第7章

Vautrinwentoutbeforeeighto’clock，andonlycamebackjustasbreakfastwasready。Nobodyprotested，therefore，whenSylvieandChristophewentupataquarterpasteleven，knockedatallthedoors，andannouncedthatbreakfastwaswaiting。WhileSylvieandthemanwereupstairs，Mlle。Michonneau，whocamedownfirst，pouredthecontentsofthephialintothesilvercupbelongingtoVautrin——itwasstandingwiththeothersinthebain-mariethatkeptthecreamhotforthemorningcoffee。Thespinsterhadreckonedonthiscustomofthehousetodoherstrokeofbusiness。Thesevenlodgerswereatlastcollectedtogether，notwithoutsomedifficulty。JustasEugenecamedownstairs，stretchinghimselfandyawning，acommissionairehandedhimaletterfromMme。deNucingen。Itranthus：——

“Ifeelneitherfalsevanitynorangerwhereyouareconcerned，myfriend。Tilltwoo’clockthismorningIwaitedforyou。Oh，thatwaitingforonewhomyoulove！Noonethathadpassedthroughthattorturecouldinflictitonanother。Iknownowthatyouhaveneverlovedbefore。Whatcanhavehappened？Anxietyhastakenholdofme。Iwouldhavecomemyselftofindoutwhathadhappened，ifIhadnotfearedtobetraythesecretsofmyheart。

HowcanIwalkoutordriveoutatthistimeofday？Woulditnotberuin？Ihavefelttothefullhowwretcheditistobeawoman。Sendawordtoreassureme，andexplainhowitisthatyouhavenotcomeafterwhatmyfathertoldyou。Ishallbeangry，butIwillforgiveyou。Oneword，forpity’ssake。Youwillcometomesoon，willyounot？Ifyouarebusy，alinewillbeenough。

Say，’Iwillhastentoyou，’orelse，’Iamill。’Butifyouwereillmyfatherwouldhavecometotellmeso。Whatcanhavehappened？……”

“Yes，indeed，whathashappened？“exclaimedEugene，and，hurryingdowntothedining-room，hecrumpleduptheletterwithoutreadinganymore。“Whattimeisit？“

“Half-pasteleven。”saidVautrin，droppingalumpofsugarintohiscoffee。

TheescapedconvictcastaglanceatEugene，acoldandfascinatingglance；mengiftedwiththismagneticpowercanquellfuriouslunaticsinamadhousebysuchaglance，itissaid。

Eugeneshookineverylimb。Therewasthesoundofwheelsinthestreet，andinanothermomentamanwithascaredfacerushedintotheroom。ItwasoneofM。Taillefer’sservants；Mme。

Couturerecognizedtheliveryatonce。

“Mademoiselle。”hecried，“yourfatherisaskingforyou——

somethingterriblehashappened！M。Frederichashadaswordthrustintheforeheadinaduel，andthedoctorshavegivenhimup。Youwillscarcelybeintimetosaygood-byetohim！heisunconscious。”

“Pooryoungfellow！“exclaimedVautrin。“Howcanpeoplebrawlwhentheyhaveacertainincomeofthirtythousandlivres？Youngpeoplehavebadmanners，andthatisafact。”

“Sir！“criedEugene。

“Well，whatthen，youbigbaby！“saidVautrin，swallowingdownhiscoffeeimperturbably，anoperationwhichMlle。Michonneauwatchedwithsuchcloseattentionthatshehadnoemotiontosparefortheamazingnewsthathadstrucktheothersdumbwithamazement。“AretherenotduelseverymorninginParis？“addedVautrin。

“Iwillgowithyou，Victorine。”saidMme。Couture，andthetwowomenhurriedawayatoncewithouteitherhatsorshawls。Butbeforeshewent，Victorine，withhereyesfulloftears，gaveEugeneaglancethatsaid——“HowlittleIthoughtthatourhappinessshouldcostmetears！“

“Dearme，youareaprophet，M。Vautrin。”saidMme。Vauquer。

“Iamallsortsofthings。”saidVautrin。

“Queer，isn’tit？“saidMme。Vauquer，stringingtogetherasuccessionofcommonplacessuitedtotheoccasion。“Deathtakesusoffwithoutaskingusaboutit。Theyoungoftengobeforetheold。Itisaluckythingforuswomenthatwearenotliabletofightduels，butwehaveothercomplaintsthatmendon’tsufferfrom。Webearchildren，andittakesalongtimetogetoverit。

WhatawindfallforVictorine！Herfatherwillhavetoacknowledgehernow！“

“There！“saidVautrin，lookingatEugene，“yesterdayshehadnotapenny；thismorningshehasseveralmillionstoherfortune。”

“Isay，M。Eugene！“criedMme。Vauquer，“youhavelandedonyourfeet！“

Atthisexclamation，FatherGoriotlookedatthestudent，andsawthecrumpledletterstillinhishand。

“Youhavenotreaditthrough！Whatdoesthismean？Areyougoingtobeliketherestofthem？“heasked。

“Madame，IshallnevermarryMlle。Victorine。”saidEugene，turningtoMme。Vauquerwithanexpressionofterrorandloathingthatsurprisedtheonlookersatthisscene。

FatherGoriotcaughtthestudent’shandandgraspeditwarmly。Hecouldhavekissedit。

“Oh，ho！“saidVautrin，“theItalianshaveagoodproverb——Coltempo。”

“Isthereanyanswer？“saidMme。deNucingen’smessenger，addressingEugene。

“SaythatIwillcomedirectly。”

Themanwent。Eugenewasinastateofsuchviolentexcitementthathecouldnotbeprudent。

“Whatistobedone？“heexclaimedaloud。“Therearenoproofs！“

Vautrinbegantosmile。Thoughthedrughehadtakenwasdoingitswork，theconvictwassovigorousthatherosetohisfeet，gaveRastignacalook，andsaidinhollowtones，“Luckcomestouswhilewesleep，youngman。”andfellstiffandstark，asifhewerestruckdead。

“SothereisaDivineJustice！“saidEugene。

“Well，ifever！WhathascometothatpoordearM。Vautrin？“

“Astroke！“criedMlle。Michonneau。

“Here，Sylvie！girl，runforthedoctor。”calledthewidow。“Oh，M。Rastignac，justgoforM。Bianchon，andbeasquickasyoucan；Sylviemightnotbeintimetocatchourdoctor，M。

Grimprel。”

Rastignacwasgladofanexcusetoleavethatdenofhorrors，hishurryforthedoctorwasnothingbutaflight。

“Here，Christophe，goroundtothechemist’sandaskforsomethingthat’sgoodfortheapoplexy。”

Christophelikewisewent。

“FatherGoriot，justhelpustogethimupstairs。”

Vautrinwastakenupamongthem，carriedcarefullyupthenarrowstaircase，andlaiduponhisbed。

“Icandonogoodhere，soIshallgotoseemydaughter。”saidM。Goriot。

“Selfisholdthing！“criedMme。Vauquer。“Yes，go；Iwishyoumaydielikeadog。”

“Justgoandseeifyoucanfindsomeether。”saidMlle。

MichonneautoMme。Vauquer；theformer，withsomehelpfromPoiret，hadunfastenedthesickman’sclothes。

Mme。Vauquerwentdowntoherroom，andleftMlle。Michonneaumistressofthesituation。

“Now！justpulldownhisshirtandturnhimover，quick！Youmightbeofsomeuseinsparingmymodesty。”shesaidtoPoiret，“insteadofstandingtherelikeastock。”

Vautrinwasturnedover；Mlle。Michonneaugavehisshoulderasharpslap，andthetwoportentouslettersappeared，whiteagainstthered。

“There，youhaveearnedyourthreethousandfrancsveryeasily。”

exclaimedPoiret，supportingVautrinwhileMlle。Michonneauslippedontheshirtagain——“Ouf！Howheavyheis。”headded，ashelaidtheconvictdown。

“Hush！Supposethereisastrong-boxhere！“saidtheoldmaidbriskly；herglancesseemedtopiercethewalls，shescrutinizedeveryarticleofthefurniturewithgreedyeyes。“Couldwefindsomeexcuseforopeningthatdesk？“

