第2章

"ButIbelongtoMme.d"Espard"sparty."

"Itisnotourbusinesstoknowthat,"saidtheman,whocouldnothelpexchangingabarelyperceptiblesmilewithhiscolleague.

Acarriagestoppedundertheperistyleashespoke.Achasseur,inaliverywhichLuciendidnotrecognize,letdownthestep,andtwowomenineveningdresscameoutofthebrougham.Lucienhadnomindtolayhimselfopentoaninsolentordertogetoutofthewayfromtheofficial.Hesteppedasidetoletthetwoladiespass.

"Why,thatladyistheMarquised"Espard,whomyousayyouknow,sir,"

saidthemanironically.

LucienwassomuchthemoreconfoundedbecauseMme.deBargetondidnotseemtorecognizehiminhisnewplumage;butwhenhesteppeduptoher,shesmiledathimandsaid:

"Thishasfallenoutwonderfully——come!"

ThefunctionariesattheboxofficegrewseriousagainasLucienfollowedMme.deBargeton.OntheirwayupthegreatstaircasetheladyintroducedM.deRubempretohercousin.TheboxbelongingtotheFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamberissituatedinoneoftheanglesatthebackofthehouse,sothatitsoccupantsseeandareseenalloverthetheatre.LucientookhisseatonachairbehindMme.deBargeton,thankfultobeintheshadow.

"M.deRubempre,"saidtheMarquisewithflatteringgraciousness,"thisisyourfirstvisittotheOpera,isitnot?Youmusthaveaviewofthehouse;takethisseat,sitinfrontofthebox;wegiveyoupermission."

Lucienobeyedasthefirstactcametoanend.

"Youhavemadegooduseofyourtime,"Louisesaidinhisear,inherfirstsurpriseatthechangeinhisappearance.

Louisewasstillthesame.ThenearpresenceoftheMarquised"Espard,aParisianMme.deBargeton,wassodamagingtoher;thebrilliancyoftheParisiennebroughtoutallthedefectsinhercountrycousinsoclearlybycontrast;thatLucien,lookingoutoverthefashionableaudienceinthesuperbbuilding,andthenatthegreatlady,wastwiceenlightened,andsawpoorAnaisdeNegrepelisseasshereallywas,asParisianssawher——atall,lean,witheredwoman,withapimpledfaceandfadedcomplexion;angular,stiff,affectedinhermanner;pompousandprovincialinherspeech;and,andaboveallthesethings,dowdilydressed.Asamatteroffact,thecreasesinanolddressfromParisstillbearwitnesstogoodtaste,youcantellwhatthegownwasmeantfor;butanolddressmadeinthecountryisinexplicable,itisathingtoprovokelaughter.Therewasneithercharmnorfreshnessaboutthedressoritswearer;thevelvet,likethecomplexionhadseenwear.Lucienfeltashamedtohavefalleninlovewiththiscuttle-fishbone,andvowedthathewouldprofitbyLouise"snextfitofvirtuetoleaveherforgood.Havinganexcellentviewofthehouse,hecouldseetheopera-glassespointedatthearistocraticboxparexcellence.

Thebest-dressedwomenmustcertainlybescrutinizingMme.deBargeton,fortheysmiledandtalkedamongthemselves.

IfMme.d"Espardknewtheobjectoftheirsarcasmsfromthosefemininesmilesandgestures,shewasperfectlyinsensibletothem.Inthefirstplace,anybodymustseethathercompanionwasapoorrelationfromthecountry,anafflictionwithwhichanyParisianfamilymaybevisited.And,inthesecond,whenhercousinhadspokentoherofherdresswithmanifestmisgivings,shehadreassuredAnais,seeingthat,whenonceproperlydressed,herrelativewouldveryeasilyacquirethetoneofParisiansociety.IfMme.deBargetonneededpolish,ontheotherhandshepossessedthenativehaughtinessofgoodbirth,andthatindescribablesomethingwhichmaybecalled"pedigree."So,onMondayherturnwouldcome.And,moreover,theMarquiseknewthatassoonaspeoplelearnedthatthestrangerwashercousin,theywouldsuspendtheirbanterandlooktwicebeforetheycondemnedher.

