第4章

ButwhenthevenerableecclesiasticbroughtoutthenamesofDavidSechardandEve，littlePostelgrewveryred，andLeonie，hiswife，feltitincumbentuponhertogivehimajealousglance——theglancethatawifeneverfailstogivewhensheisperfectlysureofherhusband，andgivesalookintothepastbywayofacautionforthefuture。

“Whathaveyonderfolkdonetoyou，uncle，thatyoushouldmixyourselfupintheiraffairs？“inquiredLeonie，withveryperceptibletartness。

“Theyareintrouble，mygirl。”saidthecure，andhetoldthePostelsaboutLucienattheCourtois’mill。

“Oh！sothatisthewayhecamebackfromParis，isit？“exclaimedPostel。“Yethehadsomebrains，poorfellow，andhewasambitious，too。Hewentouttolookforwool，andcomeshomeshorn。Butwhatdoeshewanthere？Hissisterisfrightfullypoor；forallthesegeniuses，DavidandLucienalike，knowverylittleaboutbusiness。TherewassometalkofhimattheTribunal，and，asjudge，Iwasobligedtosignthewarrantofexecution。Itwasapainfulduty。Idonotknowwhetherthesister’scircumstancesaresuchthatLuciencangotoher；butinanycasethelittleroomthatheusedtooccupyhereisatliberty，andIshallbepleasedtoofferittohim。”

“Thatisright，Postel。”saidthepriest；hebestowedakissontheinfantslumberinginLeonie’sarms，and，adjustinghiscockedhat，preparedtowalkoutoftheshop。

“Youwilldinewithus，uncle，ofcourse。”saidMme。Postel；“ifonceyoumeddleinthesepeople’saffairs，itwillbesometimebeforeyouhavedone。Myhusbandwilldriveyoubackagaininhislittlepony-

cart。”

Husbandandwifestoodwatchingtheirvalued，agedrelativeonhiswayintoAngouleme。“Hecarrieshimselfwellforhisage，allthesame。”

remarkedthedruggist。

BythistimeDavidhadbeeninhidingforelevendaysinahouseonlytwodoorsawayfromthedruggist’sshop，whichtheworthyecclesiastichadjustquittedtoclimbthesteeppathintoAngoulemewiththenewsofLucien’spresentcondition。

WhentheAbbeMarrondeboucheduponthePlaceduMurierhefoundthreemen，eachoneremarkableinhisownway，andallofthembearingwiththeirwholeweightuponthepresentandfutureofthehaplessvoluntaryprisoner。TherestoodoldSechard，thetallCointet，andhisconfederate，thepunylimbofthelaw，threemenrepresentingthreephasesofgreedaswidelydifferentastheoutwardformsofthespeakers。Thefirsthaditinhismindtosellhisownson；thesecond，tobetrayhisclient；andthethird，whilebargainingforbothiniquities，wasinwardlyresolvedtopayforneither。Itwasnearlyfiveo’clock。Passers-byontheirwayhometodinnerstoppedamomenttolookatthegroup。

“WhatthedevilcanoldSechardandthetallCointethavetosaytoeachother？“askedthemorecurious。

“Therewassomethingonfootconcerningthatmiserablewretchthatleaveshiswifeandchildandmother-in-lawtostarve。”suggestedsome。

“TalkofsendingaboytoParistolearnhistrade！“saidaprovincialoracle。

“M。leCure，whatbringsyouhere，eh？“exclaimedoldSechard，catchingsightoftheAbbeassoonasheappeared。

“Ihavecomeonaccountofyourfamily。”answeredtheoldman。

“Hereisanotherofmyson’snotions！“exclaimedoldSechard。

“Itwouldnotcostyoumuchtomakeeverybodyhappyallround。”saidthepriest，lookingatthewindowsoftheprinting-house。Mme。

Sechard’sbeautifulfaceappearedatthatmomentbetweenthecurtains；

shewashushingherchild’scriesbytossinghiminherarmsandsingingtohim。

“Areyoubringingnewsofmyson？“askedoldSechard，“orwhatismoretothepurpose——money？“

“No。”answeredM。Marron，“Iambringingthesisternewsofherbrother。”

“OfLucien？“criedPetit-Claud。

“Yes。HewalkedallthewayfromParis，pooryoungman。IfoundhimattheCourtois’house；hewaswornoutwithmiseryandfatigue。Oh！heisverymuchtobepitied。”

Petit-ClaudtookthetallCointetbythearm，sayingaloud，“IfwearegoingtodinewithMme。deSenonches，itistimetodress。”Whentheyhadcomeawayafewpaces，headded，forhiscompanion’sbenefit，“Catchthecub，andyouwillsoonhavethedam；wehaveDavidnow——“

“Ihavefoundyouawife，findmeapartner。”saidthetallCointetwithatreacheroussmile。

“Lucienisanoldschool-fellowofmine；weusedtobechums。Ishallbesuretohearsomethingfromhiminaweek’stime。Havethebannsputup，andIwillengagetoputDavidinprison。Whenheisonthejailer’sregisterIshallhavedonemypart。”

“Ah！“exclaimedthetallCointetunderhisbreath，“wemighthavethepatenttakenoutinourname；thatwouldbethething！“

Ashiverranthroughthemeagrelittleattorneywhenheheardthosewords。

MeanwhileEvebeheldherfather-in-lawenterwiththeAbbeMarron，whohadletfallawordwhichunfoldedthewholetragedy。

“Hereisourcure，Mme。Sechard。”theoldmansaid，addressinghisdaughter-in-law，“andprettytalesaboutyourbrotherhehastotellus，nodoubt！“

“Oh！“criedpoorEve，cuttotheheart；“whatcanhavehappenednow？“

Thecrytoldsounmistakablyofmanysorrows，ofgreatdreadonsomanygrounds，thattheAbbeMarronmadehastetosay，“Reassureyourself，madame；heisliving。”

Eveturnedtothevinegrower。

“Father。”shesaid，“perhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtogotomymother；shemusthearallthatthisgentlemanhastotellusofLucien。”

TheoldmanwentinsearchofMme。Chardon，andaddressedherinthiswise：

“GoandhaveitoutwiththeAbbeMarron；heisagoodsort，priestthoughheis。Dinnerwillbelate，nodoubt。Ishallcomebackagaininanhour。”andtheoldmanwentout。Insensibleashewastoeverythingbuttheclinkofmoneyandtheglitterofgold，heleftMme。Chardonwithoutcaringtonoticetheeffectoftheshockthathehadgivenher。

Mme。Chardonhadchangedsogreatlyduringthelasteighteenmonths，thatinthatshorttimeshenolongerlookedlikethesamewoman。Thetroubleshangingoverbothofherchildren，herabortivehopesforLucien，theunexpecteddeteriorationinoneinwhosepowersandhonestyshehadforsolongbelieved，——allthesethingshadtoldheavilyuponher。Mme。Chardonwasnotonlynoblebybirth，shewasnoblebynature；sheidolizedherchildren；consequently，duringthelastsixmonthsshehadsufferedasneverbeforesinceherwidowhood。

LucienmighthavebornethenameofLuciendeRubemprebyroyalletterspatent；hemighthavefoundedthefamilyanew，revivedthetitle，andbornethearms；hemighthavemadeagreatname——hehadthrownthechanceaway；nay，hehadfallenintothemire！

ForMme。ChardonthemotherwasaharderjudgethanEvethesister。

Whensheheardofthebills，shelookeduponLucienaslost。Amotherisoftenfaintoshuthereyes，butshealwaysknowsthechildthatsheheldatherbreast，thechildthathasbeenalwayswithherinthehouse；andsowhenEveandDaviddiscussedLucien’schancesofsuccessinParis，andLucien’smothertoallappearancesharedEve’sillusions，inherinmosthearttherewasatremoroffearlestDavidshouldberight，foramother’sconsciousnessboreawitnesstothetruthofhiswords。SowelldidsheknowEve’ssensitivenature，thatshecouldnotbringherselftospeakofherfears；shewasobligedtochokethemdownandkeepsuchsilenceasmothersalonecankeepwhentheyknowhowtolovetheirchildren。

AndEve，onherside，hadwatchedhermother，andsawtheravagesofhiddengriefwithafeelingofdread；hermotherwasnotgrowingold，shewasfailingfromdaytoday。Motheranddaughterlivedaliveofgenerousdeception，andneitherwasdeceived。Thebrutaloldvinegrower’sspeechwasthelastdropthatfilledthecupofafflictiontooverflowing。ThewordsstruckachilltoMme。Chardon’sheart。

“Hereismymother，monsieur。”saidEve，andtheAbbe，lookingup，sawawhite-hairedwomanwithafaceasthinandwornasthefeaturesofsomeagednun，andyetgrownbeautifulwiththecalmandsweetexpressionthatdevoutsubmissiongivestothefacesofwomenwhowalkbythewillofGod，asthesayingis。ThentheAbbeunderstoodthelivesofthemotheranddaughter，andhadnomoresympathyleftforLucien；heshudderedtothinkofallthatthevictimshadendured。

