第8章

Rastignac，likemostyoungmenwhohavebeenearlyimpressedbythecircumstancesofpowerandgrandeur，meanttoenterthelistsfullyarmed；theburningambitionofconquestpossessedhimalready；perhapshewasconsciousofhispowers，butasyetheknewneithertheendtowhichhisambitionwastobedirected，northemeansofattainingit。Indefaultofthepureandsacredlovethatfillsalife，ambitionmaybecomesomethingverynoble，subduingtoitselfeverythoughtofpersonalinterest，andsettingastheend——thegreatness，notofoneman，butofawholenation。

Butthestudenthadnotyetreachedthetimeoflifewhenamansurveysthewholecourseofexistenceandjudgesitsoberly。

Hithertohehadscarcelysomuchasshakenoffthespellofthefreshandgraciousinfluencesthatenvelopachildhoodinthecountry，likegreenleavesandgrass。HehadhesitatedonthebrinkoftheParisianRubicon，andinspiteoftheprickingsofambition，hestillclungtoalingeringtraditionofanoldideal——thepeacefullifeofthenobleinhischateau。Butyesterdayevening，atthesightofhisrooms，thosescrupleshadvanished。Hehadlearnedwhatitwastoenjoythematerialadvantagesoffortune，ashehadalreadyenjoyedthesocialadvantagesofbirth；heceasedtobeaprovincialfromthatmoment，andslippednaturallyandeasilyintoapositionwhichopenedupaprospectofabrilliantfuture。

So，ashewaitedforDelphine，intheprettyboudoir，wherehefeltthathehadacertainrighttobe，hefelthimselfsofarawayfromtheRastignacwhocamebacktoParisayearago，that，turningsomepowerofinnervisionuponthislatter，heaskedhimselfwhetherthatpastselfboreanyresemblancetotheRastignacofthatmoment。

“Madameisinherroom。”Theresecametotellhim。Thewoman’svoicemadehimstart。

HefoundDelphinelyingbackinherlowchairbythefireside，lookingfreshandbright。Thesightofheramongtheflowingdraperiesofmuslinsuggestedsomebeautifultropicalflower，wherethefruitissetamidtheblossom。

“Well。”shesaid，withatremorinhervoice，“hereyouare。”

“GuesswhatIbringforyou。”saidEugene，sittingdownbesideher。HetookpossessionofherarmtokissherhandMme。deNucingengaveajoyfulstartasshesawthecard。SheturnedtoEugene；thereweretearsinhereyesassheflungherarmsabouthisneck，anddrewhimtowardsherinafrenzyofgratifiedvanity。

“AndIowethishappinesstoyou——toTHEE“(shewhisperedthemoreintimatewordinhisear)；“butThereseisinmydressing-

room，letusbeprudent——Thishappiness——yes，forImaycallitso，whenitcomestomethroughYOU——issurelymorethanatriumphforself-love？Noonehasbeenwillingtointroducemeintothatset。PerhapsjustnowImayseemtoyoutobefrivolous，petty，shallow，likeaParisienne，butremember，myfriend，thatIamreadytogiveupallforyou；andthatifI

longmorethaneverforanentranceintotheFaubourgSaint-

Germain，itisbecauseIshallmeetyouthere。”

“Mme。deBeauseant’snoteseemstosayveryplainlythatshedoesnotexpecttoseetheBARONdeNucingenatherball；don’tyouthinkso？“saidEugene。

“Why，yes。”saidtheBaronessasshereturnedtheletter。“Thosewomenhaveatalentforinsolence。Butitisofnoconsequence，I

shallgo。Mysisterissuretobethere，andsuretobeverybeautifullydressed——Eugene。”shewenton，loweringhervoice，“shewillgotodispeluglysuspicions。Youdonotknowthethingsthatpeoplearesayingabouther。OnlythismorningNucingencametotellmethattheyhadbeendiscussingherattheclub。Greatheavens！onwhatdoesawoman’scharacterandthehonorofawholefamilydepend！IfeelthatIamnearlytouchedandwoundedinmypoorsister。Accordingtosomepeople，M。deTraillesmusthaveputhisnametobillsforahundredthousandfrancs，nearlyallofthemareoverdue，andproceedingsarethreatened。Inthispredicament，itseemsthatmysistersoldherdiamondstoaJew——thebeautifuldiamondsthatbelongedtoherhusband’smother，Mme。deRestaudtheelder，——youhaveseenherwearingthem。Infact，nothingelsehasbeentalkedaboutforthelasttwodays。SoIcanseethatAnastasieissuretocometoMme。deBeauseant’sballintissueofgold，andablazewithdiamonds，todrawalleyesuponher；andIwillnotbeoutshone。

Shehastriedtoeclipsemeallherlife，shehasneverbeenkindtome，andIhavehelpedhersooften，andalwayshadmoneyforherwhenshehadnone——Butnevermindotherpeoplenow，to-dayI

meantobeperfectlyhappy。”

Atoneo’clockthatmorningEugenewasstillwithMme。deNucingen。Inthemidstoftheirlovers’farewell，afarewellfullofhopeofblisstocome，shesaidinatroubledvoice，“Iamveryfearful，superstitious。Givewhatnameyouliketomypresentiments，butIamafraidthatmyhappinesswillbepaidforbysomehorriblecatastrophe。”

“Child！“saidEugene。

“Ah！havewechangedplaces，andamIthechildto-night？“sheasked，laughingly。

EugenewentbacktotheMaisonVauquer，neverdoubtingbutthatheshouldleaveitforgoodonthemorrow；andonthewayhefelltodreamingthebrightdreamsofyouth，whenthecupofhappinesshasleftitssweetnessonthelips。

“Well？“criedGoriot，asRastignacpassedbyhisdoor。

“Yes。”saidEugene；“Iwilltellyoueverythingto-morrow。”

“Everything，willyounot？“criedtheoldman。“Gotobed。To-

morrowourhappylifewillbegin。”

Nextday，GoriotandRastignacwerereadytoleavethelodging-

house，andonlyawaitedthegoodpleasureofaportertomoveoutofit；buttowardsnoontherewasasoundofwheelsintheRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevieve，andacarriagestoppedbeforethedooroftheMaisonVauquer。Mme。deNucingenalighted，andaskedifherfatherwasstillinthehouse，and，receivinganaffirmativereplyfromSylvie，ranlightlyupstairs。

ItsohappenedthatEugenewasathomeallunknowntohisneighbor。AtbreakfasttimehehadaskedGoriottosuperintendtheremovalofhisgoods，sayingthathewouldmeethimintheRued’Artoisatfouro’clock；butRastignac’snamehadbeencalledearlyonthelistattheEcoledeDroit，andhehadgonebackatoncetotheRueNueve-Sainte-Genevieve。Noonehadseenhimcomein，forGoriothadgonetofindaporter，andthemistressofthehousewaslikewiseout。Eugenehadthoughttopayherhimself，foritstruckhimthatifheleftthis，Goriotinhiszealwouldprobablypayforhim。Asitwas，Eugenewentuptohisroomtoseethatnothinghadbeenforgotten，andblessedhisforesightwhenhesawtheblankbillbearingVautrin’ssignaturelyinginthedrawerwherehehadcarelesslythrownitonthedaywhenhehadrepaidtheamount。Therewasnofireinthegrate，sohewasabouttotearitintolittlepieces，whenheheardavoicespeakinginGoriot’sroom，andthespeakerwasDelphine！Hemadenomorenoise，andstoodstilltolisten，thinkingthatsheshouldhavenosecretsfromhim；butafterthefirstfewwords，theconversationbetweenthefatheranddaughterwassostrangeandinterestingthatitabsorbedallhisattention。

“Ah！thankheaventhatyouthoughtofaskinghimtogiveanaccountofthemoneysettledonmebeforeIwasutterlyruined，father。Isitsafetotalk？“sheadded。

“Yes，thereisnooneinthehouse。”saidherfatherfaintly。

“Whatisthematterwithyou？“askedMme。deNucingen。

“Godforgiveyou！youhavejustdealtmeastaggeringblow，child！“saidtheoldman。“YoucannotknowhowmuchIloveyou，oryouwouldnothaveburstinuponmelikethis，withsuchnews，especiallyifallisnotlost。Hassomethingsoimportanthappenedthatyoumustcomehereaboutit？InafewminutesweshouldhavebeenintheRued’Artois。”

