第1章

Mme.deBargetonandLuciendeRubemprehadleftAngoulemebehind,andweretravelingtogetherupontheroadtoParis.Notoneofthepartywhomadethatjourneyalludedtoitafterwards;butitmaybebelievedthataninfatuatedyouthwhohadlookedforwardtothedelightsofanelopement,musthavefoundthecontinualpresenceofGentil,theman-

servant,andAlbertine,themaid,notalittleirksomeontheway.

Lucien,travelingpostforthefirsttimeinhislife,washorrifiedtoseeprettynearlythewholesumonwhichhemeanttoliveinParisforatwelvemonthdroppedalongtheroad.Likeothermenwhocombinegreatintellectualpowerswiththecharmingsimplicityofchildhood,heopenlyexpressedhissurpriseatthenewandwonderfulthingswhichhesaw,andtherebymadeamistake.Amanshouldstudyawomanverycarefullybeforeheallowshertoseehisthoughtsandemotionsastheyariseinhim.Awoman,whosenatureislargeasherheartistender,cansmileuponchildishness,andmakeallowances;butletherhaveeversosmallaspiceofvanityherself,andshecannotforgivechildishness,orlittleness,orvanityinherlover.Manyawomanissoextravagantaworshiperthatshemustalwaysseethegodinheridol;butthereareyetotherswholoveamanforhissakeandnotfortheirown,andadorehisfailingswithhisgreaterqualities.

LucienhadnotguessedasyetthatMme.deBargeton"slovewasgraftedonpride.HemadeanothermistakewhenhefailedtodiscernthemeaningofcertainsmileswhichflittedoverLouise"slipsfromtimetotime;andinsteadofkeepinghimselftohimself,heindulgedintheplayfulnessoftheyoungratemergingfromhisholeforthefirsttime.

ThetravelersweresetdownbeforedaybreakatthesignoftheGaillard-BoisintheRuedel"Echelle,bothsotiredoutwiththejourneythatLouisewentstraighttobedandslept,firstbiddingLucientoengagetheroomimmediatelyoverhead.Luciensleptontillfouro"clockintheafternoon,whenhewasawakenedbyMme.deBargeton"sservant,andlearningthehour,madeahastytoiletandhurrieddownstairs.

Louisewassittingintheshabbyinnsitting-room.HotelaccommodationisablotonthecivilizationofParis;forwithallitspretensionstoelegance,thecityasyetdoesnotboastasingleinnwhereawell-

to-dotravelercanfindthesurroundingstowhichheisaccustomedathome.ToLucien"sjust-awakened,sleep-dimmedeyes,Louisewashardlyrecognizableinthischeerless,sunlessroom,withtheshabbywindow-

curtains,thecomfortlesspolishedfloor,thehideousfurnitureboughtsecond-hand,ormuchtheworseforwear.

Somepeoplenolongerlookthesamewhendetachedfromthebackgroundoffaces,objects,andsurroundingswhichserveasasetting,withoutwhich,indeed,theyseemtolosesomethingoftheirintrinsicworth.

Personalitydemandsitsappropriateatmospheretobringoutitsvalues,justasthefiguresinFlemishinteriorsneedthearrangementoflightandshadeinwhichtheyareplacedbythepainter"sgeniusiftheyaretoliveforus.Thisisespeciallytrueofprovincials.Mme.

deBargeton,moreover,lookedmorethoughtfulanddignifiedthanwasnecessarynow,whennobarriersstoodbetweenherandhappiness.

GentilandAlbertinewaiteduponthem,andwhiletheywerepresentLuciencouldnotcomplain.Thedinner,sentinfromaneighboringrestaurant,fellfarbelowtheprovincialaverage,bothinquantityandquality;theessentialgoodnessofcountryfarewaswanting,andinpointofquantitytheportionswerecutwithsostrictaneyetobusinessthattheysavoredofshortcommons.InsuchsmallmattersParisdoesnotshowitsbestsidetotravelersofmoderatefortune.

Lucienwaitedtillthemealwasover.SomechangehadcomeoverLouise,hethought,buthecouldnotexplainit.

Andachangehad,infact,takenplace.Eventshadoccurredwhileheslept;forreflectionisaneventinourinnerhistory,andMme.deBargetonhadbeenreflecting.

Abouttwoo"clockthatafternoon,SixteduChateletmadehisappearanceintheRuedel"EchelleandaskedforAlbertine.Thesleepingdamselwasroused,andtoherheexpressedhiswishtospeakwithhermistress.Mme.deBargetonhadscarcelytimetodressbeforehecamebackagain.TheunaccountableapparitionofM.duChateletrousedthelady"scuriosity,forshehadkeptherjourneyaprofoundsecret,asshethought.Atthreeo"clockthevisitorwasadmitted.

"Ihaveriskedareprimandfromheadquarterstofollowyou,"hesaid,ashegreetedher;"Iforesawcomingevents.ButifIlosemypostforit,YOU,atanyrate,shallnotbelost."

"Whatdoyoumean?"exclaimedMme.deBargeton.

