第4章

Theworldlaybeforehim。Histailorhadbeensummonedandsounded，andhadfinallysurrendered。WhenRastignacmetM。deTrailles，hehadseenatoncehowgreatapartthetailorplaysinayoungman’scareer；atailoriseitheradeadlyenemyorastaunchfriend，withaninvoiceforabondoffriendship；betweenthesetwoextremesthereis，alack！nomiddleterm。InthisrepresentativeofhiscraftEugenediscoveredamanwhounderstoodthathiswasasortofpaternalfunctionforyoungmenattheirentranceintolife，whoregardedhimselfasastepping-

stonebetweenayoungman’spresentandfuture。AndRastignacingratitudemadetheman’sfortunebyanepigramofakindinwhichheexcelledatalaterperiodofhislife。

“Ihavetwiceknownapairoftrousersturnedoutbyhimmakeamatchoftwentythousandlivresayear！“

Fifteenhundredfrancs，andasmanysuitsofclothesashechosetoorder！AtthatmomentthepoorchildoftheSouthfeltnomoredoubtsofanykind。Theyoungmanwentdowntobreakfastwiththeindefinableairwhichtheconsciousnessofthepossessionofmoneygivestoyouth。Nosoonerarethecoinsslippedintoastudent’spocketthanhiswealth，inimaginationatleast，ispiledintoafantasticcolumn，whichaffordshimamoralsupport。

Hebeginstoholduphisheadashewalks；heisconsciousthathehasameansofbringinghispowerstobearonagivenpoint；

helooksyoustraightintheface；hisgesturesarequickanddecided；onlyyesterdayhewasdiffidentandshy，anyonemighthavepushedhimaside；to-morrow，hewilltakethewallofaprimeminister。Amiraclehasbeenwroughtinhim。Nothingisbeyondthereachofhisambition，andhisambitionsoarsatrandom；heislight-hearted，generous，andenthusiastic；inshort，thefledglingbirdhasdiscoveredthathehaswings。A

poorstudentsnatchesateverychancepleasuremuchasadogrunsallsortsofriskstostealabone，crackingitandsuckingthemarrowashefliesfrompursuit；butayoungmanwhocanrattleafewrunawaygoldcoinsinhispocketcantakehispleasuredeliberately，cantastethewholeofthesweetsofsecurepossession；hesoarsfaraboveearth；hehasforgottenwhatthewordPOVERTYmeans；allParisishis。Thosearedayswhenthewholeworldshinesradiantwithlight，wheneverythingglowsandsparklesbeforetheeyesofyouth，daysthatbringjoyousenergythatisneverbroughtintoharness，daysofdebtsandofpainfulfearsthatgohandinhandwitheverydelight。ThosewhodonotknowtheleftbankoftheSeinebetweentheRueSaint-JacquesandtheRuedesSaints-Peresknownothingoflife。

“Ah！ifthewomenofParisbutknew。”saidRastignac，ashedevouredMme。Vauquer’sstewedpears(atfiveforapenny)，“theywouldcomehereinsearchofalover。”

JustthenaporterfromtheMessageriesRoyalesappearedatthedooroftheroom；theyhadpreviouslyheardthebellringasthewicketopenedtoadmithim。ThemanaskedforM。EugenedeRastignac，holdingouttwobagsforhimtotake，andaformofreceiptforhissignature。Vautrin’skeenglancecutEugenelikealash。

“Nowyouwillbeabletopayforthosefencinglessonsandgototheshootinggallery。”hesaid。

“Yourshiphascomein。”saidMme。Vauquer，eyeingthebags。

Mlle。Michonneaudidnotdaretolookatthemoney，forfearhereyesshouldbetrayhercupidity。

“Youhaveakindmother。”saidMme。Couture。

“Youhaveakindmother，sir。”echoedPoiret。

“Yes，mammahasbeendraineddry。”saidVautrin，“andnowyoucanhaveyourfling，gointosociety，andfishforheiresses，anddancewithcountesseswhohavepeachblossomintheirhair。Buttakemyadvice，youngman，anddon’tneglectyourpistolpractice。”

Vautrinstruckanattitude，asifhewerefacinganantagonist。

Rastignac，meaningtogivetheporteratip，feltinhispocketsandfoundnothing。Vautrinflungdownafrancpieceonthetable。

“Yourcreditisgood。”heremarked，eyeingthestudent，andRastignacwasforcedtothankhim，though，sincethesharpencounterofwitsatdinnerthatday，afterEugenecameinfromcallingonMme。deBeauseant，hehadmadeuphismindthatVautrinwasinsufferable。Foraweek，infact，theyhadbothkeptsilenceineachother’spresence，andwatchedeachother。Thestudenttriedinvaintoaccounttohimselfforthisattitude。

Anidea，ofcourse，gainsinforcebytheenergywithwhichitisexpressed；itstrikeswherethebrainsendsit，byalawasmathematicallyexactasthelawthatdeterminesthecourseofashellfromamortar。Theamountofimpressionitmakesisnottobedeterminedsoexactly。Sometimes，inanimpressiblenature，theideaworkshavoc，butthereare，noless，naturessorobustlyprotected，thatthissortofprojectilefallsflatandharmlessonskullsoftriplebrass，ascannon-shotagainstsolidmasonry；

thenthereareflaccidandspongy-fibrednaturesintowhichideasfromwithoutsinklikespentbulletsintotheearthworksofaredoubt。Rastignac’sheadwassomethingofthepowder-magazineorder；theleastshocksufficedtobringaboutanexplosion。Hewastooquick，tooyoung，nottobereadilyaccessibletoideas；

andopentothatsubtleinfluenceofthoughtandfeelinginotherswhichcausessomanystrangephenomenathatmakeanimpressionuponusofwhichweareallunconsciousatthetime。

Nothingescapedhismentalvision；hewaslynx-eyed；inhimthementalpowersofperception，whichseemlikeduplicatesofthesenses，hadthemysteriouspowerofswiftprojectionthatastonishesusinintellectsofahighorder——slingerswhoarequicktodetecttheweakspotinanyarmor。

InthepastmonthEugene’sgoodqualitiesanddefectshadrapidlydevelopedwithhischaracter。Intercoursewiththeworldandtheendeavortosatisfyhisgrowingdesireshadbroughtouthisdefects。ButRastignaccamefromtheSouthsideoftheLoire，andhadthegoodqualitiesofhiscountrymen。HehadtheimpetuouscourageoftheSouth，thatrushestotheattackofadifficulty，aswellasthesouthernimpatienceofdelayorsuspense。ThesetraitsareheldtobedefectsintheNorth；theymadethefortuneofMurat，buttheylikewisecutshorthiscareer。ThemoralwouldappeartobethatwhenthedashandboldnessoftheSouthsideoftheLoiremeets，inasoutherntemperament，withtheguileoftheNorth，thecharacteriscomplete，andsuchamanwillgain(andkeep)thecrownofSweden。

Rastignac，therefore，couldnotstandthefirefromVautrin’sbatteriesforlongwithoutdiscoveringwhetherthiswasafriendorafoe。Hefeltasifthisstrangebeingwasreadinghisinmostsoul，anddissectinghisfeelings，whileVautrinhimselfwassocloseandsecretivethatheseemedtohavesomethingoftheprofoundandunmovedserenityofasphinx，seeingandhearingallthingsandsayingnothing。Eugene，consciousofthatmoneyinhispocket，grewrebellious。

“Besogoodastowaitamoment。”hesaidtoVautrin，asthelatterrose，afterslowlyemptyinghiscoffee-cup，sipbysip。

“Whatfor？“inquiredtheolderman，asheputonhislarge-

brimmedhatandtookupthesword-canethathewaswonttotwirllikeamanwhowillfacethreeorfourfootpadswithoutflinching。

“Iwillrepayyouinaminute。”returnedEugene。Heunsealedoneofthebagsashespoke，countedoutahundredandfortyfrancs，andpushedthemtowardsMme。Vauquer。“Shortreckoningsmakegoodfriends“headded，turningtothewidow；“thatclearsouraccountstilltheendoftheyear。Canyougivemechangeforafive-francpiece？“

“Goodfriendsmakeshortreckonings。”echoedPoiret，withaglanceatVautrin。

“Hereisyourfranc。”saidRastignac，holdingoutthecointothesphinxintheblackwig。

“Anyonemightthinkthatyouwereafraidtoowemeatrifle。”

exclaimedthislatter，withasearchingglancethatseemedtoreadtheyoungman’sinmostthoughts；therewasasatiricalandcynicalsmileonVautrin’sfacesuchasEugenehadseenscoresoftimesalready；everytimehesawit，itexasperatedhimalmostbeyondendurance。

“Well……soIam。”heanswered。Heheldboththebagsinhishand，andhadrisentogouptohisroom。

Vautrinmadeasifheweregoingoutthroughthesitting-room，andthestudentturnedtogothroughtheseconddoorthatopenedintothesquarelobbyatthefootofthestaircase。

