Mme。Chardon，andDavideachsecretlysentmoneytotheirpoet，itmustbeplaintothereaderthatthethreehundredfrancstheysentwereliketheirveryblood。Theoverwhelmingnews，thedishearteningsensethatworkasbravelyasshemight，shemadesolittle，leftEvelookingforwardwithacertaindreadtoaneventwhichfillsthecupofhappinesstothefull。Thetimewascomingverynearnow，andtoherselfshesaid，“IfmydearDavidhasnotreachedtheendofhisresearchesbeforemyconfinement，whatwillbecomeofus？Andwhowilllookafterourpoorprintingofficeandthebusinessthatisgrowingup？“

TheShepherd’sCalendaroughtbyrightstohavebeenreadybeforethe1stofJanuary，butCerizetwasworkingunaccountablyslowly；alltheworkofcomposingfelltohim；andMme。Sechard，knowingsolittle，couldnotfindfault，andwasfaintocontentherselfwithwatchingtheyoungParisian。

CerizetcamefromthegreatFoundlingHospitalinParis。HehadbeenapprenticedtotheMM。Didot，andbetweentheagesoffourteenandseventeenhewasDavidSechard’sfanaticalworshiper。Davidputhimunderoneofthecleverestworkmen，andtookhimforhiscopy-holder，hispage。Cerizet’sintelligencenaturallyinterestedDavid；hewonthelad’saffectionbyprocuringamusementsnowandagainforhim，andcomfortsfromwhichhewascutoffbypoverty。NaturehadendowedCerizetwithaninsignificant，ratherprettylittlecountenance，redhair，andapairofdullblueeyes；hehadcometoAngoulemeandbroughtthemannersoftheParisianstreet-boywithhim。Hewasformidablebyreasonofaquick，sarcasticturnandaspitefuldisposition。PerhapsDavidlookedlessstrictlyafterhiminAngouleme；or，perhaps，astheladgrewolder，hismentorputmoretrustinhim，orinthesoberinginfluencesofacountrytown；butbethatasitmay，Cerizet(allunknowntohissponsor)wasgoingcompletelytothebad，andtheprinter’sapprenticewasactingthepartofaDonJuanamonglittleworkgirls。Hismorality，learnedinParisdrinking-saloons，laiddownthelawofself-interestasthesoleruleofguidance；heknew，moreover，thatnextyearhewouldbe“drawnforasoldier。”tousethepopularexpression，sawthathehadnoprospects，andranintodebt，thinkingthatsoonheshouldbeinthearmy，andnoneofhiscreditorswouldrunafterhim。Davidstillpossessedsomeascendencyovertheyoungfellow，duenottohispositionasmaster，noryettotheinterestthathehadtakeninhispupil，buttothegreatintellectualpowerwhichthesometimestreet-

boyfullyrecognized。

BeforelongCerizetbegantofraternizewiththeCointets’workpeople，drawntothembythemutualattractionofblouseandjacket，andtheclassfeeling，whichis，perhaps，strongestofallinthelowestranksofsociety。IntheircompanyCerizetforgotthelittlegooddoctrinewhichDavidhadmanagedtoinstilintohim；but，nevertheless，whentheothersjokedtheboyaboutthepressesinhisworkshop(“oldsabots。”asthe“bears“contemptuouslycalledthem)，andshowedhimthemagnificentmachines，twelveinnumber，nowatworkintheCointets’greatprintingoffice，wherethesinglewoodenpresswasonlyusedforexperiments，CerizetwouldstandupforDavidandflingoutatthebraggarts。

“Mygafferwillgofartherwithhis’sabots’thanyourswiththeircast-ironcontrivancesthatturnoutmassbooksalldaylong。”hewouldboast。“HeistryingtofindoutasecretthatwilllickalltheprintingofficesinFranceandNavarre。”

“Andmeantimeyoutakeyourordersfromawasher-woman，yousnipofaforeman，ontwofrancsaday。”

“Sheisprettythough。”retortedCerizet；“itisbettertohavehertolookatthanthephizesofyourgaffers。”

“Anddoyoulivebylookingathiswife？“

Fromtheregionofthewineshop，orfromthedooroftheprintingoffice，wherethesebickeringstookplace，adimlightbegantobreakinuponthebrothersCointetastotherealstateofthingsintheSechardestablishment。TheycametohearofEve’sexperiment，andhelditexpedienttostoptheseflightsatonce，lestthebusinessshouldbegintoprosperunderthepooryoungwife’smanagement。

“Letusgiveherarapovertheknuckles，anddisgustherwiththebusiness。”saidthebrothersCointet。

Oneofthepair，thepracticalprinter，spoketoCerizet，andaskedhimtodotheproof-readingforthembypiecework，torelievetheirreader，whohadmorethanhecouldmanage。SoitcametopassthatCerizetearnedmorebyafewhours’workofaneveningforthebrothersCointetthanbyawholeday’sworkforDavidSechard。Othertransactionsfollowed；theCointetsseeingnosmallaptitudeinCerizet，hewastoldthatitwasapitythatheshouldbeinapositionsolittlefavorabletohisinterests。

“Youmightbeforemansomedayinabigprintingoffice，makingsixfrancsaday。”saidoneoftheCointetsoneday，“andwithyourintelligenceyoumightcometohaveashareinthebusiness。”

“Whereistheuseofmybeingagoodforeman？“returnedCerizet。“Iamanorphan，Ishallbedrawnforthearmynextyear，andifIgetabadnumberwhoistheretopaysomeoneelsetotakemyplace？“

“Ifyoumakeyourselfuseful。”saidthewell-to-doprinter，“whyshouldnotsomebodyadvancethemoney？“

“Itwon’tbemygafferinanycase！“saidCerizet。

“Pooh！Perhapsbythattimehewillhavefoundoutthesecret。”

Thewordswerespokeninawaythatcouldnotbutrousetheworstthoughtsinthelistener；andCerizetgavethepapermakerandprinteraverysearchinglook。

“Idonotknowwhatheisbusyabout。”hebeganprudently，asthemastersaidnothing，“butheisnotthekindofmantolookforcapitalsinthelowercase！“

“Lookhere，myfriend。”saidtheprinter，takinguphalf-a-dozensheetsofthediocesanprayer-bookandholdingthemouttoCerizet，“ifyoucancorrecttheseforusbyto-morrow，youshallhaveeighteenfrancsto-morrowforthem。Wearenotshabbyhere；weputourcompetitor’sforemaninthewayofmakingmoney。Asamatteroffact，wemightletMme。SechardgotoofartodrawbackwithherShepherd’sCalendar，andruinher；verywell，wegiveyoupermissiontotellherthatwearebringingoutaShepherd’sCalendarofourown，andtocallherattentiontootothefactthatshewillnotbethefirstinthefield。”

Cerizet’smotiveforworkingsoslowlyonthecompositionofthealmanacshouldbeclearenoughbythistime。