“Mother。”saidEve，dryinghereyesasshespoke，“poorLucienisnotveryfaraway，heisatMarsac。”

“Andwhyishenothere？“askedMme。Chardon。

ThentheAbbetoldthewholestoryasLucienhadtoldittohim——themiseryofthejourney，thetroublesofthelastdaysinParis。Hedescribedthepoet’sagonyofmindwhenheheardofthehavocwroughtathomebyhisimprudence，andhisapprehensionastothereceptionawaitinghimatAngouleme。

“Hehasdoubtsofus；hasitcometothis？“saidMme。Chardon。

“Theunhappyyoungmanhascomebacktoyouonfoot，enduringthemostterriblehardshipsbytheway；heispreparedtoenterthehumblestwalksinlife——ifsohemaymakereparation。”

“Monsieur。”Lucien’ssistersaid，“inspiteofthewronghehasdoneus，Ilovemybrotherstill，aswelovethedeadbodywhenthesoulhasleftit；andevenso，Ilovehimmorethanmanysisterslovetheirbrothers。Hehasmadeuspoorindeed；butlethimcometous，heshallsharethelastcrustofbread，anythingindeedthathehasleftus。

Oh，ifhehadneverleftus，monsieur，weshouldnothavelostourheart’streasure。”

“Andthewomanwhotookhimfromusbroughthimbackonhercarriage！“

exclaimedMme。Chardon。“HewentawaysittingbyMme。deBargeton’ssideinhercaleche，andhecamebackbehindit。”

“CanIdoanythingforyou？“askedthegoodcure，seekinganopportunitytotakeleave。

“Awoundinthepurseisnotfatal，theysay，monsieur。”saidMme。

Chardon，“butthepatientmustbehisowndoctor。”

“Ifyouhavesufficientinfluencewithmyfather-in-lawtoinducehimtohelphisson，youwouldsaveawholefamily。”saidEve。

“Hehasnobeliefinyou，andheseemedtometobeverymuchexasperatedagainstyourhusband。”answeredtheoldcure。Heretainedanimpression，fromtheex-pressman’sramblingtalk，thattheSechards’affairswereakindofwasps’nestwithwhichitwasimprudenttomeddle，andhismissionbeingfulfilled，hewenttodinewithhisnephewPostel。Thatworthy，liketherestofAngouleme，maintainedthatthefatherwasintheright，andsoondissipatedanylittlebenevolencethattheoldgentlemanwasdisposedtofeeltowardsthesonandhisfamily。

“Withthosethatsquandermoneysomethingmaybedone。”concludedlittlePostel，“butthosethatmakeexperimentsaretheruinofyou。”

Thecurewenthome；hiscuriositywasthoroughlysatisfied，andthisistheendandobjectoftheexceedinginteresttakeninotherpeople’sbusinessintheprovinces。InthecourseoftheeveningthepoetwasdulyinformedofallthathadpassedintheSechardfamily，andthejourneywasrepresentedasapilgrimageundertakenfrommotivesofthepurestcharity。

“Youhaverunyourbrother-in-lawandsisterintodebttotheamountoftenortwelvethousandfrancs。”saidtheAbbeashedrewtoanend，“andnobodyhereaboutshasthattriflingamounttolendaneighbor，mydearsir。WearenotrichinAngoumois。Whenyouspoketomeofyourbills，Ithoughtthatamuchsmalleramountwasinvolved。”

Lucienthankedtheoldmanforhisgoodoffices。“Thepromiseofforgivenesswhichyouhavebroughtisformeapricelessgift。”

VeryearlythenextmorningLuciensetoutfromMarsac，andreachedAngoulemetowardsnineo’clock。Hecarriednothingbuthiswalking-

stick；theshortjacketthatheworewasconsiderablytheworstforhisjourney，hisblacktrouserswerewhitenedwithdust，andapairofwornbootstoldsufficientlyplainlythattheirownerbelongedtothehaplesstribeoftramps。Heknewwellenoughthatthecontrastbetweenhisdepartureandreturnwasboundtostrikehisfellow-townsmen；hedidnottrytohidethefactfromhimself。Butjustthen，withhisheartswellingbeneaththeoppressionofremorseawakenedinhimbytheoldcure’sstory，heacceptedhispunishmentforthemoment，andmadeuphismindtobravetheeyesofhisacquaintances。Withinhimselfhesaid，“Iambehavingheroically。”

Poetictemperamentsofthisstampbeginastheirowndupes。HewalkedupthroughL’Houmeau，shameatthemannerofhisreturnstrugglingwiththecharmofoldassociationsashewent。HisheartbeatquicklyashepassedPostel’sshop；but，veryluckilyforhim，theonlypersonsinsideitwereLeonieandherchild。Andyet，vanitywasstillsostronginhim，thathecouldfeelgladthathisfather’snamehadbeenpaintedoutontheshop-front；forPostel，sincehismarriage，hadredecoratedhisabode，andtheword“Pharmacy“nowaloneappearedthere，intheParisfashion，inbigletters。

WhenLucienreachedthestepsbythePaletGate，hefelttheinfluenceofhisnativeair，hismisfortunesnolongerweigheduponhim。“I

shallseethemagain！“hesaidtohimself，withathrillofdelight。

HereachedthePlaceduMurier，andhadnotmetasoul，apieceofluckthathescarcelyhopedfor，hewhooncehadgoneabouthisnativeplacewithaconqueror’sair。MarionandKolb，onguardatthedoor，flewoutuponthesteps，cryingout，“Hereheis！“

Luciensawthefamiliarworkshopandcourtyard，andonthestaircasemethismotherandsister，andforamoment，whiletheirarmswereabouthim，allthreealmostforgottheirtroubles。Infamilylifewealmostalwayscompoundwithourmisfortunes；wemakeasortofbedtorestupon；and，ifitishard，hopetomakeittolerable。IfLucienlookedthepictureofdespair，poeticcharmwasnotwantingtothepicture。Hisfacehadbeentannedbythesunlightoftheopenroad，andthedeepsadnessvisibleinhisfeaturesovershadowedhispoet’sbrow。Thechangeinhimtoldsoplainlyofsufferingsendured，hisfacewassowornbysharpmisery，thatnoonecouldhelppityinghim。

Imaginationhadfaredforthintotheworldandfoundsadrealityatthehome-coming。Evewassmilinginthemidstofherjoy，asthesaintssmileuponmartyrdom。Thefaceofayoungandveryfairwomangrowssublimelybeautifulatthetouchofgrief；LucienrememberedtheinnocentgirlishfacethathesawlastbeforehewenttoParis，andthelookofgravitythathadcomeoveritspokesoeloquentlythathecouldnotbutfeelapainfulimpression。Thefirstquick，naturaloutpouringofaffectionwasfollowedatoncebyareactiononeitherside；theywereafraidtospeak；andwhenLucienalmostinvoluntarilylookedroundforanotherwhoshouldhavebeenthere，Eveburstintotears，andLuciendidthesame，butMme。Chardon’shaggardfaceshowednosignofemotion。Everosetoherfeetandwentdownstairs，partlytospareherbrotherawordofreproach，partlytospeaktoMarion。

“Lucienissofondofstrawberries，child，wemustfindsomestrawberriesforhim。”

“Oh，IwassurethatyouwouldwanttowelcomeM。Lucien；youshallhaveanicelittlebreakfastandagooddinner，too。”

“Lucien。”saidMme。Chardonwhenthemotherandsonwereleftalone，“youhaveagreatdealtorepairhere。Youwentawaythatweallmightbeproudofyou；youhaveplungedusintowant。Youhaveallbutdestroyedyourbrother’sopportunityofmakingafortunethatheonlycaredtowinforthesakeofhisnewfamily。Noristhisallthatyouhavedestroyed——“saidthemother。

Therewasadreadfulpause；Lucientookhismother’sreproachesinsilence。

“Nowbegintowork。”Mme。Chardonwentonmoregently。“YoutriedtorevivethenoblefamilyofwhomIcome；Idonotblameyouforit。Butthemanwhoundertakessuchataskneedsmoneyaboveallthings，andmustbearahighheartinhim；bothwerewantinginyourcase。Webelievedinyouonce，ourbeliefhasbeenshaken。Thiswasahard-

working，contentedhousehold，makingitswaywithdifficulty；youhavetroubledtheirpeace。Thefirstoffencemaybeforgiven，butitmustbethelast。Weareinaverydifficultpositionhere；youmustbecareful，andtakeyoursister’sadvice，Lucien。Theschooloftroubleisaveryhardone，butEvehaslearnedmuchbyherlessons；shehasgrowngraveandthoughtful，sheisamother。InherdevotiontoourdearDavidshehastakenallthefamilyburdensuponherself；indeed，throughyourwrongdoingshehascometobemyonlycomfort。”

“Youmightbestillmoresevere，mymother。”Luciensaid，ashekissedher。“Iacceptyourforgiveness，forIwillnotneeditasecondtime。”