LuciendidnotforeseethechangeinLouise"sappearanceshortlytobeworkedbyascarfaboutherthroat,aprettydress,anelegantcoiffure,andMme.d"Espard"sadvice.Astheycameupthestaircaseevennow,theMarquisetoldhercousinnottoholdherhandkerchiefunfoldedinherhand.Goodorbadtasteturnsuponhundredsofsuchalmostimperceptibleshades,whichaquick-wittedwomandiscernsatonce,whileotherswillnevergraspthem.Mme.deBargeton,plentifullyapt,wasmorethancleverenoughtodiscoverhershortcomings.Mme.d"Espard,surethatherpupilwoulddohercredit,didnotdeclinetoformher.Inshort,thecompactbetweenthetwowomenhadbeenconfirmedbyself-interestoneitherside.

Mme.deBargeton,enthralled,dazzled,andfascinatedbyhercousin"smanner,wit,andacquaintances,hadsuddenlydeclaredherselfavotaryoftheidoloftheday.Shehaddiscernedthesignsoftheoccultpowerexertedbytheambitiousgreatlady,andtoldherselfthatshecouldgainherendasthesatelliteofthisstar,soshehadbeenoutspokeninheradmiration.TheMarquisewasnotinsensibletotheartlesslyadmittedconquest.Shetookaninterestinhercousin,seeingthatshewasweakandpoor;shewas,besides,notindisposedtotakeapupilwithwhomtofoundaschool,andaskednothingbetterthantohaveasortoflady-in-waitinginMme.deBargeton,adependentwhowouldsingherpraises,atreasureevenmorescarceamongParisianwomenthanastaunchandloyalcriticamongtheliterarytribe.Theflutterofcuriosityinthehousewastoomarkedtobeignored,however,andMme.d"Espardpolitelyendeavoredtoturnhercousin"smindfromthetruth.

"Ifanyonecomestoourbox,"shesaid,"perhapswemaydiscoverthecausetowhichweowethehonoroftheinterestthattheseladiesaretaking——"

"IhaveastrongsuspicionthatitismyoldvelvetgownandAngoumoisinairwhichParisianladiesfindamusing,"Mme.deBargetonanswered,laughing.

"No,itisnotyou;itissomethingthatIcannotexplain,"sheadded,turningtothepoet,and,asshelookedathimforthefirsttime,itseemedtostrikeherthathewassingularlydressed.

"ThereisM.duChatelet,"exclaimedLucienatthatmoment,andhepointedafingertowardsMme.deSerizy"sbox,whichtherenovatedbeauhadjustentered.

Mme.deBargetonbitherlipswithchagrinasshesawthatgesture,andsawbesidestheMarquise"sill-suppressedsmileofcontemptuousastonishment."Wheredoestheyoungmancomefrom?"herlooksaid,andLouisefelthumbledthroughherlove,oneofthesharpestofallpangsforaFrenchwoman,amortificationforwhichshecannotforgiveherlover.

Inthesecircleswheretriflesareofsuchimportance,agestureorawordattheoutsetisenoughtoruinanewcomer.Itistheprincipalmeritoffinemannersandthehighestbreedingthattheyproducetheeffectofaharmoniouswhole,inwhicheveryelementissoblendedthatnothingisstartlingorobtrusive.Eventhosewhobreakthelawsofthisscience,eitherthroughignoranceorcarriedawaybysomeimpulse,mustcomprehendthatitiswithsocialintercourseaswithmusic,asinglediscordantnoteisacompletenegationoftheartitself,fortheharmonyexistsonlywhenallitsconditionsareobserveddowntotheleastparticular.

"Whoisthatgentleman?"askedMme.d"Espard,lookingtowardsChatelet."AndhaveyoumadeMme.deSerizy"sacquaintancealready?"

"Oh!isthatthefamousMme.deSerizywhohashadsomanyadventuresandyetgoeseverywhere?"

"Anunheard-of-thing,mydear,explicablebutunexplained.Themostformidablemenareherfriends,andwhy?Nobodydarestofathomthemystery.ThenisthispersonthelionofAngouleme?"