WhenEveheardthattheCointetsmeanttospoilherpoorlittlespeculation，dreadseizeduponher；atfirstshetriedtoseeaproofofattachmentinCerizet’shypocriticalwarningofcompetition；butbeforelongshesawsignsofanover-keencuriosityinhersolecompositor——thecuriosityofyouth，shetriedtothink。

“Cerizet。”shesaidonemorning，“youstandaboutonthethreshold，andwaitforM。Sechardinthepassage，topryintohisprivateaffairs；whenhecomesoutintotheyardtomeltdowntherollers，youaretherelookingathim，insteadofgettingonwiththealmanac。

Thesethingsarenotright，especiallywhenyouseethatI，hiswife，respecthissecrets，andtakesomuchtroubleonmyselftoleavehimfreetogivehimselfuptohiswork。Ifyouhadnotwastedtime，thealmanacwouldbefinishedbynow，andKolbwouldbesellingit，andtheCointetscouldhavedoneusnoharm。”

“Eh！madame。”answeredCerizet。“HereamIdoingfivefrancs’worthofcomposingfortwofrancsaday，anddon’tyouthinkthatthatisenough？Why，ifIdidnotreadproofsofaneveningfortheCointets，Imightfeedmyselfonhusks。”

“Youareturningungratefulearly。”saidEve，deeplyhurt，notsomuchbyCerizet’sgrumblingasbyhiscoarsetone，threateningattitude，andaggressivestare；“youwillgetoninlife。”

“Notwithawomantoordermeaboutthough，foritisnotoftenthatthemonthhasthirtydaysinitthen。”

Feelingwoundedinherwomanlydignity，EvegaveCerizetawitheringlookandwentupstairsagain。Atdinner-timeshespoketoDavid。

“Areyousure，dear，ofthatlittlerogueCerizet？“

“Cerizet！“saidDavid。“Why，hewasmyyoungster；Itrainedhim，I

tookhimonasmycopy-holder。Iputhimtocomposing；anythingthatheisheowestome，infact！Youmightaswellaskafatherifheissureofhischild。”

Uponthis，EvetoldherhusbandthatCerizetwasreadingproofsfortheCointets。

“Poorfellow！hemustlive。”saidDavid，humbledbytheconsciousnessthathehadnotdonehisdutyasamaster。

“Yes，butthereisadifference，dear，betweenKolbandCerizet——Kolbtrampsabouttwentyleagueseveryday，spendsfifteenortwentysous，andbringsusbacksevenandeightandsometimesninefrancsofsales；

andwhenhisexpensesarepaid，heneverasksformorethanhiswages。

KolbwouldsoonercutoffhishandthanworkaleverfortheCointets；

Kolbwouldnotpeeramongthethingsthatyouthrowoutintotheyardifpeopleofferedhimathousandcrownstodoit；butCerizetpicksthemupandlooksatthem。”

Itishardfornoblenaturestothinkevil，tobelieveiningratitude；

onlythroughroughexperiencedotheylearntheextentofhumancorruption；andevenwhenthereisnothingleftthemtolearninthiskind，theyrisetoanindulgencewhichisthelastdegreeofcontempt。

“Pooh！pureParisstreet-boy’scuriosity。”criedDavid。

“Verywell，dear，domethepleasuretostepdownstairsandlookattheworkdonebythisboyofyours，andtellmethenwhetherheoughtnottohavefinishedouralmanacthismonth。”

Davidwentintotheworkshopafterdinner，andsawthatthecalendarshouldhavebeensetupinaweek。Then，whenheheardthattheCointetswerebringingoutasimilaralmanac，hecametotherescue。

Hetookcommandoftheprintingoffice，Kolbhelpedathomeinsteadofsellingbroadsheets。KolbandMarionpulledofftheimpressionsfromoneformwhileDavidworkedanotherpresswithCerizet，andsuperintendedtheprintinginvariousinks。Everysheetmustbeprintedfourseparatetimes，forwhichreasonnonebutsmallhouseswillattempttoproduceaShepherd’scalendar，andthatonlyinthecountrywherelaborischeap，andtheamountofcapitalemployedinthebusinessissosmallthattheinterestamountstolittle。

Wherefore，apresswhichturnsoutbeautifulworkcannotcompeteintheprintingofsuchsheets，coarsethoughtheymaybe。

So，forthefirsttimesinceoldSechardretired，twopresseswereatworkintheoldhouse。Thecalendarwas，initsway，amasterpiece；

butEvewasobligedtosellitforlessthanahalfpenny，fortheCointetsweresupplyinghawkersattherateofthreecentimespercopy。Evemadenolossonthecopiessoldtohawkers；onKolb’ssales，madedirectly，shegained；butherlittlespeculationwasspoiled。

Cerizetsawthathisfairemployerdistrustedhim；inhisownconscienceheposedastheaccuser，andsaidtohimself，“Yoususpectme，doyou？Iwillhavemyrevenge。”fortheParisstreet-boyismadeonthiswise。Cerizetaccordinglytookpayoutofallproportiontotheworkofproof-readingdonefortheCointets，goingtotheirofficeeveryeveningforthesheets，andreturningtheminthemorning。Hecametobeonfamiliartermswiththemthroughthedailychat，andatlengthsawachanceofescapingthemilitaryservice，abaitheldouttohimbythebrothers。SofarfromrequiringpromptingfromtheCointets，hewasthefirsttoproposetheespionageandexploitationofDavid’sresearches。

EvesawhowlittleshecoulddependuponCerizet，andtofindanotherKolbwassimplyimpossible；shemadeuphermindtodismissheronecompositor，fortheinsightofawomanwholovestoldherthatCerizetwasatraitor；butasthismeantadeathblowtothebusiness，shetookaman’sresolution。ShewrotetoM。Metivier，withwhomDavidandtheCointetsandalmosteverypapermakerinthedepartmenthadbusinessrelations，andaskedhimtoputthefollowingadvertisementintoatradepaper：

“FORSALE，asagoingconcern，aPrintingOffice，withLicenseandPlant；situatedatAngouleme。ApplyforparticularstoM。Metivier，RueSerpente。”

TheCointetssawtheadvertisement。“Thatlittlewomanhasaheadonhershoulders。”theysaid。“Itistimethatwetookherbusinessunderourowncontrol，bygivingherenoughworktoliveupon；wemightfindarealcompetitorinDavid’ssuccessor；itisinourinteresttokeepaneyeuponthatworkshop。”

TheCointetswenttospeaktoDavidSechard，movedtheretobythisthought。Evesawthem，knewthatherstratagemhadsucceededatonce，andfeltathrillofthekeenestjoy。Theystatedtheirproposal。Theyhadmoreworkthantheycouldundertake，theirpressescouldnotkeeppacewiththework，wouldM。Sechardprintforthem？TheyhadsenttoBordeauxforworkmen，andcouldfindenoughtogivefullemploymenttoDavid’sthreepresses。