“Eh！doesonethinkwhatoneisdoingafteracatastrophe？Ithasturnedmyhead。Yourattorneyhasfoundoutthestateofthingsnow，butitwasboundtocomeoutsoonerorlater。Weshallwantyourlongbusinessexperience；andIcometoyoulikeadrowningmanwhocatchesatabranch。WhenM。DervillefoundthatNucingenwasthrowingallsortsofdifficultiesinhisway，hethreatenedhimwithproceedings，andtoldhimplainlythathewouldsoonobtainanorderfromthePresidentoftheTribunal。SoNucingencametomyroomthismorning，andaskedifImeanttoruinusboth。ItoldhimthatIknewnothingwhateveraboutit，thatI

hadafortune，andoughttobeputintopossessionofmyfortune，andthatmyattorneywasactingformeinthematter；IsaidagainthatIknewabsolutelynothingaboutit，andcouldnotpossiblygointothesubjectwithhim。Wasn’tthatwhatyoutoldmetotellhim？“

“Yes，quiteright。”answeredGoriot。

“Well，then。”Delphinecontinued，“hetoldmeallabouthisaffairs。Hehadjustinvestedallhiscapitalandmineinbusinessspeculations；theyhaveonlyjustbeenstarted，andverylargesumsofmoneyarelockedup。IfIweretocompelhimtorefundmydowrynow，hewouldbeforcedtofilehispetition；butifIwillwaitayear，heundertakes，onhishonor，todoubleortreblemyfortune，byinvestingitinbuildingland，andIshallbemistressatlastofthewholeofmyproperty。Hewasspeakingthetruth，fatherdear；hefrightenedme！Heaskedmypardonforhisconduct；hehasgivenmemyliberty；IamfreetoactasI

pleaseonconditionthatIleavehimtocarryonmybusinessinmyname。Toprovehissincerity，hepromisedthatM。DervillemightinspecttheaccountsasoftenasIpleased，sothatImightbeassuredthateverythingwasbeingconductedproperly。Inshort，heputhimselfinmypower，boundhandandfoot。Hewishesthepresentarrangementsastotheexpensesofhousekeepingtocontinuefortwomoreyears，andentreatedmenottoexceedmyallowance。Heshowedmeplainlythatitwasallthathecoulddotokeepupappearances；hehasbrokenwithhisoperadancer；hewillbecompelledtopractisethemoststricteconomy(insecret)

ifheistobidehistimewithunshakencredit。Iscolded，IdidallIcouldtodrivehimtodesperation，soastofindoutmore。

Heshowedmehisledgers——hebrokedownandcriedatlast。I

neversawamaninsuchastate。Helosthisheadcompletely，talkedofkillinghimself，andravedtillIfeltquitesorryforhim。”

“Doyoureallybelievethatsillyrubbish？“……criedherfather。“Itwasallgotupforyourbenefit！IhavehadtodowithGermansinthewayofbusiness，honestandstraightforwardtheyareprettysuretobe，butwhenwiththeirsimplicityandfranknesstheyaresharpersandhumbugsaswell，theyaretheworstroguesofall。Yourhusbandistakingadvantageofyou。Assoonaspressureisbroughttobearonhimheshamsdead；hemeanstobemorethemasterunderyournamethaninhisown。Hewilltakeadvantageofthepositiontosecurehimselfagainsttherisksofbusiness。Heisassharpasheistreacherous；heisabadlot！No，no；IamnotgoingtoleavemygirlsbehindmewithoutapennywhenIgotoPere-Lachaise。Iknowsomethingaboutbusinessstill。Hehassunkhismoneyinspeculation，hesays；verywellthen，thereissomethingtoshowforit——bills，receipts，papersofsomesort。Lethimproducethem，andcometoanarrangementwithyou。Wewillchoosethemostpromisingofhisspeculations，takethemoveratourownrisk，andhavethesecuritiestransferredintoyourname；theyshallrepresenttheseparateestateofDelphineGoriot，wifeoftheBarondeNucingen。Doesthatfellowreallytakeusforidiots？DoesheimaginethatIcouldstandtheideaofyourbeingwithoutfortune，withoutbread，forforty-eighthours？Iwouldnotstanditaday——no，notanight，notacoupleofhours！Iftherehadbeenanyfoundationfortheidea，Ishouldnevergetoverit。

What！Ihaveworkedhardforfortyyears，carriedsacksonmyback，andsweatedandpinchedandsavedallmylifeforyou，mydarlings，foryouwhomadethetoilandeveryburdenborneforyouseemlight；andnow，myfortune，mywholelife，istovanishinsmoke！IshoulddieravingmadifIbelievedawordofit。Byallthat’sholiestinheavenandearth，wewillhavethisclearedupatonce；gothroughthebooks，havethewholebusinesslookedthoroughlyinto！Iwillnotsleep，norrest，noreatuntilIhavesatisfiedmyselfthatallyourfortuneisinexistence。Yourmoneyissettleduponyou，Godbethanked！and，luckily，yourattorney，MaitreDerville，isanhonestman。GoodLord！youshallhaveyoursnuglittlemillion，yourfiftythousandfrancsayear，aslongasyoulive，orIwillraisearacketinParis，Iwillso！IftheTribunalsputuponus，IwillappealtotheChambers。

IfIknewthatyouwerewellandcomfortablyoffasfarasmoneyisconcerned，thatthoughtwouldkeepmeeasyinspiteofbadhealthandtroubles。Money？why，itislife！Moneydoeseverything。ThatgreatdoltofanAlsatianshallsingtoanothertune！Lookhere，Delphine，don’tgiveway，don’tmakeaconcessionofhalfaquarterofafarthingtothatfathead，whohasgroundyoudownandmadeyoumiserable。Ifhecan’tdowithoutyou，wewillgivehimagoodcudgeling，andkeephiminorder。Greatheavens！mybrainisonfire；itisasifthereweresomethingredhotinsidemyhead。MyDelphinelyingonstraw！You！

myFifine！Goodgracious！Wherearemygloves？Come，letusgoatonce；Imeantoseeeverythingwithmyowneyes——books，cash，andcorrespondence，thewholebusiness。IshallhavenopeaceuntilI

knowforcertainthatyourfortuneissecure。”

“Oh！fatherdear，becarefulhowyousetaboutit！Ifthereistheleasthintofvengeanceinthebusiness，ifyoushowyourselfopenlyhostile，itwillbealloverwithme。Heknowswhomhehastodealwith；hethinksitquitenaturalthatifyouputtheideaintomyhead，Ishouldbeuneasyaboutmymoney；butIsweartoyouthathehasitinhisownhands，andthathehadmeanttokeepit。Heisjustthemantoabscondwithallthemoneyandleaveusinthelurch，thescoundrel！HeknowsquitewellthatI

willnotdishonorthenameIbearbybringinghimintoacourtoflaw。Hispositionisstrongandweakatthesametime。Ifwedrivehimtodespair，Iamlost。”

“Why，then，themanisarogue？“

“Well，yes，father。”shesaid，flingingherselfintoachair，“I

wantedtokeepitfromyoutospareyourfeelings。”andsheburstintotears；“Ididnotwantyoutoknowthatyouhadmarriedmetosuchamanasheis。Heisjustthesameinprivatelife——bodyandsoulandconscience——thesamethroughandthrough——hideous！I

hatehim；Idespisehim！Yes，afterallthatthatdespicableNucingenhastoldme，Icannotrespecthimanylonger。Amancapableofmixinghimselfupinsuchaffairs，andoftalkingaboutthemtomeashedid，withouttheslightestscruple，——itisbecauseIhavereadhimthroughandthroughthatIamafraidofhim。He，myhusband，franklyproposedtogivememyliberty，anddoyouknowwhatthatmeans？Itmeansthatifthingsturnoutbadlyforhim，Iamtoplayintohishands，andbehisstalking-

horse。”

“Butthereislawtobehad！ThereisaPlacedeGreveforsons-

in-lawofthatsort。”criedherfather；“why，Iwouldguillotinehimmyselfiftherewasnoheadsmantodoit。”

