第1章

DEBALZAC。

Mme。Vauquer(needeConflans)isanelderlyperson，whoforthepastfortyyearshaskeptalodging-houseintheRueNueve-

Sainte-Genevieve，inthedistrictthatliesbetweentheLatinQuarterandtheFaubourgSaint-Marcel。Herhouse(knownintheneighborhoodastheMaisonVauquer)receivesmenandwomen，oldandyoung，andnowordhaseverbeenbreathedagainstherrespectableestablishment；but，atthesametime，itmustbesaidthatasamatteroffactnoyoungwomanhasbeenunderherroofforthirtyyears，andthatifayoungmanstaysthereforanylengthoftimeitisasuresignthathisallowancemustbeoftheslenderest。In1819，however，thetimewhenthisdramaopens，therewasanalmostpennilessyounggirlamongMme。Vauquer’sboarders。

Thatworddramahasbeensomewhatdiscreditedoflate；ithasbeenoverworkedandtwistedtostrangeusesinthesedaysofdolorousliterature；butitmustdoserviceagainhere，notbecausethisstoryisdramaticintherestrictedsenseoftheword，butbecausesometearsmayperhapsbeshedintraetextramurosbeforeitisover。

WillanyonewithoutthewallsofParisunderstandit？Itisopentodoubt。Theonlyaudiencewhocouldappreciatetheresultsofcloseobservation，thecarefulreproductionofminutedetailandlocalcolor，aredwellersbetweentheheightsofMontrougeandMontmartre，inavaleofcrumblingstuccowateredbystreamsofblackmud，avaleofsorrowswhicharerealandjoystoooftenhollow；butthisaudienceissoaccustomedtoterriblesensations，thatonlysomeunimaginableandwell-neighimpossiblewoecouldproduceanylastingimpressionthere。Nowandagaintherearetragediessoawfulandsograndbyreasonofthecomplicationofvirtuesandvicesthatbringthemabout，thategotismandselfishnessareforcedtopauseandaremovedtopity；buttheimpressionthattheyreceiveislikealusciousfruit，soonconsumed。Civilization，likethecarofJuggernaut，isscarcelystayedperceptiblyinitsprogressbyaheartlesseasytobreakthantheothersthatlieinitscourse；thisalsoisbroken，andCivilizationcontinuesonhercoursetriumphant。

Andyou，too，willdothelike；youwhowiththisbookinyourwhitehandwillsinkbackamongthecushionsofyourarmchair，andsaytoyourself，“Perhapsthismayamuseme。”YouwillreadthestoryofFatherGoriot’ssecretwoes，and，diningthereafterwithanunspoiledappetite，willlaytheblameofyourinsensibilityuponthewriter，andaccusehimofexaggeration，ofwritingromances。Ah！onceforall，thisdramaisneitherafictionnoraromance！ALLISTRUE，——sotrue，thateveryonecandiscerntheelementsofthetragedyinhisownhouse，perhapsinhisownheart。

Thelodging-houseisMme。Vauquer’sownproperty。ItisstillstandinginthelowerendoftheRueNueve-Sainte-Genevieve，justwheretheroadslopessosharplydowntotheRuedel’Arbalete，thatwheeledtrafficseldompassesthatway，becauseitissostonyandsteep。ThispositionissufficienttoaccountforthesilenceprevalentinthestreetsshutinbetweenthedomeofthePantheonandthedomeoftheVal-de-Grace，twoconspicuouspublicbuildingswhichgiveayellowishtonetothelandscapeanddarkenthewholedistrictthatliesbeneaththeshadowoftheirleaden-

huedcupolas。

Inthatdistrictthepavementsarecleananddry，thereisneithermudnorwaterinthegutters，grassgrowsinthechinksofthewalls。Themostheedlesspasser-byfeelsthedepressinginfluencesofaplacewherethesoundofwheelscreatesasensation；thereisagrimlookaboutthehouses，asuggestionofajailaboutthosehighgardenwalls。AParisianstrayingintoasuburbapparentlycomposedoflodging-housesandpublicinstitutionswouldseepovertyanddullness，oldagelyingdowntodie，andjoyousyouthcondemnedtodrudgery。ItistheugliestquarterofParis，and，itmaybeadded，theleastknown。But，beforeallthings，theRueNueve-Sainte-Genevieveislikeabronzeframeforapictureforwhichthemindcannotbetoowellpreparedbythecontemplationofsadhuesandsoberimages。Evenso，stepbystepthedaylightdecreases，andthecicerone’sdroningvoicegrowshollowerasthetravelerdescendsintotheCatacombs。Thecomparisonholdsgood！Whoshallsaywhichismoreghastly，thesightofthebleachedskullsorofdried-uphumanhearts？

Thefrontofthelodging-houseisatrightanglestotheroad，andlooksoutuponalittlegarden，sothatyouseethesideofthehouseinsection，asitwere，fromtheRueNueve-Sainte-

Genevieve。Beneaththewallofthehousefrontthereliesachannel，afathomwide，pavedwithcobble-stones，andbesideitrunsagraveledwalkborderedbygeraniumsandoleandersandpomegranatessetingreatblueandwhiteglazedearthenwarepots。

Accessintothegraveledwalkisaffordedbyadoor，abovewhichthewordsMAISONVAUQUERmayberead，andbeneath，inrathersmallerletters，“Lodgingsforbothsexes，etc。”

Duringthedayaglimpseintothegardeniseasilyobtainedthroughawickettowhichabellisattached。Ontheoppositewall，atthefurtherendofthegraveledwalk，agreenmarblearchwaspaintedonceuponatimebyalocalartist，andinthissemblanceofashrineastatuerepresentingCupidisinstalled；aParisianCupid，soblisteredanddisfiguredthathelookslikeacandidateforoneoftheadjacenthospitals，andmightsuggestanallegorytoloversofsymbolism。Thehalf-obliteratedinscriptiononthepedestalbeneathdeterminesthedateofthisworkofart，foritbearswitnesstothewidespreadenthusiasmfeltforVoltaireonhisreturntoParisin1777：

“Whoe’erthouart，thymastersee；

Heis，orwas，oroughttobe。”

Atnightthewicketgateisreplacedbyasoliddoor。Thelittlegardenisnowiderthanthefrontofthehouse；itisshutinbetweenthewallofthestreetandthepartitionwalloftheneighboringhouse。Amantleofivyconcealsthebricksandattractstheeyesofpassers-bytoaneffectwhichispicturesqueinParis，foreachofthewallsiscoveredwithtrellisedvinesthatyieldascantydustycropoffruit，andfurnishbesidesasubjectofconversationforMme。Vauquerandherlodgers；everyyearthewidowtremblesforhervintage。

Astraightpathbeneaththewallsoneithersideofthegardenleadstoaclumpoflime-treesatthefurtherendofit；LINE-

trees，asMme。Vauquerpersistsincallingthem，inspiteofthefactthatshewasadeConflans，andregardlessofrepeatedcorrectionsfromherlodgers。

Thecentralspacebetweenthewallsisfilledwithartichokesandrowsofpyramidfruit-trees，andsurroundedbyaborderoflettuce，pot-herbs，andparsley。Underthelime-treesthereareafewgreen-paintedgardenseatsandawoodentable，andhither，duringthedog-days，suchofthelodgersasarerichenoughtoindulgeinacupofcoffeecometotaketheirpleasure，thoughitishotenoughtoroasteggsevenintheshade。

Thehouseitselfisthreestorieshigh，withoutcountingtheatticsundertheroof。Itisbuiltofroughstone，andcoveredwiththeyellowishstuccothatgivesameanappearancetoalmosteveryhouseinParis。Therearefivewindowsineachstoryinthefrontofthehouse；alltheblindsvisiblethroughthesmallsquarepanesaredrawnupawry，sothatthelinesareallatcrosspurposes。Atthesideofthehousetherearebuttwowindowsoneachfloor，andthelowestofallareadornedwithaheavyirongrating。

Behindthehouseayardextendsforsometwentyfeet，aspaceinhabitedbyahappyfamilyofpigs，poultry，andrabbits；thewood-shedissituatedonthefurtherside，andonthewallbetweenthewood-shedandthekitchenwindowhangsthemeat-safe，justabovetheplacewherethesinkdischargesitsgreasystreams。ThecooksweepsalltherefuseoutthroughalittledoorintotheRueNueve-Sainte-Genevieve，andfrequentlycleansestheyardwithcopioussuppliesofwater，underpainofpestilence。

Thehousemighthavebeenbuiltonpurposeforitspresentuses。

AccessisgivenbyaFrenchwindowtothefirstroomonthegroundfloor，asitting-roomwhichlooksoutuponthestreetthroughthetwobarredwindowsalreadymentioned。Anotherdooropensoutofitintothedining-room，whichisseparatedfromthekitchenbythewellofthestaircase，thestepsbeingconstructedpartlyofwood，partlyoftiles，whicharecoloredandbeeswaxed。