“Gentlemen。”saidEve，whileCerizetwentacrosstoDavid’sworkshoptoannouncethetwoprinters，“whilemyhusbandwaswiththeMM。Didothecametoknowofexcellentworkers，honestandindustriousmen；hewillchoosehissuccessor，nodoubt，fromamongthebestofthem。Ifhesoldhisbusinessoutrightforsometwentythousandfrancs，itmightbringusinathousandfrancsperannum；thatwouldbebetterthanlosingathousandyearlyoversuchtradeasyouleaveus。Whydidyouenvyusthepoorlittlealmanacspeculation，especiallyaswehavealwaysbroughtitout？“

“Oh，whydidyounotgiveusnotice，madame？Wewouldnothaveinterferedwithyou。”oneofthebrothersansweredblandly(hewasknownasthe“tallCointet“)。

“Oh，comegentlemen！youonlybeganyouralmanacafterCerizettoldyouthatIwasbringingoutmine。”

Shespokebriskly，lookingfullat“thetallCointet“asshespoke。Heloweredhiseyes；Cerizet’streacherywasproventoher。

Thisbrothermanagedthebusinessandthepaper-mill；hewasbyfarthecleverermanofbusinessofthetwo。Jeanshowednosmallabilityintheconductoftheprintingestablishment，butinintellectualcapacityhemightbesaidtotakecolonel’srank，whileBonifacewasageneral。JeanleftthecommandtoBoniface。Thislatterwasthinandspareinperson；hisface，sallowasanaltarcandle，wasmottledwithreddishpatches；hislipswerepinched；therewassomethinginhiseyesthatremindedyouofacat’seyes。BonifaceCointetneverexcitedhimself；hewouldlistentothegrossestinsultswiththeserenityofabigot，andreplyinasmoothvoice。Hewenttomass，hewenttoconfession，hetookthesacrament。Beneathhiscaressingmanners，beneathanalmostspiritlesslook，lurkedthetenacityandambitionofthepriest，andthegreedofthemanofbusinessconsumedwithathirstforrichesandhonors。Intheyear1820“tallCointet“wantedallthatthebourgeoisiefinallyobtainedbytheRevolutionof1830。

Inhishearthehatedthearistocrats，andinreligionhewasindifferent；hewasasmuchoraslittleofabigotasBonapartewasamemberoftheMountain；yethisvertebralcolumnbentwithaflexibilitywonderfultobeholdbeforethenoblesseandtheofficialhierarchy；forthepowersthatbe，hehumbledhimself，hewasmeekandobsequious。Onefinalcharacteristicwilldescribehimforthosewhoareaccustomedtodealingswithallkindsofmen，andcanappreciateitsvalue——Cointetconcealedtheexpressionofhiseyesbywearingcoloredglasses，ostensiblytopreservehissightfromthereflectionofthesunlightonthewhitebuildingsinthestreets；forAngouleme，beingsetuponahill，isexposedtothefullglareofthesun。TallCointetwasreallyscarcelyabovemiddleheight；helookedmuchtallerthanheactuallywasbyreasonofthethinness，whichtoldofoverworkandabrainincontinualferment。Hislank，sleekgrayhair，cutinsomewhatecclesiasticalfashion；theblacktrousers，blackstockings，blackwaistcoat，andlongpuce-coloredgreatcoat(styledaleviteinthesouth)，allcompletedhisresemblancetoaJesuit。

Bonifacewascalled“tallCointet“todistinguishhimfromhisbrother，“fatCointet。”andthenicknamesexpressedadifferenceincharacteraswellasaphysicaldifferencebetweenapairofequallyredoubtablepersonages。AsforJeanCointet，ajolly，stoutfellow，withafacefromaFlemishinterior，coloredbythesouthernsunofAngouleme，thick-set，shortandpaunchyasSanchoPanza；withasmileonhislipsandapairofsturdyshoulders，hewasastrikingcontrasttohisolderbrother。Norwasthedifferenceonlyphysicalandintellectual。JeanmightalmostbecalledLiberalinpolitics；hebelongedtotheLeftCentre，onlywenttomassonSundays，andlivedonaremarkablygoodunderstandingwiththeLiberalmenofbusiness。

TherewerethoseinL’Houmeauwhosaidthatthisdivergencebetweenthebrotherswasmoreapparentthanreal。TallCointetturnedhisbrother’sseeminggoodnaturetoadvantageveryskilfully。Jeanwashisbludgeon。ItwasJeanwhogaveallthehardwords；itwasJeanwhoconductedtheexecutionswhichlittlebeseemedtheelderbrother’sbenevolence。Jeantookthestormsdepartment；hewouldflyintoarage，andproposetermsthatnobodywouldthinkofaccepting，topavethewayforhisbrother’slessunreasonablepropositions。Andbysuchpolicythepairattainedtheirends，soonerorlater。

Eve，withawoman’stact，hadsoondivinedthecharactersofthetwobrothers；shewasonherguardwithfoessoformidable。David，informedbeforehandofeverythingbyhiswife，lentaprofoundlyinattentivemindtohisenemies’proposals。

“Cometoanunderstandingwithmywife。”hesaid，ashelefttheCointetsintheofficeandwentbacktohislaboratory。“Mme。SechardknowsmoreaboutthebusinessthanIdomyself。Iaminterestedinsomethingthatwillpaybetterthanthispoorplace；IhopetofindawaytoretrievethelossesthatIhavemadethroughyou——“

“Andhow？“askedthefatCointet，chuckling。

Evegaveherhusbandalookthatmeant，“Becareful！“

“Youwillbemytributaries。”saidDavid，“andallotherconsumersofpapersbesides。”

“Thenwhatareyouinvestigating？“askedthehypocriticalBonifaceCointet。

Boniface’squestionslippedoutsmoothlyandinsinuatingly，andagainEve’seyesimploredherhusbandtogiveananswerthatwasnoanswer，ortosaynothingatall。

“Iamtryingtoproducepaperatfiftypercentlessthanthepresentcostprice。”andhewent。Hedidnotseetheglancesexchangedbetweenthebrothers。“Thatisaninventor，amanofhisbuildcannotsitwithhishandsbeforehim——Letusexploithim。”saidBoniface’seyes。“Howcanwedoit？“saidJean’s。

Mme。Sechardspoke。“Davidtreatsmejustinthesameway。”shesaid。

“IfIshowanycuriosity，hefeelssuspiciousofmyname，nodoubt，andoutcomesthatremarkofhis；itisonlyaformula，afterall。”

“Ifyourhusbandcanworkouttheformula，hewillcertainlymakeafortunemorequicklythanbyprinting；Iamnotsurprisedthatheleavesthebusinesstoitself。”saidBoniface，lookingacrosstheemptyworkshop，whereKolb，seateduponawetting-board，wasrubbinghisbreadwithacloveofgarlic；“butitwouldnotsuitourviewstoseethisplaceinthehandsofanenergetic，pushing，ambitiouscompetitor。”hecontinued，“andperhapsitmightbepossibletoarriveatanunderstanding。Suppose，forinstance，thatyouconsentedforaconsiderationtoallowustoputinoneofourownmentoworkyourpressesforourbenefit，butnominallyforyou；thethingissometimesdoneinParis。Wewouldfindthefellowworkenoughtoenablehimtorentyourplaceandpayyouwell，andyetmakeaprofitforhimself。”