“No，father，thelawcannottouchhim。Listen，thisiswhathesays，strippedofallhiscircumlocutions——’Takeyourchoice，youandnooneelsecanbemyaccomplice；eithereverythingislost，youareruinedandhavenotafarthing，oryouwillletmecarrythisbusinessthroughmyself。’Isthatplainspeaking？HeMUST

havemyassistance。Heisassuredthathiswifewilldealfairlybyhim；heknowsthatIshallleavehismoneytohimandbecontentwithmyown。Itisanunholyanddishonestcompact，andheholdsoutthreatsofruintocompelmetoconsenttoit。Heisbuyingmyconscience，andthepriceislibertytobeEugene’swifeinallbutname。’Iconniveatyourerrors，andyouallowmetocommitcrimesandruinpoorfamilies！’Isthatsufficientlyexplicit？Doyouknowwhathemeansbyspeculations？Hebuysuplandinhisownname，thenhefindsmenofstrawtorunuphousesuponit。Thesemenmakeabargainwithacontractortobuildthehouses，payingthembybillsatlongdates；theninconsiderationofasmallsumtheyleavemyhusbandinpossessionofthehouses，andfinallyslipthroughthefingersofthedeludedcontractorsbygoingintobankruptcy。ThenameofthefirmofNucingenhasbeenusedtodazzlethepoorcontractors。Isawthat。Inoticed，too，thatNucingenhadsentbillsforlargeamountstoAmsterdam，London，Naples，andVienna，inordertoproveifnecessarythatlargesumshadbeenpaidawaybythefirm。Howcouldwegetpossessionofthosebills？“

Eugeneheardadullthudonthefloor；FatherGoriotmusthavefallenonhisknees。

“Greatheavens！whathaveIdonetoyou？Boundmydaughtertothisscoundrelwhodoesashelikeswithher！——Oh！mychild，mychild！forgiveme！“criedtheoldman。

“Yes，ifIaminthedepthsofdespair，perhapsyouaretoblame。”saidDelphine。“Wehavesolittlesensewhenwemarry！

Whatdoweknowoftheworld，ofbusiness，ormen，orlife？Ourfathersshouldthinkforus！Fatherdear，Iamnotblamingyouintheleast，forgivemeforwhatIsaid。Thisisallmyownfault。

Nay，donotcry，papa。”shesaid，kissinghim。

“Donotcryeither，mylittleDelphine。Lookupandletmekissawaythetears。There！Ishallfindmywitsandunravelthisskeinofyourhusband’swinding。”

“No，letmedothat；Ishallbeabletomanagehim。Heisfondofme，wellandgood；Ishallusemyinfluencetomakehiminvestmymoneyassoonaspossibleinlandedpropertyinmyownname。VerylikelyIcouldgethimtobuybackNucingeninAlsaceinmyname；

thathasalwaysbeenapetideaofhis。Still，cometo-morrowandgothroughthebooks，andlookintothebusiness。M。Dervilleknowslittleofmercantilematters。No，notto-morrowthough。I

donotwanttobeupset。Mme。deBeauseant’sballwillbethedayafterto-morrow，andImustkeepquiet，soastolookmybestandfreshest，anddohonortomydearEugene！……Come，letusseehisroom。”

ButasshespokeacarriagestoppedintheRueNueve-Sainte-

Genevieve，andthesoundofMme。deRestaud’svoicecamefromthestaircase。“Ismyfatherin？“sheaskedofSylvie。

ThisaccidentwasluckilytimedforEugene，whoseoneideahadbeentothrowhimselfdownonthebedandpretendtobeasleep。

“Oh，father，haveyouheardaboutAnastasie？“saidDelphine，whensheheardhersisterspeak。“Itlooksasthoughsomestrangethingshadhappenedinthatfamily。”

“Whatsortofthings？“askedGoriot。“Thisisliketobethedeathofme。Mypoorheadwillnotstandadoublemisfortune。”

“Good-morning，father。”saidtheCountessfromthethreshold。

“Oh！Delphine，areyouhere？“

Mme。deRestaudseemedtakenabackbyhersister’spresence。

“Good-morning，Nasie。”saidtheBaroness。“Whatistheresoextraordinaryinmybeinghere？_I_seeourfathereveryday。”

“Sincewhen？“

“Ifyoucameyourselfyouwouldknow。”

“Don’ttease，Delphine。”saidtheCountessfretfully。“Iamverymiserable，Iamlost。Oh！mypoorfather，itishopelessthistime！“

“Whatisit，Nasie？“criedGoriot。“Tellusallaboutit，child！

Howwhitesheis！Quick，dosomething，Delphine；bekindtoher，andIwillloveyouevenbetter，ifthatwerepossible。”

“PoorNasie！“saidMme。deNucingen，drawinghersistertoachair。“Wearetheonlytwopeopleintheworldwhoseloveisalwayssufficienttoforgiveyoueverything。Familyaffectionisthesurest，yousee。”

TheCountessinhaledthesaltsandrevived。

“Thiswillkillme！“saidtheirfather。“There。”hewenton，stirringthesmoulderingfire，“comenearer，bothofyou。Itiscold。Whatisit，Nasie？Bequickandtellme，thisisenoughto——“

“Well，then，myhusbandknowseverything。”saidtheCountess。

“Justimagineit；doyouremember，father，thatbillofMaxime’ssometimeago？Well，thatwasnotthefirst。Ihadpaideversomanybeforethat。AboutthebeginningofJanuaryM。deTraillesseemedverymuchtroubled。Hesaidnothingtome；butitissoeasytoreadtheheartsofthoseyoulove，ameretrifleisenough；andthenyoufeelthingsinstinctively。Indeed，hewasmoretenderandaffectionatethanever，andIwashappierthanI

hadeverbeenbefore。PoorMaxime！inhimselfhewasreallysayinggood-byetome，sohehastoldmesince；hemeanttoblowhisbrainsout！AtlastIworriedhimso，andbeggedandimploredsohard；fortwohoursIkneltathiskneesandprayedandentreated，andatlasthetoldme——thatheowedahundredthousandfrancs。Oh！papa！ahundredthousandfrancs！Iwasbesidemyself！Youhadnotthemoney，Iknew，Ihadeatenupallthatyouhad——“

“No。”saidGoriot；“IcouldnothavegotitforyouunlessIhadstolenit。ButIwouldhavedonethatforyou，Nasie！Iwilldoityet。”

Thewordscamefromhimlikeasob，ahoarsesoundlikethedeathrattleofadyingman；itseemedindeedliketheagonyofdeathwhenthefather’slovewaspowerless。Therewasapause，andneitherofthesistersspoke。Itmusthavebeenselfishnessindeedthatcouldhearunmovedthatcryofanguishthat，likeapebblethrownoveraprecipice，revealedthedepthsofhisdespair。

“Ifoundthemoney，father，bysellingwhatwasnotminetosell。”andtheCountessburstintotears。

Delphinewastouched；shelaidherheadonhersister’sshoulder，andcriedtoo。

“Thenitisalltrue。”shesaid。

Anastasiebowedherhead，Mme。deNucingenflungherarmsabouther，kissedhertenderly，andheldhersistertoherheart。

“Ishallalwaysloveyouandneverjudgeyou，Nasie。”shesaid。

“Myangels。”murmuredGoriotfaintly。“Oh，whyshoulditbetroublethatdrawsyoutogether？“

ThiswarmandpalpitatingaffectionseemedtogivetheCountesscourage。

“TosaveMaxime’slife。”shesaid，“tosaveallmyownhappiness，Iwenttothemoney-lenderyouknowof，amanofironforgedinhell-fire；nothingcanmelthim；ItookallthefamilydiamondsthatM。deRestaudissoproudof——hisandminetoo——andsoldthemtothatM。Gobseck。SOLDTHEM！Doyouunderstand？IsavedMaxime，butIamlost。Restaudfounditallout。”

“How？Whotoldhim？Iwillkillhim。”criedGoriot。

“Yesterdayhesenttotellmetocometohisroom。Iwent……

’Anastasie，’hesaidinavoice——oh！suchavoice；thatwasenough，ittoldmeeverything——’whereareyourdiamonds？’——’Inmyroom——’——’No，’hesaid，lookingstraightatme，’theretheyareonthatchestofdrawers——’andheliftedhishandkerchiefandshowedmethecasket。’Doyouknowwheretheycamefrom？’hesaid。Ifellathisfeet……Icried；Ibesoughthimtotellmethedeathhewishedtoseemedie。”