"IcanseeplainlythatyouloveLucien,"hecontinued,withanairoftenderresignation."YoumustloveindeedifYOUcanactthusrecklessly,anddisregardtheconventionswhichyouknowsowell.DearadoredNais,canyoureallyimaginethatMme.d"Espard"ssalon,oranyothersaloninParis,willnotbeclosedtoyouassoonasitisknownthatyouhavefledfromAngouleme,asitwere,withayoungman,especiallyaftertheduelbetweenM.deBargetonandM.deChandour?

ThefactthatyourhusbandhasgonetotheEscarbaslookslikeaseparation.Undersuchcircumstancesagentlemanfightsfirstandafterwardsleaveshiswifeatliberty.Byallmeans,giveM.deRubempreyourloveandyourcountenance;dojustasyouplease;butyoumustnotliveinthesamehouse.IfanybodyhereinParisknewthatyouhadtraveledtogether,thewholeworldthatyouhaveamindtoseewouldpointthefingeratyou.

"And,Nais,donotmakethesesacrificesforayoungmanwhomyouhaveasyetcomparedwithnooneelse;he,onhisside,hasbeenputtonoproof;hemayforsakeyouforsomeParisienne,betterable,ashemayfancy,tofurtherhisambitions.Imeannoharmtothemanyoulove,butyouwillpermitmetoputyourowninterestsbeforehis,andtobegyoutostudyhim,tobefullyawareoftheseriousnatureofthisstepthatyouaretaking.And,then,ifyoufindalldoorsclosedagainstyou,andthatnoneofthewomencalluponyou,makesureatleastthatyouwillfeelnoregretforallthatyouhaverenouncedforhim.Beverycertainfirstthatheforwhomyouwillhavegivenupsomuchwillalwaysbeworthyofyoursacrificesandappreciatethem.

"Justnow,"continuedChatelet,"Mme.d"Espardisthemoreprudishandparticularbecausesheherselfisseparatedfromherhusband,nobodyknowswhy.TheNavarreins,theLenoncourts,theBlamont-Chauvrys,andtherestoftherelationshaveallralliedroundher;themoststrait-

lacedwomenareseenatherhouse,andreceiveherwithrespect,andtheMarquisd"Espardhasbeenputinthewrong.ThefirstcallthatyoupaywillmakeitcleartoyouthatIamright;indeed,knowingParisasIdo,IcantellyoubeforehandthatyouwillnosoonerentertheMarquise"ssalonthanyouwillbeindespairlestsheshouldfindoutthatyouarestayingattheGaillard-Boiswithanapothecary"sson,thoughhemaywishtobecalledM.deRubempre.

"Youwillhaverivalshere,womenfarmoreastuteandshrewdthanAmelie;theywillnotfailtodiscoverwhoyouare,whereyouare,whereyoucomefrom,andallthatyouaredoing.Youhavecounteduponyourincognito,Isee,butyouareoneofthosewomenforwhomanincognitoisoutofthequestion.YouwillmeetAngoulemeateveryturn.TherearethedeputiesfromtheCharentecomingupfortheopeningofthesession;thereistheCommandantinParisonleave.

Why,thefirstmanorwomanfromAngoulemewhohappenstoseeyouwouldcutyourcareershortinastrangefashion.YouwouldsimplybeLucien"smistress.

"Ifyouneedmeatanytime,IamstayingwiththeReceiver-GeneralintheRueduFaubourgSaint-Honore,twostepsawayfromMme.d"Espard"s.

IamsufficientlyacquaintedwiththeMarechaledeCarigliano,Mme.deSerizy,andthePresidentoftheCounciltointroduceyoutothosehouses;butyouwillmeetsomanypeopleatMme.d"Espard"s,thatyouarenotlikelytorequireme.Sofarfromwishingtogainadmittancetothissetorthat,everyonewillbelongingtomakeyouracquaintance."

Chatelettalkedon;Mme.deBargetonmadenointerruption.Shewasstruckwithhisperspicacity.ThequeenofAngoulemehad,infact,counteduponpreservingherincognito.

"Youareright,mydearfriend,"shesaidatlength;"butwhatamItodo?"

"Allowmetofindsuitablefurnishedlodgingsforyou,"suggestedChatelet;"thatwayoflivingislessexpensivethananinn.Youwillhaveahomeofyourown;and,ifyouwilltakemyadvice,youwillsleepinyournewroomsthisverynight."

"Buthowdidyouknowmyaddress?"queriedshe.

"Yourtravelingcarriageiseasilyrecognized;and,besides,Iwasfollowingyou.AtSevresyourpostiliontoldminethathehadbroughtyouhere.Willyoupermitmetoactasyourharbinger?IwillwriteassoonasIhavefoundlodgings."

"Verywell,doso,"saidshe.Andinthoseseeminglyinsignificantwords,allwassaid.TheBaronduChatelethadspokenthelanguageofworldlywisdomtoawomanoftheworld.Hehadmadehisappearancebeforeherinfaultlessdress,aneatcabwaswaitingforhimatthedoor;andMme.deBargeton,standingbythewindowthinkingovertheposition,chancedtoseetheelderlydandydriveaway.

AfewmomentslaterLucienappeared,halfawakeandhastilydressed.