"Well,M.leBaronduChatelethasbeenagooddealtalkedabout,"

answeredMme.deBargeton,movedbyvanitytogiveheradorerthetitlewhichsheherselfhadcalledinquestion."HewasM.deMontriveau"stravelingcompanion."

"Ah!"saidtheMarquised"Espard,"IneverhearthatnamewithoutthinkingoftheDuchessedeLangeais,poorthing.Shevanishedlikeafallingstar——ThatisM.deRastignacwithMme.deNucingen,"shecontinued,indicatinganotherbox;"sheisthewifeofacontractor,abanker,acityman,abrokeronalargescale;heforcedhiswayintosocietywithhismoney,andtheysaythatheisnotveryscrupulousastohismethodsofmakingit.HeisatendlesspainstoestablishhiscreditasastaunchupholderoftheBourbons,andhastriedalreadytogainadmittanceintomyset.WhenhiswifetookMme.deLangeais"box,shethoughtthatshecouldtakehercharm,herwit,andhersuccessaswell.Itistheoldfableofthejayinthepeacock"sfeathers!"

"HowdoM.andMme.deRastignacmanagetokeeptheirsoninParis,when,asweknow,theirincomeisunderathousandcrowns?"askedLucien,inhisastonishmentatRastignac"selegantandexpensivedress.

"ItiseasytoseethatyoucomefromAngouleme,"saidMme.d"Espard,ironicallyenough,asshecontinuedtogazethroughheropera-glass.

HerremarkwaslostuponLucien;theall-absorbingspectacleoftheboxespreventedhimfromthinkingofanythingelse.Heguessedthathehimselfwasanobjectofnosmallcuriosity.Louise,ontheotherhand,wasexceedinglymortifiedbytheevidentslightesteeminwhichtheMarquiseheldLucien"sbeauty.

"HecannotbesohandsomeasIthoughthim,"shesaidtoherself;andbetween"notsohandsomeand"notsocleverasIthoughthim"therewasbutonestep.

Thecurtainfell.ChateletwasnowpayingavisittotheDuchessedeCariglianoinanadjourningbox;Mme.deBargetonacknowledgedhisbowbyaslightinclinationofthehead.Nothingescapesawomanoftheworld;Chatelet"sairofdistinctionwasnotlostuponMme.d"Espard.

Justatthatmomentfourpersonages,fourParisiancelebrities,cameintothebox,oneafteranother.

Themoststrikingfeatureofthefirstcomer,M.deMarsay,famousforthepassionswhichhehadinspired,washisgirlishbeauty;butitssoftnessandeffeminacywerecounteractedbytheexpressionofhiseyes,unflinching,steady,untamed,andhardasatiger"s.Hewaslovedandhewasfeared.Lucienwasnolesshandsome;butLucien"sexpressionwassogentle,hisblueeyessolimpid,thathescarcelyseemedtopossessthestrengthandthepowerwhichattractwomensostrongly.Nothing,moreover,sofarhadbroughtoutthepoet"smerits;

whiledeMarsay,withhisflowofspirits,hisconfidenceinhispowertoplease,andappropriatestyleofdress,eclipsedeveryrivalbyhispresence.Judge,therefore,thekindoffigurethatLucien,stiff,starched,unbendinginclothesasnewandunfamiliarashissurroundings,waslikelytocutindeMarsay"svicinity.DeMarsaywithhiswitandcharmofmannerwasprivilegedtobeinsolent.FromMme.d"Espard"sreceptionofthispersonagehisimportancewasatonceevidenttoMme.deBargeton.

ThesecondcomerwasaVandenesse,thecauseofthescandalinwhichLadyDudleywasconcerned.FelixdeVandenesse,amiable,intellectual,andmodest,hadnoneofthecharacteristicsonwhichdeMarsaypridedhimself,andowedhissuccesstodiametricallyopposedqualities.HehadbeenwarmlyrecommendedtoMme.d"EspardbyhercousinMme.deMortsauf.

ThethirdwasGeneraldeMontriveau,theauthoroftheDuchessedeLangeais"ruin.