“Yousaidthat！“criedGoriot。“ByGodinheaven，whoeverlaysahandoneitherofyousolongasIamalivemayreckononbeingroastedbyslowfires！Yes，Iwillcuthiminpieceslike……”

Goriotstopped；thewordsdiedawayinhisthroat。

“Andthen，dear，heaskedsomethingworsethandeathofme。Oh！

heavenpreserveallotherwomenfromhearingsuchwordsasI

heardthen！“

“Iwillmurderthatman。”saidGoriotquietly。“Buthehasonlyonelife，andhedeservestodietwice——Andthen，whatnext？“headded，lookingatAnastasie。

“Then。”theCountessresumed，“therewasapause，andhelookedatme。’Anastasie，’hesaid，’Iwillburythisinsilence；thereshallbenoseparation；therearethechildren。IwillnotkillM。deTrailles。Imightmisshimifwefought，andasforotherwaysofgettingridofhim，Ishouldcomeintocollisionwiththelaw。IfIkilledhiminyourarms，itwouldbringdishonoronTHOSEchildren。Butifyoudonotwanttoseeyourchildrenperish，northeirfathernorme，youmustfirstofallsubmittotwoconditions。Answerme。HaveIachildofmyown？’Ianswered，’Yes，’——’Which？’——’Ernest，oureldestboy。’——’Verywell，’hesaid，’andnowsweartoobeymeinthisparticularfromthistimeforward。’Iswore。’YouwillmakeoveryourpropertytomewhenI

requireyoutodoso。’“

“Donothingofthekind！“criedGoriot。“Aha！M。deRestaud，youcouldnotmakeyourwifehappy；shehaslookedforhappinessandfounditelsewhere，andyoumakehersufferforyourownineptitude？Hewillhavetoreckonwithme。Makeyourselfeasy，Nasie。Aha！hecaresabouthisheir！Good，verygood。Iwillgetholdoftheboy；isn’themygrandson？Whattheblazes！Icansurelygotoseethebrat！Iwillstowhimawaysomewhere；Iwilltakecareofhim，youmaybequiteeasy。IwillbringRestaudtoterms，themonster！Ishallsaytohim，’Awordortwowithyou！

Ifyouwantyoursonbackagain，givemydaughterherproperty，andleavehertodoasshepleases。’“

“Father！“

“Yes。Iamyourfather，Nasie，afatherindeed！Thatrogueofagreatlordhadbetternotill-treatmydaughter。Tonnerre！Whatisitinmyveins？Thereisthebloodofatigerinme；Icouldtearthosetwomentopieces！Oh！children，children！sothisiswhatyourlivesare！Why，itisdeath！……WhatwillbecomeofyouwhenIshallbeherenolonger？Fathersoughttoliveaslongastheirchildren。Ah！LordGodinheaven！howillThyworldisordered！ThouhastaSon，ifwhattheytellusistrue，andyetThouleavestustosuffersothroughourchildren。Mydarlings，mydarlings！tothinkthattroubleonlyshouldbringyoutome，thatIshouldonlyseeyouwithtearsonyourfaces！Ah！yes，yes，youloveme，Iseethatyouloveme。Cometomeandpouroutyourgriefstome；myheartislargeenoughtoholdthemall。Oh！

youmightrendmyheartinpieces，andeveryfragmentwouldmakeafather’sheart。IfonlyIcouldbearallyoursorrowsforyou！……Ah！youweresohappywhenyouwerelittleandstillwithme……”

“Wehaveneverbeenhappysince。”saidDelphine。“Wherearetheolddayswhenwesliddownthesacksinthegreatgranary？“

“Thatisnotall，father。”saidAnastasieinGoriot’sear。Theoldmangaveastartledshudder。“Thediamondsonlysoldforahundredthousandfrancs。Maximeishardpressed。Therearetwelvethousandfrancsstilltopay。Hehasgivenmehiswordthathewillbesteadyandgiveupplayinfuture。HisloveisallthatI

haveleftintheworld。IhavepaidsuchafearfulpriceforitthatIshoulddieifIlosehimnow。Ihavesacrificedmyfortune，myhonor，mypeaceofmind，andmychildrenforhim。Oh！

dosomething，sothatattheleastMaximemaybeatlargeandliveundisgracedintheworld，wherehewillassuredlymakeacareerforhimself。Somethingmorethanmyhappinessisatstake；

thechildrenhavenothing，andifheissenttoSainte-Pelagieallhisprospectswillberuined。”

“Ihaven’tthemoney，Nasie。IhaveNOTHING——nothingleft。Thisistheendofeverything。Yes，theworldiscrumblingintoruin，Iamsure。Fly！Saveyourselves！Ah！——Ihavestillmysilverbucklesleft，andhalf-a-dozensilverspoonsandforks，thefirstIeverhadinmylife。ButIhavenothingelseexceptmylifeannuity，twelvehundredfrancs……”

“Thenwhathasbecomeofyourmoneyinthefunds？“

“Isoldout，andonlykeptatrifleformywants。IwantedtwelvethousandfrancstofurnishsomeroomsforDelphine。”

“Inyourownhouse？“askedMme。deRestaud，lookingathersister。

“Whatdoesitmatterwheretheywere？“askedGoriot。“Themoneyisspentnow。”

“Iseehowitis。”saidtheCountess。“RoomsforM。deRastignac。

PoorDelphine，takewarningbyme！“

“M。deRastignacisincapableofruiningthewomanheloves，dear。”

“Thanks！Delphine。Ithoughtyouwouldhavebeenkindertomeinmytroubles，butyouneverdidloveme。”

“Yes，yes，shelovesyou，Nasie。”criedGoriot；“shewassayingsoonlyjustnow。Weweretalkingaboutyou，andsheinsistedthatyouwerebeautiful，andthatsheherselfwasonlypretty！“

“Pretty！“saidtheCountess。“Sheisashardasamarblestatue。”

“AndifIam？“criedDelphine，flushingup，“howhaveyoutreatedme？Youwouldnotrecognizeme；youclosedthedoorsofeveryhouseagainstme；youhaveneverletanopportunityofmortifyingmeslipby。AndwhendidIcome，asyouwerealwaysdoing，todrainourpoorfather，athousandfrancsatatime，tillheisleftasyouseehimnow？Thatisallyourdoing，sister！ImyselfhaveseenmyfatherasoftenasIcould。Ihavenotturnedhimoutofthehouse，andthencomeandfawneduponhimwhenIwantedmoney。Ididnotsomuchasknowthathehadspentthosetwelvethousandfrancsonme。Iameconomical，asyouknow；andwhenpapahasmademepresents，ithasneverbeenbecauseIcameandbeggedforthem。”

“YouwerebetteroffthanI。M。deMarsaywasrich，asyouhavereasontoknow。Youalwayswereasslipperyasgold。Good-bye；I

haveneithersisternor——“

“Oh！hush，hush，Nasie！“criedherfather。

“Nobodyelsewouldrepeatwhateverybodyhasceasedtobelieve。

Youareanunnaturalsister！“criedDelphine。

“Oh，children，children！hush！hush！orIwillkillmyselfbeforeyoureyes。”

“There，Nasie，Iforgiveyou。”saidMme。deNucingen；“youareveryunhappy。ButIamkinderthanyouare。HowcouldyousayTHATjustwhenIwasreadytodoanythingintheworldtohelpyou，eventobereconciledwithmyhusband，whichformyownsakeI——Oh！itisjustlikeyou；youhavebehavedcruellytomeallthroughthesenineyears。”

“Children，children，kisseachother！“criedthefather。“Youareangels，bothofyou。”

“No。Letmealone。”criedtheCountessshakingoffthehandthatherfatherhadlaidonherarm。“Sheismoremercilessthanmyhusband。Anyonemightthinkshewasamodelofallthevirtuesherself！“

“IwouldratherhavepeoplethinkthatIowedmoneytoM。deMarsaythanownthatM。deTrailleshadcostmemorethantwohundredthousandfrancs。”retortedMme。deNucingen。