“Itmightn’tbequiteright。”respondedPoirettothis。

“Whereistheharm？Itismoneystolenfromallsortsofpeople，soitdoesn’tbelongtoanyonenow。Butwehaven’ttime，thereistheVauquer。”

“Hereistheether。”saidthatlady。“Imustsaythatthisisaneventfulday。Lord！thatmancan’thavehadastroke；heisaswhiteascurds。”

“Whiteascurds？“echoedPoiret。

“Andhispulseissteady。”saidthewidow，layingherhandonhisbreast。

“Steady？“saidtheastonishedPoiret。

“Heisallright。”

“Doyouthinkso？“askedPoiret。

“Lord！Yes，helooksasifheweresleeping。Sylviehasgoneforadoctor。Isay，Mlle。Michonneau，heissniffingtheether。

Pooh！itisonlyaspasm。Hispulseisgood。HeisasstrongasaTurk。Justlook，mademoiselle，whatafurtippethehasonhischest；thatisthesortofmantolivetillheisahundred。Hiswigholdsontightly，however。Dearme！itisgluedon，andhisownhairisred；thatiswhyhewearsawig。Theysaythatred-

hairedpeopleareeithertheworstorthebest。Isheoneofthegoodones，Iwonder？“

“Goodtohang。”saidPoiret。

“Roundaprettywoman’sneck，youmean。”saidMlleMichonneau，hastily。“Justgoaway，M。Poiret。Itisawoman’sdutytonurseyoumenwhenyouareill。Besides，forallthegoodyouaredoing，youmayaswelltakeyourselfoff。”sheadded。“Mme。

VauquerandIwilltakegreatcareofdearM。Vautrin。

Poiretwentoutontiptoewithoutamurmur，likeadogkickedoutoftheroombyhismaster。

Rastignachadgoneoutforthesakeofphysicalexertion；hewantedtobreathetheair，hefeltstifled。Yesterdayeveninghehadmeanttopreventthemurderarrangedforhalf-pasteightthatmorning。Whathadhappened？Whatoughthetodonow？Hetrembledtothinkthathehimselfmightbeimplicated。Vautrin’scoolnessstillfurtherdismayedhim。

“Yet，howifVautrinshoulddiewithoutsayingaword？“Rastignacaskedhimself。

HehurriedalongthealleysoftheLuxembourgGardensasifthehoundsofjusticewereafterhim，andhealreadyheardthebayingofthepack。

“Well？“shoutedBianchon，“youhaveseenthePilote？“

ThePilotewasaRadicalsheet，editedbyM。Tissot。Itcameoutseveralhourslaterthanthemorningpapers，andwasmeantforthebenefitofcountrysubscribers；foritbroughtthemorningnewsintoprovincialdistrictstwenty-fourhourssoonerthantheordinarylocaljournals。

“Thereisawonderfulhistoryinit。”saidthehousestudentoftheHopitalCochin。“YoungTaillefercalledoutCountFranchessini，oftheOldGuard，andtheCountputacoupleofinchesofsteelintohisforehead。AndhereislittleVictorineoneoftherichestheiressesinParis！Ifwehadknownthat，eh？

Whatagameofchancedeathis！TheysayVictorinewassweetonyou；wasthereanytruthinit？“

“Shutup，Bianchon；Ishallnevermarryher。Iaminlovewithacharmingwoman，andsheisinlovewithme，so——“

“Yousaidthatasifyouwerescrewingyourselfuptobefaithfultoher。IshouldliketoseethewomanworththesacrificeofMasterTaillefer’smoney！“

“Areallthedevilsofhellatmyheels？“criedRastignac。

“Whatisthematterwithyou？Areyoumad？Giveusyourhand。”

saidBianchon，“andletmefeelyourpulse。Youarefeverish。”

“JustgotoMotherVauquer’s。”saidRastignac；“thatscoundrelVautrinhasdroppeddownlikeonedead。”

“Aha！“saidBianchon，leavingRastignactohisreflections，“youconfirmmysuspicions，andnowImeantomakesureformyself。”

Thelawstudent’slongwalkwasamemorableoneforhim。Hemadeinsomesortasurveyofhisconscience。Afteraclosescrutiny，afterhesitationandself-examination，hishonoratanyratecameoutscathelessfromthissharpandterribleordeal，likeabarofirontestedintheEnglishfashion。HerememberedFatherGoriot’sconfidencesoftheeveningbefore；herecollectedtheroomstakenforhimintheRued’Artois，sothathemightbenearDelphine；

andthenhethoughtofhisletter，andreaditagainandkissedit。

“Suchaloveismyanchorofsafety。”hesaidtohimself。“Howtheoldman’sheartmusthavebeenwrung！Hesaysnothingaboutallthathehasbeenthrough；butwhocouldnotguess？Well，then，Iwillbelikeasontohim；hislifeshallbemadehappy。

Ifshecaresforme，shewilloftencometospendthedaywithhim。ThatgrandComtessedeRestaudisaheartlessthing；shewouldmakeherfatherintoherhallporter。DearDelphine！sheiskindertotheoldman；sheisworthytobeloved。Ah！thiseveningIshallbeveryhappy！“

Hetookouthiswatchandadmiredit。

“Ihavehadnothingbutsuccess！Iftwopeoplemeantoloveeachotherforever，theymayhelpeachother，andIcantakethis。

Besides，Ishallsucceed，andIwillpayherahundredfold。Thereisnothingcriminalinthisliaison；nothingthatcouldcausethemostausteremoralisttofrown。Howmanyrespectablepeoplecontractsimilarunions！Wedeceivenobody；itisdeceptionthatmakesapositionhumiliating。Ifyoulie，youloweryourselfatonce。Sheandherhusbandhavelivedapartforalongwhile。

Besides，howifIcalleduponthatAlsatiantoresignawifewhomhecannotmakehappy？“

Rastignac’sbattlewithhimselfwentonforalongwhile；andthoughthescruplesofyouthinevitablygainedtheday，anirresistiblecuriosityledhim，abouthalf-pastfour，toreturntotheMaisonVauquerthroughthegatheringdusk。

BianchonhadgivenVautrinanemetic，reservingthecontentsofthestomachforchemicalanalysisatthehospital。Mlle。

Michonneau’sofficiousalacrityhadstillfurtherstrengthenedhissuspicionsofher。Vautrin，moreover，hadrecoveredsoquicklythatitwasimpossiblenottosuspectsomeplotagainsttheleaderofallfrolicsatthelodging-house。Vautrinwasstandinginfrontofthestoveinthedining-roomwhenRastignaccamein。AllthelodgerswereassembledsoonerthanusualbythenewsofyoungTaillefer’sduel。Theywereanxioustohearanydetailabouttheaffair，andtotalkovertheprobablechangeinVictorine’sprospects。FatherGoriotalonewasabsent，buttherestwerechatting。NosoonerdidEugenecomeintotheroom，thanhiseyesmettheinscrutablegazeofVautrin。Itwasthesamelookthathadreadhisthoughtsbefore——thelookthathadsuchpowertowakenevilthoughtsinhisheart。Heshuddered。

“Well，dearboy。”saidtheescapedconvict，“Iamlikelytocheatdeathforagoodwhileyet。Accordingtotheseladies，Ihavehadastrokethatwouldhavefelledanox，andcomeoffwithflyingcolors。”

“Abullyoumightsay。”criedthewidow。

“Youreallymightbesorrytoseemestillalive。”saidVautrininRastignac’sear，thinkingthatheguessedthestudent’sthoughts。“Youmustbemightysureofyourself。”

“Mlle。MichonneauwastalkingthedaybeforeyesterdayaboutagentlemannamedTrompe-la-Mort。”saidBianchon；“and，uponmyword，thatnamewoulddoverywellforyou。”