Evecameintotheroom，sawherbrother’shumbleattitude，andknewthathehadbeenforgiven。Herkindnessbroughtasmileforhimtoherlips，andLucienansweredwithtear-filledeyes。Alivingpresenceactslikeacharm，changingthemosthostilepositionsofloversoroffamilies，nomatterhowjusttheresentment。Isitthataffectionfindsoutthewaysoftheheart，andwelovetofallintothemagain？

Doesthephenomenoncomewithintheprovinceofthescienceofmagnetism？Orisitreasonthattellsusthatwemusteitherforgiveorneverseeeachotheragain？Whetherthecausebereferredtomental，physical，orspiritualconditions，everyoneknowstheeffect；

everyonehasfeltthatthelooks，theactionsorgesturesofthebelovedawakensomevestigeoftendernessinthosemostdeeplysinnedagainstandgrievouslywronged。Thoughitishardforthemindtoforget，thoughwestillsmartundertheinjury，theheartreturnstoitsallegianceinspiteofall。PoorEvelistenedtoherbrother’sconfidencesuntilbreakfast-time；andwhenevershelookedathimshewasnolongermistressofhereyes；inthatintimatetalkshecouldnotcontrolhervoice。AndwiththecomprehensionoftheconditionsofliterarylifeinParis，sheunderstoodthatthestrugglehadbeentoomuchforLucien’sstrength。Thepoet’sdelightashecaressedhissister’schild，hisdeepgriefoverDavid’sabsence，mingledwithjoyatseeinghiscountryandhisownfolkagain，themelancholywordsthatheletfall，——allthesethingscombinedtomakethatdayafestival。WhenMarionbroughtinthestrawberries，hewastouchedtoseethatEvehadrememberedhistasteinspiteofherdistress，andshe，hissister，mustmakereadyaroomfortheprodigalbrotherandbusyherselfforLucien。Itwasatruce，asitwere，tomisery。OldSechardhimselfassistedtobringaboutthisrevulsionoffeelinginthetwowomen——“Youaremakingasmuchofhimasifhewerebringingyouanyamountofmoney！“

“Andwhathasmybrotherdonethatweshouldnotmakemuchofhim？“

criedEve，jealouslyscreeningLucien。

Nevertheless，whenthefirstexpansionwasover，shadesoftruthcameout。ItwasnotlongbeforeLucienfeltthedifferencebetweentheoldaffectionandthenew。EverespectedDavidfromthedepthsofherheart；Lucienwasbelovedforhisownsake，asweloveamistressstillinspiteofthedisastersshecauses。Esteem，theveryfoundationonwhichaffectionisbased，isthesolidstufftowhichaffectionowesIknownotwhatofcertaintyandsecuritybywhichwelive；andthiswaslackingbetweenMme。Chardonandherson，betweenthesisterandthebrother。Motheranddaughterdidnotputentireconfidenceinhim，astheywouldhavedoneifhehadnotlosthishonor；andhefeltthis。Theopinionexpressedind’Arthez’sletterwasEve’sownestimateofherbrother；unconsciouslysherevealeditbyhermanner，tones，andgestures。Oh！Lucienwaspitied，thatwastrue；butasforallthathehadbeen，theprideofthehousehold，thegreatmanofthefamily，theheroofthefireside，——allthis，liketheirfairhopesofhim，wasgone，nevertoreturn。TheyweresoafraidofhisheedlessnessthathewasnottoldwhereDavidwashidden。Lucienwantedtoseehisbrother；butthisEve，insensibletothecaresseswhichaccompaniedhiscuriousquestionings，wasnottheEveofL’Houmeau，forwhomaglancefromhimhadbeenanorderthatmustbeobeyed。WhenLucienspokeofmakingreparation，andtalkedasthoughhecouldrescueDavid，Eveonlyanswered：

“Donotinterfere；wehaveenemiesofthemosttreacherousanddangerouskind。”

Lucientossedhishead，asonewhoshouldsay，“IhavemeasuredmyselfagainstParisians。”andthelookinhissister’seyessaidunmistakably，“Yes，butyouweredefeated。”

“Nobodycaresformenow。”Lucienthought。“Inthehomecircle，asintheworldwithout，successisanecessity。”

Thepoettriedtoexplaintheirlackofconfidenceinhim；hehadnotbeenathometwodaysbeforeafeelingofvexationratherthanofangrybitternessgainedholdonhim。HeappliedParisianstandardstothequiet，temperateexistenceoftheprovinces，quiteforgettingthatthenarrow，patientlifeofthehouseholdwastheresultofhisownmisdoings。

“Theyarebourgeoises，theycannotunderstandme。”hesaid，settinghimselfapartfromhissisterandmotherandDavid，nowthattheycouldnolongerbedeceivedastohisrealcharacterandhisfuture。

Manytroublesandshocksoffortunehadquickenedtheintuitivesenseinboththewomen。EveandMme。ChardonguessedthethoughtsinLucien’sinmostsoul；theyfeltthathemisjudgedthem；theysawhimmentallyisolatinghimself。

“Parishaschangedhimverymuch。”theysaidbetweenthemselves。Theywereindeedreapingtheharvestofegoismwhichtheythemselveshadfostered。

Itwasinevitablebutthattheleavenshouldworkinallthree；andthismostofallinLucien，becausehefeltthathewassoheavilytoblame。AsforEve，shewasjustthekindofsistertobeganerringbrotherto“Forgivemeforyourtrespasses；“butwhentheunionoftwosoulshadbeenasperfectsincelife’sverybeginnings，asithadbeenwithEveandLucien，anyblowdealttothatfairidealisfatal。

Scoundrelscandrawknivesoneachotherandmakeitupagainafterwards，whilealookorawordisenoughtosundertwoloversforever。Intherecollectionofanalmostperfectlifeofheartandheartliesthesecretofmanyanestrangementthatnonecanexplain。Twomaylivetogetherwithoutfulltrustintheirheartsifonlytheirpastholdsnomemoriesofcompleteanduncloudedlove；butforthosewhooncehaveknownthatintimatelife，itbecomesintolerabletokeepperpetualwatchoverlooksandwords。Greatpoetsknowthis；PaulandVirginiediebeforeyouthisover；canwethinkofPaulandVirginieestranged？Letusknowthat，tothehonorofLucienandEve，thegraveinjurydonewasnotthesourceofthepain；itwasentirelyamatteroffeelinguponeitherside，forthepoetinfault，asforthesisterwhowasinnowaytoblame。Thingshadreachedthepointwhentheslightestmisunderstanding，orlittlequarrel，orafreshdisappointmentinLucienwouldendinfinalestrangement。Moneydifficultiesmaybearranged，butfeelingsareinexorable。

NextdayLucienreceivedacopyofthelocalpaper。Heturnedpalewithpleasurewhenhesawhisnameattheheadofoneofthefirst“leaders“inthathighlyrespectablesheet，whichliketheprovincialacademiesthatVoltairecomparedtoawell-bredmiss，wasnevertalkedabout。

“LetFranche-ComteboastofgivingthelighttoVictorHugo，toCharlesNodier，andCuvier。”ranthearticle，“BrittanyofproducingaChateaubriandandaLammenais，NormandyofCasimirDelavigne，andTouraineoftheauthorofEloa；Angoumoisthatgavebirth，inthedaysofLouisXIII。，toourillustriousfellow-

countrymanGuez，betterknownunderthenameofBalzac，ourAngoumoisneednolongerenvyLimousinherDupuytren，norAuvergne，thecountryofMontlosier，norBordeaux，birthplaceofsomanygreatmen；forwetoohaveourpoet！——ThewriterofthebeautifulsonnetsentitledtheMargueritesuniteshispoet’sfametothedistinctionofaprosewriter，fortohimwealsoowethemagnificentromanceofTheArcherofCharlesIX。Somedayournephewswillbeproudtobethefellow-townsmenofLucienChardon，arivalofPetrarch！！！“

(Thecountrynewspapersofthosedaysweresownwithnotesofadmiration，asreportsofEnglishelectionspeechesarestuddedwith“cheers“inbrackets。)

“InspiteofhisbrilliantsuccessinParis，ouryoungpoethasnotforgottentheHoteldeBargeton，thecradleofhistriumphs；

northefactthatthewifeofM。leComteduChatelet，ourPrefect，encouragedhisearlyfootstepsinthepathwayoftheMuses。Hehascomebackamongusoncemore！AllL’HoumeauwasthrownintoexcitementyesterdaybytheappearanceofourLuciendeRubempre。Thenewsofhisreturnproducedaprofoundsensationthroughoutthetown。AngoulemecertainlywillnotallowL’HoumeautobebeforehandindoinghonortothepoetwhoinjournalismandliteraturehassogloriouslyrepresentedourtowninParis。LuciendeRubempre，areligiousandRoyalistpoet，hasbravedthefuryofparties；hehascomehome，itissaid，forreposeafterthefatigueofastrugglewhichwouldtrythestrengthofanevengreaterintellectualathletethanapoetandadreamer。