Thefourth,M.deCanalis,oneofthemostfamouspoetsoftheday,andasyetanewlyrisencelebrity,wasprouderofhisbirththanofhisgenius,anddangledinMme.d"Espard"strainbywayofconcealinghislovefortheDuchessedeChaulieu.Inspiteofhisgracesandtheaffectationthatspoiledthem,itwaseasytodiscernthevast,lurkingambitionsthatplungedhimatalaterdayintothestormsofpoliticallife.Afacethatmightbecalledinsignificantlyprettyandcaressingmannersthinlydisguisedtheman"sdeeply-rootedegoismandhabitofcontinuallycalculatingthechancesofacareerwhichatthattimelookedproblematicalenough;thoughhischoiceofMme.deChaulieu(awomanpastforty)madeinterestforhimatCourt,andbroughthimtheapplauseoftheFaubourgSaint-GermainandthegibesoftheLiberalparty,whodubbedhim"thepoetofthesacristy."

Mme.deBargeton,withtheseremarkablefiguresbeforeher,nolongerwonderedattheslightesteeminwhichtheMarquiseheldLucien"sgoodlooks.Andwhenconversationbegan,whenintellectssokeen,sosubtle,wererevealedintwo-edgedwordswithmoremeaninganddepthinthemthanAnaisdeBargetonheardinamonthoftalkatAngouleme;

and,mostofall,whenCanalisutteredasonorousphrase,summingupamaterialisticepoch,andgildingitwithpoetry——thenAnaisfeltallthetruthofChatelet"sdictumofthepreviousevening.Lucienwasnothingtohernow.Everyonecruellyignoredtheunluckystranger;hewassomuchlikeaforeignerlisteningtoanunknownlanguage,thattheMarquised"Espardtookpityuponhim.SheturnedtoCanalis.

"PermitmetointroduceM.deRubempre,"shesaid."Youranktoohighintheworldoflettersnottowelcomeadebutant.M.deRubempreisfromAngouleme,andwillneedyourinfluence,nodoubt,withthepowersthatbringgeniustolight.Sofar,hehasnoenemiestohelphimtosuccessbytheirattacksuponhim.Isthereenoughoriginalityintheideaofobtainingforhimbyfriendshipallthathatredhasdoneforyoutotemptyoutomaketheexperiment?"

ThefournewcomersalllookedatLucienwhiletheMarquisewasspeaking.DeMarsay,onlyacoupleofpacesaway,putupaneyeglassandlookedfromLucientoMme.deBargeton,andthenagainatLucien,couplingthemwithsomemockingthought,cruellymortifyingtoboth.

Hescrutinizedthemasiftheyhadbeenapairofstrangeanimals,andthenhesmiled.Thesmilewaslikeastabtothedistinguishedprovincial.FelixdeVandenesseassumedacharitableair.MontriveaulookedLucienthroughandthrough.

"Madame,"M.deCanalisansweredwithabow,"Iwillobeyyou,inspiteoftheselfishinstinctwhichpromptsustoshowarivalnofavor;butyouhaveaccustomedustomiracles."

"Verywell,domethepleasureofdiningwithmeonMondaywithM.deRubempre,andyoucantalkofmattersliteraryatyourease.Iwilltrytoenlistsomeofthetyrantsoftheworldoflettersandthegreatpeoplewhoprotectthem,theauthorofOurika,andoneortwoyoungpoetswithsoundviews."

"Mme.laMarquise,"saiddeMarsay,"ifyougiveyoursupporttothisgentlemanforhisintellect,Iwillsupporthimforhisgoodlooks.I

willgivehimadvicewhichwillputhiminafairwaytobetheluckiestdandyinParis.Afterthat,hemaybeapoet——ifhehasamind."

Mme.deBargetonthankedhercousinbyagratefulglance.

"Ididnotknowthatyouwerejealousofintellect,"Montriveausaid,turningtodeMarsay;"goodfortuneisthedeathofapoet."

"Isthatwhyyourlordshipisthinkingofmarriage?"inquiredthedandy,addressingCanalis,andwatchingMme.d"Espardtoseeifthewordswenthome.