Nothingcanbemoredepressingthanthesightofthatsitting-

room。Thefurnitureiscoveredwithhorsehairwoveninalternatedullandglossystripes。Thereisaroundtableinthemiddle，withapurplish-redmarbletop，onwhichtherestands，bywayofornament，theinevitablewhitechinatea-service，coveredwithahalf-effacedgiltnetwork。Thefloorissufficientlyuneven，thewainscotrisestoelbowheight，andtherestofthewallspaceisdecoratedwithavarnishedpaper，onwhichtheprincipalscenesfromTelemaquearedepicted，thevariousclassicalpersonagesbeingcolored。ThesubjectbetweenthetwowindowsisthebanquetgivenbyCalypsotothesonofUlysses，displayedthereonfortheadmirationoftheboarders，andhasfurnishedjokesthesefortyyearstotheyoungmenwhoshowthemselvessuperiortotheirpositionbymakingfunofthedinnerstowhichpovertycondemnsthem。Thehearthisalwayssocleanandneatthatitisevidentthatafireisonlykindledthereongreatoccasions；thestonechimney-pieceisadornedbyacoupleofvasesfilledwithfadedartificialflowersimprisonedunderglassshades，oneithersideofabluishmarbleclockintheveryworsttaste。

Thefirstroomexhalesanodorforwhichthereisnonameinthelanguage，andwhichshouldbecalledtheodeurdepension。Thedampatmospheresendsachillthroughyouasyoubreatheit；ithasastuffy，musty，andrancidquality；itpermeatesyourclothing；after-dinnerscentsseemtobemingledinitwithsmellsfromthekitchenandsculleryandthereekofahospital。

Itmightbepossibletodescribeitifsomeoneshoulddiscoveraprocessbywhichtodistilfromtheatmosphereallthenauseatingelementswithwhichitischargedbythecatarrhalexhalationsofeveryindividuallodger，youngorold。Yet，inspiteofthesestalehorrors，thesitting-roomisascharmingandasdelicatelyperfumedasaboudoir，whencomparedwiththeadjoiningdining-

room。

Thepaneledwallsofthatapartmentwereoncepaintedsomecolor，nowamatterofconjecture，forthesurfaceisincrustedwithaccumulatedlayersofgrimydeposit，whichcoveritwithfantasticoutlines。Acollectionofdim-ribbedglassdecanters，metaldiscswithasatinsheenonthem，andpilesofblue-edgedearthenwareplatesofTourainewarecoverthestickysurfacesofthesideboardsthatlinetheroom。Inacornerstandsaboxcontainingasetofnumberedpigeon-holes，inwhichthelodgers’

tablenapkins，moreorlesssoiledandstainedwithwine，arekept。Hereyouseethatindestructiblefurniturenevermetwithelsewhere，whichfindsitswayintolodging-housesmuchasthewrecksofourcivilizationdriftintohospitalsforincurables。

Youexpectinsuchplacesasthesetofindtheweather-housewhenceaCapuchinissuesonwetdays；youlooktofindtheexecrableengravingswhichspoilyourappetite，framedeveryoneinablackvarnishedframe，withagiltbeadingroundit；youknowthesortoftortoise-shellclock-case，inlaidwithbrass；

thegreenstove，theArgandlamps，coveredwithoilanddust，havemetyoureyesbefore。Theoilclothwhichcoversthelongtableissogreasythatawaggishexternewillwritehisnameonthesurface，usinghisthumb-nailasastyle。Thechairsarebroken-downinvalids；thewretchedlittlehempenmatsslipawayfromunderyourfeetwithoutslippingawayforgood；andfinally，thefoot-warmersaremiserablewrecks，hingeless，charred，brokenawayabouttheholes。Itwouldbeimpossibletogiveanideaoftheold，rotten，shaky，cranky，worm-eaten，halt，maimed，one-

eyed，rickety，andramshackleconditionofthefurniturewithoutanexhaustivedescription，whichwoulddelaytheprogressofthestorytoanextentthatimpatientpeoplewouldnotpardon。Theredtilesofthefloorarefullofdepressionsbroughtaboutbyscouringandperiodicalrenewingsofcolor。Inshort，thereisnoillusorygracelefttothepovertythatreignshere；itisdire，parsimonious，concentrated，threadbarepoverty；asyetithasnotsunkintothemire，itisonlysplashedbyit，andthoughnotinragsasyet，itsclothingisreadytodroptopieces。

Thisapartmentisinallitsgloryatseveno’clockinthemorning，whenMme。Vauquer’scatappears，announcingthenearapproachofhismistress，andjumpsuponthesideboardstosniffatthemilkinthebowls，eachprotectedbyaplate，whilehepurrshismorninggreetingtotheworld。Amomentlaterthewidowshowsherface；sheistrickedoutinanetcapattachedtoafalsefrontsetonawry，andshufflesintotheroominherslipshodfashion。Sheisanoldishwoman，withabloatedcountenance，andanoselikeaparrot’sbeaksetinthemiddleofit；herfatlittlehands(sheisassleekasachurchrat)andhershapeless，slouchingfigureareinkeepingwiththeroomthatreeksofmisfortune，wherehopeisreducedtospeculateforthemeaneststakes。Mme。Vauqueralonecanbreathethattaintedairwithoutbeingdisheartenedbyit。Herfaceisasfreshasafrostymorninginautumn；therearewrinklesabouttheeyesthatvaryintheirexpressionfromthesetsmileofaballet-dancertothedark，suspiciousscowlofadiscounterofbills；inshort，sheisatoncetheembodimentandinterpretationofherlodging-

house，assurelyasherlodging-houseimpliestheexistenceofitsmistress。Youcannomoreimaginetheonewithouttheother，thanyoucanthinkofajailwithoutaturnkey。Theunwholesomecorpulenceofthelittlewomanisproducedbythelifesheleads，justastyphusfeverisbredinthetaintedairofahospital。

Theveryknittedwoolenpetticoatthatshewearsbeneathaskirtmadeofanoldgown，withthewaddingprotrudingthroughtherentsinthematerial，isasortofepitomeofthesitting-room，thedining-room，andthelittlegarden；itdiscoversthecook，itforeshadowsthelodgers——thepictureofthehouseiscompletedbytheportraitofitsmistress。

Mme。Vauquerattheageoffiftyislikeallwomenwho“haveseenadealoftrouble。”Shehastheglassyeyesandinnocentairofatraffickerinfleshandblood，whowillwaxvirtuouslyindignanttoobtainahigherpriceforherservices，butwhoisquitereadytobetrayaGeorgesoraPichegru，ifaGeorgesoraPichegruwereinhidingandstilltobebetrayed，orforanyotherexpedientthatmayalleviateherlot。Still，“sheisagoodwomanatbottom。”saidthelodgerswhobelievedthatthewidowwaswhollydependentuponthemoneythattheypaidher，andsympathizedwhentheyheardhercoughandgroanlikeoneofthemselves。

WhathadM。Vauquerbeen？Theladywasneververyexplicitonthishead。Howhadshelosthermoney？“Throughtrouble。”washeranswer。Hehadtreatedherbadly，hadlefthernothingbuthereyestocryoverhiscruelty，thehouseshelivedin，andtheprivilegeofpityingnobody，because，soshewaswonttosay，sheherselfhadbeenthrougheverypossiblemisfortune。

Sylvie，thestoutcook，hearinghermistress’shufflingfootsteps，hastenedtoservethelodgers’breakfasts。Besidethosewholivedinthehouse，Mme。Vauquertookboarderswhocamefortheirmeals；buttheseexternesusuallyonlycametodinner，forwhichtheypaidthirtyfrancsamonth。

Atthetimewhenthisstorybegins，thelodging-housecontainedseveninmates。Thebestroomsinthehousewereonthefirststory，Mme。Vauquerherselfoccupyingtheleastimportant，whiletherestwerelettoaMme。Couture，thewidowofacommissary-

generalintheserviceoftheRepublic。WithherlivedVictorineTaillefer，aschoolgirl，towhomshefilledtheplaceofmother。

Thesetwoladiespaideighteenhundredfrancsayear。

ThetwosetsofroomsonthesecondfloorwererespectivelyoccupiedbyanoldmannamedPoiretandamanoffortyorthereabouts，thewearerofablackwiganddyedwhiskers，whogaveoutthathewasaretiredmerchant，andwasaddressedasM。

Vautrin。Twoofthefourroomsonthethirdfloorwerealsolet——

onetoanelderlyspinster，aMlle。Michonneau，andtheothertoaretiredmanufacturerofvermicelli，Italianpasteandstarch，whoallowedtheotherstoaddresshimas“FatherGoriot。”Theremainingroomswereallottedtovariousbirdsofpassage，toimpecuniousstudents，wholike“FatherGoriot“andMlle。

Michonneau，couldonlymusterforty-fivefrancsamonthtopayfortheirboardandlodging。Mme。Vauquerhadlittledesireforlodgersofthissort；theyatetoomuchbread，andsheonlytookthemindefaultofbetter。