Hewashandsome,itistrue;buthisclothes,hislastyear"snankeentrousers,andhisshabbytightjacketwereridiculous.PutAntinousortheApolloBelvederehimselfintoawater-carrier"sblouse,andhowshallyourecognizethegodlikecreatureoftheGreekorRomanchisel?

Theeyesnoteandcomparebeforethehearthastimetorevisetheswiftinvoluntaryjudgment;andthecontrastbetweenLucienandChateletwassoabruptthatitcouldnotfailtostrikeLouise.

Towardssixo"clockthatevening,whendinnerwasover,Mme.deBargetonbeckonedLucientositbesideherontheshabbysofa,coveredwithafloweredchintz——ayellowpatternonaredground.

"Lucienmine,"shesaid,"don"tyouthinkthatifwehavebothofusdoneafoolishthing,suicidalforbothourinterests,itwouldonlybecommonsensetosetmattersright?WeoughtnottolivetogetherinParis,dearboy,andwemustnotallowanyonetosuspectthatwetraveledtogether.YourcareerdependssomuchuponmypositionthatI

oughttodonothingtospoilit.So,to-night,Iamgoingtoremoveintolodgingsnearby.Butyouwillstayonhere,wecanseeeachothereveryday,andnobodycansayawordagainstus."

AndLouiseexplainedconventionstoLucien,whoopenedwideeyes.Hehadstilltolearnthatwhenawomanthinksbetterofherfolly,shethinksbetterofherlove;butonethingheunderstood——hesawthathewasnolongertheLucienofAngouleme.Louisetalkedofherself,ofHERinterests,HERreputation,andoftheworld;and,toveilheregoism,shetriedtomakehimbelievethatthiswasallonhisaccount.HehadnoclaimuponLouisethussuddenlytransformedintoMme.deBargeton,and,moreseriousstill,hehadnopoweroverher.

Hecouldnotkeepbackthetearsthatfilledhiseyes.

"IfIamyourglory,"criedthepoet,"youareyetmoretome——youaremyonehope,mywholefuturerestswithyou.Ithoughtthatifyoumeanttomakemysuccessesyours,youwouldsurelymakemyadversityyoursalso,andherewearegoingtopartalready."

"Youarejudgingmyconduct,"saidshe;"youdonotloveme."

Lucienlookedatherwithsuchadolorousexpression,thatinspiteofherself,shesaid:

"Darling,Iwillstayifyoulike.Weshallbothberuined,weshallhavenoonetocometoouraid.Butwhenwearebothequallywretched,andeveryoneshutstheirdooruponusboth,whenfailure(forwemustlookallpossibilitiesintheface),whenfailuredrivesusbacktotheEscarbas,thenremember,love,thatIforesawtheend,andthatatthefirstIproposedthatweshouldmakeyourwaybyconformingtoestablishedrules."

"Louise,"hecried,withhisarmsaroundher,"youarewise;youfrightenme!RememberthatIamachild,thatIhavegivenmyselfupentirelytoyourdearwill.Imyselfshouldhavepreferredtoovercomeobstaclesandwinmywayamongmenbythepowerthatisinme;butifIcanreachthegoalsoonerthroughyouraid,Ishallbeverygladtooweallmysuccesstoyou.Forgiveme!YoumeansomuchtomethatI

cannothelpfearingallkindsofthings;and,forme,partingmeansthatdesertionisathand,anddesertionisdeath."

"But,mydearboy,theworld"sdemandsaresoonsatisfied,"returnedshe."Youmustsleephere;thatisall.Alldaylongyouwillbewithme,andnoonecansayaword."

AfewkissessetLucien"smindcompletelyatrest.AnhourlaterGentilbroughtinanotefromChatelet.HetoldMme.deBargetonthathehadfoundlodgingsforherintheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg.Mme.deBargetoninformedherselfoftheexactplace,andfoundthatitwasnotveryfarfromtheRuedel"Echelle."Weshallbeneighbors,"shetoldLucien.

TwohoursafterwardsLouisesteppedintothehiredcarriagesentbyChateletfortheremovaltothenewrooms.TheapartmentswereoftheclassthatupholsterersfurnishandlettowealthydeputiesandpersonsofconsiderationonashortvisittoParis——showyanduncomfortable.Itwaseleveno"clockwhenLucienreturnedtohisinn,havingseennothingasyetofParisexceptthepartoftheRueSaint-

HonorewhichliesbetweentheRueNeuve-de-LuxembourgandtheRuedel"Echelle.Helaydowninhismiserablelittleroom,andcouldnothelpcomparingitinhisownmindwithLouise"ssumptuousapartments.

JustashecameawaytheBaronduChateletcamein,gorgeouslyarrayedineveningdress,freshfromtheMinisterforForeignAffairs,toinquirewhetherMme.deBargetonwassatisfiedwithallthathehaddoneonherbehalf.Naiswasuneasy.Thesplendorwasalarmingtohermind.Provinciallifehadreacteduponher;shewaspainfullyconscientiousoverheraccounts,andeconomicaltoadegreethatislookeduponasmiserlyinParis.ShehadbroughtwithhertwentythousandfrancsintheshapeofadraftontheReceiver-General,consideringthatthesumwouldmorethancovertheexpensesoffouryearsinParis;shewasafraidalreadylestsheshouldnothaveenough,andshouldrunintodebt;andnowChatelettoldherthatherroomswouldonlycostsixhundredfrancspermonth.