“Doyouknow，MonsieurleMarquisdeRastignacorama，thatwhatyouweresayingjustnowwasnotexactlypolite？“Vautrinremarked，asherattledhissword-caneacrossthepanelsofthesitting-roomdoor，andcameuptothestudent。

RastignaclookedcoollyatVautrin，drewhimtothefootofthestaircase，andshutthedining-roomdoor。Theywerestandinginthelittlesquarelobbybetweenthekitchenandthedining-room；

theplacewaslightedbyaniron-barredfanlightaboveadoorthatgaveaccessintothegarden。Sylviecameoutofherkitchen，andEugenechosethatmomenttosay：

MONSIEURVautrin，Iamnotamarquis，andmynameisnotRastignacorama。”

“Theywillfight。”saidMlle。Michonneau，inanindifferenttone。

“Fight！“echoedPoiret。

“Notthey。”repliedMme。Vauquer，lovinglyfingeringherpileofcoins。

“Buttheretheyareunderthelime-trees。”criedMlle。Victorine，whohadrisensothatshemightseeoutintothegarden。“Pooryoungman！hewasintheright，afterall。”

“Wemustgoupstairs，mypet。”saidMme。Couture；“itisnobusinessofours。”

Atthedoor，however，Mme。CoutureandVictorinefoundtheirprogressbarredbytheportlyformofSylviethecook。

“Whatevercanhavehappened？“shesaid。“M。VautrinsaidtoM。

Eugene，’Letushaveanexplanation！’thenhetookhimbythearm，andtheretheyare，outamongtheartichokes。”

Vautrincameinwhileshewasspeaking。“MammaVauquer。”hesaidsmiling，“don’tfrightenyourselfatall。Iamonlygoingtotrymypistolsunderthelime-trees。”

“Oh！monsieur。”criedVictorine，claspingherhandsasshespoke，“whydoyouwanttokillM。Eugene？“

Vautrinsteppedbackapaceortwo，andgazedatVictorine。

“Oh！thisissomethingfresh！“heexclaimedinabanteringtone，thatbroughtthecolorintothepoorgirl’sface。“Thatyoungfellowyonderisverynice，isn’the？“hewenton。“Youhavegivenmeanotion，myprettychild；Iwillmakeyoubothhappy。”

Mme。Couturelaidherhandonthearmofherward，anddrewthegirlaway，asshesaidinherear：

“Why，Victorine，Icannotimaginewhathascomeoveryouthismorning。”

“Idon’twantanyshotsfiredinmygarden。”saidMme。Vauquer。

“Youwillfrightentheneighborhoodandbringthepoliceuphereallinamoment。”

“Come，keepcool，MammaVauquer。”answeredVautrin。“There，there；it’sallright；wewillgototheshooting-gallery。”

HewentbacktoRastignac，layinghishandfamiliarlyontheyoungman’sarm。

“WhenIhavegivenyouoculardemonstrationofthefactthatI

canputabulletthroughtheaceonacardfivetimesrunningatthirty-fivepaces。”hesaid，“thatwon’ttakeawayyourappetite，Isuppose？Youlooktometobeinclinedtobeatriflequarrelsomethismorning，andasifyouwouldrushonyourdeathlikeablockhead。”

“Doyoudrawback？“askedEugene。

“Don’ttrytoraisemytemperature。”answeredVautrin，“itisnotcoldthismorning。Letusgoandsitoverthere。”headded，pointingtothegreen-paintedgardenseats；“noonecanoverhearus。Iwantalittletalkwithyou。Youarenotabadsortofyoungster，andIhavenoquarrelwithyou。Ilikeyou，takeTrump——(confoundit！)——takeVautrin’swordforit。Whatmakesmelikeyou？Iwilltellyouby-and-by。Meantime，IcantellyouthatIknowyouaswellasifIhadmadeyoumyself，asIwillprovetoyouinaminute。Putdownyourbags。”hecontinued，pointingtotheroundtable。

Rastignacdepositedhismoneyonthetable，andsatdown。Hewasconsumedwithcuriosity，whichthesuddenchangeinthemannerofthemanbeforehimhadexcitedtothehighestpitch。Herewasastrangebeingwho，amomentago，hadtalkedofkillinghim，andnowposedashisprotector。

“YouwouldliketoknowwhoIreallyam，whatIwas，andwhatI

donow。”Vautrinwenton。“Youwanttoknowtoomuch，youngster。

Come！come！keepcool！Youwillhearmoreastonishingthingsthanthat。Ihavehadmymisfortunes。Justhearmeoutfirst，andyoushallhaveyourturnafterwards。Hereismypastinthreewords。

WhoamI？Vautrin。WhatdoIdo？JustwhatIplease。Letuschangethesubject。Youwanttoknowmycharacter。Iamgood-

naturedtothosewhodomeagoodturn，ortothosewhoseheartsspeaktomine。Theselastmaydoanythingtheylikewithme；theymaybruisemyshins，andIshallnottellthemto’mindwhattheyareabout’；but，nomd’unepipe，thedevilhimselfisnotanugliercustomerthanIcanbeifpeopleannoyme，orifIdon’thappentotaketothem；andyoumayjustaswellknowatoncethatIthinknomoreofkillingamanthanofthat。”andhespatbeforehimashespoke。“Onlywhenitisabsolutelynecessarytodoso，Idomybesttokillhimproperly。Iamwhatyoucallanartist。IhavereadBenvenutoCellini’sMemoirs，suchasyouseeme；and，whatismore，inItalian：Afine-spiritedfellowhewas！

FromhimIlearnedtofollowtheexamplesetusbyProvidence，whostrikesusdownatrandom，andtoadmirethebeautifulwheneverandwhereveritisfound。And，settingotherquestionsaside，isitnotagloriousparttoplay，whenyoupityourselfagainstmankind，andtheluckisonyourside？IhavethoughtagooddealabouttheconstitutionofyourpresentsocialDis-

order。Aduelisdownrightchildish，myboy！utternonsenseandfolly！Whenoneoftwolivingmenmustbegotoutoftheway，nonebutanidiotwouldleavechancetodecidewhichitistobe；

andinaduelitisatoss-up——headsortails——andthereyouare！

NowI，forinstance，canhittheaceinthemiddleofacardfivetimesrunning，sendonebulletafteranotherthroughthesamehole，andatthirty-fivepaces，moreover！Withthatlittleaccomplishmentyoumightthinkyourselfcertainofkillingyourman，mightn’tyou。Well，Ihavefired，attwentypaces，andmissed，andtheroguewhohadneverhandledapistolinhislife——

lookhere！“——(heunbuttonedhiswaistcoatandexposedhischest，covered，likeabear’sback，withashaggyfell；thestudentgaveastartledshudder)——“hewasarawlad，buthemadehismarkonme。”theextraordinarymanwenton，drawingRastignac’sfingersoveradeepscaronhisbreast。ButthathappenedwhenImyselfwasamereboy；Iwasone-and-twentythen(yourage)，andIhadsomebeliefsleft——inawoman’slove，andinapackofrubbishthatyouwillbeoverheadandearsindirectly。YouandIweretohavefoughtjustnow，weren’twe？Youmighthavekilledme。

SupposethatIwereputundertheearth，wherewouldyoube？Youwouldhavetoclearoutofthis，gotoSwitzerland，drawonpapa’spurse——andhehasnonetoomuchinitasitis。Imeantoopenyoureyestoyourrealposition，thatiswhatIamgoingtodo：butIshalldoitfromthepointofviewofamanwho，afterstudyingtheworldveryclosely，seesthattherearebuttwoalternatives——stupidobedienceorrevolt。Iobeynobody；isthatclear？Now，doyouknowhowmuchyouwillwantatthepaceyouaregoing？Amillion；andpromptly，too，orthatlittleheadofourswillbeswayingtoandfrointhedrag-netsatSaint-Cloud，whilewearegonetofindoutwhetherornothereisaSupremeBeing。Iwillputyouinthewayofthatmillion。”

HestoppedforamomentandlookedatEugene。

“Aha！youdonotlooksosourlyatpapaVautrinnow！Atthementionofthemillionyoulooklikeayounggirlwhensomebodyhassaid，’Iwillcomeforyouthisevening！’andshebetakesherselftohertoiletteasacatlicksitswhiskersoverasaucerofmilk。Allright。Come，now，letusgointothequestion，youngman；allbetweenourselves，youknow。Wehaveapapaandmammadownyonder，agreat-aunt，twosisters(agedeighteenandseventeen)，twoyoungbrothers(onefifteen，andtheotherten)，thatisabouttheroll-callofthecrew。Theauntbringsupthetwosisters；thecurecomesandteachestheboysLatin。Boiledchestnutsareofteneronthetablethanwhitebread。Papamakesasuitofclotheslastalongwhile；ifmammahasadifferentdresswinterandsummer，itisaboutasmuchasshehas；thesistersmanageasbesttheycan。Iknowallaboutit；Ihavelivedinthesouth。