Canalisshruggedhisshoulders,andMme.d"Espard,Mme.deChaulieu"sniece,begantolaugh.LucieninhisnewclothesfeltasifhewereanEgyptianstatueinitsnarrowsheath;hewasashamedthathehadnothingtosayforhimselfallthiswhile.AtlengthheturnedtotheMarquise.

"Afterallyourkindness,madame,Iampledgedtomakenofailures,"

hesaidinthosesofttonesofhis.

Chateletcameinashespoke;hehadseenMontriveau,andbyhookorcrooksnatchedatthechanceofagoodintroductiontotheMarquised"EspardthroughoneofthekingsofParis.HebowedtoMme.deBargeton,andbeggedMme.d"Espardtopardonhimforthelibertyhetookininvadingherbox;hehadbeenseparatedsolongfromhistravelingcompanion!MontriveauandChateletmetforthefirsttimesincetheypartedinthedesert.

"Topartinthedesert,andmeetagainintheopera-house!"saidLucien.

"Quiteatheatricalmeeting!"saidCanalis.

MontriveauintroducedtheBaronduChatelettotheMarquise,andtheMarquisereceivedHerRoyalHighness"ex-secretarythemoregraciouslybecauseshehadseenthathehadbeenverywellreceivedinthreeboxesalready.Mme.deSerizyknewnonebutunexceptionablepeople,andmoreoverhewasMontriveau"stravelingcompanion.Sopotentwasthislastcredential,thatMme.deBargetonsawfromthemannerofthegroupthattheyacceptedChateletasoneofthemselveswithoutdemur.

Chatelet"ssultan"sairsinAngoulemeweresuddenlyexplained.

AtlengththeBaronsawLucien,andfavoredhimwithacool,disparaginglittlenod,indicativetomenoftheworldoftherecipient"sinferiorstation.Asardonicexpressionaccompaniedthegreeting,"HowdoesHEcomehere?"heseemedtosay.Thiswasnotlostonthosewhosawit;fordeMarsayleanedtowardsMontriveau,andsaidintonesaudibletoChatelet:

"Doaskhimwhothequeer-lookingyoungfellowisthatlookslikeadummyatatailor"sshop-door."

Chateletspokeafewwordsinhistravelingcompanion"sear,andwhileapparentlyrenewinghisacquaintance,nodoubtcuthisrivaltopieces.

IfLucienwassurprisedattheaptwitandthesubtletywithwhichthesegentlemenformulatedtheirreplies,hefeltbewilderedwithepigramandrepartee,and,mostofall,bytheiroffhandwayoftalkingandtheireaseofmanner.ThematerialluxuryofParishadalarmedhimthatmorning;atnighthesawthesamelavishexpenditureofintellect.Bywhatmysteriousmeans,heaskedhimself,didthesepeoplemakesuchpiquantreflectionsonthespurofthemoment,thosereparteeswhichhecouldonlyhavemadeaftermuchpondering?Andnotonlyweretheyateaseintheirspeech,theywereateaseintheirdress,nothinglookednew,nothinglookedold,nothingaboutthemwasconspicuous,everythingattractedtheeyes.Thefinegentlemanofto-daywasthesameyesterday,andwouldbethesameto-morrow.Lucienguessedthathehimselflookedasifheweredressedforthefirsttimeinhislife.

"Mydearfellow,"saiddeMarsay,addressingFelixdeVandenesse,"thatyoungRastignacissoaringawaylikeapaper-kite.LookathimintheMarquisedeListomere"sbox;heismakingprogress,heisputtinguphiseyeglassatus!Heknowsthisgentleman,nodoubt,"

addedthedandy,speakingtoLucien,andlookingelsewhere.

"Hecanscarcelyfailtohaveheardthenameofagreatmanofwhomweareproud,"saidMme.deBargeton."QuitelatelyhissisterwaspresentwhenM.deRubemprereadussomeveryfinepoetry."

FelixdeVandenesseanddeMarsaytookleaveoftheMarquised"Espard,andwentofftoMme.deListomere,Vandenesse"ssister.Thesecondactbegan,andthethreewerelefttothemselvesagain.ThecuriouswomenlearnedhowMme.deBargetoncametobetherefromsomeoftheparty,whiletheothersannouncedthearrivalofapoet,andmadefunofhiscostume.CanaliswentbacktotheDuchessedeChaulieu,andnomorewasseenofhim.