“ThereissometalkofrestoringourgreatpoettothetitleoftheillustrioushouseofdeRubempre，ofwhichhismother，MadameChardon，isthelastsurvivor，anditisaddedthatMme。laComtesseduChateletwasthefirsttothinkofthiseminentlypoliticidea。TherevivalofanancientandalmostextinctfamilybyyoungtalentandnewlywonfameisanotherproofthattheimmortalauthoroftheCharterstillcherishesthedesireexpressedbythewords’Unionandoblivion。’

“Ourpoetisstayingwithhissister，Mme。Sechard。”

Undertheheading“Angouleme“followedsomeitemsofnews：——

“OurPrefect，M。leComteduChatelet，GentlemaninOrdinarytoHisMajesty，hasjustbeenappointedExtraordinaryCouncillorofState。

“AlltheauthoritiescalledyesterdayonM。lePrefet。

“Mme。laComtesseduChateletwillreceiveonThursdays。

“TheMayorofEscarbas，M。deNegrepelisse，therepresentativeoftheyoungerbranchofthed’Espardfamily，andfatherofMme。duChatelet，recentlyraisedtotherankofaCountandPeerofFranceandaCommanderoftheRoyalOrderofSt。Louis，hasbeennominatedforthepresidencyoftheelectoralcollegeofAngoulemeattheforthcomingelections。”

“There！“saidLucien，takingthepapertohissister。Evereadthearticlewithattention，andreturnedwiththesheetwithathoughtfulair。

“Whatdoyousaytothat？“askedhe，surprisedatareservethatseemedsolikeindifference。

“TheCointetsareproprietorsofthatpaper，dear。”shesaid；“theyputinexactlywhattheyplease，anditisnotatalllikelythattheprefectureorthepalacehaveforcedtheirhands。Canyouimaginethatyouroldrivaltheprefectwouldbegenerousenoughtosingyourpraises？HaveyouforgottenthattheCointetsaresuingusunderMetivier’sname？andthattheyaretryingtoturnDavid’sdiscoverytotheirownadvantage？Idonotknowthesourceofthisparagraph，butitmakesmeuneasy。Youusedtorousenothingbutenviousfeelingandhatredhere；aprophethasnohonorinhisowncountry，andtheyslanderedyou，andnowinamomentitisallchanged——“

“Youdonotknowthevanityofcountrytowns。”saidLucien。“Awholelittletowninthesouthturnedoutnotsolongagotowelcomeayoungmanthathadwonthefirstprizeinsomecompetition；theylookedonhimasabuddinggreatman。”

“Listen，dearLucien；Idonotwanttopreachtoyou，Iwillsayeverythinginaveryfewwords——youmustsuspecteverylittlethinghere。”

“Youareright。”saidLucien，buthewassurprisedathissister’slackofenthusiasm。Hehimselfwasfullofdelighttofindhishumiliatingandshame-strickenreturntoAngoulemechangedintoatriumphinthisway。

“Youhavenobeliefinthelittlefamethathascostsodear！“hesaidagainafteralongsilence。Somethinglikeastormhadbeengatheringinhisheartduringthepasthour。ForallanswerEvegavehimalook，andLucienfeltashamedofhisaccusation。

DinnerwasscarcelyoverwhenamessengercamefromtheprefecturewithanoteaddressedtoM。Chardon。Thatnoteappearedtodecidethedayforthepoet’svanity；theworldcontendingagainstthefamilyforhimhadwon。

“M。leComteSixteduChateletandMme。laComtesseduChateletrequestthehonorofM。LucienChardon’scompanyatdinneronthefifteenthofSeptember。R。S。V。P。”

Enclosedwiththeinvitationtherewasacard——

LECOMTESIXTEDUCHATELET，GentlemanoftheBedchamber，PrefectoftheCharente，CouncillorofState。

“Youareinfavor。”saidoldSechard；“theyaretalkingaboutyouinthetownasifyouweresomebody！AngoulemeandL’Houmeauaredisputingastowhichshalltwistwreathsforyou。”

“Eve，dear。”Lucienwhisperedtohissister，“IamexactlyinthesameconditionasIwasbeforeinL’HoumeauwhenMme。deBargetonsentmethefirstinvitation——Ihavenotadresssuitfortheprefect’sdinner-party。”

“Doyoureallymeantoaccepttheinvitation？“Eveaskedinalarm，andadisputesprangupbetweenthebrotherandsister。Eve’sprovincialgoodsensetoldherthatifyouappearinsociety，itmustbewithasmilingfaceandfaultlesscostume。“Whatwillcomeoftheprefect’sdinner？“shewondered。“WhathasLucientodowiththegreatpeopleofAngouleme？Aretheyplottingsomethingagainsthim？“butshekeptthesethoughtstoherself。

Lucienspokethelastwordatbedtime：“Youdonotknowmyinfluence。

Theprefect’swifestandsinfearofajournalist；andbesides，LouisedeNegrepelisselivesonintheComtesseduChatelet，andawomanwithherinfluencecanrescueDavid。Iamgoingtotellheraboutmybrother’sinvention，anditwouldbeamerenothingtohertoobtainasubsidyoftenthousandfrancsfromtheGovernmentforhim。”

Ateleveno’clockthatnightthewholehouseholdwasawakenedbythetownband，reinforcedbythemilitarybandfromthebarracks。ThePlaceduMurierwasfullofpeople。TheyoungmenofAngoulemeweregivingLucienChardondeRubempreaserenade。Lucienwenttohissister’swindowandmadeaspeechafterthelastperformance。

“Ithankmyfellow-townsmenforthehonorthattheydome。”hesaidinthemidstofagreatsilence；“Iwillstrivetobeworthyofit；theywillpardonmeifIsaynomore；IamsomuchmovedbythisincidentthatIcannotspeak。”

“HurrahforthewriterofTheArcherofCharlesIX。！……HurrahforthepoetoftheMarguerites！……LongliveLuciendeRubempre！“

Afterthesethreesalvos，takenupbysomefewvoices，threecrownsandaquantityofbouquetswereadroitlyflungintotheroomthroughtheopenwindow。TenminuteslaterthePlaceduMurierwasempty，andsilenceprevailedinthestreets。

“Iwouldratherhavetenthousandfrancs。”saidoldSechard，fingeringthebouquetsandgarlandswithasatiricalexpression。“Yougavethemdaisies，andtheygiveyouposiesinreturn；youdealinflowers。”

“Sothatisyouropinionofthehonorsshownmebymyfellow-townsmen，isit？“askedLucien。Allhismelancholyhadlefthim，hisfacewasradiantwithgoodhumor。“Ifyouknewmankind，PapaSechard，youwouldseethatnomomentinone’slifecomestwice。Suchatriumphasthiscanonlybeduetogenuineenthusiasm！……Mydearmother，mygoodsister，thiswipesoutmanymortifications。”

Lucienkissedthem；forwhenjoyoverflowslikeatorrentflood，wearefaintopouritoutintoafriend’sheart。“Whenanauthorisintoxicatedwithsuccess，hewillhughisporterifthereisnobodyelseonhand。”accordingtoBixiou。

“Why，darling，whyareyoucrying？“hesaid，lookingintoEve’sface。

“Ah！Iknow，youarecryingforjoy！“

“Ohme！“saidhermother，shakingherheadasshespoke。“Lucienhasforgotteneverythingalready；notmerelyhisowntroubles，butoursaswell。”

Motheranddaughterseparated，andneitherdaredtoutterallherthoughts。

InacountryeatenupwiththekindofsocialinsubordinationdisguisedbythewordEquality，atriumphofanykindwhatsoeverisasortofmiraclewhichrequires，likesomeothermiraclesforthatmatter，theco-operationofskilledlabor。Outoftenovationsofferedtotenlivingmen，selectedforthisdistinctionbyagratefulcountry，youmaybequitesurethatninearegivenfromconsiderationsconnectedasremotelyaspossiblewiththeconspicuousmeritsoftherenownedrecipient。WhatwasVoltaire’sapotheosisattheTheatre-

Francaisbutthetriumphofeighteenthcenturyphilosophy？AtriumphinFrancemeansthateverybodyelsefeelsthatheisadorninghisowntempleswiththecrownthathesetsontheidol’shead。

Thewomen’spresentimentsprovedcorrect。Thedistinguishedprovincial’sreceptionwasantipathetictoAngoumoisinimmobility；itwastooevidentlygotupbysomeinterestedpersonsorbyenthusiasticstagemechanics，asuspiciouscombination。Eve，moreover，likemostofhersex，wasdistrustfulbyinstinct，evenwhenreasonfailedtojustifyhersuspicionstoherself。“WhocanbesofondofLucienthathecouldrousethetownforhim？“shewonderedasshefellasleep。