"Ameretrifle,"addedhe,seeingthatNaiswasstartled."Forfivehundredfrancsamonthyoucanhaveacarriagefromaliverystable;

fiftylouisinall.Youneedonlythinkofyourdress.Awomanmovingingoodsocietycouldnotwelldoless;andifyoumeantoobtainaReceiver-General"sappointmentforM.deBargeton,orapostintheHousehold,yououghtnottolookpoverty-stricken.Here,inParis,theyonlygivetotherich.ItismostfortunatethatyoubroughtGentiltogooutwithyou,andAlbertineforyourownwoman,forservantsareenoughtoruinyouhere.Butwithyourintroductionsyouwillseldombehometoameal."

Mme.deBargetonandtheBarondeChateletchattedaboutParis.

Chateletgaveherallthenewsoftheday,themyriadnothingsthatyouareboundtoknow,underpenaltyofbeinganobody.BeforeverylongtheBaronalsogaveadviceastoshopping,recommendingHerbaultfortoquesandJulietteforhatsandbonnets;headdedtheaddressofafashionabledressmakertosupersedeVictorine.Inshort,hemadetheladyseethenecessityofrubbingoffAngouleme.Thenhetookhisleaveafterafinalflashofhappyinspiration.

"IexpectIshallhaveaboxatoneofthetheatresto-morrow,"heremarkedcarelessly;"IwillcallforyouandM.deRubempre,foryoumustallowmetodothehonorsofParis."

"ThereismoregenerosityinhischaracterthanIthought,"saidMme.

deBargetontoherselfwhenLucienwasincludedintheinvitation.

InthemonthofJuneministersareoftenpuzzledtoknowwhattodowithboxesatthetheatre;ministerialistdeputiesandtheirconstituentsarebusyintheirvineyardsorharvestfields,andtheirmoreexactingacquaintancesareinthecountryortravelingabout;soitcomestopassthatthebestseatsarefilledatthisseasonwithheterogeneoustheatre-goers,neverseenatanyothertimeofyear,andthehouseisapttolookasifitweretapestriedwithveryshabbymaterial.ChatelethadthoughtalreadythatthiswashisopportunityofgivingNaistheamusementswhichprovincialscravemosteagerly,andthatwithverylittleexpense.

Thenextmorning,theveryfirstmorninginParis,LucienwenttotheRueNueve-de-LuxembourgandfoundthatLouisehadgoneout.Shehadgonetomakesomeindispensablepurchases,totakecounselofthemightyandillustriousauthoritiesinthematterofthefemininetoilette,pointedouttoherbyChatelet,forshehadwrittentotelltheMarquised"Espardofherarrival.Mme.deBargetonpossessedtheself-confidencebornofalonghabitofrule,butshewasexceedinglyafraidofappearingtobeprovincial.Shehadtactenoughtoknowhowgreatlytherelationsofwomenamongthemselvesdependuponfirstimpressions;andthoughshefeltthatshewasequaltotakingherplaceatonceinsuchadistinguishedsetasMme.ded"Espard"s,shefeltalsothatshestoodinneedofgoodwillatherfirstentranceintosociety,andwasresolved,inthefirstplace,thatshewouldleavenothingundonetosecuresuccess.SoshefeltboundlesslythankfultoChateletforpointingoutthesewaysofputtingherselfinharmonywiththefashionableworld.

AsingularchancesoordereditthattheMarquisewasdelightedtofindanopportunityofbeingusefultoaconnectionofherhusband"sfamily.TheMarquisd"Espardhadwithdrawnhimselfwithoutapparentreasonfromsociety,andceasedtotakeanyactiveinterestinaffairs,politicalordomestic.Hiswife,thusleftmistressofheractions,felttheneedofthesupportofpublicopinion,andwasgladtotaketheMarquis"placeandgivehercountenancetooneofherhusband"srelations.Shemeanttobeostentatiouslygracious,soastoputherhusbandmoreevidentlyinthewrong;andthatverydayshewrote,"Mme.deBargetonneeNegrepelisse"acharmingbillet,oneoftheprettilywordedcompositionsofwhichtimealonecandiscovertheemptiness.

"Shewasdelightedthatcircumstanceshadbroughtarelative,ofwhomshehadheard,whoseacquaintanceshehaddesiredtomake,intocloserconnectionwithherfamily.FriendshipsinPariswerenotsosolidbutthatshelongedtofindonemoretoloveonearth;andifthismightnotbe,therewouldonlybeonemoreillusiontoburywiththerest.

Sheputherselfentirelyathercousin"sdisposal.Shewouldhavecalleduponherifindispositionhadnotkepthertothehouse,andshefeltthatshelayalreadyunderobligationstothecousinwhohadthoughtofher."