Vautrinseemedthunderstruck。Heturnedpale，andstaggeredback。

Heturnedhismagneticglance，likearayofvividlight，onMlle。Michonneau；theoldmaidshrankandtrembledundertheinfluenceofthatstrongwill，andcollapsedintoachair。Themaskofgood-naturehaddroppedfromtheconvict’sface；fromtheunmistakableferocityofthatsinisterlook，Poiretfeltthattheoldmaidwasindanger，andhastilysteppedbetweenthem。Noneofthelodgersunderstoodthissceneintheleast，theylookedoninmuteamazement。Therewasapause。Justthentherewasasoundoftrampingfeetoutside；thereweresoldiersthere，itseemed，fortherewasaringofseveralriflesonthepavementofthestreet。

Collinwasmechanicallylookingroundthewallsforawayofescape，whenfourmenenteredbywayofthesitting-room。

“InthenameoftheKingandtheLaw！“saidanofficer，butthewordswerealmostlostinamurmurofastonishment。

Silencefellontheroom。Thelodgersmadewayforthreeofthemen，whohadeachahandonacockedpistolinasidepocket。Twopolicemen，whofollowedthedetectives，kepttheentrancetothesitting-room，andtwomoremenappearedinthedoorwaythatgaveaccesstothestaircase。Asoundoffootstepscamefromthegarden，andagaintheriflesofseveralsoldiersrangonthecobblestonesunderthewindow。AllchanceofsalvationbyflightwascutoffforTrompe-la-Mort，towhomalleyesinstinctivelyturned。Thechiefwalkedstraightuptohim，andcommencedoperationsbygivinghimasharpblowonthehead，sothatthewigfelloff，andCollin’sfacewasrevealedinallitsugliness。

Therewasaterriblesuggestionofstrengthmingledwithcunningintheshort，brick-redcropofhair，thewholeheadwasinharmonywithhispowerfulframe，andatthatmomentthefiresofhellseemedtogleamfromhiseyes。InthatflashtherealVautrinshoneforth，revealedatoncebeforethemall；theyunderstoodhispast，hispresent，andfuture，hispitilessdoctrines，hisactions，thereligionofhisowngoodpleasure，themajestywithwhichhiscynicismandcontemptformankindinvestedhim，thephysicalstrengthofanorganizationproofagainstalltrials。Thebloodflewtohisface，andhiseyesglaredliketheeyesofawildcat。Hestartedbackwithsavageenergyandafiercegrowlthatdrewexclamationsofalarmfromthelodgers。Atthatleoninestartthepolicecaughtattheirpistolsundercoverofthegeneralclamor。Collinsawthegleamingmuzzlesoftheweapons，sawhisdanger，andinstantlygaveproofofapowerofthehighestorder。Therewassomethinghorribleandmajesticinthespectacleofthesuddentransformationinhisface；hecouldonlybecomparedtoacauldronfullofthesteamthatcansendmountainsflying，aterrificforcedispelledinamomentbyadropofcoldwater。Thedropofwaterthatcooledhiswrathfulfurywasareflectionthatflashedacrosshisbrainlikelightning。Hebegantosmile，andlookeddownathiswig。

“Youarenotinthepolitestofhumorsto-day。”heremarkedtothechief，andheheldouthishandstothepolicemenwithajerkofhishead。

“Gentlemen。”hesaid，“putonthebraceletsorthehandcuffs。I

callonthosepresenttowitnessthatImakenoresistance。”

Amurmurofadmirationranthroughtheroomatthesuddenoutpouringlikefireandlavafloodfromthishumanvolcano，anditsequallysuddencessation。

“There’sasellforyou，mastercrusher。”theconvictadded，lookingatthefamousdirectorofpolice。

“Come，strip！“saidheofthePetiteRueSaint-Anne，contemptuously。

“Why？“askedCollin。“Thereareladiespresent；Idenynothing，andsurrender。”

Hepaused，andlookedroundtheroomlikeanoratorwhoisabouttooverwhelmhisaudience。

“Takethisdown，DaddyLachapelle。”hewenton，addressingalittle，white-hairedoldmanwhohadseatedhimselfattheendofthetable；andafterdrawingaprintedformfromtheportfolio，wasproceedingtodrawupadocument。“IacknowledgemyselftobeJacquesCollin，otherwiseknownasTrompe-la-Mort，condemnedtotwentyyears’penalservitude，andIhavejustprovedthatIhavecomefairlybymynickname——IfIhadasmuchasraisedmyhand。”

hewenton，addressingtheotherlodgers，“thosethreesneakingwretchesyonderwouldhavedrawnclaretonMammaVauquer’sdomestichearth。Therogueshavelaidtheirheadstogethertosetatrapforme。”

Mme。Vauquerfeltsickandfaintatthesewords。

“GoodLord！“shecried，“thisdoesgiveoneaturn；andmeattheGaitewithhimonlylastnight！“shesaidtoSylvie。

“Summonyourphilosophy，mamma。”Collinresumed。“IsitamisfortunetohavesatinmyboxattheGaiteyesterdayevening？

Afterall，areyoubetterthanweare？Thebranduponourshouldersislessshamefulthanthebrandsetonyourhearts，youflabbymembersofasocietyrottentothecore。Notthebestmanamongyoucouldstanduptome。”HiseyesresteduponRastignac，towhomhespokewithapleasantsmilethatseemedstrangelyatvariancewiththesavageexpressioninhiseyes——“Ourlittlebargainstillholdsgood，dearboy；youcanacceptanytimeyoulike！Doyouunderstand？“Andhesang：

“AcharminggirlismyFanchetteInhersimplicity。”

“Don’tyoutroubleyourself。”hewenton；“Icangetinmymoney。

Theyaretoomuchafraidofmetoswindleme。”

Theconvicts’prison，itslanguageandcustoms，itssuddensharptransitionsfromthehumoroustothehorrible，itsappallinggrandeur，itstrivialityanditsdarkdepths，wereallrevealedinturnbythespeaker’sdiscourse；heseemedtobenolongeraman，butthetypeandmouthpieceofadegeneraterace，abrutal，supple，clear-headedraceofsavages。InonemomentCollinbecamethepoetofaninferno，whereinallthoughtsandpassionsthatmovehumannature(saverepentance)findaplace。Helookedabouthimlikeafallenarchangelwhoisforwartotheend。Rastignacloweredhiseyes，andacknowledgedthiskinshipclaimedbycrimeasanexpiationofhisownevilthoughts。

“Whobetrayedme？“saidCollin，andhisterribleeyestraveledroundtheroom。SuddenlytheyrestedonMlle。Michonneau。

“Itwasyou，oldcat！“hesaid。“Thatshamstrokeofapoplexywasyourdoing，lynxeyes！……Twowordsfromme，andyourthroatwouldbecutinlessthanaweek，butIforgiveyou，IamaChristian。Youdidnotsellmeeither。Butwhodid？——Aha！youmayrummageupstairs。”heshouted，hearingthepoliceofficersopeninghiscupboardsandtakingpossessionofhiseffects。“Thenestisempty，thebirdsflewawayyesterday，andyouwillbenonethewiser。Myledgersarehere。”hesaidtappinghisforehead。“NowIknowwhosoldme！ItcouldonlybethatblackguardFil-de-Soie。Thatiswhoitwas，oldcatchpoll，eh？“

hesaid，turningtothechief。“Itwastimedsoneatlytogetthebanknotesupabovethere。Thereisnothingleftforyou——spies！

AsforFil-de-Soie，hewillbeunderthedaisiesinlessthanafortnight，evenifyouweretotelloffthewholeforcetoprotecthim。HowmuchdidyougivetheMichonnette？“heaskedofthepoliceofficers。“Athousandcrowns？OhyouNinonindecay，Pompadourintatters，Venusofthegraveyard，Iwasworthmorethanthat！Ifyouhadgivenmewarning，youshouldhavehadsixthousandfrancs。Ah！youhadnosuspicionofthat，oldtraffickerinfleshandblood，orIshouldhavehadthepreference。Yes，I

wouldhavegivensixthousandfrancstosavemyselfaninconvenientjourneyandsomelossofmoney。”hesaid，astheyfastenedthehandcuffsonhiswrists。“Thesefolkswillamusethemselvesbydraggingoutthisbusinesstilltheendoftimetokeepmeidle。Iftheyweretosendmestraighttojail，IshouldsoonbebackatmyoldtricksinspiteoftheduffersattheQuaidesOrfevres。Downyondertheywillallturnthemselvesinsideouttohelptheirgeneral——theirgoodTrompe-la-Mort——togetclearaway。Isthereasingleoneamongyouthatcansay，asI

can，thathehastenthousandbrothersreadytodoanythingforhim？“heaskedproudly。“Thereissomegoodthere。”hesaidtappinghisheart；“Ihaveneverbetrayedanyone！——Lookyouhere，youslut。”hesaidtotheoldmaid，“theyareallafraidofme，doyousee？butthesightofyouturnsthemsick。Rakeinyourgains。”