“DELPHINE！“criedtheCountess，steppingtowardshersister。

“Ishalltellyouthetruthaboutyourselfifyoubegintoslanderme。”saidtheBaronesscoldly。

“Delphine！youarea——“

FatherGoriotsprangbetweenthem，graspedtheCountess’hand，andlaidhisownoverhermouth。

“Goodheavens，father！Whathaveyoubeenhandlingthismorning？“

saidAnastasie。

“Ah！well，yes，Ioughtnottohavetouchedyou。”saidthepoorfather，wipinghishandsonhistrousers，“butIhavebeenpackingupmythings；Ididnotknowthatyouwerecomingtoseeme。”

Hewasgladthathehaddrawndownherwrathuponhimself。

“Ah！“hesighed，ashesatdown，“youchildrenhavebrokenmyheartbetweenyou。Thisiskillingme。Myheadfeelsasifitwereonfire。Begoodtoeachotherandloveeachother！Thiswillbethedeathofme！Delphine！Nasie！come，besensible；youarebothinthewrong。Come，Dedel。”headded，lookingthroughhistearsattheBaroness，“shemusthavetwelvethousandfrancs，yousee；letusseeifwecanfindthemforher。Oh，mygirls，donotlookateachotherlikethat！“andhesankonhiskneesbesideDelphine。“Askhertoforgiveyou——justtopleaseme。”hesaidinherear。“Sheismoremiserablethanyouare。Comenow，Dedel。”

“PoorNasie！“saidDelphine，alarmedatthewildextravagantgriefinherfather’sface，“Iwasinthewrong，kissme——“

“Ah！thatislikebalmtomyheart。”criedFatherGoriot。“Buthowarewetofindtwelvethousandfrancs？Imightoffermyselfasasubstituteinthearmy——“

“Oh！fatherdear！“theybothcried，flingingtheirarmsabouthim。“No，no！“

“Godrewardyouforthethought。Wearenotworthit，arewe，Nasie？“askedDelphine。

“Andbesides，fatherdear，itwouldonlybeadropinthebucket。”observedtheCountess。

“Butisfleshandbloodworthnothing？“criedtheoldmaninhisdespair。“Iwouldgivebodyandsoultosaveyou，Nasie。Iwoulddoamurderforthemanwhowouldrescueyou。Iwoulddo，asVautrindid，gotothehulks，go——“hestoppedasifstruckbyathunderbolt，andputbothhandstohishead。“Nothingleft！“hecried，tearinghishair。“IfIonlyknewofawaytostealmoney，butitissohardtodoit，andthenyoucan’tsettoworkbyyourself，andittakestimetorobabank。Yes，itistimeIwasdead；thereisnothingleftmetodobuttodie。Iamnogoodintheworld；Iamnolongerafather！No。Shehascometomeinherextremity，and，wretchthatIam，Ihavenothingtogiveher。Ah！

youputyourmoneyintoalifeannuity，oldscoundrel；andhadyounotdaughters？Youdidnotlovethem。Die，dieinaditch，likethedogthatyouare！Yes，Iamworsethanadog；abeastwouldnothavedoneasIhavedone！Oh！myhead……itthrobsasifitwouldburst。”

“Papa！“criedboththeyoungwomenatonce，“do，pray，bereasonable！“andtheyclungtohimtopreventhimfromdashinghisheadagainstthewall。Therewasasoundofsobbing。

Eugene，greatlyalarmed，tookthebillthatboreVautrin’ssignature，sawthatthestampwouldsufficeforalargersum，alteredthefigures，madeitintoaregularbillfortwelvethousandfrancs，payabletoGoriot’sorder，andwenttohisneighbor’sroom。

“Hereisthemoney，madame。”hesaid，handingthepieceofpapertoher。“Iwasasleep；yourconversationawokeme，andbythismeansIlearnedallthatIowedtoM。Goriot。Thisbillcanbediscounted，andIshallmeetitpunctuallyattheduedate。”

TheCountessstoodmotionlessandspeechless，butsheheldthebillinherfingers。

“Delphine。”shesaid，withawhiteface，andherwholeframequiveringwithindignation，anger，andrage，“Iforgaveyoueverything；GodismywitnessthatIforgaveyou，butIcannotforgivethis！Sothisgentlemanwasthereallthetime，andyouknewit！Yourpettyspitehasletyoutowreakyourvengeanceonmebybetrayingmysecrets，mylife，mychildren’slives，myshame，myhonor！There，youarenothingtomeanylonger。Ihateyou。IwilldoallthatIcantoinjureyou。Iwill……”

Angerparalyzedher；thewordsdiedinherdryparchedthroat。

“Why，heismyson，mychild；heisyourbrother，yourpreserver！“criedGoriot。“Kisshishand，Nasie！Stay，Iwillembracehimmyself。”hesaid，strainingEugenetohisbreastinafrenziedclasp。“Ohmyboy！Iwillbemorethanafathertoyou；

ifIhadGod’spower，Iwouldflingworldsatyourfeet。Whydon’tyoukisshim，Nasie？Heisnotaman，butanangel，aangeloutofheaven。”

“Nevermindher，father；sheismadjustnow。”

“Mad！amI？Andwhatareyou？“criedMme。deRestaud。

“Children，children，Ishalldieifyougoonlikethis。”criedtheoldman，andhestaggeredandfellonthebedasifabullethadstruckhim——“Theyarekillingmebetweenthem。”hesaidtohimself。

TheCountessfixedhereyesonEugene，whostoodstockstill；allhisfacultieswerenumbedbythisviolentscene。

“Sir？……”shesaid，doubtandinquiryinherface，tone，andbearing；shetooknonoticenowofherfathernorofDelphine，whowashastilyunfasteninghiswaistcoat。

“Madame。”saidEugene，answeringthequestionbeforeitwasasked，“Iwillmeetthebill，andkeepsilenceaboutit。”

“Youhavekilledourfather，Nasie！“saidDelphine，pointingtoGoriot，wholayunconsciousonthebed。TheCountessfled。

“Ifreelyforgiveher。”saidtheoldman，openinghiseyes；“herpositionishorrible；itwouldturnanolderheadthanhers。

ComfortNasie，andbenicetoher，Delphine；promiseittoyourpoorfatherbeforehedies。”heasked，holdingDelphine’shandinaconvulsiveclasp。

“Oh！whatailsyou，father？“shecriedinrealalarm。

“Nothing，nothing。”saidGoriot；“itwillgooff。Thereissomethingheavypressingonmyforehead，alittleheadache……

Ah！poorNasie，whatalifeliesbeforeher！“

Justashespoke，theCountesscamebackagainandflungherselfonherkneesbeforehim。“Forgiveme！“shecried。

“Come。”saidherfather，“youarehurtingmestillmore。”

“Monsieur。”theCountesssaid，turningtoRastignac，“miserymademeunjusttoyou。Youwillbeabrothertome，willyounot？“andsheheldoutherhand。Hereyeswerefulloftearsasshespoke。

“Nasie。”criedDelphine，flingingherarmsroundhersister，“mylittleNasie，letusforgetandforgive。”

“No，no。”criedNasie；“Ishallneverforget！“

“Dearangels。”criedGoriot，“itisasifadarkcurtainovermyeyeshadbeenraised；yourvoiceshavecalledmebacktolife。

Kisseachotheroncemore。Well，now，Nasie，thatbillwillsaveyou，won’tit？“

“Ihopeso。Isay，papa，willyouwriteyournameonit？“

“There！howstupidofmetoforgetthat！ButIamnotfeelingatallwell，Nasie，soyoumustnotrememberitagainstme。Sendandletmeknowassoonasyouareoutofyourstrait。No，Iwillgotoyou。No，afterall，Iwillnotgo；Imightmeetyourhusband，andIshouldkillhimonthespot。Andasforsigningawayyourproperty，Ishallhaveawordtosayaboutthat。Quick，mychild，andkeepMaximeinorderinfuture。”

Eugenewastoobewilderedtospeak。

“PoorAnastasie，shealwayshadaviolenttemper。”saidMme。deNucingen，“butshehasagoodheart。”

“Shecamebackfortheendorsement。”saidEugeneinDelphine’sear。

“Doyouthinkso？“

“IonlywishIcouldthinkotherwise。Donottrusther。”heanswered，raisinghiseyesasifheconfidedtoheaventhethoughtsthathedidnotventuretoexpress。