Lucien,meanwhile,takinghisfirstramblealongtheRuedelaPaixandthroughtheBoulevards,likeallnewcomers,wasmuchmoreinterestedinthethingsthathesawthaninthepeoplehemet.ThegeneraleffectofParisiswhollyengrossingatfirst.Thewealthintheshopwindows,thehighhouses,thestreamsoftraffic,thecontrasteverywherebetweenthelastextremesofluxuryandwantstruckhimmorethananythingelse.Inhisastonishmentatthecrowdsofstrangefaces,themanofimaginativetemperfeltasifhehimselfhadshrunk,asitwere,immensely.Amanofanyconsequenceinhisnativeplace,wherehecannotgooutbuthemeetswithsomerecognitionofhisimportanceateverystep,doesnotreadilyaccustomhimselftothesuddenandtotalextinctionofhisconsequence.Youaresomebodyinyourowncountry,inParisyouarenobody.Thetransitionbetweenthefirststateandthelastshouldbemadegradually,forthetooabruptfallissomethinglikeannihilation.Pariscouldnotfailtobeanappallingwildernessforayoungpoet,wholookedforanechoforallhissentiments,aconfidantforallhisthoughts,asoultosharehisleastsensations.

Lucienhadnotgoneinsearchofhisluggageandhisbestbluecoat;

andpainfullyconsciousoftheshabbiness,tosaynoworse,ofhisclothes,hewenttoMme.deBargeton,feelingthatshemusthavereturned.HefoundtheBaronduChatelet,whocarriedthembothofftodinnerattheRocherdeCancale.Lucien"sheadwasdizzywiththewhirlofParis,theBaronwasinthecarriage,hecouldsaynothingtoLouise,buthesqueezedherhand,andshegaveawarmresponsetothemuteconfidence.

AfterdinnerChatelettookhisgueststotheVaudeville.Lucien,inhisheart,wasnotoverwellpleasedtoseeChateletagain,andcursedthechancethathadbroughttheBarontoParis.TheBaronsaidthatambitionhadbroughthimtotown;hehadhopesofanappointmentassecretary-generaltoagovernmentdepartment,andmeanttotakeaseatintheCouncilofStateasMasterofRequests.HehadcometoParistoaskforfulfilmentofthepromisesthathadbeengivenhim,foramanofhisstampcouldnotbeexpectedtoremainacomptrollerallhislife;hewouldratherbenothingatall,andofferhimselfforelectionasdeputy,orre-enterdiplomacy.Chateletgrewvisiblytaller;LuciendimlybegantorecognizeinthiselderlybeauthesuperiorityofthemanoftheworldwhoknowsParis;and,mostofall,hefeltashamedtoowehisevening"samusementtohisrival.AndwhilethepoetlookedillateaseandawkwardHerRoyalHighness"

ex-secretarywasquiteinhiselement.Hesmiledathisrival"shesitations,athisastonishment,atthequestionsheput,atthelittlemistakeswhichthelatterignorantlymade,muchasanoldsaltlaughsatanapprenticewhohasnotfoundhissealegs;butLucien"spleasureatseeingaplayforthefirsttimeinParisoutweighedtheannoyanceofthesesmallhumiliations.

ThateveningmarkedanepochinLucien"scareer;heputawayagoodmanyofhisideasastoprovinciallifeinthecourseofit.Hishorizonwidened;societyassumeddifferentproportions.TherewerefairParisiennesinfreshandeleganttoilettesallabouthim;Mme.deBargeton"scostume,tolerablyambitiousthoughitwas,lookeddowdybycomparison;thematerial,likethefashionandthecolor,wasoutofdate.Thatwayofarrangingherhair,sobewitchinginAngouleme,lookedfrightfullyuglyhereamongthedaintilydevisedcoiffureswhichhesawineverydirection.

"Willshealwayslooklikethat?"saidhetohimself,ignorantthatthemorninghadbeenspentinpreparingatransformation.

Intheprovincescomparisonandchoiceareoutofthequestion;whenafacehasgrownfamiliaritcomestopossessacertainbeautythatistakenforgranted.ButtransporttheprettywomanoftheprovincestoParis,andnoonetakestheslightestnoticeofher;herprettinessisofthecomparativedegreeillustratedbythesayingthatamongtheblindtheone-eyedarekings.Lucien"seyeswerenowbusycomparingMme.deBargetonwithotherwomen,justassheherselfhadcontrastedhimwithChateletonthepreviousday.AndMme.deBargeton,onherpart,permittedherselfsomestrangereflectionsuponherlover.Thepoetcutapoorfigurenotwithstandinghissingularbeauty.Thesleevesofhisjacketweretooshort;withhisill-cutcountryglovesandawaistcoattooscantyforhim,helookedprodigiouslyridiculous,comparedwiththeyoungmeninthebalcony——"positivelypitiable,"

thoughtMme.deBargeton.Chatelet,interestedinherwithoutpresumption,takingcareofherinamannerthatrevealedaprofoundpassion;Chatelet,elegant,andasmuchathomeasanactortreadingthefamiliarboardsofhistheatre,intwodayshadrecoveredallthegroundlostinthepastsixmonths.

Ordinarypeoplewillnotadmitthatoursentimentstowardseachothercantotallychangeinamoment,andyetcertainitis,thattwoloversnotseldomflyapartevenmorequicklythantheydrewtogether.InMme.deBargetonandinLucienaprocessofdisenchantmentwasatwork;Pariswasthecause.Lifehadwidenedoutbeforethepoet"seyes,associetycametowearanewaspectforLouise.Nothingbutanaccidentnowwasneededtoseverfinallythebondthatunitedthem;

norwasthatblow,soterribleforLucien,verylongdelayed.