Hewassilentforamoment，andlookedroundatthelodgers’

faces。

“Whatdoltsyouare，allofyou！Haveyouneverseenaconvictbefore？AconvictofCollin’sstamp，whomyouseebeforeyou，isamanlessweak-kneedthanothers；heliftsuphisvoiceagainstthecolossalfraudoftheSocialContract，asJeanJacquesdid，whosepupilheisproudtodeclarehimself。Inshort，Istandheresingle-handedagainstaGovernmentandawholesubsidizedmachineryoftribunalsandpolice，andIamamatchforthemall。”

“Yegods！“criedthepainter，“whatamagnificentsketchonemightmakeofhim！“

“Lookhere，yougentlemen-in-waitingtohishighnessthegibbet，masterofceremoniestothewidow“(anicknamefullofsombrepoetry，givenbyprisonerstotheguillotine)，“beagoodfellow，andtellmeifitreallywasFil-de-Soiewhosoldme。Idon’twanthimtosufferforsomeoneelse，thatwouldnotbefair。”

Butbeforethechiefhadtimetoanswer，therestofthepartyreturnedfrommakingtheirinvestigationsupstairs。Everythinghadbeenopenedandinventoried。Afewwordspassedbetweenthemandthechief，andtheofficialpreliminarieswerecomplete。

“Gentlemen。”saidCollin，addressingthelodgers，“theywilltakemeawaydirectly。Youhaveallmademystayamongyouveryagreeable，andIshalllookbackuponitwithgratitude。Receivemyadieux，andpermitmetosendyoufigsfromProvence。”

Headvancedasteportwo，andthenturnedtolookoncemoreatRastignac。

“Good-bye，Eugene。”hesaid，inasadandgentletone，astrangetransitionfromhispreviousroughandsternmanner。“Ifyoushouldbehardup，Ihaveleftyouadevotedfriend。”and，inspiteofhisshackles，hemanagedtoassumeapostureofdefence，called，“One，two！“likeafencing-master，andlunged。“Ifanythinggoeswrong，applyinthatquarter。Manandmoney，allatyourservice。”

Thestrangespeaker’smannerwassufficientlyburlesque，sothatnoonebutRastignacknewthattherewasaseriousmeaningunderlyingthepantomime。

Assoonasthepolice，soldiers，anddetectiveshadleftthehouse，Sylvie，whowasrubbinghermistress’templeswithvinegar，lookedroundatthebewilderedlodgers。

“Well。”saidshe，“hewasaman，hewas，forallthat。”

Herwordsbrokethespell。Everyonehadbeentoomuchexcited，toomuchmovedbyveryvariousfeelingstospeak。Butnowthelodgersbegantolookateachother，andthenalleyeswereturnedatonceonMlle。Michonneau，athin，shriveled，dead-

alive，mummy-likefigure，crouchingbythestove；hereyesweredowncast，asifshefearedthatthegreeneye-shadecouldnotshutouttheexpressionofthosefacesfromher。Thisfigureandthefeelingofrepulsionshehadsolongexcitedwereexplainedallatonce。Asmotheredmurmurfilledtheroom；itwassounanimous，thatitseemedasifthesamefeelingofloathinghadpitchedallthevoicesinonekey。Mlle。Michonneauheardit，anddidnotstir。ItwasBianchonwhowasthefirsttomove；hebentoverhisneighbor，andsaidinalowvoice，“Ifthatcreatureisgoingtostophere，andhavedinnerwithus，Ishallclearout。”

Inthetwinklingofaneyeitwasclearthateveryoneintheroom，savePoiret，wasofthemedicalstudent’sopinion，sothatthelatter，stronginthesupportofthemajority，wentuptothatelderlyperson。

“YouaremoreintimatewithMlle。Michonneauthantherestofus。”hesaid；“speaktoher，makeherunderstandthatshemustgo，andgoatonce。”

“Atonce！“echoedPoiretinamazement。

Thenhewentacrosstothecrouchingfigure，andspokeafewwordsinherear。

“Ihavepaidbeforehandforthequarter；Ihaveasmuchrighttobehereasanyoneelse。”shesaid，withaviperouslookattheboarders。

“Nevermindthat！wewillclubtogetherandpayyouthemoneyback。”saidRastignac。

“MonsieuristakingCollin’spart“shesaid，withaquestioning，malignantglanceatthelawstudent；“itisnotdifficulttoguesswhy。”

Eugenestartedforwardatthewords，asifhemeanttospringuponherandwringherneck。Thatglance，andthedepthsoftreacherythatitrevealed，hadbeenahideousenlightenment。

“Letheralone！“criedtheboarders。

Rastignacfoldedhisarmsandwassilent。

“LetushavenomoreofMlle。Judas。”saidthepainter，turningtoMme。Vauquer。“Ifyoudon’tshowtheMichonneauthedoor，madame，weshallallleaveyourshop，andwhereverwegoweshallsaythatthereareonlyconvictsandspiesleftthere。Ifyoudotheotherthing，wewillholdourtonguesaboutthebusiness；forwhenallissaidanddone，itmighthappeninthebestsocietyuntiltheybrandthemontheforehead，whentheysendthemtothehulks。TheyoughtnottoletconvictsgoaboutParisdisguisedlikedecentcitizens，soastocarryontheiranticslikeasetofrascallyhumbugs，whichtheyare。”

AtthisMme。Vauquerrecoveredmiraculously。Shesatupandfoldedherarms；hereyeswerewideopennow，andtherewasnosignoftearsinthem。

“Why，doyoureallymeantobetheruinofmyestablishment，mydearsir？ThereisM。Vautrin——Goodness。”shecried，interruptingherself，“Ican’thelpcallinghimbythenamehepassedhimselfoffbyforanhonestman！Thereisoneroomtoletalready，andyouwantmetoturnouttwomorelodgersinthemiddleoftheseason，whennooneismoving——“

“Gentlemen，letustakeourhatsandgoanddineatFlicoteaux’sinthePlaceSorbonne。”criedBianchon。

Mme。Vauquerglancedround，andsawinamomentonwhichsideherinterestlay。ShewaddledacrosstoMlle。Michonneau。

“Come，now。”shesaid；“youwouldnotbetheruinofmyestablishment，wouldyou，eh？There’sadear，kindsoul。Youseewhatapassthesegentlemenhavebroughtmeto；justgouptoyourroomforthisevening。”

“Neverabitofit！“criedtheboarders。“Shemustgo，andgothisminute！“

“Butthepoorladyhashadnodinner。”saidPoiret，withpiteousentreaty。

“Shecangoanddinewhereshelikes。”shoutedseveralvoices。

“Turnherout，thespy！“

“Turnthembothout！Spies！“

“Gentlemen。”criedPoiret，hisheartswellingwiththecouragethatlovegivestotheovinemale，“respecttheweakersex。”

“Spiesareofnosex！“saidthepainter。

“Aprecioussexorama！“

“Turnherintothestreetorama！“

“Gentlemen，thisisnotmanners！Ifyouturnpeopleoutofthehouse，itoughtnottobedonesounceremoniouslyandwithnonoticeatall。Wehavepaidourmoney，andwearenotgoing。”

saidPoiret，puttingonhiscap，andtakingachairbesideMlle。

Michonneau，withwhomMme。Vauquerwasremonstrating。

“Naughtyboy！“saidthepainter，withacomicallook；“runaway，naughtylittleboy！“

“Lookhere。”saidBianchon；“ifyoudonotgo，alltherestofuswill。”andtheboarders，toaman，madeforthesitting-room-

door。

“Oh！mademoiselle，whatistobedone？“criedMme。Vauquer。“Iamaruinedwoman。Youcan’tstayhere；theywillgofurther，dosomethingviolent。”