“Thatishowthingsareathome。Theysendyoutwelvehundredfrancsayear，andthewholepropertyonlybringsinthreethousandfrancsalltold。Wehaveacookandamanservant；papaisabaron，andwemustkeepupappearances。Thenwehaveourambitions；weareconnectedwiththeBeauseants，andwegoafootthroughthestreets；wewanttoberich，andwehavenotapenny；

weeatMme。Vauquer’smesses，andwelikegranddinnersintheFaubourgSaint-Germain；wesleeponatruckle-bed，anddreamofamansion！Idonotblameyouforwantingthesethings。Whatsortofmendothewomenrunafter？Menofambition。Menofambitionhavestrongerframes，theirbloodisricheriniron，theirheartsarewarmerthanthoseofordinarymen。Womenfeelthatwhentheirpowerisgreatest，theylooktheirbest，andthatthosearetheirhappiesthours；theylikepowerinmen，andpreferthestrongestevenifitisapowerthatmaybetheirowndestruction。Iamgoingtomakeaninventoryofyourdesiresinordertoputthequestionatissuebeforeyou。Hereitis：——

“Weareashungryasawolf，andthosenewly-cutteethofoursaresharp；whatarewetodotokeepthepotboiling？Inthefirstplace，wehavetheCodetobrowseupon；itisnotamusing，andwearenonethewiserforit，butthatcannotbehelped。Sofarsogood。WemeantomakeanadvocateofourselveswithaprospectofonedaybeingmadePresidentofaCourtofAssize，whenweshallsendpoordevils，ourbetters，tothegalleyswithaT。F。*[*Travauxforces。]ontheirshoulders，sothattherichmaybeconvincedthattheycansleepinpeace。Thereisnofuninthat；andyouarealongwhilecomingtoit；for，tobeginwith，therearetwoyearsofnauseousdrudgeryinParis，weseeallthelollipopsthatwelongforoutofourreach。Itistiresometowantthingsandnevertohavethem。Ifyouwereapallidcreatureofthemolluskorder，youwouldhavenothingtofear，butitisdifferentwhenyouhavethehotbloodofalionandarereadytogetintoascoreofscrapeseverydayofyourlife。ThisistheghastliestformoftortureknowninthisinfernoofGod’smaking，andyouwillgiveintoit。Orsupposethatyouareagoodboy，drinknothingstrongerthanmilk，andbemoanyourhardlot；you，withyourgenerousnature，willendurehardshipsthatwoulddriveadogmad，andmakeastart，afterlongwaiting，asdeputytosomerascalorotherinaholeofaplacewheretheGovernmentwillflingyouathousandfrancsayearlikethescrapsthatarethrowntothebutcher’sdog。Barkatthieves，pleadthecauseoftherich，sendmenofhearttotheguillotine，thatisyourwork！

Manythanks！Ifyouhavenoinfluence，youmayrotinyourprovincialtribunal。AtthirtyyouwillbeaJusticewithtwelvehundredfrancsayear(ifyouhavenotflungoffthegownforgoodbeforethen)。Bythetimeyouarefortyyoumaylooktomarryamiller’sdaughter，anheiresswithsomesixthousandlivresayear。Muchobliged！Ifyouhaveinfluence，youmaypossiblybeaPublicProsecutorbythetimeyouarethirty；withasalaryofathousandcrowns，youcouldlooktomarrythemayor’sdaughter。Somepettypieceofpoliticaltrickery，suchasmistakingVilleleforManuelinabulletin(thenamesrhyme，andthatquietsyourconscience)，andyouwillprobablybeaProcureurGeneralbythetimeyouareforty，withachanceofbecomingadeputy。Pleasetoobserve，mydearboy，thatourconsciencewillhavebeenalittledamagedintheprocess，andthatweshallenduretwentyyearsofdrudgeryandhiddenpoverty，andthatoursistersarewearingDian’slivery。Ihavethehonortocallyourattentiontoanotherfact：towit，thattherearebuttwentyProcureursGenerauxatatimeinallFrance，whiletherearesometwentythousandofyouyoungmenwhoaspiretothatelevatedposition；thattherearesomemountebanksamongyouwhowouldselltheirfamilytoscrewtheirfortunesapeghigher。

Ifthissortofthingsickensyou，tryanothercourse。TheBarondeRastignacthinksofbecominganadvocate，doeshe？There’saniceprospectforyou！Tenyearsofdrudgerystraightaway。Youareobligedtoliveattherateofathousandfrancsamonth；youmusthavealibraryoflawbooks，liveinchambers，gointosociety，godownonyourkneestoaskasolicitorforbriefs，lickthedustoffthefloorofthePalaisdeJustice。Ifthiskindofbusinessledtoanything，Ishouldnotsayno；butjustgivemethenamesoffiveadvocateshereinPariswhobythetimethattheyarefiftyaremakingfiftythousandfrancsayear！Bah！

Iwouldsoonerturnpirateonthehighseasthanhavemysoulshrivelupinsidemelikethat。Howwillyoufindthecapital？

Thereisbutoneway，marryawomanwhohasmoney。Thereisnofuninit。Haveyouamindtomarry？Youhangastonearoundyourneck；forifyoumarryformoney，whatbecomesofourexaltednotionsofhonorandsoforth？Youmightaswellflyinthefaceofsocialconventionsatonce。Isitnothingtocrawllikeaserpentbeforeyourwife，tolickhermother’sfeet，todescendtodirtyactionsthatwouldsickenswine——faugh！——nevermindifyouatleastmakeyourfortune。Butyouwillbeasdolefulasadripstoneifyoumarryformoney。Itisbettertowrestlewithmenthantowrangleathomewithyourwife。Youareatthecrosswayoftheroadsoflife，myboy；chooseyourway。

“Butyouhavechosenalready。YouhavegonetoseeyourcousinofBeauseant，andyouhavehadaninklingofluxury；youhavebeentoMme。deRestaud’shouse，andinFatherGoriot’sdaughteryouhaveseenaglimpseoftheParisienneforthefirsttime。Thatdayyoucamebackwithawordwrittenonyourforehead。Iknewit，Icouldreadit——’SUCCESS！’Yes，successatanyprice。

’Bravo，’saidItomyself，’hereisthesortoffellowforme。’

Youwantedmoney。Wherewasitalltocomefrom？Youhavedrainedyoursisters’littlehoard(allbrothersspongemoreorlessontheirsisters)。Thosefifteenhundredfrancsofyours(gottogether，Godknowshow！inacountrywheretherearemorechestnutsthanfive-francpieces)willslipawaylikesoldiersafterpillage。And，then，whatwillyoudo？Shallyoubegintowork？Work，orwhatyouunderstandbyworkatthismoment，means，foramanofPoiret’scalibre，anoldageinMammaVauquer’slodging-house。Therearefiftythousandyoungmeninyourpositionatthismoment，allbentasyouareonsolvingoneandthesameproblem——howtoacquireafortunerapidly。Youarebutaunitinthataggregate。Youcanguess，therefore，whateffortsyoumustmake，howdesperatethestruggleis。Therearenotfiftythousandgoodpositionsforyou；youmustfightanddevouroneanotherlikespidersinapot。Doyouknowhowamanmakeshiswayhere？Bybrilliantgeniusorbyskilfulcorruption。Youmusteithercutyourwaythroughthesemassesofmenlikeacannonball，orstealamongthemlikeaplague。Honestyisnothingtothepurpose。Menbowbeforethepowerofgenius；theyhateit，andtrytoslanderit，becausegeniusdoesnotdividethespoil；

butifgeniuspersists，theybowbeforeit。Tosumitallupinaphrase，iftheyfailtosmothergeniusinthemud，theyfallontheirkneesandworshipit。Corruptionisagreatpowerintheworld，andtalentisscarce。Socorruptionistheweaponofsuperfluousmediocrity；youwillbemadetofeelthepointofiteverywhere。Youwillseewomenwhospendmorethantenthousandfrancsayearondress，whiletheirhusband’ssalary(hiswholeincome)issixthousandfrancs。Youwillseeofficialsbuyingestatesontwelvethousandfrancsayear。YouwillseewomenwhosellthemselvesbodyandsoultodriveinacarriagebelongingtothesonofapeerofFrance，whohasarighttodriveinthemiddlerankatLongchamp。YouhaveseenthatpoorsimpletonofaGoriotobligedtomeetabillwithhisdaughter’snameatthebackofit，thoughherhusbandhasfiftythousandfrancsayear。