“Yes。Sheisalwaysactingaparttosomeextent。”

“Howdoyoufeelnow，dearFatherGoriot？“askedRastignac。

“Ishouldliketogotosleep。”hereplied。

Eugenehelpedhimtobed，andDelphinesatbythebedside，holdinghishanduntilhefellasleep。Thenshewent。

“ThiseveningattheItaliens。”shesaidtoEugene，“andyoucanletmeknowhowheis。To-morrowyouwillleavethisplace，monsieur。Letusgointoyourroom——Oh！howfrightful！“shecriedonthethreshold。“Why，youareevenworselodgedthanourfather。Eugene，youhavebehavedwell。Iwouldloveyoumoreifthatwerepossible；but，dearboy，ifyouaretosucceedinlife，youmustnotbeginbyflingingtwelvethousandfrancsoutofthewindowslikethat。TheComtedeTraillesisaconfirmedgambler。

Mysistershutshereyestoit。Hewouldhavemadethetwelvethousandfrancsinthesamewaythathewinsandlosesheapsofgold。”

AgroanfromthenextroombroughtthembacktoGoriot’sbedside；

toallappearanceshewasasleep，butthetwoloverscaughtthewords，“Theyarenothappy！“Whetherhewasawakeorsleeping，thetoneinwhichtheywerespokenwenttohisdaughter’sheart。

Shestoleuptothepallet-bedonwhichherfatherlay，andkissedhisforehead。Heopenedhiseyes。

“Ah！Delphine！“hesaid。

“Howareyounow？“sheasked。

“Quitecomfortable。Donotworryaboutme；Ishallgetuppresently。Don’tstaywithme，children；go，goandbehappy。”

EugenewentbackwithDelphineasfarasherdoor；buthewasnoteasyaboutGoriot，andwouldnotstaytodinner，assheproposed。

HewantedtobebackattheMaisonVauquer。FatherGoriothadlefthisroom，andwasjustsittingdowntodinnerashecamein。

Bianchonhadplacedhimselfwherehecouldwatchtheoldmancarefully；andwhentheoldvermicellimakertookuphissquareofbreadandsmelledittofindoutthequalityoftheflour，themedicalstudent，studyinghimclosely，sawthattheactionwaspurelymechanical，andshookhishead。

“Justcomeandsitoverhere，hospitallerofCochin。”saidEugene。

Bianchonwentthemorewillinglybecausehischangeofplacebroughthimnexttotheoldlodger。

“Whatiswrongwithhim？“askedRastignac。

“Itisallupwithhim，orIammuchmistaken！Somethingveryextraordinarymusthavetakenplace；helookstomeasifhewereinimminentdangerofserousapoplexy。Thelowerpartofhisfaceiscomposedenough，buttheupperpartisdrawnanddistorted。

Thenthereisthatpeculiarlookabouttheeyesthatindicatesaneffusionofseruminthebrain；theylookasthoughtheywerecoveredwithafilmoffinedust，doyounotice？Ishallknowmoreaboutitbyto-morrowmorning。”

“Isthereanycureforit？“

“None。Itmightbepossibletostavedeathoffforatimeifawaycouldbefoundofsettingupareactioninthelowerextremities；butifthesymptomsdonotabatebyto-morrowevening，itwillbealloverwithhim，pooroldfellow！Doyouknowwhathashappenedtobringthison？Theremusthavebeensomeviolentshock，andhismindhasgivenway。”

“Yes，therewas。”saidRastignac，rememberinghowthetwodaughtershadstruckblowonblowattheirfather’sheart。

“ButDelphineatanyratelovesherfather。”hesaidtohimself。

ThateveningattheoperaRastignacchosehiswordscarefully，lestheshouldgiveMme。deNucingenneedlessalarm。

“Donotbeanxiousabouthim。”shesaid，however，assoonasEugenebegan，“ourfatherhasreallyastrongconstitution，butthismorningwegavehimashock。Ourwholefortuneswereinperil，sothethingwasserious，yousee。IcouldnotliveifyouraffectiondidnotmakemeinsensibletotroublesthatI

shouldoncehavethoughttoohardtobear。AtthismomentIhavebutonefearleft，butonemiserytodread——tolosethelovethathasmademefeelgladtolive。Everythingelseisasnothingtomecomparedwithourlove；Icarefornothingelse，foryouarealltheworldtome。IfIfeelgladtoberich，itisforyoursake。Tomyshamebeitsaid，Ithinkofmyloverbeforemyfather。Doyouaskwhy？Icannottellyou，butallmylifeisinyou。Myfathergavemeaheart，butyouhavetaughtittobeat。

Thewholeworldmaycondemnme；whatdoesitmatterifIstandacquittedinyoureyes，foryouhavenorighttothinkillofmeforthefaultswhichatyrannouslovehasforcedmetocommitforyou！Doyouthinkmeanunnaturaldaughter？Oh！no，noonecouldhelplovingsuchadearkindfatherasours。ButhowcouldIhidetheinevitableconsequencesofourmiserablemarriagesfromhim？

Whydidheallowustomarrywhenwedid？Wasitnothisdutytothinkforusandforeseeforus？To-dayIknowhesuffersasmuchaswedo，buthowcanitbehelped？Andasforcomfortinghim，wecouldnotcomforthimintheleast。Ourresignationwouldgivehimmorepainandhurthimfarmorethancomplaintsandupbraidings。Therearetimesinlifewheneverythingturnstobitterness。”

Eugenewassilent，theartlessandsincereoutpouringmadeanimpressiononhim。

Parisianwomenareoftenfalse，intoxicatedwithvanity，selfishandself-absorbed，frivolousandshallow；yetofallwomen，whentheylove，theysacrificetheirpersonalfeelingstotheirpassion；theyrisebutsomuchthehigherforallthepettinessovercomeintheirnature，andbecomesublime。ThenEugenewasstruckbytheprofounddiscernmentandinsightdisplayedbythiswomaninjudgingofnaturalaffection，whenaprivilegedaffectionhadseparatedandsetheratadistanceapart。Mme。deNucingenwaspiquedbythesilence，“Whatareyouthinkingabout？“sheasked。

“Iamthinkingaboutwhatyousaidjustnow。HithertoIhavealwaysfeltsurethatIcaredfarmoreforyouthanyoudidforme。”

Shesmiled，andwouldnotgivewaytothehappinessshefelt，lesttheirtalkshouldexceedtheconventionallimitsofpropriety。Shehadneverheardthevibratingtonesofasincereandyouthfullove；afewmorewords，andshefearedforherself-

control。

“Eugene。”shesaid，changingtheconversation，“Iwonderwhetheryouknowwhathasbeenhappening？AllPariswillgotoMme。deBeauseant’sto-morrow。TheRochefidesandtheMarquisd’Ajudahaveagreedtokeepthematteraprofoundsecret，butto-morrowthekingwillsignthemarriage-contract，andyourpoorcousintheVicomtesseknowsnothingofitasyet。Shecannotputoffherball，andtheMarquiswillnotbethere。Peoplearewonderingwhatwillhappen？“

“Theworldlaughsatbasenessandconnivesatit。ButthiswillkillMme。deBeauseant。”

“Oh，no。”saidDelphine，smiling，“youdonotknowthatkindofwoman。Why，allPariswillbethere，andsoshallI；Ioughttogothereforyoursake。”

“Perhaps，afterall，itisoneofthoseabsurdreportsthatpeoplesetincirculationhere。”

“Weshallknowthetruthto-morrow。”

EugenedidnotreturntotheMaisonVauquer。HecouldnotforegothepleasureofoccupyinghisnewroomsintheRued’Artois。

YesterdayeveninghehadbeenobligedtoleaveDelphinesoonaftermidnight，butthatnightitwasDelphinewhostayedwithhimuntiltwoo’clockinthemorning。Heroselate，andwaitedforMme。deNucingen，whocameaboutnoontobreakfastwithhim。