Mlle。Michonneaurosetoherfeet。

“Sheisgoing！——Sheisnotgoing！——Sheisgoing！——No，sheisn’t。”

Thesealternateexclamations，andasuggestionofhostileintentions，borneoutbythebehavioroftheinsurgents，compelledMlle。Michonneautotakeherdeparture。Shemadesomestipulations，speakinginalowvoiceinherhostess’ear，andthen——“IshallgotoMme。Buneaud’s。”shesaid，withathreateninglook。

“Gowhereyouplease，mademoiselle。”saidMme。Vauquer，whoregardedthischoiceofanoppositionestablishmentasanatrociousinsult。“GoandlodgewiththeBuneaud；thewinewouldgiveacatthecolic，andthefoodischeapandnasty。”

Theboardersstoodasideintworowstoletherpass；notawordwasspoken。PoiretlookedsowistfullyafterMlle。Michonneau，andsoartlesslyrevealedthathewasintwomindswhethertogoorstay，thattheboarders，intheirjoyatbeingquitofMlle。

Michonneau，burstoutlaughingatthesightofhim。

“Hist！——st！——st！Poiret。”shoutedthepainter。“Hallo！Isay，Poiret，hallo！“TheemployefromtheMuseumbegantosing：

“PartantpourlaSyrie，LejeuneetbeauDunois……”

“Getalongwithyou；youmustbedyingtogo，trahitsuaquemquevoluptas！“saidBianchon。

“Everyonetohistaste——freerenderingfromVirgil。”saidthetutor。

Mlle。MichonneaumadeamovementasiftotakePoiret’sarm，withanappealingglancethathecouldnotresist。Thetwowentouttogether，theoldmaidleaninguponhim，andtherewasaburstofapplause，followedbypealsoflaughter。

“Bravo，Poiret！“

“WhowouldhavethoughtitofoldPoiret！“

“ApolloPoiret！“

“MarsPoiret！“

“IntrepidPoiret！“

AmessengercameinatthatmomentwithaletterforMme。

Vauquer，whoreaditthrough，andcollapsedinherchair。

“Thehousemightaswellbeburneddownatonce。”criedshe，“iftherearetobeanymoreofthesethunderbolts！YoungTailleferdiedatthreeo’clockthisafternoon。Itservesmerightforwishingwelltothoseladiesatthatpoorman’sexpense。Mme。

CoutureandVictorinewantmetosendtheirthings，becausetheyaregoingtolivewithherfather。M。TailleferallowshisdaughtertokeepoldMme。Coutureasherladycompanion。Fourroomstolet！andfivelodgersgone！……”

Shesatup，andseemedabouttoburstintotears。

“Badluckhascometolodgehere，Ithink。”shecried。

Oncemoretherecameasoundofwheelsfromthestreetoutside。

“What！anotherwindfallforsomebody！“wasSylvie’scomment。

ButitwasGoriotwhocamein，lookingsoradiant，soflushedwithhappiness，thatheseemedtohavegrownyoungagain。

“Goriotinacab！“criedtheboarders；“theworldiscomingtoanend。”

ThegoodsoulmadestraightforEugene，whowasstandingwrappedinthoughtinacorner，andlaidahandontheyoungman’sarm。

“Come。”hesaid，withgladnessinhiseyes。

“Thenyouhaven’theardthenews？“saidEugene。“Vautrinwasanescapedconvict；theyhavejustarrestedhim；andyoungTailleferisdead。”

“Verywell，butwhatbusinessisitofours？“repliedFatherGoriot。“IamgoingtodinewithmydaughterinYOURHOUSE，doyouunderstand？Sheisexpectingyou。Come！“

HecarriedoffRastignacwithhimbymainforce，andtheydepartedinasgreatahurryasapairofelopinglovers。

“Now，letushavedinner。”criedthepainter，andeveryonedrewhischairtothetable。

“Well，Inever。”saidtheportlySylvie。“Nothinggoesrightto-

day！Theharicotmuttonhascaught！Bah！youwillhavetoeatit，burnedasitis，more’sthepity！“

Mme。Vauquerwassodispiritedthatshecouldnotsayawordasshelookedroundthetableandsawonlytenpeoplewhereeighteenshouldbe；buteveryonetriedtocomfortandcheerher。Atfirstthedinnercontingent，aswasnatural，talkedaboutVautrinandtheday’sevents；buttheconversationwoundroundtosuchtopicsofinterestasduels，jails，justice，prisonlife，andalterationsthatoughttobemadeinthelaws。TheysoonwanderedmilesawayfromJacquesCollinandVictorineandherbrother。

Theremightbeonlytenofthem，buttheymadenoiseenoughfortwenty；indeed，thereseemedtobemoreofthemthanusual；thatwastheonlydifferencebetweenyesterdayandto-day。

Indifferencetothefateofothersisamatterofcourseinthisselfishworld，which，onthemorrowoftragedy，seeksamongtheeventsofParisforafreshsensationforitsdailyrenewedappetite，andthisindifferencesoongainedtheupperhand。Mme。

Vauquerherselfgrewcalmerunderthesoothinginfluenceofhope，andthemouthpieceofhopewastheportlySylvie。

ThatdayhadgonebylikeadreamforEugene，andthesenseofunrealitylastedintotheevening；sothat，inspiteofhisenergeticcharacterandclear-headedness，hisideaswereachaosashesatbesideGoriotinthecab。Theoldman’svoicewasfullofunwontedhappiness，butEugenehadbeenshakenbysomanyemotionsthatthewordssoundedinhisearslikewordsspokeninadream。

“Itwasfinishedthismorning！Allthreeofusaregoingtodinetheretogether，together！Doyouunderstand？IhavenotdinedwithmyDelphine，mylittleDelphine，thesefouryears，andI

shallhaveherforawholeevening！Wehavebeenatyourlodgingthewholetimesincemorning。Ihavebeenworkinglikeaporterinmyshirtsleeves，helpingtocarryinthefurniture。Aha！youdon’tknowwhatprettywaysshehas；attableshewilllookafterme，’Here，papa，justtrythis，itisnice。’AndIshallnotbeabletoeat。Oh，itisalongwhilesinceIhavebeenwithherinquietevery-daylifeasweshallhaveher。”

“Itreallyseemsasiftheworldhasbeenturnedupsidedown。”

“Upsidedown？“repeatedFatherGoriot。“Why，theworldhasneverbeensoright-sideup。Iseenonebutsmilingfacesinthestreets，peoplewhoshakehandscordiallyandembraceeachother，peoplewhoalllookashappyasiftheyweregoingtodinewiththeirdaughter，andgobbledownanicelittledinnerthatshewentwithmetoorderofthechefattheCafedesAnglais。But，pshaw！withherbesideyougallandwormwoodwouldbeassweetashoney。”

“IfeelasifIwerecomingbacktolifeagain。”saidEugene。

“Why，hurryupthere！“criedFatherGoriot，lettingdownthewindowinfront。“Getonfaster；IwillgiveyoufivefrancsifyougettotheplaceItoldyouofintenminutestime。”

WiththisprospectbeforehimthecabmancrossedPariswithmiraculouscelerity。

“Howthatfellowcrawls！“saidFatherGoriot。

“Butwhereareyoutakingme？“Eugeneaskedhim。

“Toyourownhouse。”saidGoriot。

ThecabstoppedintheRued’Artois。FatherGoriotsteppedoutfirstandflungtenfrancstothemanwiththerecklessnessofawidowerreturningtobachelorways。