IdefyyoutowalkacoupleofyardsanywhereinPariswithoutstumblingonsomeinfernalcomplication。I’llbetmyheadtoaheadofthatsaladthatyouwillstirupahornet’snestbytakingafancytothefirstyoung，rich，andprettywomanyoumeet。Theyarealldodgingthelaw，allatloggerheadswiththeirhusbands。IfIweretobegintotellyouallthatvanityornecessity(virtueisnotoftenmixedupinit，youmaybesure)，allthatvanityandnecessitydrivethemtodoforlovers，finery，housekeeping，orchildren，Ishouldnevercometoanend。

Soanhonestmanisthecommonenemy。

“Butdoyouknowwhatanhonestmanis？Here，inParis，anhonestmanisthemanwhokeepshisowncounsel，andwillnotdividetheplunder。Iamnotspeakingnowofthosepoorbond-slaveswhodotheworkoftheworldwithoutarewardfortheirtoil——GodAlmighty’soutcasts，Icallthem。Amongthem，Igrantyou，isvirtueinalltheflowerofitsstupidity，butpovertyisnolesstheirportion。Atthismoment，IthinkIseethelongfacesthosegoodfolkwouldpullifGodplayedapracticaljokeonthemandstayedawayattheLastJudgment。

“Well，then，ifyoumeantomakeafortunequickly，youmusteitherberichtobeginwith，ormakepeoplebelievethatyouarerich。Itisnouseplayinghereexceptforhighstakes；oncetaketolowplay，itisallupwithyou。Ifinthescoresofprofessionsthatareopentoyou，therearetenmenwhoriseveryrapidly，peoplearesuretocallthemthieves。Youcandrawyourownconclusions。Suchislife。Itisnocleanerthanakitchen；

itreekslikeakitchen；andifyoumeantocookyourdinner，youmustexpecttosoilyourhands；therealartisingettingthemcleanagain，andthereinliesthewholemoralityofourepoch。IfItakethistoneinspeakingoftheworldtoyou，Ihavetherighttodoso；Iknowitwell。DoyouthinkthatIamblamingit？Farfromit；theworldhasalwaysbeenasitisnow。

Moralists’strictureswillneverchangeit。Mankindarenotperfect，butoneageismoreorlesshypocriticalthananother，andthensimpletonssaythatitsmoralityishighorlow。Idonotthinkthattherichareanyworsethanthepoor；manismuchthesame，highorlow，orwhereverheis。Inamillionofthesehumancattletheremaybehalfascoreofboldspiritswhoriseabovetherest，abovethelaws；Iamoneofthem。Andyou，ifyouareclevererthanyourfellows，makestraighttoyourend，andholdyourheadhigh。Butyoumustlayyouraccountwithenvyandslanderandmediocrity，andeveryman’shandwillbeagainstyou。

NapoleonmetwithaMinisterofWar，Aubrybyname，whoallbutsenthimtothecolonies。

“Feelyourpulse。Thinkwhetheryoucangetupmorningaftermorning，strengthenedinyesterday’spurpose。InthatcaseIwillmakeyouanofferthatnoonewoulddecline。Listenattentively。

Yousee，Ihaveanideaofmyown。Myideaistoliveapatriarchallifeonavastestate，sayahundredthousandacres，somewhereintheSouthernStatesofAmerica。Imeantobeaplanter，tohaveslaves，tomakeafewsnugmillionsbysellingmycattle，timber，andtobacco；Iwanttoliveanabsolutemonarch，andtodojustasIplease；toleadsuchalifeasnoonehereinthesesqualiddensoflathandplastereverimagines。

Iamagreatpoet；Idonotwritemypoems，Ifeelthem，andactthem。AtthismomentIhavefiftythousandfrancs，whichmightpossiblybuyfortynegroes。Iwanttwohundredthousandfrancs，becauseIwanttohavetwohundrednegroestocarryoutmynotionsofthepatriarachallifeproperly。Negroes，yousee，arelikeasortoffamilyreadygrown，andtherearenoinquisitivepublicprosecutorsouttheretointerferewithyou。Thatinvestmentinebonyoughttomeanthreeorfourmillionfrancsintenyears’time。IfIamsuccessful，noonewillaskmewhoI

am。IshallbeMr。FourMillions，anAmericancitizen。Ishallbefiftyyearsoldbythen，andsoundandheartystill；Ishallenjoylifeaftermyownfashion。Intwowords，ifIfindyouanheiresswithamillion，willyougivemetwohundredthousandfrancs？Twentypercentcommission，eh？Isthattoomuch？Yourlittlewifewillbeverymuchinlovewithyou。Oncemarried，youwillshowsignsofuneasinessandremorse；foracoupleofweeksyouwillbedepressed。Then，somenightaftersundrygrimacings，comestheconfession，betweentwokisses，’Twohundredthousandfrancsofdebts，mydarling！’ThissortoffarceisplayedeverydayinParis，andbyyoungmenofthehighestfashion。Whenayoungwifehasgivenherheart，shewillnotrefuseherpurse。

Perhapsyouarethinkingthatyouwilllosethemoneyforgood？

Notyou。Youwillmaketwohundredthousandfrancsagainbysomestrokeofbusiness。Withyourcapitalandyourbrainsyoushouldbeabletoaccumulateaslargeafortuneasyoucouldwish。ERGO，insixmonthsyouwillhavemadeyourownfortune，andouroldfriendVautrin’s，andmadeanamiablewomanveryhappy，tosaynothingofyourpeopleathome，whomustblowontheirfingerstowarmthem，inthewinter，forlackoffirewood。Youneednotbesurprisedatmyproposal，noratthedemandImake。Forty-sevenoutofeverysixtygreatmatcheshereinParisaremadeafterjustsuchabargainasthis。TheChamberofNotariescompelsmygentlemanto——“

“WhatmustIdo？“saidRastignac，eagerlyinterruptingVautrin’sspeech。

“Nexttonothing。”returnedtheother，withaslightinvoluntarymovement，thesuppressedexultationoftheanglerwhenhefeelsabiteattheendofhisline。“Followmecarefully！Theheartofagirlwhoselifeiswretchedandunhappyisaspongethatwillthirstilyabsorblove；adryspongethatswellsatthefirstdropofsentiment。Ifyoupaycourttoayounggirlwhoseexistenceisacompoundofloneliness，despair，andpoverty，andwhohasnosuspicionthatshewillcomeintoafortune，goodLord！itisquintandquatorzeatpiquet；itisknowingthenumbersofthelotterybefore-hand；itisspeculatinginthefundswhenyouhavenewsfromasuresource；itisbuildingupamarriageonanindestructiblefoundation。Thegirlmaycomeinformillions，andshewillflingthem，asiftheyweresomanypebbles，atyourfeet。’Takeit，mybeloved！Takeit，Alfred，Adolphe，Eugene！’orwhoeveritwasthatshowedhissensebysacrificinghimselfforher。Andasforsacrificinghimself，thisishowIunderstandit。

Yousellacoatthatisgettingshabby，sothatyoucantakehertotheCadranbleu，treathertomushroomsontoast，andthengototheAmbigu-Comiqueintheevening；youpawnyourwatchtobuyherashawl。Ineednotremindyouofthefiddle-faddlesentimentalitythatgoesdownsowellwithallwomen；youspillafewdropsofwateronyourstationery，forinstance；thosearethetearsyoushedwhilefarawayfromher。Youlooktomeasifyouwereperfectlyacquaintedwiththeargotoftheheart。Paris，yousee，islikeaforestintheNewWorld，whereyouhavetodealwithascoreofvarietiesofsavages——IllinoisandHurons，wholiveontheproceedoftheirsocialhunting。Youareahunterofmillions；yousetyoursnares；youuseluresandnets；therearemanywaysofhunting。Somehuntheiresses，othersalegacy；

somefishforsouls，yetothersselltheirclients，boundhandandfoot。Everyonewhocomesbackfromthechasewithhisgame-

bagwellfilledmeetswithawarmwelcomeingoodsociety。Injusticetothishospitablepartoftheworld，itmustbesaidthatyouhavetodowiththemosteasyandgood-naturedofgreatcities。IftheproudaristocraciesoftherestofEuroperefuseadmittanceamongtheirrankstoadisreputablemillionaire，Parisstretchesoutahandtohim，goestohisbanquets，eatshisdinners，andhobnobswithhisinfamy。”

“Butwhereissuchagirltobefound？“askedEugene。

“Underyoureyes；sheisyoursalready。”

“Mlle。Victorine？“

“Precisely。”