“Itdependsontheamount。”saidEveSechard。“Whatisyouroffer？“

sheadded，lookingatBonifacetolethimseethatsheunderstoodhisschemeperfectlywell。

“Whatisyourownidea？“JeanCointetputinbriskly。

“Threethousandfrancsforsixmonths。”saidshe。

“Why，mydearyounglady，youwereproposingtoselltheplaceoutrightfortwentythousandfrancs。”saidBonifacewithmuchsuavity。

“Theinterestontwentythousandfrancsisonlytwelvehundredfrancsperannumatsixpercent。”

ForamomentEvewasthrownintoconfusion；shesawtheneedfordiscretioninmattersofbusiness。

“Youwishtouseourpressesandournameaswell。”shesaid；“and，asIhavealreadyshownyou，Icanstilldoalittlebusiness。AndthenwepayrenttoM。Sechardsenior，whodoesnotloaduswithpresents。”

Aftertwohoursofdebate，Eveobtainedtwothousandfrancsforsixmonths，onethousandtobepaidinadvance。Wheneverythingwasconcluded，thebrothersinformedherthattheymeanttoputinCerizetaslesseeofthepremises。Inspiteofherself，Evestartedwithsurprise。

“Isn’titbettertohavesomebodywhoknowstheworkshop？“askedthefatCointet。

Evemadenoreply；shetookleaveofthebrothers，vowinginwardlytolookafterCerizet。

“Well，hereareourenemiesintheplace！“laughedDavid，whenEvebroughtoutthepapersforhissignatureatdinner-time。

“Pshaw！“saidshe，“IwillanswerforKolbandMarion；theyalonewouldlookafterthings。Besides，weshallbemakinganincomeoffourthousandfrancsfromtheworkshop，whichonlycostsusmoneyasitis；

andlookingforward，Iseeayearinwhichyoumayrealizeyourhopes。”

“Youwereborntobethewifeofascientificworker，asyousaidbytheweir。”saidDavid，graspingherhandtenderly。

ButthoughtheSechardhouseholdhadmoneysufficientthatwinter，theywerenonethelesssubjectedtoCerizet’sespionage，andallunconsciouslybecamedependentuponBonifaceCointet。

“Wehavethemnow！“themanagerofthepaper-millhadexclaimedasheleftthehousewithhisbrothertheprinter。“Theywillbegintoregardtherentasregularincome；theywillcountuponitandrunthemselvesintodebt。Insixmonths’timewewilldeclinetorenewtheagreement，andthenweshallseewhatthismanofgeniushasatthebottomofhismind；wewilloffertohelphimoutofhisdifficultybytakinghimintopartnershipandexploitinghisdiscovery。”

AnyshrewdmanofbusinesswhoshouldhaveseentallCointet’sfaceasheutteredthosewords，“takinghimintopartnership。”wouldhaveknownthatitbehoovesamantobeevenmorecarefulintheselectionofthepartnerwhomhetakesbeforetheTribunalofCommercethaninthechoiceofthewifewhomhewedsattheMayor’soffice。Wasitnotenoughalready，andmorethanenough，thattheruthlesshunterswereonthetrackofthequarry？HowshouldDavidandhiswife，withKolbandMariontohelpthem，escapethetoilsofaBonifaceCointet？

AdraftforfivehundredfrancscamefromLucien，andthis，withCerizet’ssecondpayment，enabledthemtomeetalltheexpensesofMme。Sechard’sconfinement。EveandthemotherandDavidhadthoughtthatLucienhadforgottenthem，andrejoicedoverthistokenofremembranceastheyrejoicedoverhissuccess，forhisfirstexploitsinjournalismmadeevenmorenoiseinAngoulemethaninParis。

ButDavid，thuslulledintoafalsesecurity，wastoreceiveastaggeringblow，acruelletterfromLucien：——

LucientoDavid。

“MYDEARDAVID，——Ihavedrawnthreebillsonyou，andnegotiatedthemwithMetivier；theyfalldueinone，two，andthreemonths’

time。Itookthishatefulcourse，whichIknowwillburdenyouheavily，becausetheonealternativewassuicide。Iwillexplainmynecessitysometime，andIwilltrybesidestosendtheamountsasthebillsfalldue。

“Burnthisletter；saynothingtomymotherandsister；for，I

confessit，Ihavecounteduponyou，upontheheroismknownsowelltoyourdespairingbrother，“LUCIENDERUBEMPRE。”

BythistimeEvehadrecoveredfromherconfinement。

“Yourbrother，poorfellow，isindesperatestraits。”Davidtoldher。

“Ihavesenthimthreebillsforathousandfrancsatone，two，andthreemonths；justmakeanoteofthem。”andhewentoutintothefieldstoescapehiswife’squestionings。

ButEvehadfeltveryuneasyalready。ItwassixmonthssinceLucienhadwrittentothem。Shetalkedoverthenewswithhermothertillherforebodingsgrewsodarkthatshemadeuphermindtodissipatethem。

Shewouldtakeaboldstepinherdespair。

YoungM。deRastignachadcometospendafewdayswithhisfamily。HehadspokenofLucienintermsthatsetParisgossipcirculatinginAngouleme，tillatlastitreachedthejournalist’smotherandsister。

EvewenttoMme。deRastignac，askedthefavorofaninterviewwithherson，spokeofallherfears，andaskedhimforthetruth。InamomentEveheardofherbrother’sconnectionwiththeactressCoralie，ofhisduelwithMichelChrestien，arisingoutofhisowntreacherousbehaviortoDanield’Arthez；shereceived，inshort，aversionofLucien’shistory，coloredbythepersonalfeelingofacleverandenviousdandy。Rastignacexpressedsincereadmirationfortheabilitiessoterriblycompromised，andapatrioticfearforthefutureofanativegenius；spiteandjealousymasqueradedaspityandfriendliness。HespokeofLucien’sblunders。ItseemedthatLucienhadforfeitedthefavorofaverygreatperson，andthatapatentconferringtherighttobearthenameandarmsofRubemprehadactuallybeenmadeoutandsubsequentlytornup。

“Ifyourbrother，madame，hadbeenwelladvised，hewouldhavebeenonthewaytohonors，andMme。deBargeton’shusbandbythistime；butwhatcanyouexpect？Hedesertedherandinsultedher。SheisnowMme。

laComtesseSixteduChatelet，toherowngreatregret，forshelovedLucien。”

“Isitpossible！“exclaimedMme。Sechard。

“Yourbrotherislikeayoungeagle，blindedbythefirstraysofgloryandluxury。Whenaneaglefalls，whocantellhowfarhemaysinkbeforehedropstothebottomofsomeprecipice？Thefallofagreatmanisalwaysproportionatelygreat。”

Evecameawaywithagreatdreadinherheart；thoselastwordspiercedherlikeanarrow。Shehadbeenwoundedtothequick。Shesaidnotawordtoanybody，butagainandagainatearrolleddownhercheeks，andfelluponthechildatherbreast。Sohardisittogiveupillusionssanctionedbyfamilyfeeling，illusionsthathavegrownwithourgrowth，thatEvehaddoubtedEugenedeRastignac。Shewouldratherhearatruefriend’saccountofherbrother。Lucienhadgiventhemd’Arthez’saddressinthedayswhenhewasfullofenthusiasmforthebrotherhood；shewroteapatheticlettertod’Arthez，andreceivedthefollowingreply：——