Lucienwasgladwhentherisingofthecurtainproducedadiversion.

AllMme.deBargeton"smisgivingswithregardtoLucienwereincreasedbythemarkedattentionwhichtheMarquised"EspardhadshowntoChatelet;hermannertowardstheBaronwasverydifferentfromthepatronizingaffabilitywithwhichshetreatedLucien.Mme.deListomere"sboxwasfullduringthesecondact,and,toallappearance,thetalkturneduponMme.deBargetonandLucien.YoungRastignacevidentlywasentertainingtheparty;hehadraisedthelaughterthatneedsfreshfueleverydayinParis,thelaughterthatseizesuponatopicandexhaustsit,andleavesitstaleandthreadbareinamoment.Mme.d"Espardgrewuneasy.Sheknewthatanill-naturedspeechisnotlongincomingtotheearsofthosewhomitwillwound,andwaitedtilltheendoftheact.

AfterarevulsionoffeelingsuchashadtakenplaceinMme.deBargetonandLucien,strangethingscometopassinabriefspaceoftime,andanyrevolutionwithinusiscontrolledbylawsthatworkwithgreatswiftness.Chatelet"ssageandpoliticwordsastoLucien,spokenonthewayhomefromtheVaudeville,werefreshinLouise"smemory.Everyphrasewasaprophecy,itseemedasifLucienhadsethimselftofulfilthepredictionsonebyone.WhenLucienandMme.deBargetonhadpartedwiththeirillusionsconcerningeachother,thelucklessyouth,withadestinynotunlikeRousseau"s,wentsofarinhispredecessor"sfootstepsthathewascaptivatedbythegreatladyandsmittenwithMme.d"Espardatfirstsight.Youngmenandmenwhoremembertheiryoungemotionscanseethatthiswasonlywhatmighthavebeenlookedfor.Mme.d"Espardwithherdaintyways,herdelicateenunciation,andtherefinedtonesofhervoice;thefragilewomansoenvied,ofsuchhighplaceandhighdegree,appearedbeforethepoetasMme.deBargetonhadappearedtohiminAngouleme.Hisficklenaturepromptedhimtodesireinfluenceinthatloftysphereatonce,andthesurestwaytosecuresuchinfluencewastopossessthewomanwhoexertedit,andtheneverythingwouldbehis.HehadsucceededatAngouleme,whyshouldhenotsucceedinParis?

Involuntarily,anddespitethenovelcounterfascinationofthestage,hiseyesturnedtotheCelimeneinhersplendor;heglancedfurtivelyathereverymoment;thelongerhelooked,themorehedesiredtolookather.Mme.deBargetoncaughtthegleaminLucien"seyes,andsawthathefoundtheMarquisemoreinterestingthantheopera.IfLucienhadforsakenherforthefiftydaughtersofDanaus,shecouldhavebornehisdesertionwithequanimity;butanotherglance——bolder,moreardentandunmistakablethananybefore——revealedthestateofLucien"sfeelings.Shegrewjealous,butnotsomuchforthefutureasforthepast.

"Henevergavemesuchalook,"shethought."Dearme!Chateletwasright!"

Thenshesawthatshehadmadeamistake;andwhenawomanoncebeginstorepentofherweaknesses,shespongesoutthewholepast.EveryoneofLucien"sglancesrousedherindignation,buttoalloutwardappearanceshewascalm.DeMarsaycamebackintheinterval,bringingM.deListomerewithhim;andthatseriouspersonandtheyoungcoxcombsooninformedtheMarquisethattheweddingguestinhisholidaysuit,whomshehadthebadlucktohaveinherbox,hadasmuchrighttotheappellationofRubempreasaJewtoabaptismalname.Lucien"sfatherwasanapothecarynamedChardon.M.deRastignac,whoknewallaboutAngouleme,hadsetseveralboxeslaughingalreadyatthemummywhomtheMarquisestyledhercousin,andattheMarquise"sforethoughtinhavinganapothecaryathandtosustainanartificiallifewithdrugs.Inshort,deMarsaybroughtaselectionfromthethousand-and-onejokesmadebyParisiansonthespurofthemoment,andnosoonerutteredthanforgotten.Chateletwasatthebackofitall,andtherealauthorofthisPunicfaith.