Atthattimeoneoftheroomswastenantedbyalawstudent，ayoungmanfromtheneighborhoodofAngouleme，oneofalargefamilywhopinchedandstarvedthemselvestosparetwelvehundredfrancsayearforhim。MisfortunehadaccustomedEugenedeRastignac，forthatwashisname，towork。Hebelongedtothenumberofyoungmenwhoknowaschildrenthattheirparents’

hopesarecenteredonthem，anddeliberatelypreparethemselvesforagreatcareer，subordinatingtheirstudiesfromthefirsttothisend，carefullywatchingtheindicationsofthecourseofevents，calculatingtheprobableturnthataffairswilltake，thattheymaybethefirsttoprofitbythem。Butforhisobservantcuriosity，andtheskillwithwhichhemanagedtointroducehimselfintothesalonsofParis，thisstorywouldnothavebeencoloredbythetonesoftruthwhichitcertainlyowestohim，fortheyareentirelyduetohispenetratingsagacityanddesiretofathomthemysteriesofanappallingconditionofthings，whichwasconcealedascarefullybythevictimasbythosewhohadbroughtittopass。

Abovethethirdstorytherewasagarretwherethelinenwashungtodry，andacoupleofattics。Christophe，theman-of-all-work，sleptinone，andSylvie，thestoutcook，intheother。Besidetheseveninmatesthusenumerated，takingoneyearwithanother，someeightlawormedicalstudentsdinedinthehouse，aswellastwoorthreeregularcomerswholivedintheneighborhood。Therewereusuallyeighteenpeopleatdinner，andtherewasroom，ifneedbe，fortwentyatMme。Vauquer’stable；atbreakfast，however，onlythesevenlodgersappeared。Itwasalmostlikeafamilyparty。Everyonecamedownindressing-gownandslippers，andtheconversationusuallyturnedonanythingthathadhappenedtheeveningbefore；commentsonthedressorappearanceofthedinnercontingentwereexchangedinfriendlyconfidence。

ThesesevenlodgerswereMme。Vauquer’sspoiledchildren。Amongthemshedistributed，withastronomicalprecision，theexactproportionofrespectandattentionduetothevaryingamountstheypaidfortheirboard。Onesingleconsiderationinfluencedallthesehumanbeingsthrowntogetherbychance。Thetwosecond-

floorlodgersonlypaidseventy-twofrancsamonth。SuchpricesastheseareconfinedtotheFaubourgSaint-MarcelandthedistrictbetweenLaBourbeandtheSalpetriere；and，asmightbeexpected，poverty，moreorlessapparent，weigheduponthemall，Mme。Couturebeingthesoleexceptiontotherule。

Thedrearysurroundingswerereflectedinthecostumesoftheinmatesofthehouse；allwerealikethreadbare。Thecolorofthemen’scoatswereproblematical；suchshoes，inmorefashionablequarters，areonlytobeseenlyinginthegutter；thecuffsandcollarswerewornandfrayedattheedges；everylimparticleofclothinglookedliketheghostofitsformerself。Thewomen’sdresseswerefaded，old-fashioned，dyedandre-dyed；theyworeglovesthatwereglazedwithhardwear，much-mendedlace，dingyruffles，crumpledmuslinfichus。Somuchfortheirclothing；but，forthemostpart，theirframesweresolidenough；theirconstitutionshadweatheredthestormsoflife；theircold，hardfaceswerewornlikecoinsthathavebeenwithdrawnfromcirculation，butthereweregreedyteethbehindthewitheredlips。Dramasbroughttoacloseorstillinprogressareforeshadowedbythesightofsuchactorsasthese，notthedramasthatareplayedbeforethefootlightsandagainstabackgroundofpaintedcanvas，butdumbdramasoflife，frost-bounddramasthatsereheartslikefire，dramasthatdonotendwiththeactors’

lives。

Mlle。Michonneau，thatelderlyyounglady，screenedherweakeyesfromthedaylightbyasoiledgreensilkshadewitharimofbrass，anobjectfittoscareawaytheAngelofPityhimself。Hershawl，withitsscanty，draggledfringe，mighthavecoveredaskeleton，someagreandangularwastheformbeneathit。Yetshemusthavebeenprettyandshapelyonce。Whatcorrosivehaddestroyedthefeminineoutlines？Wasittrouble，orvice，orgreed？Hadshelovedtoowell？Hadshebeenasecond-handclothesdealer，afrequenterofthebackstairsofgreathouses，orhadshebeenmerelyacourtesan？Wassheexpiatingtheflauntingtriumphsofayouthovercrowdedwithpleasuresbyanoldageinwhichshewasshunnedbyeverypasser-by？Hervacantgazesentachillthroughyou；hershriveledfaceseemedlikeamenace。Hervoicewasliketheshrill，thinnoteofthegrasshoppersoundingfromthethicketwhenwinterisathand。Shesaidthatshehadnursedanoldgentleman，illofcatarrhofthebladder，andlefttodiebyhischildren，whothoughtthathehadnothingleft。Hisbequesttoher，alifeannuityofathousandfrancs，wasperiodicallydisputedbyhisheirs，whomingledslanderwiththeirpersecutions。Inspiteoftheravagesofconflictingpassions，herfaceretainedsometracesofitsformerfairnessandfinenessoftissue，somevestigesofthephysicalcharmsofheryouthstillsurvived。

M。Poiretwasasortofautomaton。HemightbeseenanydaysailinglikeagrayshadowalongthewalksoftheJardindesPlantes，onhisheadashabbycap，acanewithanoldyellowivoryhandleinthetipsofhisthinfingers；theoutspreadskirtsofhisthreadbareovercoatfailedtoconcealhismeagrefigure；hisbreecheshunglooselyonhisshrunkenlimbs；thethin，blue-stockingedlegstrembledlikethoseofadrunkenman；

therewasanotablebreachofcontinuitybetweenthedingywhitewaistcoatandcrumpledshirtfrillsandthecravattwistedaboutathroatlikeaturkeygobbler’s；altogether，hisappearancesetpeoplewonderingwhetherthisoutlandishghostbelongedtotheaudaciousraceofthesonsofJaphetwhoflutteraboutontheBoulevardItalien。Whatdevouringkindoftoilcouldhavesoshriveledhim？Whatdevouringpassionshaddarkenedthatbulbouscountenance，whichwouldhaveseemedoutrageousasacaricature？

Whathadhebeen？Well，perhapshehadbeenpartofthemachineryofjustice，aclerkintheofficetowhichtheexecutionersendsinhisaccounts，——somuchforprovidingblackveilsforparricides，somuchforsawdust，somuchforpulleysandcordfortheknife。Orhemighthavebeenareceiveratthedoorofapublicslaughter-house，orasub-inspectorofnuisances。Indeed，themanappearedtohavebeenoneofthebeastsofburdeninourgreatsocialmill；oneofthoseParisianRatonswhomtheirBertrandsdonotevenknowbysight；apivotintheobscuremachinerythatdisposesofmiseryandthingsunclean；oneofthosemen，inshort，atsightofwhomwearepromptedtoremarkthat，“Afterall，wecannotdowithoutthem。”

StatelyParisignorestheexistenceofthesefacesbleachedbymoralorphysicalsuffering；but，then，Parisisintruthanoceanthatnolinecanplumb。Youmaysurveyitssurfaceanddescribeit；butnomatterhownumerousandpainstakingthetoilersinthissea，therewillalwaysbelonelyandunexploredregionsinitsdepths，cavernsunknown，flowersandpearlsandmonstersofthedeepoverlookedorforgottenbythediversofliterature。TheMaisonVauquerisoneofthesecuriousmonstrosities。

Two，however，ofMme。Vauquer’sboardersformedastrikingcontrasttotherest。Therewasasicklypallor，suchasisoftenseeninanaemicgirls，inMlle。VictorineTaillefer’sface；andherunvaryingexpressionofsadness，likeherembarrassedmannerandpinchedlook，wasinkeepingwiththegeneralwretchednessoftheestablishmentintheRueNueve-Saint-Genevieve，whichformsabackgroundtothispicture；butherfacewasyoung，therewasyouthfulnessinhervoiceandelasticityinhermovements。Thisyoungmisfortunewasnotunlikeashrub，newlyplantedinanuncongenialsoil，whereitsleaveshavealreadybeguntowither。

Theoutlinesofherfigure，revealedbyherdressofthesimplestandcheapestmaterials，werealsoyouthful。Therewasthesamekindofcharmabouthertooslenderform，herfaintlycoloredfaceandlight-brownhair，thatmodernpoetsfindinmediaevalstatuettes；andasweetexpression，alookofChristianresignationinthedarkgrayeyes。Shewasprettybyforceofcontrast；ifshehadbeenhappy，shewouldhavebeencharming。