D’ArtheztoMme。Sechard。

“MADAME，——YouaskmetotellyouthetruthaboutthelifethatyourbrotherisleadinginParis；youareanxiousforenlightenmentastohisprospects；andtoencourageafrankansweronmypart，yourepeatcertainthingsthatM。deRastignachastoldyou，askingmeiftheyaretrue。Withregardtothepurelypersonalmatter，madame，M。deRastignac’sconfidencesmustbecorrectedinLucien’sfavor。Yourbrotherwroteacriticismofmybook，andbroughtittomeinremorse，tellingmethathecouldnotbringhimselftopublishit，althoughobediencetotheordersofhispartymightendangeronewhowasverydeartohim。Alas！

madame，amanoflettersmustneedscomprehendallpassions，sinceitishispridetoexpressthem；Iunderstoodthatwhereamistressandafriendareinvolved，thefriendisinevitablysacrificed。Ismoothedyourbrother’sway；Icorrectedhismurderousarticlemyself，andgaveitmyfullapproval。

“YouaskwhetherLucienhaskeptmyfriendshipandesteem；tothisitisdifficulttomakeananswer。Yourbrotherisonaroadthatleadshimtoruin。AtthismomentIstillfeelsorryforhim；

beforelongIshallhaveforgottenhim，ofsetpurpose，notsomuchonaccountofwhathehasdonealreadyasforthatwhichheinevitablywilldo。YourLucienisnotapoet，hehasthepoetictemper；hedreams，hedoesnotthink；hespendshimselfinemotion，hedoesnotcreate。Heis，infact——permitmetosayit——

awomanishcreaturethatlovestoshine，theFrenchman’sgreatfailing。Lucienwillalwayssacrificehisbestfriendforthepleasureofdisplayinghisownwit。HewouldnothesitatetosignapactwiththeDevilto-morrowifsohemightsecureafewyearsofluxuriousandgloriouslife。Nay，hashenotdoneworsealready？Hehasbarteredhisfuturefortheshort-liveddelightsoflivingopenlywithanactress。Sofar，hehasnotseenthedangersofhisposition；thegirl’syouthandbeautyanddevotion(forsheworshipshim)haveclosedhiseyestothetruth；hecannotseethatnogloryorsuccessorfortunecaninducetheworldtoaccepttheposition。Verywell，asitisnow，soitwillbewitheachnewtemptation——yourbrotherwillnotlookbeyondtheenjoymentofthemoment。Donotbealarmed：Lucienwillnevergosofarasacrime，hehasnotthestrengthofcharacter；buthewouldtakethefruitsofacrime，hewouldsharethebenefitbutnottherisk——athingthatseemsabhorrenttothewholeworld，eventoscoundrels。Oh，hewoulddespisehimself，hewouldrepent；

butbringhimoncemoretothetest，andhewouldfailagain；forheisweakofwill，hecannotresisttheallurementsofpleasure，norforegotheleastofhisambitions。Heisindolent，likeallwhowouldfainbepoets；hethinksitclevertojugglewiththedifficultiesoflifeinsteadoffacingandovercomingthem。Hewillbebraveatonetime，cowardlyatanother，anddeservesneithercreditforhiscourage，norblameforhiscowardice。

Lucienislikeaharpwithstringsthatareslackenedortightenedbytheatmosphere。Hemightwriteagreatbookinagladorangrymood，andcarenothingforthesuccessthathehaddesiredforsolong。

“WhenhefirstcametoParishefellundertheinfluenceofanunprincipledyoungfellow，andwasdazzledbyhiscompanion’sadroitnessandexperienceinthedifficultiesofaliterarylife。

ThisjugglercompletelybewitchedLucien；hedraggedhimintoalifewhichamancannotleadandrespecthimself，and，unluckilyforLucien，lovesheditsmagicoverthepath。Theadmirationthatisgiventooreadilyisasignofwantofjudgment；apoetoughtnottobepaidinthesamecoinasadanceronthetight-rope。WeallfelthurtwhenintrigueandliteraryrascalitywerepreferredtothecourageandhonorofthosewhocounseledLucienrathertofacethebattlethantofilchsuccess，tospringdownintothearenaratherthanbecomeatrumpetintheorchestra。

“Society，madame，oddlyenough，showsplentifulindulgencetoyoungmenofLucien’sstamp；theyarepopular，theworldisfascinatedbytheirexternalgiftsandgoodlooks。Nothingisaskedofthem，alltheirsinsareforgiven；theyaretreatedlikeperfectnatures，othersareblindtotheirdefects，theyaretheworld’sspoiledchildren。And，ontheotherhand，theworldissternbeyondmeasuretostrongandcompletenatures。Perhapsinthisapparentlyflagrantinjusticesocietyactssublimely，takingaharlequinathisjustworth，askingnothingofhimbutamusement，promptlyforgettinghim；andaskingdivinegreatdeedsofthosebeforewhomshebendstheknee。Everythingisjudgedbylawsofitsbeing；thediamondmustbeflawless；theephemeralcreationoffashionmaybeflimsy，bizarre，inconsequent。SoLucienmayperhapssucceedtoadmirationinspiteofhismistakes；

hehasonlytoprofitbysomehappyveinortobeamonggoodcompanions；butifanevilangelcrosseshispath，hewillgototheverydepthsofhell。’Tisabrilliantassemblageofgoodqualitiesembroideredupontooslightatissue；timewearstheflowersawaytillnothingbutthewebisleft；andifthatispoorstuff，youbeholdaragatthelast。SolongasLucienisyoung，peoplewilllikehim；butwherewillhebeasamanofthirty？

Thatisthequestionwhichthosewholovehimsincerelyareboundtoaskthemselves。IfIalonehadcometothinkinthiswayofLucien，Imightperhapshavesparedyouthepainwhichmyplainspeakingwillgiveyou；buttoevadethequestionsputbyyouranxiety，andtoansweracryofanguishlikeyourletterwithcommonplaces，seemedtomealikeunworthyofyouandofme，whomyouesteemtoohighly；andbesides，thoseofmyfriendswhoknewLucienareunanimousintheirjudgment。Soitappearedtometobeadutytoputthetruthbeforeyou，terriblethoughitmaybe。

AnythingmaybeexpectedofLucien，anythinggoodorevil。Thatisouropinion，andthisletterissummedupinthatsentence。Ifthevicissitudesofhispresentwayoflife(averywretchedandslipperyone)shouldbringthepoetbacktoyou，useallyourinfluencetokeephimamongyou；foruntilhischaracterhasacquiredstability，Pariswillnotbesafeforhim。Heusedtospeakofyou，youandyourhusband，ashisguardianangels；hehasforgottenyou，nodoubt；buthewillrememberyouagainwhentossedbytempest，withnorefugelefttohimbuthishome。Keepyourheartforhim，madame；hewillneedit。