Mme.d"EspardturnedtoMme.deBargeton,putupherfan,andsaid,"Mydear,tellmeifyourprotege"snameisreallyM.deRubempre?"

"Hehasassumedhismother"sname,"saidAnais,uneasily.

"Butwhowashisfather?"

"Hisfather"snamewasChardon."

"AndwhatwasthisChardon?"

"Adruggist."

"Mydearfriend,IfeltquitesurethatallPariscouldnotbelaughingatanyonewhomItookup.Idonotcaretostayherewhenwagscomeininhighgleebecausethereisanapothecary"ssoninmybox.Ifyouwillfollowmyadvice,wewillleaveit,andatonce."

Mme.d"Espard"sexpressionwasinsolentenough;Lucienwasatalosstoaccountforherchangeofcountenance.Hethoughtthathiswaistcoatwasinbadtaste,whichwastrue;andthathiscoatlookedlikeacaricatureofthefashion,whichwaslikewisetrue.Hediscerned,inbitternessofsoul,thathemustputhimselfinthehandsofanexperttailor,andvowedthathewouldgotheverynextmorningtothemostcelebratedartistinParis.OnMondayhewouldholdhisownwiththemenintheMarquise"shouse.

Yet,lostinthoughtthoughhewas,hesawthethirdacttoanend,and,withhiseyesfixedonthegorgeoussceneuponthestage,dreamedouthisdreamofMme.d"Espard.Hewasindespairoverhersuddencoldness;itgaveastrangechecktotheardentreasoningthroughwhichheadvanceduponthisnewlove,undismayedbytheimmensedifficultiesintheway,difficultieswhichhesawandresolvedtoconquer.Herousedhimselffromthesedeepmusingstolookoncemoreathisnewidol,turnedhishead,andsawthathewasalone;hehadheardafaintrustlingsound,thedoorclosed——Madamed"Espardhadtakenhercousinwithher.Lucienwassurprisedtothelastdegreebythesuddendesertion;hedidnotthinklongaboutit,however,simplybecauseitwasinexplicable.

WhenthecarriagewasrollingalongtheRuedeRichelieuonthewaytotheFaubourgSaint-Honore,theMarquisespoketohercousininatoneofsuppressedirritation.

"Mydearchild,whatareyouthinkingabout?Praywaittillanapothecary"ssonhasmadeanameforhimselfbeforeyoutroubleyourselfabouthim.TheDuchessedeChaulieudoesnotacknowledgeCanalisevennow,andheisfamousandamanofgoodfamily.Thisyoungfellowisneitheryoursonnoryourlover,Isuppose?"addedthehaughtydame,withakeen,inquisitiveglanceathercousin.

"HowfortunateformethatIkeptthelittlescapegraceatadistance!"thoughtMadamedeBargeton.

"Verywell,"continuedtheMarquise,takingtheexpressioninhercousin"seyesforananswer,"drophim,Ibegofyou.Takinganillustriousnameinthatway!——Why,itisapieceofimpudencethatwillmeetwithitsdessertsinsociety.Itishismother"sname,I

daresay;butjustremember,dear,thattheKingalonecanconfer,byaspecialordinance,thetitleofdeRubempreonthesonofadaughterofthehouse.Ifshemadeamesalliance,thefavorwouldbeenormous,onlytobegrantedtovastwealth,orconspicuousservices,orverypowerfulinfluence.TheyoungmanlookslikeashopmaninhisSundaysuit;evidentlyheisneitherwealthynornoble;hehasafinehead,butheseemstometobeverysilly;hehasnoideawhattodo,andhasnothingtosayforhimself;infact,hehasnobreeding.Howcameyoutotakehimup?"

Mme.deBargetonrenouncedLucienasLucienhimselfhadrenouncedher;

aghastlyfearlesthercousinshouldlearnthemannerofherjourneyshotthroughhermind.