Mme.deBargetonsetLuciendownathisinn,anddrovehomewithChatelet,totheintensevexationofthelucklesslover.

"Whatwilltheysayaboutme?"hewondered,asheclimbedthestairstohisdismalroom.

"Thatpoorfellowisuncommonlydull,"saidChatelet,withasmile,whenthedoorwasclosed.

"Thatisthewaywiththosewhohaveaworldofthoughtsintheirheartandbrain.Menwhohavesomuchinthemtogiveoutingreatworkslongdreamedof,professacertaincontemptforconversation,acommerceinwhichtheintellectspendsitselfinsmallchange,"

returnedthehaughtyNegrepelisse.ShestillhadcouragetodefendLucien,butlessforLucien"ssakethanforherown.

"Igrantityouwillingly,"repliedtheBaron,"butwelivewithhumanbeingsandnotwithbooks.There,dearNais!Iseehowitis,thereisnothingbetweenyouyet,andIamdelightedthatitisso.Ifyoudecidetobringaninterestofakindhithertolackingintoyourlife,letitnotbethisso-calledgenius,Iimploreyou.Howifyouhavemadeamistake?Supposethatinafewdays"time,whenyouhavecomparedhimwithmenwhomyouwillmeet,menofrealability,menwhohavedistinguishedthemselvesingoodearnest;supposethatyoushoulddiscover,dearandfairsiren,thatitisnolyre-bearerthatyouhaveborneintoportonyourdazzlingshoulders,butalittleape,withnomannersandnocapacity;apresumptuousfoolwhomaybeawitinL"Houmeau,butturnsoutaveryordinaryspecimenofayoungmaninParis?And,afterall,volumesofversecomeouteveryweekhere,theworstofthembetterthanallM.Chardon"spoetryputtogether.Forpity"ssake,waitandcompare!To-morrow,Friday,isOperanight,"hecontinuedasthecarriageturnedintotheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg;

"Mme.d"EspardhastheboxoftheFirstGentlemenoftheChamber,andwilltakeyou,nodoubt.IshallgotoMme.deSerizy"sboxtobeholdyouinyourglory.TheyaregivingLesDanaides."

"Good-bye,"saidshe.

NextmorningMme.deBargetontriedtoarrangeasuitabletoiletteinwhichtocallonhercousin,Mme.d"Espard.Theweatherwasratherchilly.LookingthroughthedowdywardrobefromAngouleme,shefoundnothingbetterthanacertaingreenvelvetgown,trimmedfantasticallyenough.Lucien,forhispart,feltthathemustgoatonceforhiscelebratedbluebestcoat;hefeltaghastatthethoughtofhistightjacket,anddeterminedtobewelldressed,lestheshouldmeettheMarquised"Espardorreceiveasuddensummonstoherhouse.Hemusthavehisluggageatonce,sohetookacab,andintwohours"timespentthreeorfourfrancs,matterformuchsubsequentreflectiononthescaleofthecostoflivinginParis.Havingdressedhimselfinhisbest,suchasitwas,hewenttotheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg,andonthedoorstepencounteredGentilincompanywithagorgeouslybe-featheredchasseur.

"Iwasjustgoingroundtoyou,sir,madamegavemealineforyou,"

saidGentil,ignorantofParisianformsofrespect,andaccustomedtohomelyprovincialways.Thechasseurtookthepoetforaservant.

Lucientoreopenthenote,andlearnedthatMme.deBargetonhadgonetospendthedaywiththeMarquised"Espard.ShewasgoingtotheOperaintheevening,butshetoldLucientobetheretomeether.Hercousinpermittedhertogivehimaseatinherbox.TheMarquised"Espardwasdelightedtoprocuretheyoungpoetthatpleasure.

"Thenshelovesme!myfearswereallnonsense!"saidLucientohimself."Sheisgoingtopresentmetohercousinthisveryevening."

Hejumpedforjoy.Hewouldspendthedaythatseparatedhimfromthehappyeveningasjoyouslyasmightbe.HedashedoutinthedirectionoftheTuileries,dreamingofwalkingthereuntilitwastimetodineatVery"s.Andnow,beholdLucienfriskingandskipping,lightoffootbecauselightofheart,onhiswaytotheTerrassedesFeuillantstotakealookatthepeopleofqualityonpromenadethere.Prettywomenwalkarm-in-armwithmenoffashion,theiradorers,couplesgreeteachotherwithaglanceastheypass;howdifferentitisfromtheterraceatBeaulieu!HowfarfinerthebirdsonthisperchthantheAngoulemespecies!ItisasifyoubeheldallthecolorsthatglowintheplumageofthefeatheredtribesofIndiaandAmerica,insteadofthesoberEuropeanfamilies.

ThoseweretwowretchedhoursthatLucienspentintheGardenoftheTuileries.Aviolentrevulsionsweptthroughhim,andhesatinjudgmentuponhimself.