“TheMargueritesarenotpublishedyet；howcantheycomplimenthimonafuturesuccess？“

Theovationwas，infact，theworkofPetit-Claud。

Petit-ClaudhaddinedwithMme。deSenonches，forthefirsttime，ontheeveningofthedaythatbroughtthecureofMarsactoAngoulemewiththenewsofLucien’sreturn。ThatsameeveninghemadeformalapplicationforthehandofMlle。delaHaye。Itwasafamilydinner，oneofthesolemnoccasionsmarkednotsomuchbythenumberoftheguestsasbythesplendoroftheirtoilettes。Consciousnessoftheperformanceweighsuponthefamilyparty，andeverycountenancelookssignificant。Francoisewasonexhibition。Mme。deSenoncheshadsportedhermostelaboratecostumefortheoccasion；M。duHautoyworeablackcoat；M。deSenoncheshadreturnedfromhisvisittothePimentelsonthereceiptofanotefromhiswife，informinghimthatMme。duChateletwastoappearattheirhouseforthefirsttimesinceherarrival，andthatasuitorinformforFrancoisewouldappearonthescenes。BonifaceCointetalsowasthere，inhisbestmarooncoatofclericalcut，withadiamondpinworthsixthousandfrancsdisplayedinhisshirtfrill——therevengeoftherichmerchantuponapoverty-strickenaristocracy。

Petit-Claudhimself，scouredandcombed，hadcarefullyremovedhisgrayhairs，buthecouldnotridhimselfofhiswizenedair。Thepunylittlemanoflaw，tightlybuttonedintohisclothes，remindedyouofatorpidviper；forifhopehadbroughtasparkoflifeintohismagpieeyes，hisfacewasicilyrigid，andsowelldidheassumeanairofgravity，thatanambitiouspublicprosecutorcouldnothavebeenmoredignified。

Mme。deSenoncheshadtoldherintimatefriendsthatherwardwouldmeetherbetrothedthatevening，andthatMme。duChateletwouldappearattheHoteldeSenonchesforthefirsttime；andhavingparticularlyrequestedthemtokeepthesematterssecret，sheexpectedtofindherroomscrowded。TheComteandComtesseduChatelethadleftcardseverywhereofficially，buttheymeantthehonorofapersonalvisittoplayapartintheirpolicy。SoaristocraticAngoulemewasinsuchaprodigiousfermentofcuriosity，thatcertainoftheChandourcampproposedtogototheHoteldeBargetonthatevening。(Theypersistentlydeclinedtocallthehousebyitsnewname。)

ProofsoftheCountess’influencehadstirredupambitioninmanyquarters；andnotonlyso，itwassaidthattheladyhadchangedsomuchforthebetterthateverybodywishedtoseeandjudgeforhimself。Petit-Claudlearnedgreatnewsonthewaytothehouse；

CointettoldhimthatZephirinehadaskedleavetopresentherdearFrancoise’sbetrothedtotheCountess，andthattheCountesshadgrantedthefavor。Petit-ClaudhadseenatoncethatLucien’sreturnputLouisedeNegrepelisseinafalseposition；andnow，inamoment，heflatteredhimselfthathesawawaytotakeadvantageofit。

M。andMme。deSenoncheshadundertakensuchheavyengagementswhentheyboughtthehouse，that，inprovincialfashion，theythoughtitimprudenttomakeanychangesinit。SowhenMadameduChateletwasannounced，Zephirinewentuptoherwith——“Look，dearLouise，youarestillinyouroldhome！“indicating，asshespoke，thelittlechandelier，thepaneledwainscot，andthefurniture，whichoncehaddazzledLucien。

“Iwishleastofalltorememberit，dear。”MadamelaPrefeteansweredgraciously，lookingroundontheassemblage。

EveryoneadmittedthatLouisedeNegrepelissewasnotlikethesamewoman。Iftheprovincialhadundergoneachange，thewomanherselfhadbeentransformedbythoseeighteenmonthsinParis，bythefirsthappinessofastillrecentsecondmarriage，andthekindofdignitythatpowerconfers。TheComtesseduChateletborethesameresemblancetoMme。deBargetonthatagirloftwentybearstohermother。

Sheworeacharmingcapoflaceandflowers，fastenedbyadiamond-

headedpin；theringletsthathalfhidthecontoursofherfaceaddedtoherlookofyouth，andsuitedherstyleofbeauty。Herfoulardgown，designedbythecelebratedVictorine，withapointedbodice，exquisitelyfringed，setoffherfiguretoadvantage；andasilkenlacescarf，adroitlythrownaboutatoolongneck，partlyconcealedhershoulders。Sheplayedwiththedaintyscent-bottle，hungbyachainfromherbracelet；shecarriedherfanandherhandkerchiefwithease——prettytrifles，asdangerousasasunkenreeffortheprovincialdame。Therefinedtasteshownintheleastdetails，thecarriageandmannermodeleduponMme。d’Espard，revealedaprofoundstudyoftheFaubourgSaint-Germain。

AsfortheelderlybeauoftheEmpire，heseemedsincehismarriagetohavefollowedtheexampleofthespeciesofmelonthatturnsfromgreentoyellowinanight。AlltheyouththatSixtehadlostseemedtoappearinhiswife’sradiantcountenance；provincialpleasantriespassedfromeartoear，circulatingthemorereadilybecausethewomenwerefuriousatthenewsuperiorityofthesometimequeenofAngouleme；andthepersistentintruderpaidthepenaltyofhiswife’soffence。

TheroomswerealmostasfullasonthatmemorableeveningofLucien’sreadingsfromChenier。Somefacesweremissing：M。deChandourandAmelie，M。dePimentalandtheRastignacs——andM。deBargetonwasnolongerthere；buttheBishopcame，asbefore，withhisvicars-generalinhistrain。Petit-ClaudwasmuchimpressedbythesightofthegreatworldofAngouleme。Fourmonthsagohehadnohopeofenteringthecircle，to-dayhefelthisdetestationof“theclasses“sensiblydiminished。HethoughttheComtesseduChateletamostfascinatingwoman。“Itisshewhocanprocuremetheappointmentofdeputypublicprosecutor。”hesaidtohimself。

Louisechattedforanequallengthoftimewitheachofthewomen；hertonevariedwiththeimportanceofthepersonaddressedandthepositiontakenupbythelatterwithregardtoherjourneytoPariswithLucien。TheeveningwashalfoverwhenshewithdrewtotheboudoirwiththeBishop。ZephirinecameovertoPetit-Claud，andlaidherhandonhisarm。HisheartbeatfastashishostessbroughthimtotheroomwhereLucien’stroublesfirstbegan，andwerenowabouttocometoacrisis。

“ThisisM。Petit-Claud，dear；Irecommendhimtoyouthemorewarmlybecauseanythingthatyoumaydoforhimwilldoubtlessbenefitmyward。”

“Youareanattorney，areyounot，monsieur？“saidtheaugustNegrepelisse，scanningPetit-Claud。

“Alas！yes，MADAMELACOMTESSE。”(ThesonofthetailorinL’Houmeauhadneveroncehadoccasiontousethosethreewordsinhislifebefore，andhismouthwasfullofthem。)“Butitrestswithyou，MadamelaComtesse，whetherornoIshallactfortheCrown。M。MilaudisgoingtoNevers，itissaid——“

“Butamanisusuallyseconddeputyandthenfirstdeputy，ishenot？“

brokeintheCountess。“Ishouldliketoseeyouinthefirstdeputy’splaceatonce。ButIshouldlikefirsttohavesomeassuranceofyourdevotiontothecauseofourlegitimatesovereigns，toreligion，andmoreespeciallytoM。deVillele，ifIamtointerestmyselfonyourbehalftoobtainthefavor。”

Petit-Claudcamenearer。“Madame。”hesaidinherear，“IamthemantoyieldtheKingabsoluteobedience。”

“ThatisjustwhatWEwantto-day。”saidtheCountess，drawingbackalittletomakehimunderstandthatshehadnowishforpromisesgivenunderhisbreath。“SolongasyousatisfyMme。deSenonches，youcancountuponme。”sheadded，witharoyalmovementofherfan。

Petit-Claudlookedtowardthedooroftheboudoir，andsawCointetstandingthere。“Madame。”hesaid，“Lucienishere，inAngouleme。”

“Well，sir？“askedtheCountess，intonesthatwouldhaveputanendtoallpowerofspeechinanordinaryman。

“Mme。laComtessedoesnotunderstand。”returnedPetit-Claud，bringingoutthatmostrespectfulformulaagain。“HowdoesMme。laComtessewishthatthegreatmanofhermakingshouldbereceivedinAngouleme？

Thereisnomiddlecourse；hemustbereceivedordespisedhere。”

ThiswasadilemmatowhichLouisedeNegrepelissehadnevergivenathought；ittouchedherclosely，yetratherforthesakeofthepastthanofthefuture。AndasforPetit-Claud，hisplanforarrestingDavidSecharddependeduponthelady’sactualfeelingstowardsLucien。

Hewaited。

“M。Petit-Claud。”saidtheCountess，withhaughtydignity，“youmeantobeonthesideoftheGovernment。Learnthatthefirstprincipleofgovernmentisthis——nevertohavebeeninthewrong，andthattheinstinctofpowerandthesenseofdignityisevenstrongerinwomenthaningovernments。”