“Comealongupstairs。”hesaidtoRastignac。Theycrossedacourtyard，andclimbeduptothethirdfloorofanewandhandsomehouse。Theretheystoppedbeforeadoor；butbeforeGoriotcouldring，itwasopenedbyTherese，Mme。deNucingen’smaid。Eugenefoundhimselfinacharmingsetofchambers；anante-room，alittledrawing-room，abedroom，andastudy，lookingoutuponagarden。Thefurnitureandthedecorationsofthelittledrawing-roomwereofthemostdaintilycharmingdescription，theroomwasfullofsoftlight，andDelphineroseupfromalowchairbythefireandstoodbeforehim。Shesetherfire-screendownonthechimney-piece，andspokewithtendernessineverytoneofhervoice。

“Sowehadtogoinsearchofyou，sir，youwhoaresoslowtounderstand！“

Thereselefttheroom。ThestudenttookDelphineinhisarmsandheldherinatightclasp，hiseyesfilledwithtearsofjoy。

ThislastcontrastbetweenhispresentsurroundingsandthesceneshehadjustwitnessedwastoomuchforRastignac’sover-

wroughtnerves，aftertheday’sstrainandexcitementthathadweariedheartandbrain；hewasalmostovercomebyit。

“Ifeltsuremyselfthathelovedyou。”murmuredFatherGoriot，whileEugenelaybackbewilderedonthesofa，utterlyunabletospeakawordortoreasonouthowandwhythemagicwandhadbeenwavedtobringaboutthisfinaltransformationscene。

“Butyoumustseeyourrooms。”saidMme。deNucingen。Shetookhishandandledhimintoaroomcarpetedandfurnishedlikeherown；indeed，downtothesmallestdetails，itwasareproductioninminiatureofDelphine’sapartment。

“Thereisnobed。”saidRastignac。

“No，monsieur。”sheanswered，reddening，andpressinghishand。

Eugene，lookingather，understood，youngthoughheyetwas，howdeeplymodestyisimplantedintheheartofawomanwholoves。

“Youareoneofthosebeingswhomwecannotchoosebuttoadoreforever。”hesaidinherear。“Yes，thedeeperandtruerloveis，themoremysteriousandcloselyveileditshouldbe；Icandaretosayso，sinceweunderstandeachothersowell。Nooneshalllearnoursecret。”

“Oh！soIamnobody，Isuppose。”growledthefather。

“Youknowquitewellthat’we’meansyou。”

“Ah！thatiswhatIwanted。Youwillnotmindme，willyou？I

shallgoandcomelikeagoodfairywhomakeshimselffelteverywherewithoutbeingseen，shallInot？Eh，Delphinette，Ninette，Dedel——wasitnotagoodideaofminetosaytoyou，’TherearesomeniceroomstoletintheRued’Artois；letusfurnishthemforhim？’Andshewouldnothearofit！Ah！yourhappinesshasbeenallmydoing。Iamtheauthorofyourhappinessandofyourexistence。Fathersmustalwaysbegivingiftheywouldbehappythemselves；alwaysgiving——theywouldnotbefatherselse。”

“Wasthathowithappened？“askedEugene。

“Yes。Shewouldnotlistentome。Shewasafraidthatpeoplewouldtalk，asiftherubbishthattheysayaboutyouweretobecomparedwithhappiness！Why，allwomendreamofdoingwhatshehasdone——“

FatherGoriotfoundhimselfwithoutanaudience，forMme。deNucingenhadledRastignacintothestudy；heheardakissgivenandtaken，lowthoughthesoundwas。

Thestudywasfurnishedaselegantlyastheotherrooms，andnothingwaswantingthere。

“Haveweguessedyourwishesrightly？“sheasked，astheyreturnedtothedrawing-roomfordinner。

“Yes。”hesaid，“onlytoowell，alas！Forallthisluxurysowellcarriedout，thisrealizationofpleasantdreams，theelegancethatsatisfiesalltheromanticfanciesofyouth，appealstomesostronglythatIcannotbutfeelthatitismyrightfulpossession，butIcannotacceptitfromyou，andIamtoopoorasyetto——“

“Ah！ah！yousaymenayalready。”shesaidwitharchimperiousness，andacharminglittlepoutofthelips，awoman’swayoflaughingawayscruples。

ButEugenehadsubmittedsolatelytothatsolemnself-

questioning，andVautrin’sarresthadsoplainlyshownhimthedepthsofthepitthatlayreadytohisfeet，thattheinstinctsofgenerosityandhonorhadbeenstrengthenedinhim，andhecouldnotallowhimselftobecoaxedintoabandoninghishigh-

mindeddeterminations。Profoundmelancholyfilledhismind。

“Doyoureallymeantorefuse？“saidMme。deNucingen。“Anddoyouknowwhatsucharefusalmeans？Thatyouarenotsureofyourself，thatyoudonotdaretobindyourselftome。Areyoureallyafraidofbetrayingmyaffection？Ifyouloveme，ifI——

loveyou，whyshouldyoushrinkbackfromsuchaslightobligation？Ifyoubutknewwhatapleasureithasbeentoseeafterallthearrangementsofthisbachelorestablishment，youwouldnothesitateanylonger，youwouldaskmetoforgiveyouforyourhesitation。Ihadsomemoneythatbelongedtoyou，andI

havemadegooduseofit，thatisall。Youmeanthisformagnanimity，butitisverylittleofyou。Youareaskingmeforfarmorethanthis……Ah！“shecried，asEugene’spassionateglancewasturnedonher，“andyouaremakingdifficultiesaboutthemeresttrifles。Of，ifyoufeelnolovewhateverforme，refuse，byallmeans。Myfatehangsonawordfromyou。Speak！——

Father。”shesaidafterapause，“makehimlistentoreason。CanheimaginethatIamlessnicethanheisonthepointofhonor？“

FatherGoriotwaslookingonandlisteningtothisprettyquarrelwithaplacidsmile，asifhehadfoundsomebalmforallthesorrowsoflife。

“Childthatyouare！“shecriedagain，catchingEugene’shand。

“Youarejustbeginninglife；youfindbarriersattheoutsetthatmanyamanfindsinsurmountable；awoman’shandopensthewayandyoushrinkback！Why，youaresuretosucceed！Youwillhaveabrilliantfuture。Successiswrittenonthatbroadforeheadofyours，andwillyounotbeabletorepaymemyloanoftoday？Didnotaladyinoldentimesarmherknightwithswordandhelmetandcoatofmail，andfindhimacharger，sothathemightfightforherinthetournament？Well，then，Eugene，thesethingsthatIofferyouaretheweaponsofthisage；everyonewhomeanstobesomethingmusthavesuchtoolsasthese。Aprettyplaceyourgarretmustbeifitislikepapa’sroom！See，dinneriswaitingallthistime。Doyouwanttomakemeunhappy？——Whydon’tyouanswer？“shesaid，shakinghishand。“MONDIEU！papa，makeuphismindforhim，orIwillgoawayandneverseehimanymore。”

“Iwillmakeupyourmind。”saidGoriot，comingdownfromtheclouds。“Now，mydearM。Eugene，thenextthingistoborrowmoneyoftheJews，isn’tit？“

“Thereispositivelynohelpforit。”saidEugene。

“Allright，Iwillgiveyoucredit。”saidtheother，drawingoutacheapleatherpocket-book，muchtheworseforwear。“IhaveturnedJewmyself；Ipaidforeverything；herearetheinvoices。

Youdonotoweapennyforanythinghere。Itdidnotcometoverymuch——fivethousandfrancsatmost，andIamgoingtolendyouthemoneymyself。Iamnotawoman——youcanrefuseme。Youshallgivemeareceiptonascrapofpaper，andyoucanreturnitsometimeorother。”

DelphineandEugenelookedateachotherinamazement，tearssprangtotheireyes。RastignacheldouthishandandgraspedGoriot’swarmly。

“Well，whatisallthisabout？Areyounotmychildren？“

“Oh！mypoorfather。”saidMme。deNucingen，“howdidyoudoit？“

“Ah！nowyouaskme。WhenImadeupmymindtomovehimnearertoyou，andsawyoubuyingthingsasiftheywereweddingpresents，Isaidtomyself，’Shewillneverbeabletopayforthem。’Theattorneysaysthatthoselawproceedingswilllastquitesixmonthsbeforeyourhusbandcanbemadetodisgorgeyourfortune。