“Permitme，madame，toconveytoyoutheexpressionofthesincererespectofamantowhomyourrarequalitiesareknown，amanwhohonorsyourmother’sfearssomuch，thathedesirestostylehimselfyourdevotedservant，“D’ARTHEZ。”

Twodaysafterthelettercame，Evewasobligedtofindawet-nurse；

hermilkhaddriedup。Shehadmadeagodofherbrother；now，inhereyes，hewasdepravedthroughtheexerciseofhisnoblestfaculties；

hewaswallowinginthemire。She，noblecreaturethatshewas，wasincapableofswervingfromhonestyandscrupulousdelicacy，fromallthepioustraditionsofthehearth，whichstillburnssoclearlyandshedsitslightabroadinquietcountryhomes。ThenDavidhadbeenrightinhisforecasts！TheleadenhuesofgriefoverspreadEve’swhitebrow。Shetoldherhusbandhersecretinoneofthepellucidtalksinwhichmarriedloverstelleverythingtoeachother。ThetonesofDavid’svoicebroughtcomfort。Thoughthetearsstoodinhiseyeswhenheknewthatgriefhaddriedhiswife’sfairbreast，andknewEve’sdespairthatshecouldnotfulfilamother’sduties，heheldoutreassuringhopes。

“Yourbrother’simaginationhaslethimastray，yousee，child。Itissonaturalthatapoetshouldwishforblueandpurplerobes，andhurryaseagerlyafterfestivalsashedoes。Itisabirdthatlovesglitterandluxurywithsuchsimplesincerity，thatGodforgiveshimifmancondemnshimforit。”

“Butheisdrainingourlives！“exclaimedpoorEve。

“Heisdrainingourlivesjustnow，butonlyafewmonthsagohesavedusbysendingusthefirstfruitsofhisearnings。”saidthegoodDavid。Hehadthesensetoseethathiswifewasindespair，wasgoingbeyondthelimit，andthatloveforLucienwouldverysooncomeback。

“Fiftyyearsago，orthereabouts，MerciersaidinhisTableaudeParisthatamancannotlivebyliterature，poetry，letters，orscience，bythecreaturesofhisbrain，inshort；andLucien，poetthatheis，wouldnotbelievetheexperienceoffivecenturies。Theharveststhatarewateredwithinkareonlyreapedtenortwelveyearsafterthesowing，ifindeedthereisanyharvestafterall。Lucienhastakenthegreenwheatforthesheaves。Hewillhavelearnedsomethingoflife，atanyrate。Hewasthedupeofawomanattheoutset；hewassuretobedupedafterwardsbytheworldandfalsefriends。Hehasboughthisexperiencedear，thatisall。Ourancestorsusedtosay，’Ifthesonofthehousebringsbackhistwoearsandhishonorsafe，alliswell——’“

“Honor！“poorEvebrokein。“Oh，butLucienhasfalleninsomanyways！Writingagainsthisconscience！Attackinghisbestfriend！

Livinguponanactress！Showinghimselfinpublicwithher。Bringingustolieonstraw——“

“Oh，thatisnothing——！“criedDavid，andsuddenlystoppedshort。

ThesecretofLucien’sforgeryhadnearlyescapedhim，and，unluckily，hisstartleftavague，uneasyimpressiononEve。

“Whatdoyoumeanbynothing？“sheanswered。“Andwhereshallwefindthemoneytomeetbillsforthreethousandfrancs？“

“WeshallbeobligedtorenewtheleasewithCerizet，tobeginwith。”

saidDavid。“TheCointetshavebeenallowinghimfifteenpercentontheworkdoneforthem，andinthatwayalonehehasmadesixhundredfrancs，besidescontrivingtomakefivehundredfrancsbyjobprinting。”

“IftheCointetsknowthat，perhapstheywillnotrenewthelease。

Theywillbeafraidofhim，forCerizetisadangerousman。”

“Eh！whatisthattome！“criedDavid，“weshallberichinaverylittlewhile。WhenLucienisrich，dearangel，hewillhavenothingbutgoodqualities。”

“Oh！David，mydear，mydear；whatisthisthatyouhavesaidunthinkingly？ThenLucienfallenintotheclutchesofpovertywouldnothavetheforceofcharactertoresistevil？AndyouthinkjustasM。d’Arthezthinks！Nooneisgreatunlesshehasstrengthofcharacter，andLucienisweak。Anangelmustnotbetempted——whatisthat？“

“Whatbutanaturethatisnobleonlyinitsownregion，itsownsphere，itsheaven？Iwillsparehimthestruggle；Lucienisnotmeantforit。Lookhere！IamsoneartheendnowthatIcantalktoyouaboutthemeans。”

Hedrewseveralsheetsofwhitepaperfromhispocket，brandishedthemintriumph，andlaidthemonhiswife’slap。

“Areamofthispaper，royalsize，wouldcostfivefrancsatthemost。”headded，whileEvehandledthespecimenswithalmostchildishsurprise。

“Why，howdidyoumakethesesamplebits？“sheasked。

“WithanoldkitchensieveofMarion’s。”

“Andareyounotsatisfiedyet？“askedEve。

“Theproblemdoesnotlieinthemanufacturingprocess；itisaquestionofthefirstcostofthepulp。Alas，child，Iamonlyalatecomerinadifficultpath。Aslongagoas1794，Mme。Massontriedtouseprintedpaperasecondtime；shesucceeded，butwhatapriceitcost！TheMarquisofSalisburytriedtousestrawasamaterialin1800，andthesameideaoccurredtoSeguininFrancein1801。Thosesheetsinyourhandaremadefromthecommonrush，thearundophragmites，butIshalltrynettlesandthistles；forifthematerialistocontinuetobecheap，onemustlookforsomethingthatwillgrowinmarshesandwastelandswherenothingelsecanbegrown。Thewholesecretliesinthepreparationofthestems。Atpresentmymethodisnotquitesimpleenough。Still，inspiteofthisdifficulty，IfeelsurethatIcangivetheFrenchpapertradetheprivilegeofourliterature；papermakingwillbeforFrancewhatcoalandironandcoarsepotter’sclayareforEngland——amonopoly。ImeantobetheJacquartofthetrade。”

Everosetoherfeet。David’ssimple-mindednesshadrousedhertoenthusiasm，toadmiration；sheheldoutherarmstohimandheldhimtightlytoher，whileshelaidherheaduponhisshoulder。

“YougivememyrewardasifIhadsucceededalready。”hesaid。

Forallanswer，Evehelduphersweetface，wetwithtears，tohis，andforamomentshecouldnotspeak。

“Thekisswasnotforthemanofgenius。”shesaid，“butformycomforter。Hereisarisinggloryfortheglorythathasset；and，inthemidstofmygriefforthebrotherthathasfallensolow，myhusband’sgreatnessisrevealedtome——Yes，youwillbegreat，greatliketheGraindorges，theRouvets，andVanRobais，andthePersianwhodiscoveredmadder，likeallthemenyouhavetoldmeabout；greatmenwhomnobodyremembers，becausetheirgooddeedswereobscureindustrialtriumphs。”