“ThatisjustwhatIthought，madame。”heansweredquickly，observingtheCountessmeanwhilewithattentionthemoreprofoundbecauseitwasscarcelyvisible。“Luciencamehereinthedepthsofmisery。Butifhemustreceiveanovation，IcancompelhimtoleaveAngoulemebythemeansoftheovationitself。Hissisterandbrother-in-law，DavidSechard，arehardpressedfordebts。”

IntheCountess’haughtyfacetherewasaswift，barelyperceptiblechange；itwasnotsatisfaction，buttherepressionofsatisfaction。

SurprisedthatPetit-Claudshouldhaveguessedherwishes，shegavehimaglanceassheopenedherfan，andFrancoisedelaHaye’sentranceatthatmomentgavehertimetofindananswer。

“Itwillnotbelongbeforeyouarepublicprosecutor，monsieur。”shesaid，withasignificantsmile。Thatspeechdidnotcommitherinanyway，butitwasexplicitenough。FrancoisehadcomeintothanktheCountess。

“Oh！madame，thenIshallowethehappinessofmylifetoyou。”sheexclaimed，bendinggirlishlytoaddintheCountess’ear，“Tomarryapettyprovincialattorneywouldbelikebeingburnedbyslowfires。”

ItwasFrancis，withhisknowledgeofofficialdom，whohadpromptedZephirinetomakethissetuponLouise。

“Intheveryearliestdaysafterpromotion。”sotheex-consul-generaltoldhisfairfriend，“everybody，prefect，ormonarch，ormanofbusiness，isburningtoexerthisinfluenceforhisfriends；butapatronsoonfindsouttheinconveniencesofpatronage，andthenturnsfromfiretoice。LouisewilldomorenowforPetit-Claudthanshewoulddoforherhusbandinthreemonths’time。”

“MadamelaComtesseisthinkingofallthatourpoet’striumphentails？“continuedPetit-Claud。“SheshouldreceiveLucienbeforethereisanendofthenine-days’wonder。”

TheCountessterminatedtheaudiencewithabow，androsetospeakwithMme。dePimentel，whocametotheboudoir。ThenewsofoldNegrepelisse’selevationtoamarquisatehadgreatlyimpressedtheMarquise；shejudgeditexpedienttobeamiabletoawomansocleverastorisethehigherforanapparentfall。

“Dotellme，dear，whyyoutookthetroubletoputyourfatherintheHouseofPeers？“saidtheMarquise，inthecourseofalittleconfidentialconversation，inwhichshebentthekneebeforethesuperiorityof“herdearLouise。”

“Theywereallthemorereadytograntthefavorbecausemyfatherhasnosontosucceedhim，dear，andhisvotewillalwaysbeatthedisposaloftheCrown；butifweshouldhavesons，Iquiteexpectthatmyoldestwillsucceedtohisgrandfather’sname，title，andpeerage。”

Mme。dePimentelsaw，toherannoyance，thatitwasidletoexpectamotherambitiousforchildrennotyetinexistencetofurtherherownprivatedesignsofraisingM。dePimenteltoapeerage。

“IhavetheCountess。”Petit-ClaudtoldCointetwhentheycameaway。

“Icanpromiseyouyourpartnership。Ishallbedeputyprosecutorbeforethemonthisout，andSechardwillbeinyourpower。Trytofindabuyerformyconnection；ithascometobethefirstinAngoulemeinmyhandsduringthelastfivemonths——“

“OnceputYOUonthehorse，andthereisnoneedtodomore。”saidCointet，halfjealousofhisownwork。

ThecausesofLucien’striumphantreceptioninhisnativetownmustnowbeplaintoeverybody。LouiseduChateletfollowedtheexampleofthatKingofFrancewholefttheDukeofOrleansunavenged；shechosetoforgettheinsultsreceivedinParisbyMme。deBargeton。ShewouldpatronizeLucien，andoverwhelminghimwithherpatronage，wouldcompletelycrushhimandgetridofhimbyfairmeans。Petit-ClaudknewthewholetaleofthecabalsinParisthroughtowngossip，andshrewdlyguessedhowawomanmusthatethemanwhowouldnotlovewhenshewasfainofhislove。

TheovationjustifiedthepastofLouisedeNegrepelisse。ThenextdayPetit-ClaudappearedatMme。Sechard’shouse，headingadeputationofsixyoungmenofthetown，allofthemLucien’sschoolfellows。Hemeanttofinishhiswork，tointoxicateLuciencompletely，andtohavehiminhispower。Lucien’soldschoolfellowsattheAngoulemegrammar-

schoolwishedtoinvitetheauthoroftheMargueritesandTheArcherofCharlesIX。toabanquetgiveninhonorofthegreatmanarisenfromtheirranks。

“Come，thisisyourdoing，Petit-Claud！“exclaimedLucien。

“Yourreturnhasstirredourconceit。”saidPetit-Claud；“wemadeitapointofhonortogetupasubscription，andwewillhaveatremendousaffairforyou。Themastersandtheheadmasterwillbethere，and，atthepresentrate，weshall，nodoubt，havetheauthoritiestoo。”

“Forwhatday？“askedLucien。

“Sundaynext。”

“Thatisquiteoutofthequestion。”saidLucien。“Icannotacceptaninvitationforthenexttendays，butthenIwillgladly——“

“Verywell。”saidPetit-Claud，“sobeitthen，intendays’time。”

Lucienbehavedcharminglytohisoldschoolfellows，andtheyregardedhimwithalmostrespectfuladmiration。Hetalkedawayverywittilyforhalfanhour；hehadbeensetuponapedestal，andwishedtojustifytheopinionofhisfellow-townsmen；sohestoodwithhishandsthrustintohispockets，andheldforthfromtheheighttowhichhehadbeenraised。Hewasmodestandgood-natured，asbefittedgeniusindressing-gownandslippers；hewastheathlete，weariedbyawrestlingboutwithParis，anddisenchantedaboveallthings；hecongratulatedthecomradeswhohadneverleftthedearoldprovince，andsoforth，andsoforth。Theyweredelightedwithhim。HetookPetit-Claudaside，andaskedhimfortherealtruthaboutDavid’saffairs，reproachinghimforallowinghisbrother-in-lawtogointohiding，andtriedtomatchhiswitsagainstthelittlelawyer。Petit-Claudmadeaneffortoverhimself，andgavehisacquaintancetounderstandthathe(Petit-

Claud)wasonlyaninsignificantlittlecountryattorney，withnosortofcraftnorsubtlety。

Thewholemachineryofmodernsocietyissoinfinitelymorecomplexthaninancienttimes，thatthesubdivisionofhumanfacultyistheresult。Thegreatmenofthedaysofoldwereperforceuniversalgeniuses，appearingatrareintervalslikelightedtorchesinanantiqueworld。Inthecourseofagestheintellectbegantoworkonspeciallines，butthegreatmanstillcould“takeallknowledgeforhisprovince。”Aman“fullcautelous。”aswassaidofLouisXI。，forinstance，couldapplythatspecialfacultyineverydirection，butto-daythesinglequalityissubdivided，andeveryprofessionhasitsspecialcraft。Apeasantorapettifoggingsolicitormightveryeasilyoverreachanastutediplomateoverabargaininsomeremotecountryvillage；andthewiliestjournalistmayprovetheveriestsimpletoninapieceofbusiness。LuciencouldbutbeapuppetinthehandsofPetit-Claud。

Thatguilefulpractitioner，asmighthavebeenexpected，hadwrittenthearticlehimself；AngoulemeandL’Houmeau，thusputontheirmettle，thoughtitincumbentuponthemtopayhonortoLucien。Hisfellow-citizens，assembledinthePlaceduMurier，wereCointets’

workpeoplefromthepapermillsandprinting-house，withasprinklingofLucien’soldschoolfellowsandtheclerksintheemployofMessieursPetit-ClaudandCachan。Asfortheattorneyhimself，hewasoncemoreLucien’schumofolddays；andhethought，notwithoutreason，thatbeforeverylongheshouldlearnDavid’swhereaboutsinsomeunguardedmoment。AndifDavidcametogriefthroughLucien’sfault，thepoetwouldfindAngoulemetoohottoholdhim。Petit-Claudmeanttosecurehishold；heposed，therefore，asLucien’sinferior。

“WhatbettercouldIhavedone？“hesaidaccordingly。“Myoldchum’ssisterwasinvolved，itistrue，buttherearesomepositionsthatsimplycannotbemaintainedinacourtoflaw。DavidaskedmeonthefirstofJunetoensurehimaquietlifeforthreemonths；hehadaquietlifeuntilSeptember，andevensoIhavekepthispropertyoutofhiscreditors’power，forIshallgainmycaseintheCourt-Royal；

Icontendthatthewifeisaprivilegedcreditor，andherclaimisabsolute，unlessthereisevidenceofintenttodefraud。Asforyou，youhavecomebackinmisfortune，butyouareagenius。”——(Lucienturnedaboutasiftheincensewereburnedtooclosetohisface。)——