Wellandgood。Isoldoutmypropertyinthefundsthatbroughtinthirteenhundredandfiftylivresayear，andboughtasafeannuityoftwelvehundredfrancsayearforfifteenthousandfrancs。ThenIpaidyourtradesmenoutoftherestofthecapital。Asforme，children，IhavearoomupstairsforwhichI

payfiftycrownsayear；Icanlivelikeaprinceontwofrancsaday，andstillhavesomethingleftover。Ishallnothavetospendanythingmuchonclothes，forIneverwearanythingout。

ThisfortnightpastIhavebeenlaughinginmysleeve，thinkingtomyself，’Howhappytheyaregoingtobe！’and——well，now，areyounothappy？“

“Ohpapa！papa！“criedMme。deNucingen，springingtoherfather，whotookheronhisknee。Shecoveredhimwithkisses，herfairhairbrushedhischeek，hertearsfellonthewitheredfacethathadgrownsobrightandradiant。

“Dearfather，whatafatheryouare！No，thereisnotanotherfatherlikeyouunderthesun。IfEugenelovedyoubefore，whatmusthefeelforyounow？“

“Why，children，whyDelphinette！“criedGoriot，whohadnotfelthisdaughter’sheartbeatagainsthisbreastfortenyears，“doyouwantmetodieofjoy？Mypoorheartwillbreak！Come，MonsieurEugene，wearequitsalready。”Andtheoldmanstrainedhertohisbreastwithsuchfierceandpassionateforcethatshecriedout。

“Oh！youarehurtingme！“shesaid。

“Iamhurtingyou！“Hegrewpaleatthewords。Thepainexpressedinhisfaceseemedgreaterthanitisgiventohumanitytoknow。

TheagonyofthisChristofpaternitycanonlybecomparedwiththemasterpiecesofthoseprincesofthepalettewhohaveleftforustherecordoftheirvisionsofanagonysufferedforawholeworldbytheSaviourofmen。FatherGoriotpressedhislipsverygentlyagainstthewaistthanhisfingershadgraspedtooroughly。

“Oh！no，no。”hecried。“Ihavenothurtyou，haveI？“andhissmileseemedtorepeatthequestion。“YOUhavehurtmewiththatcryjustnow——Thethingscostrathermorethanthat。”hesaidinherear，withanothergentlekiss，“butIhadtodeceivehimaboutit，orhewouldhavebeenangry。”

Eugenesatdumbwithamazementinthepresenceofthisinexhaustiblelove；hegazedatGoriot，andhisfacebetrayedtheartlessadmirationwhichshapesthebeliefsofyouth。

“Iwillbeworthyofallthis。”hecried。

“Oh！myEugene，thatisnoblysaid。”andMme。deNucingenkissedthelawstudentontheforehead。

“HegaveupMlle。Tailleferandhermillionsforyou。”saidFatherGoriot。“Yes，thelittlethingwasinlovewithyou，andnowthatherbrotherisdeadsheisasrichasCroesus。”

“Oh！whydidyoutellher？“criedRastignac。

“Eugene。”Delphinesaidinhisear，“Ihaveoneregretnowthisevening。Ah！howIwillloveyou！andforever！“

“ThisisthehappiestdayIhavehadsinceyoutwoweremarried！“

criedGoriot。“Godmaysendmeanysuffering，solongasIdonotsufferthroughyou，andIcanstillsay，’InthisshortmonthofFebruaryIhadmorehappinessthanothermenhaveintheirwholelives。’——Lookatme，Fifine！“hesaidtohisdaughter。“Sheisverybeautiful，isshenot？Tellme，now，haveyouseenmanywomenwiththatprettysoftcolor——thatlittledimpleofhers？

No，Ithoughtnot。Ah，well，andbutformethislovelywomanwouldneverhavebeen。Andverysoonhappinesswillmakeherathousandtimeslovelier，happinessthroughyou。Icouldgiveupmyplaceinheaventoyou，neighbor，ifneedsbe，andgodowntohellinstead。Come，letushavedinner。”headded，scarcelyknowingwhathesaid，“everythingisours。”

“Poordearfather！“

Heroseandwentovertoher，andtookherfaceinhishands，andsetakissontheplaitsofhair。“Ifyouonlyknew，littleone，howhappyyoucanmakeme——howlittleittakestomakemehappy！

Willyoucomeandseemesometimes？Ishallbejustabove，soitisonlyastep。Promiseme，saythatyouwill！“

“Yes，dearfather。”

“Sayitagain。”

“Yes，Iwill，mykindfather。”

“Hush！hush！IshouldmakeyousayitahundredtimesoverifI

followedmyownwishes。Letushavedinner。”

Thethreebehavedlikechildrenthatevening，andFatherGoriot’sspiritswerecertainlynottheleastwild。Helayathisdaughter’sfeet，kissedthem，gazedintohereyes，rubbedhisheadagainstherdress；inshort，noyounglovercouldhavebeenmoreextravagantormoretender。

“Yousee！“DelphinesaidwithalookatEugene，“solongasmyfatheriswithus，hemonopolizesme。Hewillberatherinthewaysometimes。”

Eugenehadhimselfalreadyfeltcertaintwingesofjealousy，andcouldnotblamethisspeechthatcontainedthegermofallingratitude。

“Andwhenwilltheroomsbeready？“askedEugene，lookinground。

“Wemustallleavethemthisevening，Isuppose。”

“Yes，butto-morrowyoumustcomeanddinewithme。”sheanswered，withaneloquentglance。“ItisournightattheItaliens。”

“Ishallgotothepit。”saidherfather。

Itwasmidnight。Mme。deNucingen’scarriagewaswaitingforher，andFatherGoriotandthestudentwalkedbacktotheMaisonVauquer，talkingofDelphine，andwarmingovertheirtalktilltheregrewupacuriousrivalrybetweenthetwoviolentpassions。

Eugenecouldnothelpseeingthatthefather’sself-lesslovewasdeeperandmoresteadfastthanhisown。ForthisworshiperDelphinewasalwayspureandfair，andherfather’sadorationdrewitsfervorfromawholepastaswellasafutureoflove。

TheyfoundMme。Vauquerbythestove，withSylvieandChristophetokeephercompany；theoldlandlady，sittinglikeMariusamongtheruinsofCarthage，waswaitingforthetwolodgersthatyetremainedtoher，andbemoaningherlotwiththesympatheticSylvie。Tasso’slamentationsasrecordedinByron’spoemareundoubtedlyeloquent，butforsheerforceoftruththeyfallfarshortofthewidow’scryfromthedepths。

“Onlythreecupsofcoffeeinthemorning，Sylvie！Ohdear！tohaveyourhouseemptiedinthiswayisenoughtobreakyourheart。Whatislife，nowmylodgersaregone？Nothingatall。

Justthinkofit！Itisjustasifallthefurniturehadbeentakenoutofthehouse，andyourfurnitureisyourlife。HowhaveIoffendedheaventodrawdownallthistroubleuponme？Andharicotbeansandpotatoeslaidinfortwentypeople！Thepoliceinmyhousetoo！Weshallhavetoliveonpotatoesnow，andChristophewillhavetogo！“

TheSavoyard，whowasfastasleep，suddenlywokeupatthis，andsaid，“Madame。”questioningly。

“Poorfellow！“saidSylvie，“heislikeadog。”

“Inthedeadseason，too！Nobodyismovingnow。Iwouldliketoknowwherethelodgersaretodropdownfrom。Itdrivesmedistracted。AndthatoldwitchofaMichonneaugoesandtakesPoiretwithher！Whatcanshehavedonetomakehimsofondofher？Herunsaboutafterherlikealittledog。”

“Lord！“saidSylvie，flingingupherhead，“thoseoldmaidsareuptoallsortsoftricks。”