“Whataretheydoingjustnow？“

ItwasBonifaceCointetwhospoke。HewaswalkingupanddownoutsideinthePlaceduMurierwithCerizetwatchingthesilhouettesofthehusbandandwifeontheblinds。HealwayscameatmidnightforachatwithCerizet，forthelatterplayedthespyuponhisformermaster’severymovement。

“Heisshowingherthepaperhemadethismorning，nodoubt。”saidCerizet。

“Whatisitmadeof？“askedthepapermanufacturer。

“Impossibletoguess。”answeredCerizet；“Imadeaholeintheroofandscrambledupandwatchedthegaffer；hewasboilingpulpinacopperpanalllastnight。Therewasaheapofstuffinacorner，butIcouldmakenothingofit；itlookedlikeaheapoftow，asnearasI

couldmakeout。”

“Gonofarther。”saidBonifaceCointetinunctuoustones；“itwouldnotberight。Mme。Sechardwilloffertorenewyourlease；tellherthatyouarethinkingofsettingupforyourself。Offerherhalfthevalueoftheplantandlicense，and，ifshetakesthebid，cometome。

Inanycase，spinthematterout……Havetheynomoney？“

“Notasou。”saidCerizet。

“Notasou。”repeatedtallCointet——“Ihavethemnow。”saidhetohimself。

Metivier，papermanufacturers’wholesaleagent，andCointetBrothers，printersandpapermanufacturers，werealsobankersinallbutname。

ThissurreptitiousbankingsystemdefiesalltheingenuityoftheInlandRevenueDepartment。Everybankerisrequiredtotakeoutalicensewhich，inParis，costsfivehundredfrancs；butnohithertodevisedmethodofcontrollingcommercecandetectthedelinquents，orcompelthemtopaytheirduetotheGovernment。AndthoughMetivierandtheCointetswere“outsidebrokers。”inthelanguageoftheStockExchange，nonethelessamongthemtheycouldsetsomehundredsofthousandsoffrancsmovingeverythreemonthsinthemarketsofParis，Bordeaux，andAngouleme。NowitsofelloutthatthatveryeveningCointetBrothershadreceivedLucien’sforgedbillsinthecourseofbusiness。Uponthisdebt，tallCointetforthwitherectedaformidableengine，pointed，aswillpresentlybeseen，againstthepoor，patientinventor。

Byseveno’clocknextmorning，BonifaceCointetwastakingawalkbythemillstreamthatturnedthewheelsinhisbigfactory；thesoundofthewatercoveredhistalk，forhewastalkingwithacompanion，ayoungmanofnine-and-twenty，whohadbeenappointedattorneytotheCourtofFirstInstanceinAngoulemesomesixweeksago。Theyoungman’snamewasPierrePetit-Claud。

“YouareaschoolfellowofDavidSechard’s，areyounot？“askedtallCointetbywayofgreetingtotheyoungattorney。Petit-Claudhadlostnotimeinansweringthewealthymanufacturer’ssummons。

“Yes，sir。”saidPetit-Claud，keepingstepwithtallCointet。

“Haveyourenewedtheacquaintance？“

“Wehavemetonceortwiceatmostsincehecameback。Itcouldhardlyhavebeenotherwise。InParisIwasburiedawayintheofficeoratthecourtsonweek-days，andonSundaysandholidaysIwashardatworkstudying，forIhadonlymyselftolookto。”(TallCointetnoddedapprovingly。)“Whenwemetagain，DavidandI，heaskedmewhatIhaddonewithmyself。ItoldhimthatafterIhadfinishedmytimeatPoitiers，IhadrisentobeMaitreOlivet’shead-clerk，andthatsometimeorotherIhopedtomakeabidforhisberth。IknowagooddealmoreofLucienChardon(deRubemprehecallshimselfnow)，hewasMme。

deBargeton’slover，ourgreatpoet，DavidSechard’sbrother-in-law，infact。”

“ThenyoucangoandtellDavidofyourappointment，andofferhimyourservices。”saidtallCointet。

“Onecan’tdothat。”saidtheyoungattorney。

“Hehasneverhadalawsuit，andhehasnoattorney，soonecandothat。”saidCointet，scanningtheothernarrowlyfrombehindhiscoloredspectacles。

AcertainquantityofgallmingledwiththebloodinPierrePetit-

Claud’sveins；hisfatherwasatailorinL’Houmeau，andhisschoolfellowshadlookeddownuponhim。Hiscomplexionwasofthemuddyandunwholesomekindwhichtellsataleofbadhealth，latehoursandpenury，andalmostalwaysofabaddisposition。Thebestdescriptionofhimmaybegivenintwofamiliarexpressions——hewassharpandsnappish。Hiscrackedvoicesuitedhissourface，meagrelook，andmagpieeyesofnoparticularcolor。Amagpieeye，accordingtoNapoleon，isasuresignofdishonesty。“LookatSo-and-so。”hesaidtoLasCasesatSaintHelena，alludingtoaconfidentialservantwhomhehadbeenobligedtodismissformalversation。“IdonotknowhowIcouldhavebeendeceivedinhimforsolong；hehasamagpieeye。”TallCointet，surveyingtheweedylittlelawyer，notedhisfacepittedwithsmallpox，thethinhair，andtheforehead，baldalready，recedingtowardsabaldcranium；saw，too，theconfessionofweaknessinhisattitudewiththehandonthehip。“Hereismyman。”saidhetohimself。

Asamatteroffact，thisPetit-Claud，whohaddrunkscornlikewater，waseatenupwithastrongdesiretosucceedinlife；hehadnomoney，butneverthelesshehadtheaudacitytobuyhisemployer’sconnectionforthirtythousandfrancs，reckoninguponarichmarriagetoclearoffthedebt，andlookingtohisemployer，aftertheusualcustom，tofindhimawife，foranattorneyalwayshasaninterestinmarryinghissuccessor，becauseheisthesoonerpaidoff。ButifPetit-Claudcounteduponhisemployer，hecountedyetmoreuponhimself。Hehadmorethanaverageability，andthatofakindnotoftenfoundintheprovinces，andrancorwasthemainspringofhispower。Amightyhatredmakesamightyeffort。

ThereisagreatdifferencebetweenacountryattorneyandanattorneyinParis；tallCointetwastooclevernottoknowthis，andtoturnthemeanerpassionsthatmoveapettifogginglawyertogoodaccount。

AneminentattorneyinParis，andtherearemanywhomaybesoqualified，isboundtopossesstosomeextentthediplomate’squalities；hehadsomuchbusinesstotransact，businessinwhichlargeinterestsareinvolved；questionsofsuchwideinterestaresubmittedtohimthathedoesnotlookuponprocedureasmachineryforbringingmoneyintohispocket，butasaweaponofattackanddefence。