Happinessisthepoetryofwoman，asthetoiletteishertinsel。

Ifthedelightfulexcitementofaballhadmadethepalefaceglowwithcolor；ifthedelightsofaluxuriouslifehadbroughtthecolortothewancheeksthatwereslightlyhollowedalready；

iflovehadputlightintothesadeyes，thenVictorinemighthaverankedamongthefairest；butshelackedthetwothingswhichcreatewomanasecondtime——prettydressesandlove-

letters。

Abookmighthavebeenmadeofherstory。Herfatherwaspersuadedthathehadsufficientreasonfordecliningtoacknowledgeher，andallowedherabaresixhundredfrancsayear；hehadfurthertakenmeasurestodisinherithisdaughter，andhadconvertedallhisrealestateintopersonalty，thathemightleaveitundividedtohisson。Victorine’smotherhaddiedbroken-heartedinMme。Couture’shouse；andthelatter，whowasanearrelation，hadtakenchargeofthelittleorphan。Unluckily，thewidowofthecommissary-generaltothearmiesoftheRepublichadnothingintheworldbutherjointureandherwidow’spension，andsomedayshemightbeobligedtoleavethehelpless，inexperiencedgirltothemercyoftheworld。Thegoodsoul，therefore，tookVictorinetomasseverySunday，andtoconfessiononceafortnight，thinkingthat，inanycase，shewouldbringupherwardtobedevout。Shewasright；religionofferedasolutionoftheproblemoftheyounggirl’sfuture。Thepoorchildlovedthefatherwhorefusedtoacknowledgeher。Onceeveryyearshetriedtoseehimtodeliverhermother’smessageofforgiveness，buteveryyearhithertoshehadknockedatthatdoorinvain；herfatherwasinexorable。Herbrother，heronlymeansofcommunication，hadnotcometoseeherforfouryears，andhadsenthernoassistance；yetsheprayedtoGodtounsealherfather’seyesandtosoftenherbrother’sheart，andnoaccusationsmingledwithherprayers。Mme。CoutureandMme。

Vauquerexhaustedthevocabularyofabuse，andfailedtofindwordsthatdidjusticetothebanker’siniquitousconduct；butwhiletheyheapedexecrationsonthemillionaire，Victorine’swordswereasgentleasthemoanofthewoundeddove，andaffectionfoundexpressioneveninthecrydrawnfromherbypain。

EugenedeRastignacwasathoroughlysoutherntype；hehadafaircomplexion，blueeyes，blackhair。Inhisfigure，manner，andhiswholebearingitwaseasytoseethathehadeithercomeofanoblefamily，orthat，fromhisearliestchildhood，hehadbeengentlybred。Ifhewascarefulofhiswardrobe，onlytakinglastyear’sclothesintodailywear，stilluponoccasionhecouldissueforthasayoungmanoffashion。Ordinarilyheworeashabbycoatandwaistcoat，thelimpblackcravat，untidilyknotted，thatstudentsaffect，trousersthatmatchedtherestofhiscostume，andbootsthathadbeenresoled。

Vautrin(themanoffortywiththedyedwhiskers)markedatransitionstagebetweenthesetwoyoungpeopleandtheothers。

Hewasthekindofmanthatcallsforththeremark：“Helooksajovialsort！“Hehadbroadshoulders，awell-developedchest，musculararms，andstrongsquare-fistedhands；thejointsofhisfingerswerecoveredwithtuftsoffieryredhair。Hisfacewasfurrowedbyprematurewrinkles；therewasacertainhardnessaboutitinspiteofhisblandandinsinuatingmanner。Hisbassvoicewasbynomeansunpleasant，andwasinkeepingwithhisboisterouslaughter。Hewasalwaysobliging，alwaysingoodspirits；ifanythingwentwrongwithoneofthelocks，hewouldsoonunscrewit，takeittopieces，fileit，oilandcleanandsetitinorder，andputitbackinitsplaceagain；“Iamanoldhandatit。”heusedtosay。Notonlyso，heknewallaboutships，thesea，France，foreigncountries，men，business，law，greathousesandprisons，——therewasnothingthathedidnotknow。Ifanyonecomplainedrathermorethanusual，hewouldofferhisservicesatonce。HehadseveraltimeslentmoneytoMme。Vauquer，ortotheboarders；but，somehow，thosewhomheobligedfeltthattheywouldsoonerfacedeaththanfailtorepayhim；acertainresolutelook，sometimesseenonhisface，inspiredfearofhim，forallhisappearanceofeasygood-nature。

Inthewayhespattherewasanimperturbablecoolnesswhichseemedtoindicatethatthiswasamanwhowouldnotstickatacrimetoextricatehimselffromafalseposition。Hiseyes，likethoseofapitilessjudge，seemedtogototheverybottomofallquestions，toreadallnatures，allfeelingsandthoughts。Hishabitoflifewasveryregular；heusuallywentoutafterbreakfast，returningintimefordinner，anddisappearedfortherestoftheevening，lettinghimselfinaboutmidnightwithalatchkey，aprivilegethatMme。Vauqueraccordedtonootherboarder。Butthenhewasonverygoodtermswiththewidow；heusedtocallher“mamma。”andputhisarmroundherwaist，apieceofflatteryperhapsnotappreciatedtothefull！Theworthywomanmightimaginethistobeaneasyfeat；but，asamatteroffact，noarmbutVautrin’swaslongenoughtoencircleher。

Itwasacharacteristictraitofhisgenerouslytopayfifteenfrancsamonthforthecupofcoffeewithadashofbrandyinit，whichhetookafterdinner。LesssuperficialobserversthanyoungmenengulfedbythewhirlpoolofParisianlife，oroldmen，whotooknointerestinanythingthatdidnotdirectlyconcernthem，wouldnothavestoppedshortatthevaguelyunsatisfactoryimpressionthatVautrinmadeuponthem。Hekneworguessedtheconcernsofeveryoneabouthim；butnoneofthemhadbeenabletopenetratehisthoughts，ortodiscoverhisoccupation。Hehaddeliberatelymadehisapparentgood-nature，hisunfailingreadinesstooblige，andhishighspiritsintoabarrierbetweenhimselfandtherestofthem，butnotseldomhegaveglimpsesofappallingdepthsofcharacter。Heseemedtodelightinscourgingtheupperclassesofsocietywiththelashofhistongue，totakepleasureinconvictingitofinconsistency，inmockingatlawandorderwithsomegrimjestworthyofJuvenal，asifsomegrudgeagainstthesocialsystemrankledinhim，asifthereweresomemysterycarefullyhiddenawayinhislife。

Mlle。Tailleferfeltattracted，perhapsunconsciously，bythestrengthoftheoneman，andthegoodlooksoftheother；herstolenglancesandsecretthoughtsweredividedbetweenthem；butneitherofthemseemedtotakeanynoticeofher，althoughsomedayachancemightalterherposition，andshewouldbeawealthyheiress。Forthatmatter，therewasnotasoulinthehousewhotookanytroubletoinvestigatethevariouschroniclesofmisfortunes，realorimaginary，relatedbytherest。Eachoneregardedtheotherswithindifference，temperedbysuspicion；itwasanaturalresultoftheirrelativepositions。Practicalassistancenotonecouldgive，thistheyallknew，andtheyhadlongsinceexhaustedtheirstockofcondolenceoverpreviousdiscussionsoftheirgrievances。Theywereinsomethingthesamepositionasanelderlycouplewhohavenothinglefttosaytoeachother。Theroutineofexistencekeptthemincontact，buttheywerepartsofamechanismwhichwantedoil。Therewasnotoneofthembutwouldhavepassedablindmanbegginginthestreet，notonethatfeltmovedtopitybyataleofmisfortune，notonewhodidnotseeindeaththesolutionoftheall-

absorbingproblemofmiserywhichleftthemcoldtothemostterribleanguishinothers。

ThehappiestofthesehaplessbeingswascertainlyMme。Vauquer，whoreignedsupremeoverthishospitalsupportedbyvoluntarycontributions。Forher，thelittlegarden，whichsilence，andcold，andrain，anddroughtcombinedtomakeasdrearyasanAsiansteppe，wasapleasantshadednook；thegauntyellowhouse，themustyodorsofabackshophadcharmsforher，andforheralone。Thosecellsbelongedtoher。Shefedthoseconvictscondemnedtopenalservitudeforlife，andherauthoritywasrecognizedamongthem。WhereelseinPariswouldtheyhavefoundwholesomefoodinsufficientquantityatthepricesshechargedthem，androomswhichtheywereatlibertytomake，ifnotexactlyelegantorcomfortable，atanyratecleanandhealthy？Ifshehadcommittedsomeflagrantactofinjustice，thevictimwouldhaveborneitinsilence。

Suchagatheringcontained，asmighthavebeenexpected，theelementsoutofwhichacompletesocietymightbeconstructed。

And，asinaschool，asintheworlditself，therewasamongtheeighteenmenandwomenwhometroundthedinnertableapoorcreature，despisedbyalltheothers，condemnedtobethebuttofalltheirjokes。AtthebeginningofEugenedeRastignac’ssecondtwelvemonth，thisfiguresuddenlystartedoutintoboldreliefagainstthebackgroundofhumanformsandfacesamongwhichthelawstudentwasyettoliveforanothertwoyearstocome。Thislaughing-stockwastheretiredvermicelli-merchant，FatherGoriot，uponwhosefaceapainter，likethehistorian，wouldhaveconcentratedallthelightinhispicture。

Howhaditcomeaboutthattheboardersregardedhimwithahalf-

malignantcontempt？Whydidtheysubjecttheoldestamongtheirnumbertoakindofpersecution，inwhichtherewasmingledsomepity，butnorespectforhismisfortunes？Hadhebroughtitonhimselfbysomeeccentricityorabsurdity，whichislesseasilyforgivenorforgottenthanmoreseriousdefects？Thequestionstrikesattherootofmanyasocialinjustice。Perhapsitisonlyhumannaturetoinflictsufferingonanythingthatwillenduresuffering，whetherbyreasonofitsgenuinehumility，orindifference，orsheerhelplessness。Dowenot，oneandall，liketofeelourstrengthevenattheexpenseofsomeoneorofsomething？Thepoorestsampleofhumanity，thestreetarab，willpullthebellhandleateverystreetdoorinbitterweather，andscrambleuptowritehisnameontheunsulliedmarbleofamonument。