“Andwhatwasthatyousaid？“

“Sheisinlovewithyoualready，yourlittleBaronnedeRastignac！“

“Shehasnotapenny。”Eugenecontinued，muchmystified。

“Ah！nowwearecomingtoit！Justanotherwordortwo，anditwillallbeclearenough。Herfather，Taillefer，isanoldscoundrel；itissaidthathemurderedoneofhisfriendsatthetimeoftheRevolution。Heisoneofyourcomediansthatsetsuptohaveopinionsofhisown。Heisabanker——seniorpartnerinthehouseofFredericTailleferandCompany。Hehasoneson，andmeanstoleaveallhehastotheboy，totheprejudiceofVictorine。Formypart，Idon’tliketoseeinjusticeofthissort。IamlikeDonQuixote，Ihaveafancyfordefendingtheweakagainstthestrong。IfitshouldpleaseGodtotakethatyouthawayfromhim，Tailleferwouldhaveonlyhisdaughterleft；

hewouldwanttoleavehismoneytosomeoneorother；anabsurdnotion，butitisonlyhumannature，andheisnotlikelytohaveanymorechildren，asIknow。Victorineisgentleandamiable；

shewillsoontwistherfatherroundherfingers，andsethisheadspinninglikeaGermantopbyplyinghimwithsentiment！Shewillbetoomuchtouchedbyyourdevotiontoforgetyou；youwillmarryher。ImeantoplayProvidenceforyou，andProvidenceistodomywill。IhaveafriendwhomIhaveattachedcloselytomyself，acolonelintheArmyoftheLoire，whohasjustbeentransferredintothegarderoyale。Hehastakenmyadviceandturnedultra-royalist；heisnotoneofthosefoolswhoneverchangetheiropinions。Ofallpiecesofadvice，mycherub，I

wouldgiveyouthis——don’tsticktoyouropinionsanymorethantoyourwords。Ifanyoneasksyouforthem，lethimhavethem——

ataprice。Amanwhoprideshimselfongoinginastraightlinethroughlifeisanidiotwhobelievesininfallibility。Therearenosuchthingsasprinciples；thereareonlyevents，andtherearenolawsbutthoseofexpediency：amanoftalentacceptseventsandthecircumstancesinwhichhefindshimself，andturnseverythingtohisownends。Iflawsandprincipleswerefixedandinvariable，nationswouldnotchangethemasreadilyaswechangeourshirts。Theindividualisnotobligedtobemoreparticularthanthenation。AmanwhoseservicestoFrancehavebeenoftheveryslightestisafetichlookedonwithsuperstitiousawebecausehehasalwaysseeneverythinginred；butheisgood，atthemost，tobeputintotheMuseumofArtsandCrafts，amongtheautomaticmachines，andlabeledLaFayette；whiletheprinceatwhomeverybodyflingsastone，themanwhodespiseshumanitysomuchthathespitsasmanyoathsasheisaskedforinthefaceofhumanity，savedFrancefrombeingtorninpiecesattheCongressofVienna；andtheywhoshouldhavegivenhimlaurelsflingmudathim。Oh！Iknowsomethingofaffairs，Icantellyou；Ihavethesecretsofmanymen！Enough。WhenIfindthreemindsinagreementastotheapplicationofaprinciple，Ishallhaveafixedandimmovableopinion——Ishallhavetowaitalongwhilefirst。IntheTribunalsyouwillnotfindthreejudgesofthesameopiniononasinglepointoflaw。ToreturntothemanI

wastellingyouof。HewouldcrucifyJesusChristagain，ifI

badehim。AtawordfromhisoldchumVautrinhewillpickaquarrelwithascampthatwillnotsendsomuchasfivefrancstohissister，poorgirl，and“(hereVautrinrosetohisfeetandstoodlikeafencing-masterabouttolunge)——“turnhimoffintothedark！“headded。

“Howfrightful！“saidEugene。“Youdonotreallymeanit？M。

Vautrin，youarejoking！“

“There！there！Keepcool！“saidtheother。“Don’tbehavelikeababy。Butifyoufindanyamusementinit，beindignant，flareup！SaythatIamascoundrel，arascal，arogue，abandit；butdonotcallmeablacklegnoraspy！There，outwithit，fireaway！Iforgiveyou；itisquitenaturalatyourage。Iwaslikethatmyselfonce。Onlyrememberthis，youwilldoworsethingsyourselfsomeday。Youwillflirtwithsomeprettywomanandtakehermoney。Youhavethoughtofthat，ofcourse。”saidVautrin，“forhowareyoutosucceedunlessloveislaidundercontribution？Therearenotwowaysaboutvirtue，mydearstudent；iteitheris，oritisnot。Talkofdoingpenanceforyoursins！Itisanicesystemofbusiness，whenyoupayforyourcrimebyanactofcontrition！Youseduceawomanthatyoumaysetyourfootonsuchandsucharungofthesocialladder；yousowdissensionamongthechildrenofafamily；youdescend，inshort，toeverybaseactionthatcanbecommittedathomeorabroad，togainyourownendsforyourownpleasureoryourprofit；andcanyouimaginethattheseareactsoffaith，hope，orcharity？Howisitthatadandy，whoinanighthasrobbedaboyofhalfhisfortune，getsonlyacoupleofmonthsinprison；

whileapoordevilwhostealsabanknoteforathousandfrancs，withaggravatingcircumstances，iscondemnedtopenalservitude？

Thoseareyourlaws。Notasingleprovisionbutlandsyouinsomeabsurdity。Thatmanwithyellowglovesandagoldentonguecommitsmanyamurder；heshedsnoblood，buthedrainshisvictim’sveinsassurely；adesperadoforcesopenadoorwithacrowbar，darkdeedsbothofthem！YouyourselfwilldoeveryoneofthosethingsthatIsuggesttoyouto-day，barthebloodshed。

Doyoubelievethatthereisanyabsolutestandardinthisworld？

DespisemankindandfindoutthemeshesthatyoucanslipthroughinthenetoftheCode。Thesecretofagreatsuccessforwhichyouareatalosstoaccountisacrimethathasneverbeenfoundout，becauseitwasproperlyexecuted。”

“Silence，sir！Iwillnothearanymore；youmakemedoubtmyself。Atthismomentmysentimentsareallmyscience。”

“Justasyouplease，myfinefellow；Ididthinkyouweresoweak-minded。”saidVautrin，“Ishallsaynomoreaboutit。Onelastword，however。”andhelookedhardatthestudent——“youhavemysecret。”hesaid。

“Ayoungmanwhorefusesyourofferknowsthathemustforgetit。”

“Quiteright，quiteright；Iamgladtohearyousayso。Somebodyelsemightnotbesoscrupulous，yousee。KeepinmindwhatI

wanttodoforyou。Iwillgiveyouafortnight。Theofferisstillopen。”

“Whataheadofironthemanhas！“saidEugenetohimself，ashewatchedVautrinwalkunconcernedlyawaywithhiscaneunderhisarm。“YetMme。deBeauseantsaidasmuchmoregracefully；hehasonlystatedthecaseincruderlanguage。Hewouldtearmyheartwithclawsofsteel。WhatmademethinkofgoingtoMme。deNucingen？HeguessedmymotivesbeforeIknewthemmyself。Tosumitup，thatoutlawhastoldmemoreaboutvirtuethanallIhavelearnedfrommenandbooks。Ifvirtueadmitsofnocompromises，I

havecertainlyrobbedmysisters。”hesaid，throwingdownthebagsonthetable。

Hesatdownagainandfell，unconsciousofhissurroundings，intodeepthought。

“Tobefaithfultoanidealofvirtue！Aheroicmartyrdom！Pshaw！

everyonebelievesinvirtue，butwhoisvirtuous？NationshavemadeanidolofLiberty，butwhatnationonthefaceoftheearthisfree？Myyouthisstilllikeablueandcloudlesssky。IfI

setmyselftoobtainwealthorpower，doesitmeanthatImustmakeupmymindtolie，andfawn，andcringe，andswagger，andflatter，anddissemble？Toconsenttobetheservantofotherswhohavelikewisefawned，andlied，andflattered？MustIcringetothembeforeIcanhopetobetheiraccomplice？Well，then，I

decline。Imeantoworknoblyandwithasingleheart。Iwillworkdayandnight；Iwillowemyfortunetonothingbutmyownexertions。Itmaybetheslowestofallroadstosuccess，butI

shalllaymyheadonthepillowatnightuntroubledbyevilthoughts。Isthereagreaterthingthanthis——tolookbackoveryourlifeandknowthatitisstainlessasalily？Iandmylifearelikeayoungmanandhisbetrothed。Vautrinhasputbeforemeallthatcomesaftertenyearsofmarriage。Thedevil！myheadisswimming。Idonotwanttothinkatall；theheartisasureguide。”

EugenewasrousedfromhismusingsbythevoiceofthestoutSylvie，whoannouncedthatthetailorhadcome，andEugenethereforemadehisappearancebeforethemanwiththetwomoneybags，andwasnotillpleasedthatitshouldbeso。Whenhehadtriedonhisdresssuit，heputonhisnewmorningcostume，whichcompletelymetamorphosedhim。

“IamquiteequaltoM。deTrailles。”hesaidtohimself。“Inshort，Ilooklikeagentleman。”