Inthefirstplace,notasingleoneofthesegildedyouthsworeaswallow-tailcoat.Thefewexceptions,oneortwopoorwretches,aclerkhereandthere,anannuitantfromtheMarais,couldberuledoutonthescoreofage;andharduponthediscoveryofadistinctionbetweenmorningandeveningdress,thepoet"squicksensibilityandkeeneyessawlikewisethathisshabbyoldclotheswerenotfittobeseen;thedefectsinhiscoatbrandedthatgarmentasridiculous;thecutwasold-fashioned,thecolorwasthewrongshadeofblue,thecollaroutrageouslyungainly,thecoattails,bydintoflongwear,overlappedeachother,thebuttonswerereddened,andtherewerefatalwhitelinesalongtheseams.Thenhiswaistcoatwastooshort,andsogrotesquelyprovincial,thathehastilybuttonedhiscoatoverit;

and,finally,nomanofanypretensiontofashionworenankeentrousers.Well-dressedmenworecharmingfancymaterialsorimmaculatewhite,andeveryonehadstrapstohistrousers,whiletheshrunkenhemsofLucien"snethergarmentsmanifestedaviolentantipathyfortheheelsofbootswhichtheyweddedwithobviousreluctance.Lucienworeawhitecravatwithembroideredends;hissisterhadseenthatM.

duHautoyandM.deChandourworesuchthings,andhastenedtomakesimilaronesforherbrother.Here,nooneappearedtowearwhitecravatsofamorningexceptafewgraveseniors,elderlycapitalists,andausterepublicfunctionaries,until,inthestreetontheothersideoftherailings,Luciennoticedagrocer"sboywalkingalongtheRuedeRivoliwithabasketonhishead;himthemanofAngoulemedetectedintheactofsportingacravat,withbothendsadornedbythehandiworkofsomeadoredshop-girl.ThesightwasastabtoLucien"sbreast;penetratingstraighttothatorganasyetundefined,theseatofoursensibility,theregionwhither,sincesentimenthashadanyexistence,thesonsofmencarrytheirhandsinanyexcessofjoyoranguish.Donotaccusethischronicleofpuerility.Therich,tobesure,neverhavingexperiencedsufferingsofthiskind,maythinkthemincrediblypettyandsmall;buttheagoniesoflessfortunatemortalsareaswellworthourattentionascrisesandvicissitudesinthelivesofthemightyandprivilegedonesofearth.

Isnotthepainequallygreatforeither?Sufferingexaltsallthings.

And,afterall,supposethatwechangethetermsandforasuitofclothes,moreorlessfine,putinsteadaribbon,orastar,oratitle;havenotbrilliantcareersbeentormentedbyreasonofsuchapparenttriflesasthese?Add,moreover,thatforthosepeoplewhomustseemtohavethatwhichtheyhavenot,thequestionofclothesisofenormousimportance,andnotunfrequentlytheappearanceofpossessionistheshortestroadtopossessionatalaterday.

AcoldsweatbrokeoutoverLucienashebethoughthimselfthatto-nighthemustmakehisfirstappearancebeforetheMarquiseinthisdress——theMarquised"Espard,relativeofaFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber,awomanwhosehousewasfrequentedbythemostillustriousamongillustriousmenineveryfield.

"Ilooklikeanapothecary"sson,aregularshop-drudge,"heragedinwardly,watchingtheyouthoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainpassunderhiseyes;graceful,spruce,fashionablydressed,withacertainuniformityofair,asamenessduetoafinenessofcontour,andacertaindignityofcarriageandexpression;though,atthesametime,eachonedifferedfromtherestinthesettingbywhichhehadchosentobringhispersonalcharacteristicsintoprominence.Eachonemadethemostofhispersonaladvantages.YoungmeninParisunderstandtheartofpresentingthemselvesquiteaswellaswomen.Lucienhadinheritedfromhismothertheinvaluablephysicaldistinctionofrace,butthemetalwasstillintheore,andnotsetfreebythecraftsman"shand.

Hishairwasbadlycut.Insteadofholdinghimselfuprightwithanelasticcorset,hefeltthathewascoopedupinsideahideousshirt-

collar;hehunghisdejectedheadwithoutresistanceonthepartofalimpcravat.WhatwomancouldguessthatahandsomefootwashiddenbytheclumsybootswhichhehadbroughtfromAngouleme?Whatyoungmancouldenvyhimhisgracefulfigure,disguisedbytheshapelessbluesackwhichhithertohehadmistakenlybelievedtobeacoat?Whatbewitchingstudshesawonthosedazzlingwhiteshirtfronts,hisownlookeddingybycomparison;andhowmarvelouslyalltheseelegantpersonsweregloved,hisowngloveswereonlyfitforapoliceman!

Yonderwasayouthtoyingwithacaneexquisitelymounted;there,anotherwithdaintygoldstudsinhiswristbands.Yetanotherwastwistingacharmingriding-whipwhilehetalkedwithawoman;therewerespecksofmudontheamplefoldsofhiswhitetrousers,heworeclankingspursandatight-fittingjacket,evidentlyhewasabouttomountoneofthetwohorsesheldbyahop-o"-my-thumbofatiger.A

youngmanwhowentpastdrewawatchnothickerthanafive-francpiecefromhispocket,andlookedatitwiththeairofapersonwhoiseithertooearlyortoolateforanappointment.