Intheyear1813，attheageofsixty-nineorthereabouts，“FatherGoriot“hadsoldhisbusinessandretired——toMme。

Vauquer’sboardinghouse。WhenhefirstcametherehehadtakentheroomsnowoccupiedbyMme。Couture；hehadpaidtwelvehundredfrancsayearlikeamantowhomfivelouismoreorlesswasameretrifle。ForhimMme。Vauquerhadmadevariousimprovementsinthethreeroomsdestinedforhisuse，inconsiderationofacertainsumpaidinadvance，soitwassaid，forthemiserablefurniture，thatistosay，forsomeyellowcottoncurtains，afewchairsofstainedwoodcoveredwithUtrechtvelvet，severalwretchedcoloredprintsinframes，andwallpapersthatalittlesuburbantavernwouldhavedisdained。

PossiblyitwasthecarelessgenerositywithwhichFatherGoriotallowedhimselftobeoverreachedatthisperiodofhislife(theycalledhimMonsieurGoriotveryrespectfullythen)thatgaveMme。Vauquerthemeanestopinionofhisbusinessabilities；

shelookedonhimasanimbecilewheremoneywasconcerned。

Goriothadbroughtwithhimaconsiderablewardrobe，thegorgeousoutfitofaretiredtradesmanwhodenieshimselfnothing。Mme。

Vauquer’sastonishedeyesbeheldnolessthaneighteencambric-

frontedshirts，thesplendoroftheirfinenessbeingenhancedbyapairofpinseachbearingalargediamond，andconnectedbyashortchain，anornamentwhichadornedthevermicelli-maker’sshirtfront。Heusuallyworeacoatofcorn-flowerblue；hisrotundandportlypersonwasstillfurthersetoffbyacleanwhitewaistcoat，andagoldchainandsealswhichdangledoverthatbroadexpanse。Whenhishostessaccusedhimofbeing“abitofabeau。”hesmiledwiththevanityofacitizenwhosefoibleisgratified。Hiscupboards(ormoires，ashecalledtheminthepopulardialect)werefilledwithaquantityofplatethathebroughtwithhim。Thewidow’seyesgleamedassheobliginglyhelpedhimtounpackthesoupladles，table-spoons，forks，cruet-

stands，tureens，dishes，andbreakfastservices——allofsilver，whichweredulyarrangeduponshelves，besidesafewmoreorlesshandsomepiecesofplate，allweighingnoinconsiderablenumberofounces；hecouldnotbringhimselftopartwiththesegiftsthatremindedhimofpastdomesticfestivals。

“Thiswasmywife’spresenttomeonthefirstanniversaryofourweddingday。”hesaidtoMme。Vauquer，asheputawayalittlesilverpossetdish，withtwoturtle-dovesbillingonthecover。

“Poordear！shespentonitallthemoneyshehadsavedbeforeweweremarried。Doyouknow，Iwouldsoonerscratchtheearthwithmynailsforaliving，madame，thanpartwiththat。ButIshallbeabletotakemycoffeeoutofiteverymorningfortherestofmydays，thanktheLord！Iamnottobepitied。There’snotmuchfearofmystarvingforsometimetocome。”

Finally，Mme。Vauquer’smagpie’seyehaddiscoveredandreadcertainentriesinthelistofshareholdersinthefunds，and，afteraroughcalculation，wasdisposedtocreditGoriot(worthyman)withsomethingliketenthousandfrancsayear。FromthatdayforwardMme。Vauquer(needeConflans)，who，asamatteroffact，hadseenforty-eightsummers，thoughshewouldonlyowntothirty-nineofthem——Mme。Vauquerhadherownideas。ThoughGoriot’seyesseemedtohaveshrunkintheirsockets，thoughtheywereweakandwatery，owingtosomeglandularaffectionwhichcompelledhimtowipethemcontinually，sheconsideredhimtobeaverygentlemanlyandpleasant-lookingman。Moreover，thewidowsawfavorableindicationsofcharacterinthewell-developedcalvesofhislegsandinhissquare-shapednose，indicationsstillfurtherborneoutbytheworthyman’sfull-mooncountenanceandlookofstupidgood-nature。This，inallprobability，wasastrongly-buildanimal，whosebrainsmostlyconsistedinacapacityforaffection。Hishair，worninailesdepigeon，anddulypowderedeverymorningbythebarberfromtheEcolePolytechnique，describedfivepointsonhislowforehead，andmadeanelegantsettingtohisface。Thoughhismannersweresomewhatboorish，hewasalwaysasneatasanewpinandhetookhissnuffinalordlyway，likeamanwhoknowsthathissnuff-

boxisalwayslikelytobefilledwithmaccaboy，sothatwhenMme。VauquerlaydowntorestonthedayofM。Goriot’sinstallation，herheart，likealardedpartridge，swelteredbeforethefireofaburningdesiretoshakeofftheshroudofVauquerandriseagainasGoriot。Shewouldmarryagain，sellherboarding-house，giveherhandtothisfineflowerofcitizenship，becomealadyofconsequenceinthequarter，andaskforsubscriptionsforcharitablepurposes；shewouldmakelittleSundayexcursionstoChoisy，Soissy，Gentilly；shewouldhaveaboxatthetheatrewhensheliked，insteadofwaitingfortheauthor’sticketsthatoneofherboarderssometimesgaveher，inJuly；thewholeEldoradoofalittleParisianhouseholdroseupbeforeMme。Vauquerinherdreams。Nobodyknewthatsheherselfpossessedfortythousandfrancs，accumulatedsoubysou，thatwashersecret；surelyasfarasmoneywasconcernedshewasaverytolerablematch。“Andinotherrespects，Iamquitehisequal。”

shesaidtoherself，turningasiftoassureherselfofthecharmsofaformthattheportlySylviefoundmouldedindownfeatherseverymorning。

ForthreemonthsfromthatdayMme。VeuveVauqueravailedherselfoftheservicesofM。Goriot’scoiffeur，andwenttosomeexpenseoverhertoilette，expensejustifiableonthegroundthatsheowedittoherselfandherestablishmenttopaysomeattentiontoappearanceswhensuchhighly-respectablepersonshonoredherhousewiththeirpresence。Sheexpendednosmallamountofingenuityinasortofweedingprocessofherlodgers，announcingherintentionofreceivinghenceforwardnonebutpeoplewhowereineverywayselect。Ifastrangerpresentedhimself，shelethimknowthatM。Goriot，oneofthebestknownandmosthighly-

respectedmerchantsinParis，hadsingledoutherboarding-houseforaresidence。ShedrewupaprospectusheadedMAISONVAUQUER，inwhichitwasassertedthatherswas“oneoftheoldestandmosthighlyrecommendedboarding-housesintheLatinQuarter。”

“Fromthewindowsofthehouse。”thusrantheprospectus，“thereisacharmingviewoftheValleedesGobelins(sothereis——fromthethirdfloor)，andaBEAUTIFULgarden，EXTENDINGdowntoAN

AVENUEOFLINDENSatthefurtherend。”Mentionwasmadeofthebracingairoftheplaceanditsquietsituation。

ItwasthisprospectusthatattractedMme。laComtessedel’Ambermesnil，awidowofsixandthirty，whowasawaitingthefinalsettlementofherhusband’saffairs，andofanothermatterregardingapensionduetoherasthewifeofageneralwhohaddied“onthefieldofbattle。”OnthisMme。Vauquersawtohertable，lightedafiredailyinthesitting-roomfornearlysixmonths，andkeptthepromiseofherprospectus，evengoingtosomeexpensetodoso。AndtheCountess，onherside，addressedMme。Vauqueras“mydear。”andpromisedhertwomoreboarders，theBaronnedeVaumerlandandthewidowofacolonel，thelateComtedePicquoisie，whowereabouttoleaveaboarding-houseintheMarais，wherethetermswerehigherthanattheMaisonVauquer。Boththeseladies，moreover，wouldbeverywelltodowhenthepeopleattheWarOfficehadcometoanendoftheirformalities。“ButGovernmentdepartmentsarealwayssodilatory。”

theladyadded。

AfterdinnerthetwowidowswenttogetheruptoMme。Vauquer’sroom，andhadasnuglittlechatoversomecordialandvariousdelicaciesreservedforthemistressofthehouse。Mme。Vauquer’sideasastoGoriotwerecordiallyapprovedbyMme。del’Ambermesnil；itwasacapitalnotion，whichforthatmattershehadguessedfromtheveryfirst；inheropinionthevermicellimakerwasanexcellentman。

“Ah！mydearlady，suchawell-preservedmanofhisage，assoundasmyeyesight——amanwhomightmakeawomanhappy！“saidthewidow。

Thegood-naturedCountessturnedtothesubjectofMme。Vauquer’sdress，whichwasnotinharmonywithherprojects。“Youmustputyourselfonawarfooting。”saidshe。