“Youaskedme，sir，ifIknewthehouseswhereMme。deNucingengoes。”FatherGoriot’svoicespokefromthedoorwayofEugene’sroom。”

“Yes。”

“Verywellthen，sheisgoingtotheMarechaleCarigliano’sballonMonday。Ifyoucanmanagetobethere，Ishallhearfromyouwhethermytwogirlsenjoyedthemselves，andhowtheyweredressed，andallaboutitinfact。”

“Howdidyoufindthatout，mygoodGoriot？“saidEugene，puttingachairbythefireforhisvisitor。

“Hermaidtoldme。IhearallabouttheirdoingsfromThereseandConstance。”headdedgleefully。

Theoldmanlookedlikealoverwhoisstillyoungenoughtobemadehappybythediscoveryofsomelittlestratagemwhichbringshiminformationofhislady-lovewithoutherknowledge。

“YOUwillseethemboth！“hesaid，givingartlessexpressiontoapangofjealousy。

“Idonotknow。”answeredEugene。“IwillgotoMme。deBeauseantandaskherforanintroductiontotheMarechale。”

EugenefeltathrillofpleasureatthethoughtofappearingbeforetheVicomtesse，dressedashenceforwardhealwaysmeanttobe。The“abyssesofthehumanheart。”inthemoralists’phrase，areonlyinsidiousthoughts，involuntarypromptingsofpersonalinterest。Theinstinctofenjoymentturnsthescale；thoserapidchangesofpurposewhichhavefurnishedthetextforsomuchrhetoricarecalculationspromptedbythehopeofpleasure。

Rastignacbeholdinghimselfwelldressedandimpeccableastoglovesandboots，forgothisvirtuousresolutions。Youth，moreover，whenbentuponwrongdoingdoesnotdaretobeholdhimselfinthemirrorofconsciousness；matureagehasseenitself；andthereinliesthewholedifferencebetweenthesetwophasesoflife。

AfriendshipbetweenEugeneandhisneighbor，FatherGoriot，hadbeengrowingupforseveraldayspast。ThissecretfriendshipandtheantipathythatthestudenthadbeguntoentertainforVautrinarosefromthesamepsychologicalcauses。Theboldphilosopherwhoshallinvestigatetheeffectsofmentalactionuponthephysicalworldwilldoubtlessfindmorethanoneproofofthematerialnatureofoursentimentsinotheranimals。Whatphysiognomistisasquicktodiscerncharacterasadogistodiscoverfromastranger’sfacewhetherthisisafriendorno？

Thoseby-words——“atoms。”“affinities“——arefactssurvivinginmodernlanguagesfortheconfusionofphilosophicwiseacreswhoamusethemselvesbywinnowingthechaffoflanguagetofinditsgrammaticalroots。WeFEELthatweareloved。Oursentimentsmakethemselvesfeltineverything，evenatagreatdistance。Aletterisalivingsoul，andsofaithfulanechoofthevoicethatspeaksinit，thatfinernatureslookuponaletterasoneoflove’smostprecioustreasures。FatherGoriot’saffectionwasoftheinstinctiveorder，acanineaffectionraisedtoasublimepitch；hehadscentedcompassionintheair，andthekindlyrespectandyouthfulsympathyinthestudent’sheart。Thisfriendshiphad，however，scarcelyreachedthestageatwhichconfidencesaremade。ThoughEugenehadspokenofhiswishtomeetMme。deNucingen，itwasnotbecausehecountedontheoldmantointroducehimtoherhouse，forhehopedthathisownaudacitymightstandhimingoodstead。AllthatFatherGoriothadsaidasyetabouthisdaughtershadreferredtotheremarksthatthestudenthadmadesofreelyinpubliconthatdayofthetwovisits。

“HowcouldyouthinkthatMme。deRestaudboreyouagrudgeformentioningmyname？“hehadsaidonthedayfollowingthatsceneatdinner。“Mydaughtersareveryfondofme；Iamahappyfather；butmysons-in-lawhavebehavedbadlytome，andratherthanmaketroublebetweenmydarlingsandtheirhusbands，I

choosetoseemydaughterssecretly。Fatherswhocanseetheirdaughtersatanytimehavenoideaofallthepleasurethatallthismysterygivesme；IcannotalwaysseeminewhenIwish，doyouunderstand？SowhenitisfineIwalkoutintheChamps-

Elysees，afterfindingoutfromtheirwaiting-maidswhethermydaughtersmeantogoout。Iwaitneartheentrance；myheartbeatsfastwhenthecarriagesbegintocome；Iadmirethemintheirdresses，andastheypasstheygivemealittlesmile，anditseemsasifeverythingwaslightedupformebyarayofbrightsunlight。Iwait，fortheyalwaysgobackthesameway，andthenIseethemagain；thefreshairhasdonethemgoodandbroughtcolorintotheircheeks；allaboutmepeoplesay，’Whatabeautifulwomanthatis！’anditdoesmyheartgoodtohearthem。

“Aretheynotmyownfleshandblood？Ilovetheveryhorsesthatdrawthem；Ienvythelittlelap-dogontheirknees。Theirhappinessismylife。Everyonelovesafterhisownfashion，andminedoesnooneanyharm；whyshouldpeopletroubletheirheadsaboutme？Iamhappyinmyownway。Isthereanylawagainstgoingtoseemygirlsintheeveningwhentheyaregoingouttoaball？AndwhatadisappointmentitiswhenIgettheretoolate，andamtoldthat’Madamehasgoneout！’OnceIwaitedtillthreeo’clockinthemorningforNasie；Ihadnotseenherfortwowholedays。Iwassopleased，thatitwasalmosttoomuchforme！

Pleasedonotspeakofmeunlessitistosayhowgoodmydaughtersaretome。Theyarealwayswantingtoheappresentsuponme，butIwillnothaveit。’Justkeepyourmoney，’Itellthem。’WhatshouldIdowithit？Iwantnothing。’AndwhatamI，sir，afterall？Anoldcarcase，whosesoulisalwayswheremydaughtersare。WhenyouhaveseenMme。deNucingen，tellmewhichyoulikethemost。”saidtheoldmanafteramoment’spause，whileEugeneputthelasttouchestohistoilette。ThestudentwasabouttogoouttowalkintheGardenoftheTuileriesuntilthehourwhenhecouldventuretoappearinMme。deBeauseant’sdrawing-room。

Thatwalkwasaturning-pointinEugene’scareer。Severalwomennoticedhim；helookedsohandsome，soyoung，andsowelldressed。Thisalmostadmiringattentiongaveanewturntohisthoughts。Heforgothissistersandtheauntwhohadrobbedherselfforhim；henolongerrememberedhisownvirtuousscruples。Hehadseenhoveringabovehisheadthefiendsoeasytomistakeforanangel，theDevilwithrainbowwings，whoscattersrubies，andaimshisgoldenshaftsatpalacefronts，whoinvestswomenwithpurple，andthroneswithaglorythatdazzlestheeyesoffoolstilltheyforgetthesimpleoriginsofroyaldominion；hehadheardtherustleofthatVanitywhosetinselseemstoustobethesymbolofpower。HowevercynicalVautrin’swordshadbeen，theyhadmadeanimpressiononhismind，asthesordidfeaturesoftheoldcronewhowhispers，“Alover，andgoldintorrents。”remainengravenonayounggirl’smemory。

Eugeneloungedaboutthewalkstillitwasnearlyfiveo’clock，thenhewenttoMme。deBeauseant，andreceivedoneoftheterribleblowsagainstwhichyoungheartsaredefenceless。

HithertotheVicomtessehadreceivedhimwiththekindlyurbanity，theblandgraceofmannerthatistheresultoffinebreeding，butisonlycompletewhenitcomesfromtheheart。

TodayMme。deBeauseantbowedconstrainedly，andspokecurtly：

“M。deRastignac，Icannotpossiblyseeyou，atleastnotatthismoment。Iamengaged……”

Anobserver，andRastignacinstantlybecameanobserver，couldreadthewholehistory，thecharacterandcustomsofcaste，inthephrase，inthetonesofhervoice，inherglanceandbearing。

Hecaughtaglimpseoftheironhandbeneaththevelvetglove——

thepersonality，theegoismbeneaththemanner，thewoodbeneaththevarnish。Inshort，heheardthatunmistakableITHEKINGthatissuesfromtheplumedcanopyofthethrone，andfindsitslastechounderthecrestofthesimplestgentleman。

Eugenehadtrustedtooimplicitlytothegenerosityofawoman；

hecouldnotbelieveinherhaughtiness。Likealltheunfortunate，hehadsubscribed，inallgoodfaith，thegenerouscompactwhichshouldbindthebenefactortotherecipient，andthefirstarticleinthatbond，betweentwolarge-heartednatures，isaperfectequality。Thekindnesswhichknitstwosoulstogetherisasrare，asdivine，andaslittleunderstoodasthepassionoflove，forbothloveandkindnessarethelavishgenerosityofnoblenatures。RastignacwassetupongoingtotheDuchessedeCarigliano’sball，soheswalloweddownthisrebuff。