Lucien,seeingthesepettytrifles,hithertounimagined,becameawareofawholeworldofindispensablesuperfluities,andshudderedtothinkoftheenormouscapitalneededbyaprofessionalprettyfellow!

Themoreheadmiredthesegayandcarelessbeings,themoreconscioushegrewofhisownoutlandishness;heknewthathelookedlikeamanwhohasnoideaofthedirectionofthestreets,whostandsclosetothePalaisRoyalandcannotfindit,andaskshiswaytotheLouvreofapasser-by,whotellshim,"Hereyouare."Luciensawagreatgulffixedbetweenhimandthisnewworld,andaskedhimselfhowhemightcrossover,forhemeanttobeoneofthesedelicate,slimyouthsofParis,theseyoungpatricianswhobowedbeforewomendivinelydressedanddivinelyfair.Foronekissfromoneofthese,LucienwasreadytobecutinpieceslikeCountPhilipofKonigsmark.Louise"sfaceroseupsomewhereintheshadowybackgroundofmemory——comparedwiththesequeens,shelookedlikeanoldwoman.Hesawwomenwhosenameswillappearinthehistoryofthenineteenthcentury,womennolessfamousthanthequeensofpasttimesfortheirwit,theirbeauty,ortheirlovers;onewhopassedwastheheroineMlle.desTouches,sowellknownasCamilleMaupin,thegreatwomanofletters,greatbyherintellect,greatnolessbyherbeauty.Heoverheardthenamepronouncedbythosewhowentby.

"Ah!"hethoughttohimself,"sheisPoetry."

WhatwasMme.deBargetonincomparisonwiththisangelinallthegloryofyouth,andhope,andpromiseofthefuture,withthatsweetsmileofhers,andthegreatdarkeyeswithallheaveninthem,andtheglowinglightofthesun?ShewaslaughingandchattingwithMme.

Firmiani,oneofthemostcharmingwomeninParis.Avoiceindeedcried,"Intellectistheleverbywhichtomovetheworld,"butanothervoicecriednolessloudlythatmoneywasthefulcrum.

Hewouldnotstayanylongeronthesceneofhiscollapseanddefeat,andwenttowardsthePalaisRoyal.Hedidnotknowthetopographyofhisquarteryet,andwasobligedtoaskhisway.ThenhewenttoVery"sandordereddinnerbywayofaninitiationintothepleasuresofParis,andasolaceforhisdiscouragement.AbottleofBordeaux,oystersfromOstend,adishoffish,apartridge,adishofmacaronianddessert,——thiswastheneplusultraofhisdesire.Heenjoyedthislittledebauch,studyingthewhilehowtogivetheMarquised"Espardproofofhiswit,andredeemtheshabbinessofhisgrotesqueaccoutrementsbythedisplayofintellectualriches.Thetotalofthebilldrewhimdownfromthesedreams,andlefthimthepoorerbyfiftyofthefrancswhichweretohavegonesuchalongwayinParis.HecouldhavelivedinAngoulemeforamonthonthepriceofthatdinner.

Whereforeheclosedthedoorofthepalacewithawe,thinkingashedidsothatheshouldneversetfootinitagain.

"Evewasright,"hesaidtohimself,ashewentbackunderthestonearcadingforsomemoremoney."ThereisadifferencebetweenParispricesandpricesinL"Houmeau."

Hegazedinatthetailors"windowsontheway,andthoughtofthecostumesintheGardenoftheTuileries.

"No,"heexclaimed,"IwillNOTappearbeforeMme.d"EsparddressedoutasIam."

Hefledtohisinn,fleetasastag,rusheduptohisroom,tookoutahundredcrowns,andwentdownagaintothePalaisRoyal,wherehisfutureelegancelayscatteredoverhalfascoreofshops.Thefirsttailorwhosedoorheenteredtriedasmanycoatsuponhimashewouldconsenttoputon,andpersuadedhiscustomerthatallwereintheverylatestfashion.Luciencameouttheownerofagreencoat,apairofwhitetrousers,anda"fancywaistcoat,"forwhichoutfithegavetwohundredfrancs.Erelonghefoundaveryelegantpairofready-

madeshoesthatfittedhisfoot;and,finally,whenhehadmadeallnecessarypurchases,heorderedthetradespeopletosendthemtohisaddress,andinquiredforahairdresser.Atseveno"clockthateveninghecalledacabanddroveawaytotheOpera,curledlikeaSaintJohnofaProcessionDay,elegantlywaistcoatedandgloved,butfeelingalittleawkwardinthiskindofsheathinwhichhefoundhimselfforthefirsttime.

InobediencetoMme.deBargeton"sinstructions,heaskedfortheboxreservedfortheFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber.Themanattheboxofficelookedathim,andbeholdingLucieninallthegrandeurassumedfortheoccasion,inwhichhelookedlikeabestmanatawedding,askedLucienforhisorder.

"Ihavenoorder."

"Thenyoucannotgoin,"saidthemanattheboxofficedrily.