Acountryattorney，ontheotherhand，cultivatesthescienceofcosts，broutille，asitiscalledinParis，ahostofsmallitemsthatswelllawyers’billsandrequirestampedpaper。Theseweightymattersofthelawcompletelyfillthecountryattorney’smind；hehasabillofcostsalwaysbeforehiseyes，whereashisbrotherofParisthinksofnothingbuthisfees。Thefeeisahonorariumpaidbyaclientoverandabovethebillofcosts，forthemoreorlessskilfulconductofhiscase。One-halfofthebillofcostsgoestotheTreasury，whereastheentirefeebelongstotheattorney。Letusadmitfranklythatthefeesreceivedareseldomaslargeasthefeesdemandedanddeservedbyacleverlawyer。Wherefore，inParis，attorneys，doctors，andbarristers，likecourtesanswithachance-comelover，takeveryconsiderableprecautionsagainstthegratitudeofclients。TheclientbeforeandafterthelawsuitwouldfurnishasubjectworthyofMeissonier；therewouldbebriskbiddingamongattorneysforthepossessionoftwosuchadmirablebitsofgenre。

ThereisyetanotherdifferencebetweentheParisianandthecountryattorney。AnattorneyinParisveryseldomappearsincourt，thoughheissometimescalledupontoactasarbitrator(refere)。Barristers，atthepresentday，swarmintheprovinces；butin1822thecountryattorneyveryoftenunitedthefunctionsofsolicitorandcounsel。Asaresultofthisdoublelife，theattorneyacquiredthepeculiarintellectualdefectsofthebarrister，andretainedtheheavyresponsibilitiesoftheattorney。Hegrewtalkativeandfluent，andlosthislucidityofjudgment，thefirstnecessityfortheconductofaffairs。Ifamanofmorethanordinaryabilitytriestodotheworkoftwomen，heisapttofindthatthetwomenaremediocrities。TheParisattorneyneverspendshimselfinforensiceloquence；andasheseldomattemptstoargueforandagainst，hehassomehopeofpreservinghismentalrectitude。Itistruethathebringsthebalistaofthelawtowork，andlooksfortheweaponsinthearmoryofjudicialcontradictions，buthekeepshisownconvictionsastothecase，whilehedoeshisbesttogaintheday。Inaword，amanloseshisheadnotsomuchbythinkingasbyutteringthoughts。Thespokenwordconvincestheutterer；butamancanactagainsthisownbadjudgmentwithoutwarpingit，andcontrivetowininabadcausewithoutmaintainingthatitisagoodone，likethebarrister。Perhapsforthisveryreasonanoldattorneyisthemorelikelyofthetwotomakeagoodjudge。

Acountryattorney，aswehaveseen，hasplentyofexcusesforhismediocrity；hetakesupthecauseofpettypassions，heundertakespettifoggingbusiness，helivesbychargingexpenses，hestrainstheCodeofprocedureandpleadsincourt。Inaword，hisweakpointsarelegion；andifbychanceyoucomeacrossaremarkablemanpractisingasacountryattorney，heisindeedabovetheaveragelevel。

“Ithought，sir，thatyousentformeonyourownaffairs。”saidPetit-Claud，andaglancethatputanedgeonhiswordsfellupontallCointet’simpenetrablebluespectacles。

“Letushavenobeatingaboutthebush。”returnedBonifaceCointet。

“Listentome。”

Afterthatbeginning，bigwithmysteriousimport，Cointetsethimselfdownuponabench，andbeckonedPetit-Claudtodolikewise。

“WhenM。duHautoycametoAngoulemein1804，onhiswaytohisconsulshipatValence，hemadetheacquaintanceofMme。deSenonches，thenMlle。Zephirine，andhadadaughterbyher。”addedCointetfortheattorney’sear——“Yes。”hecontinued，asPetit-Claudgaveastart；“yes，andMlle。Zephirine’smarriagewithM。deSenochessoonfollowedthebirthofthechild。Thegirlwasbroughtupinmymother’shouse；sheistheMlle。FrancoisedelaHayeinwhomMme。deSenochestakesaninterest；sheishergodmotherintheusualstyle。

Now，mymotherfarmedlandbelongingtooldMme。deCardanet，Mlle。

Zephirine’sgrandmother；andassheknewthesecretofthesoleheiressoftheCardanetsandtheSenonchesoftheolderbranch，theymademetrusteeforthelittlesumwhichM。FrancoisduHautoymeantforthegirl’sfortune。Imademyownfortunewiththosetenthousandfrancs，whichamounttothirtythousandatthepresentday。Mme。deSenonchesissuretogivetheweddingclothes，andsomeplateandfurnituretohergoddaughter。Now，Icanputyouinthewayofmarryingthegirl，mylad。”saidCointet，slappingPetit-Claudontheknee；“andwhenyoumarryFrancoisedelaHaye，youwillhavealargenumberofthearistocracyofAngoulemeasyourclients。Thisunderstandingbetweenus(undertherose)willopenupmagnificentprospectsforyou。Yourpositionwillbeasmuchasanyonecouldwant；infact，theydon’taskbetter，Iknow。”

“Whatistobedone？“Petit-Claudaskedeagerly。“Youhaveanattorney，MaitreCachan——“

“And，moreover，IshallnotleaveCachanatonceforyou；Ishallonlybeyourclientlateron。”saidCointetsignificantly。“Whatistobedone，doyouask，myfriend？Eh！why，DavidSechard’sbusiness。Thepoordevilhasthreethousandfrancs’worthofbillstomeet；hewillnotmeetthem；youwillstaveofflegalproceedingsinsuchawayastoincreasetheexpensesenormously。Don’ttroubleyourself；goon，pileonitems。Doublon，myprocess-server，willactunderCachan’sdirections，andhewilllayonlikeablacksmith。Awordtothewiseissufficient。Now，youngman？——“

Aneloquentpausefollowed，andthetwomenlookedateachother。

“Wehaveneverseeneachother。”Cointetresumed；“Ihavenotsaidasyllabletoyou；youknownothingaboutM。duHautoy，norMme。deSenonches，norMlle。delaHaye；only，whenthetimecomes，twomonthshence，youwillproposefortheyounglady。Ifweshouldwanttoseeeachother，youwillcomehereafterdark。Letushavenothinginwriting。”

“ThenyoumeantoruinSechard？“askedPetit-Claud。

“Notexactly；buthemustbeinjailforsometime——“

“Andwhatistheobject？“

“DoyouthinkthatIamnoodleenoughtotellyouthat？Ifyouhavewitenoughtofindout，youwillhavesenseenoughtoholdyourtongue。”

“OldSechardhasplentyofmoney。”saidPetit-Claud。HewasbeginningalreadytoenterintoBonifaceCointet’snotions，andforesawapossiblecauseoffailure。

“Solongasthefatherlives，hewillnotgivehissonafarthing；andtheoldprinterhasnomindasyettosendinanorderforhisfuneralcards。”

“Agreed！“saidPetit-Claud，promptlymakinguphismind。“Idon’taskyouforguarantees；Iamanattorney。Ifanyoneplaysmeatrick，therewillbeanaccounttosettlebetweenus。”

“Theroguewillgofar。”thoughtCointet；hebadePetit-Claudgood-

morning。