“Madame。”hefalteredout，“Iwouldnothavecometotroubleyouaboutatriflingmatter；besokindastopermitmetoseeyoulater，Icanwait。”

“Verywell，comeanddinewithme。”shesaid，alittleconfusedbytheharshwayinwhichshehadspoken，forthisladywasasgenuinelykind-heartedasshewashigh-born。

Eugenewastouchedbythissuddenrelenting，butnonethelesshesaidtohimselfashewentaway，“Crawlinthedust，putupwitheverykindoftreatment。Whatmusttherestoftheworldbelikewhenoneofthekindestofwomenforgetsallherpromisesofbefriendingmeinamoment，andtossesmeasidelikeanoldshoe？

Soitiseveryoneforhimself？Itistruethatherhouseisnotashop，andIhaveputmyselfinthewrongbyneedingherhelp。

Youshouldcutyourwaythroughtheworldlikeacannonball，asVautrinsaid。”

Butthestudent’sbitterthoughtsweresoondissipatedbythepleasurewhichhepromisedhimselfinthisdinnerwiththeVicomtesse。Fateseemedtodeterminethatthesmallestaccidentsinhislifeshouldcombinetourgehimintoacareer，whichtheterriblesphinxoftheMaisonVauquerhaddescribedasafieldofbattlewhereyoumusteitherslayorbeslain，andcheattoavoidbeingcheated。Youleaveyourconscienceandyourheartatthebarriers，andwearamaskonenteringintothisgameofgrimearnest，where，asinancientSparta，youmustsnatchyourprizewithoutbeingdetectedifyouwoulddeservethecrown。

OnhisreturnhefoundtheVicomtessegraciousandkindly，asshehadalwaysbeentohim。Theywenttogethertothedining-room，wheretheVicomtewaswaitingforhiswife。InthetimeoftheRestorationtheluxuryofthetablewascarried，asiswellknown，tothehighestdegree，andM。deBeauseant，likemanyjadedmenoftheworld，hadfewpleasuresleftbutthoseofgoodcheer；inthismatter，infact，hewasagourmandoftheschoolsofLouisXVIII。andoftheDucd’Escars，andluxurywassupplementedbysplendor。Eugene，diningforthefirsttimeinahousewherethetraditionsofgrandeurhaddescendedthroughmanygenerations，hadneverseenanyspectaclelikethisthatnowmethiseyes。InthetimeoftheEmpire，ballshadalwaysendedwithasupper，becausetheofficerswhotookpartinthemmustbefortifiedforimmediateservice，andeveninParismightbecalledupontoleavetheballroomforthebattlefield。ThisarrangementhadgoneoutoffashionundertheMonarchy，andEugenehadsofaronlybeenaskedtodances。Theself-possessionwhichpre-eminentlydistinguishedhiminlaterlifealreadystoodhimingoodstead，andhedidnotbetrayhisamazement。Yetashesawforthefirsttimethefinelywroughtsilverplate，thecompletenessofeverydetail，thesumptuousdinner，noiselesslyserved，itwasdifficultforsuchanardentimaginationnottopreferthislifeofstudiedandrefinedluxurytothehardshipsofthelifewhichhehadchosenonlythatmorning。

Histhoughtswentbackforamomenttothelodging-house，andwithafeelingofprofoundloathing，hevowedtohimselfthatatNewYearhewouldgo；promptedatleastasmuchbyadesiretoliveamongcleanersurroundingsasbyawishtoshakeoffVautrin，whosehugehandheseemedtofeelonhisshoulderatthatmoment。Whenyouconsiderthenumberlessforms，clamorousormute，thatcorruptiontakesinParis，common-sensebeginstowonderwhatmentalaberrationpromptedtheStatetoestablishgreatcollegesandschoolsthere，andassembleyoungmeninthecapital；howitisthatprettywomenarerespected，orthatthegoldcoindisplayedinthemoney-changer’swoodensaucersdoesnottaketoitselfwingsinthetwinklingofaneye；andwhenyoucometothinkfurther，howcomparativelyfewcasesofcrimethereare，andtocountupthemisdemeanorscommittedbyyouth，istherenotacertainamountofrespectduetothesepatientTantaluseswhowrestlewiththemselvesandnearlyalwayscomeoffvictorious？ThestrugglesofthepoorstudentinParis，ifskilfullydrawn，wouldfurnishamostdramaticpictureofmoderncivilization。

InvainMme。deBeauseantlookedatEugeneasifaskinghimtospeak；thestudentwastongue-tiedintheVicomte’spresence。

“AreyougoingtotakemetotheItaliensthisevening？“theVicomtesseaskedherhusband。

“YoucannotdoubtthatIshouldobeyyouwithpleasure。”heanswered，andtherewasasarcastictingeinhispolitenesswhichEugenedidnotdetect，“butIoughttogotomeetsomeoneattheVarietes。”

“Hismistress。”saidshetoherself。

“Then，isnotAjudacomingforyouthisevening？“inquiredtheVicomte。

“No。”sheanswered，petulantly。

“Verywell，then，ifyoureallymusthaveanarm，takethatofM。

deRastignac。”

TheVicomtessturnedtoEugenewithasmile。

“Thatwouldbeaverycompromisingstepforyou。”shesaid。

“’AFrenchmanlovesdanger，becauseindangerthereisglory，’

toquoteM。deChateaubriand。”saidRastignac，withabow。

AfewmomentslaterhewassittingbesideMme。deBeauseantinabrougham，thatwhirledthemthroughthestreetsofParistoafashionabletheatre。Itseemedtohimthatsomefairymagichadsuddenlytransportedhimintoaboxfacingthestage。Allthelorgnettesofthehousewerepointedathimasheentered，andattheVicomtesseinhercharmingtoilette。Hewentfromenchantmenttoenchantment。

“Youmusttalktome，youknow。”saidMme。deBeauseant。“Ah！

look！ThereisMme。deNucingeninthethirdboxfromours。HersisterandM。deTraillesareontheotherside。”

TheVicomtesseglancedasshespokeattheboxwhereMlle。deRochefideshouldhavebeen；M。d’Ajudawasnotthere，andMme。deBeauseant’sfacelightedupinamarvelousway。

“Sheischarming。”saidEugene，afterlookingatMme。deNucingen。

“Shehaswhiteeyelashes。”

“Yes，butshehassuchaprettyslenderfigure！“

“Herhandsarelarge。”

“Suchbeautifuleyes！“

“Herfaceislong。”

“Yes，butlengthgivesdistinction。”

“Itisluckyforherthatshehassomedistinctioninherface。

Justseehowshefidgetswithheropera-glass！TheGoriotbloodshowsitselfineverymovement。”saidtheVicomtesse，muchtoEugene’sastonishment。

Indeed，Mme。deBeauseantseemedtobeengagedinmakingasurveyofthehouse，andtobeunconsciousofMme。Nucingen’sexistence；

butnomovementmadebythelatterwaslostupontheVicomtesse。

ThehousewasfulloftheloveliestwomeninParis，sothatDelphinedeNucingenwasnotalittleflatteredtoreceivetheundividedattentionofMme。deBeauseant’syoung，handsome，andwell-dressedcousin，whoseemedtohavenoeyesforanyoneelse。

“Ifyoulookathersopersistently，youwillmakepeopletalk，M。deRastignac。Youwillneversucceedifyouflingyourselfatanyone’sheadlikethat。”

“Mydearcousin。”saidEugene，“youhaveprotectedmeindeedsofar，andnowifyouwouldcompleteyourwork，Ionlyaskofyouafavorwhichwillcostyoubutlittle，andbeofverygreatservicetome。Ihavelostmyheart。”

“Already！“

“Yes。”

“Andtothatwoman！“

“HowcouldIaspiretofindanyoneelsetolistentome？“heasked，withakeenglanceathiscousin。“HerGracetheDuchessedeCariglianoisafriendoftheDuchessedeBerri。”hewenton，afterapause；“youaresuretoseeher，willyoubesokindastopresentmetoher，andtotakemetoherballonMonday？I

shallmeetMme。deNucingenthere，andenterintomyfirstskirmish。”

“Willingly。”shesaid。“Ifyouhavealikingforheralready，youraffairsoftheheartareliketoprosper。ThatisdeMarsayoverthereinthePrincesseGalathionne’sbox。Mme。deNucingenisrackedwithjealousy。Thereisnobettertimeforapproachingawoman，especiallyifshehappenstobeabanker’swife。AllthoseladiesoftheChaussee-d’Antinloverevenge。”

“Then，whatwouldyoudoyourselfinsuchacase？“

“Ishouldsufferinsilence。”