Youthsnatcheseagerlyattheserosymomentsofhappiness，andEugenehadalmostforgottenGoriot’sexistence。Theprettythingsthatsurroundedhimweregrowingfamiliar；thisdomesticationinitselfwasonelongfestivalforhim，andMme。deNucingenwastheretoglorifyitallbyherpresence。Itwasfouro’clockbeforetheythoughtofGoriot，andofhowhehadlookedforwardtothenewlifeinthathouse。Eugenesaidthattheoldmanoughttobemovedatonce，lestheshouldgrowtooilltomove。HeleftDelphineandhurriedbacktothelodging-house。NeitherFatherGoriotnoryoungBianchonwasinthedining-roomwiththeothers。

“Aha！“saidthepainterasEugenecamein，“FatherGoriothasbrokendownatlast。Bianchonisupstairswithhim。Oneofhisdaughters——theComtessedeRestaurama——cametoseetheoldgentleman，andhewouldgetupandgoout，andmadehimselfworse。Societyisabouttoloseoneofitsbrightestornaments。”

Rastignacsprangtothestaircase。

“Hey！MonsieurEugene！“

“MonsieurEugene，themistressiscallingyou。”shoutedSylvie。

“Itisthis，sir。”saidthewidow。“YouandM。Goriotshouldbyrightshavemovedoutonthe15thofFebruary。Thatwasthreedaysago；to-dayisthe18th，Ioughtreallytobepaidamonthinadvance；butifyouwillengagetopayforboth，Ishallbequitesatisfied。”

“Whycan’tyoutrusthim？“

“Trusthim，indeed！Iftheoldgentlemanwentoffhisheadanddied，thosedaughtersofhiswouldnotpaymeafarthing，andhisthingswon’tfetchtenfrancs。Thismorninghewentoutwithallthespoonsandforkshehasleft，Idon’tknowwhy。Hehadgothimselfuptolookquiteyoung，and——Lord，forgiveme——butI

thoughthehadrougeonhischeeks；helookedquiteyoungagain。”

“Iwillberesponsible。”saidEugene，shudderingwithhorror，forheforesawtheend。

HeclimbedthestairsandreachedFatherGoriot’sroom。Theoldmanwastossingonhisbed。Bianchonwaswithhim。

“Good-evening，father。”saidEugene。

Theoldmanturnedhisglassyeyesonhim，smiledgently，andsaid：

“HowisSHE？“

“Sheisquitewell。Buthowareyou？“

“Thereisnothingmuchthematter。”

“Don’ttirehim。”saidBianchon，drawingEugeneintoacorneroftheroom。

“Well？“askedRastignac。

“Nothingbutamiraclecansavehimnow。Serouscongestionhassetin；Ihaveputonmustardplasters，andluckilyhecanfeelthem，theyareacting。”

“Isitpossibletomovehim？“

“Quiteoutofthequestion。Hemuststaywhereheis，andbekeptasquietaspossible——“

“DearBianchon。”saidEugene，“wewillnursehimbetweenus。”

“Ihavehadtheheadphysicianroundfrommyhospitaltoseehim。”

“Andwhatdidhesay？“

“Hewillgivenoopiniontillto-morrowevening。Hepromisedtolookinagainattheendoftheday。Unluckily，thepreposterouscreaturemustneedsgoanddosomethingfoolishthismorning；hewillnotsaywhatitwas。Heisasobstinateasamule。AssoonasIbegintotalktohimhepretendsnottohear，andliesasifhewereasleepinsteadofanswering，orifheopenshiseyeshebeginstogroan。Sometimethismorninghewentoutonfootinthestreets，nobodyknowswherehewent，andhetookeverythingthathehadofanyvaluewithhim。Hehasbeendrivingsomeconfoundedbargain，andithasbeentoomuchforhisstrength。

Oneofhisdaughtershasbeenhere。”

“WasittheCountess？“askedEugene。“Atall，dark-hairedwoman，withlargebrighteyes，slenderfigure，andlittlefeet？“

“Yes。”

“Leavehimtomeforabit。”saidRastignac。“Iwillmakehimconfess；hewilltellmeallaboutit。”

“AndmeanwhileIwillgetmydinner。Buttrynottoexcitehim；

thereisstillsomehopeleft。”

“Allright。”

“Howtheywillenjoythemselvesto-morrow。”saidFatherGoriotwhentheywerealone。“Theyaregoingtoagrandball。”

“Whatwereyoudoingthismorning，papa，tomakeyourselfsopoorlythiseveningthatyouhavetostopinbed？“

“Nothing。”

“DidnotAnastasiecometoseeyou？“demandedRastignac。

“Yes。”saidFatherGoriot。

“Well，then，don’tkeepanythingfromme。Whatmoredidshewantofyou？“

“Oh，shewasverymiserable。”heanswered，gatheringupallhisstrengthtospeak。“Itwasthisway，myboy。Sincethataffairofthediamonds，Nasiehasnothadapennyofherown。Forthisballshehadorderedagoldengownlikeasettingforajewel。Hermantuamaker，awomanwithoutaconscience，wouldnotgivehercredit，soNasie’swaiting-womanadvancedathousandfrancsonaccount。PoorNasie！reducedtosuchshifts！Itcutmetothehearttothinkofit！ButwhenNasie’smaidsawhowthingswerebetweenhermasterandmistress，shewasafraidoflosinghermoney，andcametoanunderstandingwiththedressmaker，andthewomanrefusestosendtheball-dressuntilthemoneyispaid。Thegownisready，andtheballisto-morrownight！Nasiewasindespair。Shewantedtoborrowmyforksandspoonstopawnthem。

Herhusbandisdeterminedthatsheshallgoandwearthediamonds，soastocontradictthestoriesthataretoldalloverParis。Howcanshegotothatheartlessscoundrelandsay，’Ioweathousandfrancstomydressmaker；payherforme！’Shecannot。

Isawthatmyself。Delphinewillbetheretooinasuperbtoilette，andAnastasieoughtnottobeoutshonebyheryoungersister。Andthen——shewasdrownedintears，poorgirl！IfeltsohumbledyesterdaywhenIhadnotthetwelvethousandfrancs，thatIwouldhavegiventherestofmymiserablelifetowipeoutthatwrong。Yousee，Icouldhaveborneanythingonce，butlatterlythiswantofmoneyhasbrokenmyheart。Oh！Ididnotdoitbyhalves；Ititivatedmyselfupabit，andwentoutandsoldmyspoonsandforksandbucklesforsixhundredfrancs；thenIwenttooldDaddyGobseck，andsoldayear’sinterestonmyannuityforfourhundredfrancsdown。Pshaw！Icanliveondrybread，asIdidwhenIwasayoungman；ifIhavedoneitbefore，Icandoitagain。MyNasieshallhaveonehappyevening，atanyrate。Sheshallbesmart。Thebanknoteforathousandfrancsisundermypillow；itwarmsmetohaveitlyingthereundermyhead，foritisgoingtomakemypoorNasiehappy。ShecanturnthatbadgirlVictoireoutofthehouse。Aservantthatcannottrusthermistress，didanyoneeverhearthelike！Ishallbequitewellto-morrow。Nasieiscomingatteno’clock。TheymustnotthinkthatIamill，ortheywillnotgototheball；theywillstopandtakecareofme。To-morrowNasiewillcomeandholdmeinherarmsasifIwereoneofherchildren；herkisseswillmakemewellagain。Afterall，Imighthavespentthethousandfrancsonphysic；IwouldfarrathergivethemtomylittleNasie，whocancharmallthepainaway。Atanyrate，Iamsomecomforttoherinhermisery；andthatmakesupformyunkindnessinbuyinganannuity。Sheisinthedepths，andIcannotdrawheroutofthemnow。Oh！Iwillgointobusinessagain，IwillbuywheatinOdessa；outthere，wheatfetchesaquarterofthepriceitsellsforhere。Thereisalawagainsttheimportationofgrain，butthegoodfolkwhomadethelawforgottoprohibittheintroductionofwheatproductsandfoodstuffsmadefromcorn。

Hey！hey！……Thatstruckmethismorning。Thereisafinetradetobedoneinstarch。”

Eugene，watchingtheoldman’sface，thoughtthathisfriendwaslight-headed。

“Come。”hesaid，“donottalkanymore，youmustrest——“JustthenBianchoncameup，andEugenewentdowntodinner。

Thetwostudentssatupwithhimthatnight，relievingeachotherinturn。Bianchonbroughtuphismedicalbooksandstudied；