“Yes，mydearfellow，aGENIUS。IhavereadyourArcherofCharlesIX。；itismorethanaromance，itisliterature。Onlytwolivingmencouldhavewrittenthepreface——ChateaubriandandLucien。”

Lucienacceptedthatd’Arthezhadwrittenthepreface。Ninety-ninewritersoutofahundredwouldhavedonethesame。

“Well，nobodyhereseemedtohaveheardofyou！“Petit-Claudcontinued，withapparentindignation。“WhenIsawthegeneralindifference，Imadeupmymindtochangeallthat。Iwrotethatarticleinthepaper——“

“What？didyouwriteit？“exclaimedLucien。

“Imyself。AngoulemeandL’Houmeauwerestirredtorivalry；Iarrangedforameetingofyouroldschoolfellows，andgotupyesterday’sserenade；andwhenoncetheenthusiasmbegantogrow，westartedacommitteeforthedinner。’IfDavidisinhiding，’saidItomyself，’Lucienshallbecrownedatanyrate。’AndIhavedoneevenbetterthanthat。”continuedPetit-Claud；“IhaveseentheComtesseduChateletandmadeherunderstandthatsheowesittoherselftoextricateDavidfromhisposition；shecandoit，andsheoughttodoit。IfDavidhadreallydiscoveredthesecretofwhichhespoketome，theGovernmentoughttolendhimahand，itwouldnotruintheGovernment；andthinkwhatafinethingforaprefecttohavehalfthecreditofthegreatinventionforthewell-timedhelp。Itwouldsetpeopletalkingabouthimasanenlightenedadministrator——Yoursisterhastakenfrightatourmusketrypractice；shewasscaredofthesmoke。Abattleinthelaw-courtscostsquiteasmuchasabattleonthefield；butDavidhasheldhisground，hehashissecret。Theycannotstophim，andtheywillnotpullhimupnow。”

“Thanks，mydearfellow；IseethatIcantakeyouintomyconfidence；

youshallhelpmetocarryoutmyplan。”

Petit-ClaudlookedatLucien，andhisgimletfacewasapointofinterrogation。

“IintendtorescueSechard。”Luciensaid，withacertainimportance。

“Ibroughthismisfortunesuponhim；Imeantomakefullreparation……IhavemoreinfluenceoverLouise——“

“WhoisLouise？“

“TheComtesseduChatelet！“

Petit-Claudstarted。

“Ihavemoreinfluenceoverherthansheherselfsuspects。”saidLucien；“only，mydearfellow，ifIcandosomethingwithyourauthoritieshere，Ihavenodecentclothes。”——Petit-Claudmadeasthoughhewouldofferhispurse。

“Thankyou。”saidLucien，graspingPetit-Claud’shand。“Intendays’

timeIwillpayavisittotheCountessandreturnyourcall。”

Theshookhandslikeoldcomrades，andseparated。

“Heoughttobeapoet“saidPetit-Claudtohimself；“heisquitemad。”

“Therearenofriendslikeone’sschoolfriends；itisatruesaying。”

Lucienthoughtathewenttofindhissister。

“WhatcanPetit-Claudhavepromisedtodothatyoushouldbesofriendlywithhim，myLucien？“askedEve。“Beonyourguardwithhim。”

“WithHIM？“criedLucien。“Listen，Eve。”hecontinued，seemingtobethinkhimself；“youhavenofaithinmenow；youdonottrustme，soitisnotlikelyyouwilltrustPetit-Claud；butintenortwelvedaysyouwillchangeyourmind。”headded，withatouchoffatuity。Andhewenttohisroom，andinditedthefollowingepistletoLousteau：——

LucientoLousteau。

“MYFRIEND，——Ofthepairofus，IalonecanrememberthatbillforathousandfrancsthatIoncelentyou；andIknowhowthingswillbewithyouwhenyouopenthislettertoowell，alas！nottoaddimmediatelythatIdonotexpecttoberepaidincurrentcoinoftherealm；no，Iwilltakeitincreditfromyou，justasonewouldaskFlorineforpleasure。Wehavethesametailor；

therefore，youcanorderacompleteoutfitformeontheshortestpossiblenotice。IamnotpreciselywearingAdam’scostume，butI

cannotshowmyselfhere。Tomyastonishment，thehonorspaidbythedepartmentstoaParisiancelebrityawaitedme。Iamtheheroofabanquet，foralltheworldasifIwereaDeputyoftheLeft。

Now，afterthat，doyouunderstandthatImusthaveablackcoat？

Promisetopay；haveitputdowntoyouraccount，trytheadvertisementdodge，rehearseanunpublishedscenebetweenDonJuanandM。Dimanche，forImusthaveagalasuitatallcosts。I

havenothing，nothingbutrags：startwiththat；itisAugust，theweatherismagnificent，ergoseethatIreceivebytheendoftheweekacharmingmorningsuit，darkbronze-greenjacket，andthreewaistcoats，oneabrimstoneyellow，oneaplaid，andthethirdmustbewhite；furthermore，lettherebethreepairsoftrousersofthemostfetchingkind——onepairofwhiteEnglishstuff，onepairofnankeen，andathirdofthinblackkerseymere；lastly，sendablackdress-coatandablacksatinwaistcoat。IfyouhavepickedupanotherFlorinesomewhere，Ibeghergoodofficesfortwocravats。Sofarthisisnothing；Icountuponyouandyourskillinthesematters；Iamnotmuchafraidofthetailor。Buttheingenuityofpoverty，assuredlythemostactiveofallpoisonsatworkinthesystemofman(idesttheParisian)，aningenuitythatwouldcatchSatanhimselfnapping，hasfailedsofartodiscoverawaytoobtainahatoncredit！——Howmanyatime，mydearfriend，havewedeploredthis！Whenoneofusshallbringahatthatcostsonethousandfrancsintofashion，then，andnottillthen，canweaffordtowearthem；untilthatdaycomesweareboundtohavecashenoughinourpocketstopayforahat。Ah！

whatanillturntheComedie-Francaisediduswith，’Lafleur，youwillputgoldinmypockets！’

“Iwritewithaprofoundsenseofallthedifficultiesinvolvedbythedemand。Enclosewiththeaboveapairofboots，apairofpumps，ahat，halfadozenpairsofgloves。’Tisaskingtheimpossible；Iknowit。Butwhatisaliterarylifebutaperiodicalrecurrenceoftheimpossible？Workthemiracle，writealongarticle，orplaysomesmallscurvytrick，andIwillholdyourdebtasfullydischarged——thisisallIsaytoyou。Itisadebtofhonorafterall，mydearfellow，andduethesetwelvemonths；yououghttoblushforyourselfifyouhaveanyblushesleft。

“Jokingapart，mydearLousteau，Iaminseriousdifficulties，asyoumayjudgeforyourselfwhenItellyouthatMme。deBargetonhasmarriedChatelet，andChateletisprefectofAngouleme。Thepreciouspaircandoagooddealformybrother-in-law；heisinhidingatthismomentonaccountofthatletterofexchange，andthehorridbusinessisallmydoing。SoitisaquestionofappearingbeforeMme。laPrefeteandregainingmyinfluenceatallcosts。Itisshocking，isitnot，thatDavidSechard’sfateshouldhanguponaneatpairofshoes，apairofopen-workedgraysilkstockings(mindyou，rememberthem)，andanewhat？IshallgiveoutthatIamsickandill，andtaketomybed，likeDuvicquet，tosavethetroubleofreplyingtothepressinginvitationsofmyfellow-townsmen。Myfellow-townsmen，dearboy，havetreatedmetoafineserenade。MYFELLOW-TOWNSMEN，forsooth！Ibegintowonderhowmanyfoolsgotomakeupthatword，sinceIlearnedthattwoorthreeofmyoldschoolfellowsworkedupthecapitaloftheAngoumoistothispitchofenthusiasm。

“Ifyoucouldcontrivetoslipafewlinesastomyreceptioninamongthenewsitems，Ishouldbeseveralinchestallerforithere；andbesides，IshouldmakeMme。laPrefetefeelthat，ifI

havenotfriends，Ihavesomecredit，atanyrate，withtheParisianpress。Igiveupnoneofmyhopes，andIwillreturnthecompliment。Ifyouwantagood，solid，substantialarticleforsomemagazineorother，Ihavetimeenoughnowtothinksomethingout。Ionlysaytheword，mydearfriend；Icountuponyouasyoumaycountuponme，andIamyourssincerely。

“LUCIENDER。

“P。S——Sendthethingstothecoachofficetowaituntilcalledfor。”

Lucienhelduphisheadagain。Inthismoodhewrotetheletter，andashewrotehisthoughtswentbacktoParis。Hehadspentsixdaysintheprovinces，andtheuneventfulquietnessofprovinciallifehadalreadyenteredintohissoul；hismindreturnedtothosedearoldmiserabledayswithavaguesenseofregret。TheComtesseduChateletfilledhisthoughtsforawholeweek；andatlasthecametoattachsomuchimportancetohisreappearance，thathehurrieddowntothecoachofficeinL’Houmeauafternightfallinaperfectagonyofsuspense，likeawomanwhohassetherlasthopesuponanewdress，andwaitsindespairuntilitarrives。