Aftermuchseriousconsiderationthetwowidowswentshoppingtogether——theypurchasedahatadornedwithostrichfeathersandacapatthePalaisRoyal，andtheCountesstookherfriendtotheMagasindelaPetiteJeannette，wheretheychoseadressandascarf。Thusequippedforthecampaign，thewidowlookedexactlyliketheprizeanimalhungoutforasignaboveanalamodebeefshop；butsheherselfwassomuchpleasedwiththeimprovement，assheconsideredit，inherappearance，thatshefeltthatshelayundersomeobligationtotheCountess；and，thoughbynomeansopen-handed，shebeggedthatladytoacceptahatthatcosttwentyfrancs。ThefactwasthatsheneededtheCountess’

servicesonthedelicatemissionofsoundingGoriot；thecountessmustsingherpraisesinhisears。Mme。del’Ambermesnillentherselfverygood-naturedlytothismanoeuvre，beganheroperations，andsucceededinobtainingaprivateinterview；buttheoverturesthatshemade，withaviewtosecuringhimforherself，werereceivedwithembarrassment，nottosayarepulse。

Shelefthim，revoltedbyhiscoarseness。

“Myangel。”saidshetoherdearfriend，“youwillmakenothingofthatmanyonder。Heisabsurdlysuspicious，andheisameancurmudgeon，anidiot，afool；youwouldneverbehappywithhim。”

AfterwhathadpassedbetweenM。GoriotandMme。del’Ambermesnil，theCountesswouldnolongerliveunderthesameroof。Sheleftthenextday，forgottopayforsixmonths’board，andleftbehindherwardrobe，cast-offclothingtothevalueoffivefrancs。EagerlyandpersistentlyasMme。Vauquersoughtherquondamlodger，theComtessedel’AmbermesnilwasneverheardofagaininParis。Thewidowoftentalkedofthisdeplorablebusiness，andregrettedherowntooconfidingdisposition。Asamatteroffact，shewasassuspiciousasacat；butshewaslikemanyotherpeople，whocannottrusttheirownkinandputthemselvesatthemercyofthenextchancecomer——anoddbutcommonphenomenon，whosecausesmayreadilybetracedtothedepthsofthehumanheart。

Perhapstherearepeoplewhoknowthattheyhavenothingmoretolookforfromthosewithwhomtheylive；theyhaveshowntheemptinessoftheirheartstotheirhousemates，andintheirsecretselvestheyareconsciousthattheyareseverelyjudged，andthattheydeservetobejudgedseverely；butstilltheyfeelanunconquerablecravingforpraisesthattheydonothear，ortheyareconsumedbyadesiretoappeartopossess，intheeyesofanewaudience，thequalitieswhichtheyhavenot，hopingtowintheadmirationoraffectionofstrangersattheriskofforfeitingitagainsomeday。Or，oncemore，thereareothermercenarynatureswhoneverdoakindnesstoafriendorarelationsimplybecausethesehaveaclaimuponthem，whileaservicedonetoastrangerbringsitsrewardtoself-love。Suchnaturesfeelbutlittleaffectionforthosewhoarenearesttothem；theykeeptheirkindnessforremotercirclesofacquaintance，andshowmosttothosewhodwellonitsutmostlimits。Mme。Vauquerbelongedtoboththeseessentiallymean，false，andexecrableclasses。

“IfIhadbeenthereatthetime。”Vautrinwouldsayattheendofthestory，Iwouldhaveshownherup，andthatmisfortunewouldnothavebefallenyou。Iknowthatkindofphiz！“

Likeallnarrownatures，Mme。Vauquerwaswonttoconfineherattentiontoevents，anddidnotgoverydeeplyintothecausesthatbroughtthemabout；shelikewisepreferredtothrowtheblameofherownmistakesonotherpeople，soshechosetoconsiderthatthehonestvermicellimakerwasresponsibleforhermisfortune。Ithadopenedhereyes，soshesaid，withregardtohim。Assoonasshesawthatherblandishmentswereinvain，andthatheroutlayonhertoilettewasmoneythrownaway，shewasnotslowtodiscoverthereasonofhisindifference。ItbecameplaintoheratoncethattherewasSOMEOTHERATTRACTION，touseherownexpression。Inshort，itwasevidentthatthehopeshehadsofondlycherishedwasabaselessdelusion，andthatshewould“nevermakeanythingoutofthatmanyonder。”intheCountess’forciblephrase。TheCountessseemedtohavebeenajudgeofcharacter。Mme。Vauquer’saversionwasnaturallymoreenergeticthanherfriendship，forherhatredwasnotinproportiontoherlove，buttoherdisappointedexpectations。Thehumanheartmayfindhereandtherearesting-placeshortofthehighestheightofaffection，butweseldomstopinthesteep，downwardslopeofhatred。Still，M。Goriotwasalodger，andthewidow’swoundedself-lovecouldnotventitselfinanexplosionofwrath；likeamonkharassedbythepriorofhisconvent，shewasforcedtostiflehersighsofdisappointment，andtogulpdownhercravingforrevenge。Littlemindsfindgratificationfortheirfeelings，benevolentorotherwise，byaconstantexerciseofpettyingenuity。Thewidowemployedherwoman’smalicetodeviseasystemofcovertpersecution。Shebeganbyacourseofretrenchment——variousluxurieswhichhadfoundtheirwaytothetableappearedtherenomore。

“Nomoregherkins，nomoreanchovies；theyhavemadeafoolofme！“shesaidtoSylvieonemorning，andtheyreturnedtotheoldbilloffare。

ThethriftyfrugalitynecessarytothosewhomeantomaketheirwayintheworldhadbecomeaninveteratehabitoflifewithM。

Goriot。Soup，boiledbeef，andadishofvegetableshadbeen，andalwayswouldbe，thedinnerhelikedbest，soMme。Vauquerfounditverydifficulttoannoyaboarderwhosetastesweresosimple。

Hewasproofagainsthermalice，andindesperationshespoketohimandofhimslightinglybeforetheotherlodgers，whobegantoamusethemselvesathisexpense，andsogratifiedherdesireforrevenge。

Towardstheendofthefirstyearthewidow’ssuspicionshadreachedsuchapitchthatshebegantowonderhowitwasthataretiredmerchantwithasecureincomeofsevenoreightthousandlivres，theownerofsuchmagnificentplateandjewelryhandsomeenoughforakeptmistress，shouldbelivinginherhouse。Whyshouldhedevotesosmallaproportionofhismoneytohisexpenses？Untilthefirstyearwasnearlyatanend，Goriothaddinedoutonceortwiceeveryweek，buttheseoccasionscamelessfrequently，andatlasthewasscarcelyabsentfromthedinner-

tabletwiceamonth。ItwashardlyexpectedthatMme。Vauquershouldregardtheincreasedregularityofherboarder’shabitswithcomplacency，whenthoselittleexcursionsofhishadbeensomuchtoherinterest。Sheattributedthechangenotsomuchtoagradualdiminutionoffortuneastoaspitefulwishtoannoyhishostess。ItisoneofthemostdetestablehabitsofaLiliputianmindtocreditotherpeoplewithitsownmalignantpettiness。

Unluckily，towardstheendofthesecondyear，M。Goriot’sconductgavesomecolortotheidletalkabouthim。HeaskedMme。

Vauquertogivehimaroomonthesecondfloor，andtomakeacorrespondingreductioninhercharges。Apparently，suchstricteconomywascalledfor，thathedidwithoutafireallthroughthewinter。Mme。Vauqueraskedtobepaidinadvance，anarrangementtowhichM。Goriotconsented，andthenceforwardshespokeofhimas“FatherGoriot。”

Whathadbroughtaboutthisdeclineandfall？Conjecturewaskeen，butinvestigationwasdifficult。FatherGoriotwasnotcommunicative；intheshamcountess’phrasehewas“acurmudgeon。”Empty-headedpeoplewhobabbleabouttheirownaffairsbecausetheyhavenothingelsetooccupythem，naturallyconcludethatifpeoplesaynothingoftheirdoingsitisbecausetheirdoingswillnotbearbeingtalkedabout；sothehighlyrespectablemerchantbecameascoundrel，andthelatebeauwasanoldrogue。Opinionfluctuated。Sometimes，accordingtoVautrin，whocameaboutthistimetoliveintheMaisonVauquer，FatherGoriotwasamanwhowenton’ChangeandDABBLED(tousethesufficientlyexpressivelanguageoftheStockExchange)instocksandsharesafterhehadruinedhimselfbyheavyspeculation。

Sometimesitwasheldthathewasoneofthosepettygamblerswhonightlyplayforsmallstakesuntiltheywinafewfrancs。A

theorythathewasadetectiveintheemployoftheHomeOfficefoundfavoratonetime，butVautrinurgedthat“Goriotwasnotsharpenoughforoneofthatsort。”Therewereyetothersolutions；FatherGoriotwasaskinflint，asharkofamoney-

lender，amanwholivedbysellinglotterytickets。Hewasbyturnsallthemostmysteriousbroodofviceandshameandmisery；

yet，howevervilehislifemightbe，thefeelingofrepulsionwhichhearousedinotherswasnotsostrongthathemustbebanishedfromtheirsociety——hepaidhisway。Besides，Goriothadhisuses，everyoneventedhisspleenorsharpenedhiswitonhim；hewaspeltedwithjokesandbelaboredwithhardwords。Thegeneralconsensusofopinionwasinfavorofatheorywhichseemedthemostlikely；thiswasMme。Vauquer’sview。Accordingtoher，themansowellpreservedathistimeoflife，assoundashereyesight，withwhomawomanmightbeveryhappy，wasalibertinewhohadstrangetastes。ThesearethefactsuponwhichMme。Vauquer’sslanderswerebased。