Eugenewrotelettershometohismotherandsisters。NextmorningBianchonthoughtthesymptomsmorehopeful，butthepatient’sconditiondemandedcontinualattention，whichthetwostudentsalonewerewillingtogive——ataskimpossibletodescribeinthesqueamishphraseologyoftheepoch。Leechesmustbeappliedtothewastedbody，thepoulticesandhotfoot-baths，andotherdetailsofthetreatmentrequiredthephysicalstrengthanddevotionofthetwoyoungmen。Mme。deRestauddidnotcome；butshesentamessengerforthemoney。

“Iexpectedshewouldcomeherself；butitwouldhavebeenapityforhertocome，shewouldhavebeenanxiousaboutme。”saidthefather，andtoallappearanceshewaswellcontent。

Atseveno’clockthateveningTheresecamewithaletterfromDelphine。

“Whatareyoudoing，dearfriend？Ihavebeenlovedforaverylittlewhile，andIamneglectedalready？Intheconfidencesofheartandheart，Ihavelearnedtoknowyoursoul——youaretoonoblenottobefaithfulforever，foryouknowthatlovewithallitsinfinitesubtlechangesoffeelingisneverthesame。

Onceyousaid，aswewerelisteningtothePrayerinMoseinEgitto，’Forsomeitisthemonotonyofasinglenote；forothers，itistheinfiniteofsound。’RememberthatIamexpectingyouthiseveningtotakemetoMme。deBeauseant’sball。EveryoneknowsnowthattheKingsignedM。d’Ajuda’smarriage-contractthismorning，andthepoorVicomtesseknewnothingofituntiltwoo’clockthisafternoon。AllPariswillflocktoherhouse，ofcourse，justasacrowdfillsthePlacedeGrevetoseeanexecution。Itishorrible，isitnot，togooutofcuriositytoseeifshewillhideheranguish，andwhethershewilldiecourageously？Icertainlyshouldnotgo，myfriend，ifI

hadbeenatherhousebefore；but，ofcourse，shewillnotreceivesocietyanymoreafterthis，andallmyeffortswouldbeinvain。Mypositionisaveryunusualone，andbesides，Iamgoingtherepartlyonyouraccount。Iamwaitingforyou。Ifyouarenotbesidemeinlessthantwohours，IdonotknowwhetherI

couldforgivesuchtreason。”

Rastignactookupapenandwrote：

“Iamwaitingtillthedoctorcomestoknowifthereisanyhopeofyourfather’slife。Heislyingdangerouslyill。Iwillcomeandbringyouthenews，butIamafraiditmaybeasentenceofdeath。WhenIcomeyoucandecidewhetheryoucangototheball——Yoursathousandtimes。”

Athalf-pasteightthedoctorarrived。Hedidnottakeaveryhopefulviewofthecase，butthoughtthattherewasnoimmediatedanger。Improvementsandrelapsesmightbeexpected，andthegoodman’slifeandreasonhunginthebalance。

“Itwouldbebetterforhimtodieatonce。”thedoctorsaidashetookleave。

EugeneleftGoriottoBianchon’scare，andwenttocarrythesadnewstoMme。deNucingen。Familyfeelinglingeredinher，andthismustputanendforthepresenttoherplansofamusement。

“Tellhertoenjoyhereveningasifnothinghadhappened。”criedGoriot。Hehadbeenlyinginasortofstupor，buthesuddenlysatuprightasEugenewentout。

Eugene，halfheartbroken，enteredDelphine’s。Herhairhadbeendressed；sheworeherdancingslippers；shehadonlytoputonherball-dress；butwhentheartistisgivingthefinishingstroketohiscreation，thelasttouchesrequiremoretimethanthewholegroundworkofthepicture。

“Why，youarenotdressed！“shecried。

“Madame，yourfather——“

“Myfatheragain！“sheexclaimed，breakinginuponhim。“Youneednotteachmewhatisduetomyfather，Ihaveknownmyfatherthislongwhile。Notaword，Eugene。Iwillhearwhatyouhavetosaywhenyouaredressed。Mycarriageiswaiting，takeit，goroundtoyourroomsanddress，Theresehasputouteverythinginreadinessforyou。Comebackassoonasyoucan；wewilltalkaboutmyfatheronthewaytoMme。deBeauseant’s。Wemustgoearly；ifwehavetowaitourturninarowofcarriages，weshallbeluckyifwegettherebyeleveno’clock。”

“Madame——“

“Quick！notaword！“shecried，dartingintoherdressing-roomforanecklace。

“Dogo，MonsieurEugene，oryouwillvexmadame。”saidTherese，hurryinghimaway；andEugenewastoohorror-strickenbythiselegantparricidetoresist。

Hewenttohisroomsanddressed，sad，thoughtful，anddispirited。TheworldofPariswaslikeanoceanofmudforhimjustthen；anditseemedthatwhoeversetfootinthatblackmiremustneedssinkintoituptothechin。

“Theircrimesarepaltry。”saidEugenetohimself。“Vautrinwasgreater。”

Hehadseensocietyinitsthreegreatphases——Obedience，Struggle，andRevolt；theFamily，theWorld，andVautrin；andhehesitatedinhischoice。Obediencewasdull，Revoltimpossible，Strugglehazardous。Histhoughtswanderedbacktothehomecircle。Hethoughtofthequietuneventfullife，thepurehappinessofthedaysspentamongthosewholovedhimthere。

Thoselovingandbelovedbeingspassedtheirlivesinobediencetothenaturallawsofthehearth，andinthatobediencefoundadeepandconstantserenity，unvexedbytormentssuchasthese。

Yet，forallhisgoodimpulses，hecouldnotbringhimselftomakeprofessionofthereligionofpuresoulstoDelphine，nortoprescribethedutiesofpietytoherinthenameoflove。Hiseducationhadbeguntobearitsfruits；helovedselfishlyalready。Besides，histacthaddiscoveredtohimtherealnatureofDelphine；hedivinedinstinctivelythatshewascapableofsteppingoverherfather’scorpsetogototheball；andwithinhimselfhefeltthathehadneitherthestrengthofmindtoplaythepartofmentor，northestrengthofcharactertovexher，northecouragetoleavehertogoalone。

“Shewouldneverforgivemeforputtingherinthewrongoverit。”hesaidtohimself。Thenheturnedthedoctor’sdictumoverinhismind；hetriedtobelievethatGoriotwasnotsodangerouslyillashehadimagined，andendedbycollectingtogetherasufficientquantityoftraitorousexcusesforDelphine’sconduct。Shedidnotknowhowillherfatherwas；thekindoldmanhimselfwouldhavemadehergototheballifshehadgonetoseehim。Sooftenithappensthatthisoneorthatstandscondemnedbythesociallawsthatgovernfamilyrelations；

andyettherearepeculiarcircumstancesinthecase，differencesoftemperament，divergentinterests，innumerablecomplicationsoffamilylifethatexcusetheapparentoffence。

Eugenedidnotwishtoseetooclearly；hewasreadytosacrificehisconsciencetohismistress。Withinthelastfewdayshiswholelifehadundergoneachange。Womanhadenteredintohisworldandthrownitintochaos，familyclaimsdwindledawaybeforeher；shehadappropriatedallhisbeingtoheruses。

RastignacandDelphinefoundeachotheratacrisisintheirliveswhentheiruniongavethemthemostpoignantbliss。Theirpassion，solongproved，hadonlygainedinstrengthbythegratifieddesirethatoftenextinguishespassion。Thiswomanwashis，andEugenerecognizedthatnotuntilthenhadhelovedher；

perhapsloveisonlygratitudeforpleasure。Thiswoman，vileorsublime，headoredforthepleasureshehadbroughtasherdower；

andDelphinelovedRastignacasTantaluswouldhavelovedsomeangelwhohadsatisfiedhishungerandquenchedtheburningthirstinhisparchedthroat。

“Well。”saidMme。deNucingenwhenhecamebackineveningdress，“howismyfather？“

“Verydangerouslyill。”heanswered；“ifyouwillgrantmeaproofofyouraffections，wewilljustgointoseehimontheway。”

“Verywell。”shesaid。“Yes，butafterwards。DearEugene，dobenice，anddon’tpreachtome。Come。”