“There’sthatpoorM。Vautrinthattheymadeouttobeaconvict。”thewidowwenton。“Well，youknowthatistoomuchforme，Sylvie；Ican’tbringmyselftobelieveit。Suchalivelymanashewas，andpaidfifteenfrancsamonthforhiscoffeeofanevening，paidyouverypennyonthenailtoo。”

“Andopen-handedhewas！“saidChristophe。

“Thereissomemistake。”saidSylvie。

“Why，nothereisn’t！hesaidsohimself！“saidMme。Vauquer。

“Andtothinkthatallthesethingshavehappenedinmyhouse，andinaquarterwhereyouneverseeacatgoby。Onmywordasanhonestwoman，it’slikeadream。For，lookhere，wesawLouisXVI。meetwithhismishap；wesawthefalloftheEmperor；andwesawhimcomebackandfallagain；therewasnothingoutofthewayinallthat，butlodging-housesarenotliabletorevolutions。Youcandowithoutaking，butyoumusteatallthesame；andsolongasadecentwoman，adeConflansbornandbred，willgiveyouallsortsofgoodthingsfordinner，nothingshortoftheendoftheworldoughtto——butthere，itistheendoftheworld，thatisjustwhatitis！“

“AndtothinkthatMlle。Michonneauwhomadeallthismischiefistohaveathousandcrownsayearforit，soIhear。”criedSylvie。

“Don’tspeakofher，sheisawickedwoman！“saidMme。Vauquer。

“SheisgoingtotheBuneaud，whochargeslessthancost。ButtheBuneaudiscapableofanything；shemusthavedonefrightfulthings，robbedandmurderedpeopleinhertime。SHEoughttobeputinjailforlifeinsteadofthatpoordear——“

EugeneandGoriotrangthedoor-bellatthatmoment。

“Ah！herearemytwofaithfullodgers。”saidthewidow，sighing。

Butthetwofaithfullodgers，whoretainedbutshadowyrecollectionsofthemisfortunesoftheirlodging-house，announcedtotheirhostesswithoutmoreadothattheywereabouttoremovetotheChausseed’Antin。

“Sylvie！“criedthewidow，“thisisthelaststraw——Gentlemen，thiswillbethedeathofme！Ithasquiteupsetme！There’saweightonmychest！Iamtenyearsolderforthisday！Uponmyword，Ishallgooutofmysenses！Andwhatistobedonewiththeharicots！——Oh，well，ifIamtobelefthereallbymyself，youshallgoto-morrow，Christophe——Good-night，gentlemen。”andshewent。

“Whatisthematternow？“EugeneinquiredofSylvie。

“Lord！everybodyisgoingabouthisbusiness，andthathasaddledherwits。There！sheiscryingupstairs。Itwilldohergoodtosnivelabit。It’sthefirsttimeshehascriedsinceI’vebeenwithher。”

Bythemorning，Mme。Vauquer，touseherownexpression，had“madeuphermindtoit。”True，shestillworeadolefulcountenance，asmightbeexpectedofawomanwhohadlostallherlodgers，andwhosemanneroflifehadbeensuddenlyrevolutionized，butshehadallherwitsabouther。Hergriefwasgenuineandprofound；itwasrealpainofmind，forherpursehadsuffered，theroutineofherexistencehadbeenbroken。Alover’sfarewellglanceathislady-love’swindowisnotmoremournfulthanMme。Vauquer’ssurveyoftheemptyplacesroundhertable。

Eugeneadministeredcomfort，tellingthewidowthatBianchon，whosetermofresidenceatthehospitalwasabouttoexpire，woulddoubtlesstakehis(Rastignac’s)place；thattheofficialfromtheMuseumhadoftenexpressedadesiretohaveMme。

Couture’srooms；andthatinaveryfewdaysherhouseholdwouldbeontheoldfooting。

“Godsenditmay，mydearsir！butbadluckhascometolodgehere。There’llbeadeathinthehousebeforetendaysareout，you’llsee。”andshegavealugubriouslookroundthedining-

room。“Whoseturnwillitbe，Iwonder？“

“Itisjustaswellthatwearemovingout。”saidEugenetoFatherGoriotinalowvoice。

“Madame。”saidSylvie，runninginwithascaredface，“IhavenotseenMistigristhesethreedays。”

“Ah！well，ifmycatisdead，ifHEhasgoneandleftus，I——“

Thepoorwomancouldnotfinishhersentence；sheclaspedherhandsandhidherfaceonthebackofherarmchair，quiteovercomebythisdreadfulportent。

Bytwelveo’clock，whenthepostmanreachesthatquarter，Eugenereceivedaletter。ThedaintyenvelopeboretheBeauseantarmsontheseal，andcontainedaninvitationtotheVicomtesse’sgreatball，whichhadbeentalkedofinParisforamonth。AlittlenoteforEugenewasslippedinwiththecard。

“Ithink，monsieur，thatyouwillundertakewithpleasuretointerpretmysentimentstoMme。deNucingen，soIamsendingthecardforwhichyouaskedmetoyou。IshallbedelightedtomaketheacquaintanceofMme。deRestaud’ssister。Prayintroducethatcharmingladytome，anddonotlethermonopolizeallyouraffection，foryouowemenotalittleinreturnformine。

“VICOMTESSEDEBEAUSEANT。”

“Well。”saidEugenetohimself，ashereadthenoteasecondtime，“Mme。deBeauseantsaysprettyplainlythatshedoesnotwanttheBarondeNucingen。”

HewenttoDelphineatonceinhisjoy。Hehadprocuredthispleasureforher，anddoubtlesshewouldreceivethepriceofit。

Mme。deNucingenwasdressing。Rastignacwaitedinherboudoir，enduringasbesthemightthenaturalimpatienceofaneagertemperamentfortherewarddesiredandwithheldforayear。Suchsensationsareonlyknownonceinalife。Thefirstwomantowhomamanisdrawn，ifsheisreallyawoman——thatistosay，ifsheappearstohimamidthesplendidaccessoriesthatformanecessarybackgroundtolifeintheworldofParis——willneverhavearival。

LoveinParisisathingdistinctandapart；forinParisneithermennorwomenarethedupesofthecommonplacesbywhichpeopleseektothrowaveilovertheirmotives，ortoparadeafineaffectationofdisinterestednessintheirsentiments。Inthiscountrywithinacountry，itisnotmerelyrequiredofawomanthatsheshouldsatisfythesensesandthesoul；sheknowsperfectlywellthatshehasstillgreaterobligationstodischarge，thatshemustfulfilthecountlessdemandsofavanitythatentersintoeveryfibreofthatlivingorganismcalledsociety。Love，forher，isaboveallthings，andbyitsverynature，avainglorious，brazen-fronted，ostentatious，thriftlesscharlatan。IfattheCourtofLouisXIV。therewasnotawomanbutenviedMlle。delaVallieretherecklessdevotionofpassionthatledthegrandmonarchtotearthepricelessrufflesathiswristsinordertoassisttheentryofaDucdeVermandoisintotheworld——whatcanyouexpectoftherestofsociety？Youmusthaveyouthandwealthandrank；nay，youmust，ifpossible，havemorethanthese，forthemoreincenseyoubringwithyoutoburnattheshrineofthegod，themorefavorablywillheregardtheworshiper。Loveisareligion，andhiscultmustinthenatureofthingsbemorecostlythanthoseofallotherdeities；LovetheSpoilerstaysforamoment，andthenpasseson；liketheurchinofthestreets，hiscoursemaybetracedbytheravagesthathehasmade。Thewealthoffeelingandimaginationisthepoetryofthegarret；howshouldloveexisttherewithoutthatwealth？

IfthereareexceptionswhodonotsubscribetotheseDraconianlawsoftheParisiancode，theyaresolitaryexamples。Suchsoulslivesofaroutofthemaincurrentthattheyarenotborneawaybythedoctrinesofsociety；theydwellbesidesomeclearspringofeverflowingwater，withoutseekingtoleavethegreenshade；

happytolistentotheechoesoftheinfiniteineverythingaroundthemandintheirownsouls，waitinginpatiencetotaketheirflightforheaven，whiletheylookwithpityuponthoseofearth。