Earlyonemorning，somefewmonthsafterthedepartureoftheunluckyCountesswhohadmanagedtoliveforsixmonthsatthewidow’sexpense，Mme。Vauquer(notyetdressed)heardtherustleofasilkdressandayoungwoman’slightfootsteponthestair；

someonewasgoingtoGoriot’sroom。Heseemedtoexpectthevisit，forhisdoorstoodajar。TheportlySylviepresentlycameuptotellhermistressthatagirltooprettytobehonest，“dressedlikeagoddess。”andnotaspeckofmudonherlacedcashmereboots，hadglidedinfromthestreetlikeasnake，hadfoundthekitchen，andaskedforM。Goriot’sroom。Mme。Vauquerandthecook，listening，overheardseveralwordsaffectionatelyspokenduringthevisit，whichlastedforsometime。WhenM。

Goriotwentdownstairswiththelady，thestoutSylvieforthwithtookherbasketandfollowedthelover-likecouple，underpretextofgoingtodohermarketing。

“M。Goriotmustbeawfullyrich，allthesame，madame。”shereportedonherreturn，“tokeepherinsuchstyle。Justimagineit！TherewasasplendidcarriagewaitingatthecornerofthePlacedel’Estrapade，andSHEgotintoit。”

Whiletheywereatdinnerthatevening，Mme。Vauquerwenttothewindowanddrewthecurtain，asthesunwasshiningintoGoriot’seyes。

“Youarebelovedoffairladies，M。Goriot——thesunseeksyouout。”shesaid，alludingtohisvisitor。“Peste！youhavegoodtaste；shewasverypretty。”

“Thatwasmydaughter。”hesaid，withakindofprideinhisvoice，andtherestchosetoconsiderthisasthefatuityofanoldmanwhowishestosaveappearances。

AmonthafterthisvisitM。Goriotreceivedanother。Thesamedaughterwhohadcometoseehimthatmorningcameagainafterdinner，thistimeineveningdress。Theboarders，indeepdiscussioninthedining-room，caughtaglimpseofalovely，fair-hairedwoman，slender，graceful，andmuchtoodistinguished-

lookingtobeadaughterofFatherGoriot’s。

“Twoofthem！“criedtheportlySylvie，whodidnotrecognizetheladyofthefirstvisit。

Afewdayslater，andanotheryounglady——atall，well-mouldedbrunette，withdarkhairandbrighteyes——cametoaskforM。

Goriot。

“Threeofthem！“saidSylvie。

Thentheseconddaughter，whohadfirstcomeinthemorningtoseeherfather，cameshortlyafterwardsintheevening。Sheworeaballdress，andcameinacarriage。

“Fourofthem！“commentedMme。Vauquerandherplumphandmaid。

Sylviesawnotatraceofresemblancebetweenthisgreatladyandthegirlinhersimplemorningdresswhohadenteredherkitchenontheoccasionofherfirstvisit。

AtthattimeGoriotwaspayingtwelvehundredfrancsayeartohislandlady，andMme。Vauquersawnothingoutofthecommoninthefactthatarichmanhadfourorfivemistresses；nay，shethoughtitveryknowingofhimtopassthemoffashisdaughters。

Shewasnotatallinclinedtodrawahard-and-fastline，ortotakeumbrageathissendingforthemtotheMaisonVauquer；yet，inasmuchasthesevisitsexplainedherboarder’sindifferencetoher，shewentsofar(attheendofthesecondyear)astospeakofhimasan“uglyoldwretch。”Whenatlengthherboarderdeclinedtoninehundredfrancsayear，sheaskedhimveryinsolentlywhathetookherhousetobe，aftermeetingoneoftheseladiesonhestairs。FatherGoriotansweredthattheladywashiseldestdaughter。

“Soyouhavetwoorthreedozendaughters，haveyou？“saidMme。

Vauquersharply。

“Ihaveonlytwo。”herboarderansweredmeekly，likearuinedmanwhoisbrokenintoallthecruelusageofmisfortune。

TowardstheendofthethirdyearFatherGoriotreducedhisexpensesstillfurther；hewentuptothethirdstory，andnowpaidforty-fivefrancsamonth。Hedidwithoutsnuff，toldhishairdresserthathenolongerrequiredhisservices，andgaveupwearingpowder。WhenGoriotappearedforthefirsttimeinthiscondition，anexclamationofastonishmentbrokefromhishostessatthecolorofhishair——adingyolivegray。Hehadgrownsadderdaybydayundertheinfluenceofsomehiddentrouble；amongallthefacesroundthetable，hiswasthemostwoe-begone。Therewasnolongeranydoubt。Goriotwasanelderlylibertine，whoseeyeshadonlybeenpreservedbytheskillofthephysicianfromthemaligninfluenceoftheremediesnecessitatedbythestateofhishealth。Thedisgustingcolorofhishairwasaresultofhisexcessesandofthedrugswhichhehadtakenthathemightcontinuehiscareer。Thepooroldman’smentalandphysicalconditionaffordedsomegroundsfortheabsurdrubbishtalkedabouthim。Whenhisoutfitwaswornout，hereplacedthefinelinenbycalicoatfourteensoustheell。Hisdiamonds，hisgoldsnuff-box，watch-chainandtrinkets，disappearedonebyone。Hehadleftoffwearingthecorn-flowerbluecoat，andwassumptuouslyarrayed，summeraswellaswinter，inacoarsechestnut-browncoat，aplushwaistcoat，anddoeskinbreeches。Hegrewthinnerandthinner；hislegswereshrunken，hischeeks，oncesopuffedoutbycontentedbourgeoisprosperity，werecoveredwithwrinkles，andtheoutlinesofthejawbonesweredistinctlyvisible；thereweredeepfurrowsinhisforehead。InthefourthyearofhisresidenceintheRueNeuve-Sainte-

Genevievehewasnolongerlikehisformerself。Thehalevermicellimanufacturer，sixty-twoyearsofage，whohadlookedscarceforty，thestout，comfortable，prosperoustradesman，withanalmostbucolicair，andsuchabriskdemeanorthatitdidyougoodtolookathim；themanwithsomethingboyishinhissmile，hadsuddenlysunkintohisdotage，andhadbecomeafeeble，vacillatingseptuagenarian。

Thekeen，brightblueeyeshadgrowndull，andfadedtoasteel-

graycolor；theredinflamedrimslookedasthoughtheyhadshedtearsofblood。Heexcitedfeelingsofrepulsioninsome，andofpityinothers。Theyoungmedicalstudentswhocametothehousenoticedthedroopingofhislowerlipandtheconformationofthefacialangle；and，afterteasinghimforsometimetonopurpose，theydeclaredthatcretinismwassettingin。

OneeveningafterdinnerMme。Vauquersaidhalfbanteringlytohim，“Sothosedaughtersofyoursdon’tcometoseeyouanymore，eh？“meaningtoimplyherdoubtsastohispaternity；butFatherGoriotshrankasifhishostesshadtouchedhimwithasword-

point。

“Theycomesometimes。”hesaidinatremulousvoice。

“Aha！youstillseethemsometimes？“criedthestudents。“Bravo，FatherGoriot！“

Theoldmanscarcelyseemedtohearthewitticismsathisexpensethatfollowedonthewords；hehadrelapsedintothedreamystateofmindthatthesesuperficialobserverstookforseniletorpor，duetohislackofintelligence。Iftheyhadonlyknown，theymighthavebeendeeplyinterestedbytheproblemofhiscondition；butfewproblemsweremoreobscure。Itwaseasy，ofcourse，tofindoutwhetherGoriothadreallybeenavermicellimanufacturer；theamountofhisfortunewasreadilydiscoverable；

buttheoldpeople，whoweremostinquisitiveastohisconcerns，neverwentbeyondthelimitsoftheQuarter，andlivedinthelodging-housemuchasoystersclingtoarock。Asfortherest，thecurrentoflifeinParisdailyawaitedthem，andsweptthemawaywithit；sosoonastheylefttheRueNeuve-Sainte-

Genevieve，theyforgottheexistenceoftheoldman，theirbuttatdinner。Forthosenarrowsouls，orforcarelessyouth，themiseryinFatherGoriot’switheredfaceanditsdullapathywerequiteincompatiblewithwealthoranysortofintelligence。Asforthecreatureswhomhecalledhisdaughters，allMme。

Vauquer’sboarderswereofheropinion。Withthefacultyforseverelogicsedulouslycultivatedbyelderlywomenduringlongeveningsofgossiptilltheycanalwaysfindanhypothesistofitallcircumstances，shewaswonttoreasonthus：

“IfFatherGoriothaddaughtersofhisownasrichasthoseladieswhocamehereseemedtobe，hewouldnotbelodginginmyhouse，onthethirdfloor，atforty-fivefrancsamonth；andhewouldnotgoaboutdressedlikeapoorman。”