“Ah！Lousteau，allyourtreasonsareforgiven。”hesaidtohimself，asheeyedthepackages，andknewfromtheshapeofthemthateverythinghadbeensent。InsidethehatboxhefoundanotefromLousteau：——

FLORINE’SDRAWING-ROOM。

“MYDEARBOY，——Thetailorbehavedverywell；butasthyprofoundretrospectiveglanceledtheetoforbode，thecravats，thehats，andthesilkhosenperplexedoursouls，fortherewasnothinginourpursetobeperplexedthereby。AssaidBlondet，sosaywe；

thereisafortuneawaitingtheestablishmentwhichwillsupplyyoungmenwithinexpensivearticlesoncredit；forwhenwedonotpayinthebeginning，wepaydearintheend。Andbytheby，didnotthegreatNapoleon，whomissedavoyagetotheIndiesforwantofboots，saythat，’Ifathingiseasy，itisneverdone？’Soeverythingwentwell——excepttheboots。Ibeheldavisionofthee，fullydressed，butwithoutahat！appareledinwaistcoats，yetshoeless！andbethoughtmeofsendingapairofmoccasinsgiventoFlorineasacuriositybyanAmerican。Florineofferedthehugesumoffortyfrancs，thatwemighttryourluckatplayforyou。

Nathan，Blondet，andIhadsuchluck(aswewerenotplayingforourselves)thatwewererichenoughtoaskLaTorpille，desLupeaulx’ssometime’rat，’tosupper。Frascaticertainlyowedusthatmuch。Florineundertooktheshopping，andaddedthreefineshirtstothepurchases。Nathansendsyouacane。Blondet，whowonthreehundredfrancs，issendingyouagoldchain；andthegoldwatch，thesizeofaforty-francpiece，isfromLaTorpille；someidiotgavethethingtoher，anditwillnotgo。’Trumperyrubbish，’shesays，’likethemanthatownedit。’Bixiou，whocametofindusupattheRocherdeCancale，wishedtoencloseabottleofPortugalwaterinthepackage。Saidourfirstcomicman，’Ifthiscanmakehimhappy，lethimhaveit！’growlingitoutinadeepbassvoicewiththebourgeoispompositythathecanacttothelife。Whichthings，mydearboy，oughttoprovetoyouhowmuchwecareforourfriendsinadversity。Florine，whomIhavehadtheweaknesstoforgive，begsyoutosendusanarticleonNathan’shat。Faretheewell，myson。Icanonlycommiserateyouonfindingyourselfbackinthesameboxfromwhichyouemergedwhenyoudiscoveredyouroldcomrade。

“ETIENNEL。”

“Poorfellows！Theyhavebeengamblingforme。”saidLucien；hewasquitetouchedbytheletter。Awaftofthebreezefromanunhealthycountry，fromthelandwhereonehassufferedmost，mayseemtobringtheodorsofParadise；andinadulllifethereisanindefinablesweetnessinmemoriesofpastpain。

Evewasstruckdumbwithamazementwhenherbrothercamedowninhisnewclothes。Shedidnotrecognizehim。

“NowIcanwalkoutinBeaulieu。”hecried；“theyshallnotsayitofmethatIcamebackinrags。Look，hereisawatchwhichIshallreturntoyou，foritismine；and，likeitsowner，itiserraticinitsways。”

“Whatachildheis！“exclaimedEve。“Itisimpossibletobearyouanygrudge。”

“Thendoyouimagine，mydeargirl，thatIsentforallthiswiththesillyideaofshininginAngouleme？Idon’tcareTHATforAngouleme“

(twirlinghiscanewiththeengravedgoldknob)。“IintendtorepairthewrongIhavedone，andthisismybattlearray。”

Lucien’ssuccessinthiskindwashisonerealtriumph；butthetriumph，beitsaid，wasimmense。Ifadmirationfreezessomepeople’stongues，envyloosensatleastasmanymore，andifwomenlosttheirheadsoverLucien，menslanderedhim。Hemighthavecried，inthewordsofthesongwriter，“Ithankthee，mycoat！“Helefttwocardsattheprefecture，andanotheruponPetit-Claud。Thenextday，thedayofthebanquet，thefollowingparagraphappearedundertheheading“Angouleme“intheParisnewspapers：——

“ANGOULEME。

“ThereturnoftheauthorofTheArcherofCharlesIX。hasbeenthesignalforanovationwhichdoesequalhonortothetownandtoM。LuciendeRubempre，theyoungpoetwhohasmadesobrilliantabeginning；thewriteroftheoneFrenchhistoricalnovelnotwritteninthestyleofScott，andofaprefacewhichmaybecalledaliteraryevent。Thetownhastenedtoofferhimapatrioticbanquetonhisreturn。Thenameoftherecently-

appointedprefectisassociatedwiththepublicdemonstrationinhonoroftheauthoroftheMarquerites，whosetalentreceivedsuchwarmencouragementfromMme。duChateletattheoutsetofhiscareer。”

InFrance，whenoncetheimpulseisgiven，nobodycanstop。Thecoloneloftheregimentofferedtoputhisbandatthedisposalofthecommittee。ThelandlordoftheBell(renownedfortruffledturkeys，despatchedinthemostwonderfulporcelainjarstotheuttermostpartsoftheearth)，thefamousinnkeeperofL’Houmeau，wouldsupplytherepast。Atfiveo’clocksomefortypersons，allinstateandfestivalarray，wereassembledinhislargestball，decoratedwithhangings，crownsoflaurel，andbouquets。Theeffectwassuperb。Acrowdofonlookers，somehundredpersons，attractedforthemostpartbythemilitarybandintheyard，representedthecitizensofAngouleme。

Petit-Claudwenttothewindow。“AllAngoulemeishere。”hesaid，lookingout。

“Icanmakenothingofthis。”remarkedlittlePosteltohiswife(theyhadcomeouttohearthebandplay)。“Why，theprefectandthereceiver-general，andthecolonelandthesuperintendentofthepowderfactory，andourmayoranddeputy，andtheheadmasteroftheschool，andthemanagerofthefoundryatRuelle，andthepublicprosecutor，M。Milaud，andalltheauthorities，havejustgonein！“

ThebankstruckupastheysatdowntotablewithvariationsontheairViveleroy，vivelaFrance，amelodywhichhasneverfoundpopularfavor。Itwasthenfiveo’clockintheevening；itwaseighto’clockbeforedessertwasserved。Conspicuousamongthesixty-fivedishesappearedanOlympusinconfectionery，surmountedbyafigureofFrancemodeledinchocolate，togivethesignalfortoastsandspeeches。

“Gentlemen。”calledtheprefect，risingtohisfeet，“theKing！therightfulrulerofFrance！TowhatdoweowethegenerationofpoetsandthinkerswhomaintainthesceptreoflettersinthehandsofFrance，ifnottothepeacewhichtheBourbonshaverestored——“

“LonglivetheKing！“criedtheassembledguests(ministerialistspredominated)。

Thevenerableheadmasterrose。

“Totheherooftheday。”hesaid，“totheyoungpoetwhocombinesthegiftoftheprosateurwiththecharmandpoeticfacultyofPetrarchinthatsonnet-formwhichBoileaudeclarestobesodifficult。”

Cheers。

Thecolonelrosenext。“Gentlemen，totheRoyalist！fortheheroofthiseveninghadthecouragetofightforsoundprinciples！“

“Bravo！“criedtheprefect，leadingtheapplause。

ThenPetit-ClaudcalleduponallLucien’sschoolfellowstherepresent。

“Totheprideofthegrammar-schoolofAngouleme！tothevenerableheadmastersodeartousall，towhomtheacknowledgmentforsomepartofourtriumphisdue！“

Theoldheadmasterdriedhiseyes；hehadnotexpectedthistoast。

Lucienrosetohisfeet，thewholeroomwassuddenlysilent，andthepoet’sfacegrewwhite。Inthatpausetheoldheadmaster，whosatonhisleft，crownedhimwithalaurelwreath。Aroundofapplausefollowed，andwhenLucienspokeitwaswithtearsinhiseyesandasobinhisthroat。

“Heisdrunk。”remarkedtheattorney-general-designatetohisneighbor，Petit-Claud。

“Mydearfellow-countrymen，mydearcomrades。”Luciensaidatlast，“I

couldwishthatallFrancemightwitnessthisscene；forthusmenrisetotheirfullstature，andinsuchwaysastheseourlanddemandsgreatdeedsandnobleworkofus。AndwhenIthinkofthelittlethatIhavedone，andofthisgreathonorshowntometo-day，Icanonlyfeelconfusedandimposeuponthefuturethetaskofjustifyingyourreceptionofme。Therecollectionofthismomentwillgivemerenewedstrengthforeffortstocome。Permitmetoindicateforyourhomagemyearliestmuseandprotectress，andtoassociatehernamewiththatofmybirthplace；so——totheComtesseduChateletandthenobletownofAngouleme！“