AtthispointtheMarquisd’AjudaappearedinMme。deBeauseant’sbox。

“Ihavemadeamuddleofmyaffairstocometoyou。”hesaid，“andIamtellingyouaboutit，sothatitmaynotbeasacrifice。”

EugenesawtheglowofjoyontheVicomtesse’sface，andknewthatthiswaslove，andlearnedthedifferencebetweenloveandtheaffectationsofParisiancoquetry。Headmiredhiscousin，grewmute，andyieldedhisplacetoM。d’Ajudawithasigh。

“Hownoble，howsublimeawomaniswhensheloveslikethat！“hesaidtohimself。“AndHEcouldforsakeherforadoll！Oh！howcouldanyoneforsakeher？“

Therewasaboy’spassionateindignationinhisheart。HecouldhaveflunghimselfatMme。deBeauseant’sfeet；helongedforthepowerofthedevilifhecouldsnatchherawayandhideherinhisheart，asaneaglesnatchesupsomewhiteyeanlingfromtheplainsandbearsittoitseyrie。Itwashumiliatingtohimtothinkthatinallthisgalleryoffairpictureshehadnotonepictureofhisown。“Tohaveamistressandanalmostroyalpositionisasignofpower。”hesaidtohimself。AndhelookedatMme。deNucingenasamanmeasuresanotherwhohasinsultedhim。

TheVicomtesseturnedtohim，andtheexpressionofhereyesthankedhimathousandtimesforhisdiscretion。Thefirstactcametoanendjustthen。

“DoyouknowMme。deNucingenwellenoughtopresentM。deRastignactoher？“sheaskedoftheMarquisd’Ajuda。

“Shewillbedelighted。”saidtheMarquis。ThehandsomePortugueseroseashespokeandtookthestudent’sarm，andinanothermomentEugenefoundhimselfinMme。deNucingen’sbox。

“Madame。”saidtheMarquis，“IhavethehonorofpresentingtoyoutheChevalierEugenedeRastignac；heisacousinofMme。deBeauseant’s。Youhavemadesodeepanimpressionuponhim，thatI

thoughtIwouldfillupthemeasureofhishappinessbybringinghimnearertohisdivinity。”

Wordsspokenhalfjestinglytocovertheirsomewhatdisrespectfulimport；butsuchanimplication，ifcarefullydisguised，nevergivesoffencetoawoman。Mme。deNucingensmiled，andofferedEugenetheplacewhichherhusbandhadjustleft。

“Idonotventuretosuggestthatyoushouldstaywithme，monsieur。”shesaid。“ThosewhoaresofortunateastobeinMme。

deBeauseant’scompanydonotdesiretoleaveit。”

“Madame。”Eugenesaid，loweringhisvoice，“IthinkthattopleasemycousinIshouldremainwithyou。BeforemylordMarquiscamewewerespeakingofyouandofyourexceedinglydistinguishedappearance。”headdedaloud。

M。d’Ajudaturnedandleftthem。

“Areyoureallygoingtostaywithme，monsieur？“askedtheBaroness。“Thenweshallmakeeachother’sacquaintance。Mme。deRestaudtoldmeaboutyou，andhasmademeanxioustomeetyou。”

“Shemustbeveryinsincere，then，forshehasshutherdooronme。”

“What？“

“Madame，Iwilltellyouhonestlythereasonwhy；butImustcraveyourindulgencebeforeconfidingsuchasecrettoyou。Iamyourfather’sneighbor；IhadnoideathatMme。deRestaudwashisdaughter。Iwasrashenoughtomentionhisname；Imeantnoharm，butIannoyedyoursisterandherhusbandverymuch。YoucannotthinkhowseverelytheDuchessedeLangeaisandmycousinblamedthisapostasyonadaughter’spart，asapieceofbadtaste。Itoldthemallaboutit，andtheybothburstoutlaughing。ThenMme。deBeauseantmadesomecomparisonbetweenyouandyoursister，speakinginhightermsofyou，andsayinghowveryfondyouwereofmyneighbor，M。Goriot。And，indeed，howcouldyouhelplovinghim？HeadoresyousopassionatelythatI

amjealousalready。Wetalkedaboutyouthismorningfortwohours。SothiseveningIwasquitefullofallthatyourfatherhadtoldme，andwhileIwasdiningwithmycousinIsaidthatyoucouldnotbeasbeautifulasaffectionate。Mme。deBeauseantmeanttogratifysuchwarmadmiration，Ithink，whenshebroughtmehere，tellingme，inhergraciousway，thatIshouldseeyou。”

“Then，evennow，Ioweyouadebtofgratitude，monsieur。”saidthebanker’swife。“Weshallbequiteoldfriendsinalittlewhile。”

“Althoughafriendshipwithyoucouldnotbelikeanordinaryfriendship。”saidRastignac；“Ishouldneverwishtobeyourfriend。”

Suchstereotypedphrasesasthese，inthemouthsofbeginners，possessanunfailingcharmforwomen，andareinsipidonlywhenreadcoldly；forayoungman’stone，glanceandattitudegiveasurpassingeloquencetothebanalphrases。Mme。deNucingenthoughtthatRastignacwasadorable。Then，woman-like，beingatalosshowtoreplytothestudent’soutspokenadmiration，sheansweredapreviousremark。

“Yes，itisverywrongofmysistertotreatourpoorfatherasshedoes。”shesaid；“hehasbeenaProvidencetous。ItwasnotuntilM。deNucingenpositivelyorderedmeonlytoreceivehiminthemorningsthatIyieldedthepoint。ButIhavebeenunhappyaboutitforalongwhile；Ihaveshedmanytearsoverit。Thisviolencetomyfeelings，withmyhusband’sbrutaltreatment，havebeentwocausesofmyunhappymarriedlife。ThereiscertainlynowomaninPariswhoselotseemsmoreenviablethanmine，andyet，inreality，thereisnotonesomuchtobepitied。YouwillthinkImustbeoutofmysensestotalktoyoulikethis；butyouknowmyfather，andIcannotregardyouasastranger。”

“Youwillfindnoone。”saidEugene，“wholongsaseagerlyasI

dotobeyours。Whatdoallwomenseek？Happiness。”(Heansweredhisownquestioninlow，vibratingtones。)“Andifhappinessforawomanmeansthatsheistobelovedandadored，tohaveafriendtowhomshecanpouroutherwishes，herfancies，hersorrowsandjoys；towhomshecanlaybareherheartandsoul，andallherfairdefectsandhergraciousvirtues，withoutfearofabetrayal；believeme，thedevotionandthewarmththatneverfailscanonlybefoundintheheartofayoungmanwho，atabaresignfromyou，wouldgotohisdeath，whoneitherknowsnorcarestoknowanythingasyetoftheworld，becauseyouwillbealltheworldtohim。Imyself，yousee(youwilllaughatmysimplicity)，havejustcomefromaremotecountrydistrict；IamquitenewtothisworldofParis；Ihaveonlyknowntrueandlovinghearts；andImadeupmymindthathereIshouldfindnolove。ThenIchancedtomeetmycousin，andtoseemycousin’sheartfromverynear；Ihavedivinedtheinexhaustibletreasuresofpassion，and，likeCherubino，Iamtheloverofallwomen，untilthedaycomeswhenIfindTHEwomantowhomImaydevotemyself。AssoonasIsawyou，assoonasIcameintothetheatrethisevening，Ifeltmyselfbornetowardsyouasifbythecurrentofastream。Ihadsooftenthoughtofyoualready，butI

hadneverdreamedthatyouwouldbesobeautiful！Mme。deBeauseanttoldmethatImustnotlooksomuchatyou。Shedoesnotknowthecharmofyourredlips，yourfairface，norseehowsoftyoureyesare……Ialsoambeginningtotalknonsense；

butletmetalk。”

Nothingpleasesawomanbetterthantolistentosuchwhisperedwordsasthese；themostpuritanicalamongthemlistensevenwhensheoughtnottoreplytothem；andRastignac，havingoncebegun，continuedtopourouthisstory，droppinghisvoice，thatshemightleanandlisten；andMme。deNucingen，smiling，glancedfromtimetotimeatdeMarsay，whostillsatinthePrincesseGalathionne’sbox。

RastignacdidnotleaveMme。deNucingentillherhusbandcametotakeherhome。

“Madame。”Eugenesaid，“IshallhavethepleasureofcallinguponyoubeforetheDuchessedeCarigliano’sball。”

“IfMatameinfitesyoutocome。”saidtheBaron，athicksetAlsatian，withindicationsofasinistercunninginhisfull-mooncountenance，“youarequidesureofbeingwellreceifed。”

“Myaffairsseemtobeinapromisingway。”saidEugenetohimself——“’Canyouloveme？’Iaskedher，andshedidnotresentit。Thebitisinthehorse’smouth，andIhaveonlytomountandride；“andwiththathewenttopayhisrespectstoMme。deBeauseant，whowasleavingthetheatreond’Ajuda’sarm。