Noobjectioncouldberaisedtotheseinferences。SobytheendofthemonthofNovember1819，atthetimewhenthecurtainrisesonthisdrama，everyoneinthehousehadcometohaveaverydecidedopinionastothepooroldman。Hehadneverhadeitherwifeordaughter；excesseshadreducedhimtothissluggishcondition；hewasasortofhumanmolluskwhoshouldbeclassedamongthecapulidoe，sooneofthedinnercontingent，anemployeattheMuseum，whohadaprettywitofhisown。Poiretwasaneagle，agentleman，comparedwithGoriot。Poiretwouldjointhetalk，argue，answerwhenhewasspokento；asamatteroffact，histalk，arguments，andresponsescontributednothingtotheconversation，forPoirethadahabitofrepeatingwhattheotherssaidindifferentwords；still，hedidjoininthetalk；hewasalive，andseemedcapableoffeeling；whileFatherGoriot(toquotetheMuseumofficialagain)wasinvariablyatzero——Reaumur。

EugenedeRastignachadjustreturnedtoParisinastateofmindnotunknowntoyoungmenwhoareconsciousofunusualpowers，andtothosewhosefacultiesaresostimulatedbyadifficultposition，thatforthetimebeingtheyriseabovetheordinarylevel。

Rastignac’sfirstyearofstudyforthepreliminaryexaminationsinlawhadlefthimfreetoseethesightsofParisandtoenjoysomeofitsamusements。Astudenthasnotmuchtimeonhishandsifhesetshimselftolearntherepertoryofeverytheatre，andtostudytheinsandoutsofthelabyrinthofParis。Toknowitscustoms；tolearnthelanguage，andbecomefamiliarwiththeamusementsofthecapital，hemustexploreitsrecesses，goodandbad，followthestudiesthatpleasehimbest，andformsomeideaofthetreasurescontainedingalleriesandmuseums。

Atthisstageofhiscareerastudentgrowseagerandexcitedaboutallsortsoffolliesthatseemtohimtobeofimmenseimportance。Hehashishero，hisgreatman，aprofessorattheCollegedeFrance，paidtotalkdowntothelevelofhisaudience。Headjustshiscravat，andstrikesvariousattitudesforthebenefitofthewomeninthefirstgalleriesattheOpera-

Comique。Ashepassesthroughallthesesuccessiveinitiations，andbreaksoutofhissheath，thehorizonsoflifewidenaroundhim，andatlengthhegraspstheplanofsocietywiththedifferenthumanstrataofwhichitiscomposed。

IfhebeginsbyadmiringtheprocessionofcarriagesonsunnyafternoonsintheChamps-Elysees，hesoonreachesthefurtherstageofenvyingtheirowners。Unconsciously，EugenehadservedhisapprenticeshipbeforehewentbacktoAngoulemeforthelongvacationaftertakinghisdegreesasbachelorofartsandbacheloroflaw。Theillusionsofchildhoodhadvanished，soalsohadtheideashebroughtwithhimfromtheprovinces；hehadreturnedthitherwithanintelligencedeveloped，withloftierambitions，andsawthingsastheywereathomeintheoldmanorhouse。Hisfatherandmother，histwobrothersandtwosisters，withanagedaunt，whosewholefortuneconsistedinannuities，livedonthelittleestateofRastignac。Thewholepropertybroughtinaboutthreethousandfrancs；andthoughtheamountvariedwiththeseason(asmustalwaysbethecaseinavine-

growingdistrict)，theywereobligedtospareanunvaryingtwelvehundredfrancsoutoftheirincomeforhim。Hesawhowconstantlythepoverty，whichtheyhadgenerouslyhiddenfromhim，weigheduponthem；hecouldnothelpcomparingthesisters，whohadseemedsobeautifultohisboyisheyes，withwomeninParis，whohadrealizedthebeautyofhisdreams。Theuncertainfutureofthewholefamilydependeduponhim。Itdidnotescapehiseyesthatnotacrumbwaswastedinthehouse，northatthewinetheydrankwasmadefromthesecondpressing；amultitudeofsmallthings，whichitisuselesstospeakofindetailhere，madehimburntodistinguishhimself，andhisambitiontosucceedincreasedtenfold。

Hemeant，likeallgreatsouls，thathissuccessshouldbeowingentirelytohismerits；buthiswaspre-eminentlyasoutherntemperament，theexecutionofhisplanswassuretobemarredbythevertigothatseizesonyouthwhenyouthseesitselfaloneinawidesea，uncertainhowtospenditsenergies，whithertosteeritscourse，howtoadaptitssailstothewinds。Atfirsthedeterminedtoflinghimselfheartandsoulintohiswork，buthewasdivertedfromthispurposebytheneedofsocietyandconnections；thenhesawhowgreataninfluencewomenexertinsociallife，andsuddenlymadeuphismindtogooutintothisworldtoseekaprotectressthere。Surelyacleverandhigh-

spiritedyoungman，whosewitandcourageweresetofftoadvantagebyagracefulfigureandthevigorouskindofbeautythatreadilystrikesawoman’simagination，neednotdespairoffindingaprotectress。Theseideasoccurredtohiminhiscountrywalkswithhissisters，whomhehadoncejoinedsogaily。Thegirlsthoughthimverymuchchanged。

Hisaunt，Mme。deMarcillac，hadbeenpresentedatcourt，andhadmovedamongthebrightestheightsofthatloftyregion。Suddenlytheyoungman’sambitiondiscernedinthoserecollectionsofhers，whichhadbeenlikenurseryfairytalestohernephewsandnieces，theelementsofasocialsuccessatleastasimportantasthesuccesswhichhehadachievedattheEcoledeDroit。Hebegantoaskhisauntaboutthoserelations；someoftheoldtiesmightstillholdgood。Aftermuchshakingofthebranchesofthefamilytree，theoldladycametotheconclusionthatofallpersonswhocouldbeusefultohernephewamongtheselfishgenusofrichrelations，theVicomtessedeBeauseantwastheleastlikelytorefuse。Tothislady，therefore，shewroteintheold-fashionedstyle，recommendingEugenetoher；pointingouttohernephewthatifhesucceededinpleasingMme。deBeauseant，theVicomtessewouldintroducehimtootherrelations。AfewdaysafterhisreturntoParis，therefore，Rastignacsenthisaunt’slettertoMme。deBeauseant。TheVicomtesserepliedbyaninvitationtoaballforthefollowingevening。ThiswasthepositionofaffairsattheMaisonVauquerattheendofNovember1819。

Afewdayslater，afterMme。deBeauseant’sball，Eugenecameinattwoo’clockinthemorning。Theperseveringstudentmeanttomakeupforthelosttimebyworkinguntildaylight。Itwasthefirsttimethathehadattemptedtospendthenightinthiswayinthatsilentquarter。Thespellofafactitiousenergywasuponhim；hehadbeheldthepompandsplendoroftheworld。HehadnotdinedattheMaisonVauquer；theboardersprobablywouldthinkthathewouldwalkhomeatdaybreakfromthedance，ashehaddonesometimesonformeroccasions，afterafeteatthePrado，oraballattheOdeon，splashinghissilkstockingsthereby，andruininghispumps。

ItsohappenedthatChristophetookalookintothestreetbeforedrawingtheboltsofthedoor；andRastignac，cominginatthatmoment，couldgouptohisroomwithoutmakinganynoise，followedbyChristophe，whomadeagreatdeal。Eugeneexchangedhisdresssuitforashabbyovercoatandslippers，kindledafirewithsomeblocksofpatentfuel，andpreparedforhisnight’sworkinsuchasortthatthefaintsoundshemadeweredrownedbyChristophe’sheavytramponthestairs。

Eugenesatabsorbedinthoughtforafewmomentsbeforeplungingintohislawbooks。HehadjustbecomeawareofthefactthattheVicomtessedeBeauseantwasoneofthequeensoffashion，thatherhousewasthoughttobethepleasantestintheFaubourgSaint-Germain。Andnotonlyso，shewas，byrightofherfortune，andthenameshebore，oneofthemostconspicuousfiguresinthataristocraticworld。Thankstotheaunt，thankstoMme。deMarcillac’sletterofintroduction，thepoorstudenthadbeenkindlyreceivedinthathousebeforeheknewtheextentofthefavorthusshowntohim。Itwasalmostlikeapatentofnobilitytobeadmittedtothosegildedsalons；hehadappearedinthemostexclusivecircleinParis，andnowalldoorswereopenforhim。Eugenehadbeendazzledatfirstbythebrilliantassembly，andhadscarcelyexchangedafewwordswiththeVicomtesse；hehadbeencontenttosingleoutagoddessamongthisthrongofParisiandivinities，oneofthosewomenwhoaresuretoattractayoungman’sfancy。

TheComtesseAnastasiedeRestaudwastallandgracefullymade；

shehadoneoftheprettiestfiguresinParis。Imagineapairofgreatdarkeyes，amagnificentlymouldedhand，ashapelyfoot。

Therewasafieryenergyinhermovements；theMarquisdeRonquerolleshadcalledher“athoroughbred。”“apurepedigree。”

thesefiguresofspeechhavereplacedthe“heavenlyangel“andOssianicnomenclature；theoldmythologyofloveisextinct，doomedtoperishbymoderndandyism。ButforRastignac，Mme。