"Dearcousin,IamindespairthatIhavecompromisedyou."

"Peopledonotcompromiseme,"Mme.d"Espardsaid,smiling;"Iamonlythinkingofyou."

"ButyouhaveaskedhimtodinewithyouonMonday."

"Ishallbeill,"theMarquisesaidquickly;"youcantellhimso,andIshallleaveordersthatheisnottobeadmittedundereithername."

DuringtheintervalLuciennoticedthateveryonewaswalkingupanddownthelobby.Hewoulddothesame.Inthefirstplace,notoneofMme.d"Espard"svisitorsrecognizedhimnorpaidanyattentiontohim,theirconductseemednothinglessthanextraordinarytotheprovincialpoet;and,secondly,Chatelet,onwhomhetriedtohang,watchedhimoutofthecornerofhiseyeandfoughtshyofhim.Lucienwalkedtoandfro,watchingtheeddyingcrowdofmen,tillhefeltconvincedthathiscostumewasabsurd,andhewentbacktohisbox,ensconcedhimselfinacorner,andstayedtheretilltheend.AttimeshethoughtofnothingbutthemagnificentspectacleoftheballetinthegreatInfernosceneinthefifthact;sometimesthesightofthehouseabsorbedhim,sometimeshisownthoughts;hehadseensocietyinParis,andthesighthadstirredhimtothedepths.

"Sothisismykingdom,"hesaidtohimself;"thisistheworldthatI

mustconquer."

AshewalkedhomethroughthestreetshethoughtoverallthathadbeensaidbyMme.d"Espard"scourtiers;memoryreproducingwithstrangefaithfulnesstheirdemeanor,theirgestures,theirmannerofcomingandgoing.

Nextday,towardsnoon,LucienbetookhimselftoStaub,thegreattailorofthatday.Partlybydintofentreaties,andpartlybyvirtueofcash,Luciensucceededinobtainingapromisethathisclothesshouldbereadyintimeforthegreatday.Staubwentsofarastogivehiswordthataperfectlyelegantcoat,awaistcoat,andapairoftrousersshouldbeforthcoming.Lucienthenorderedlinenandpocket-handkerchiefs,alittleoutfit,inshort,ofalinen-draper,andacelebratedbootmakermeasuredhimforshoesandboots.HeboughtaneatwalkingcaneatVerdier"s;hewenttoMme.Irlandeforglovesandshirtstuds;inshort,hedidhisbesttoreachtheclimaxofdandyism.Whenhehadsatisfiedallhisfancies,hewenttotheRueNeuve-de-Luxembourg,andfoundthatLouisehadgoneout.

"ShewasdiningwithMme.laMarquised"Espard,"hermaidsaid,"andwouldnotbebacktilllate."

LuciendinedfortwofrancsatarestaurantinthePalaisRoyal,andwenttobedearly.ThenextdaywasSunday.HewenttoLouise"slodgingateleveno"clock.Louisehadnotyetrisen.Attwoo"clockhereturnedoncemore.

"Madamecannotseeanybodyyet,"reportedAlbertine,"butshegavemealineforyou."

"Cannotseeanybodyyet?"repeatedLucien."ButIamnotanybody——"

"Idonotknow,"Albertineansweredveryimpertinently;andLucien,lesssurprisedbyAlbertine"sanswerthanbyanotefromMme.deBargeton,tookthebillet,andreadthefollowingdiscouraginglines:——

"Mme.d"Espardisnotwell;shewillnotbeabletoseeyouonMonday.

Iamnotfeelingverywellmyself,butIamabouttodressandgotokeephercompany.Iamindespairoverthislittledisappointment;butyourtalentsreassureme,youwillmakeyourwaywithoutcharlatanism."

"Andnosignature!"Luciensaidtohimself.HefoundhimselfintheTuileriesbeforeheknewwhitherhewaswalking.

Withthegiftofsecond-sightwhichaccompaniesgenius,hebegantosuspectthatthechillynotewasbutawarningofthecatastrophetocome.Lostinthought,hewalkedonandon,gazingatthemonumentsinthePlaceLouisQuinze.

Itwasasunnyday;astreamoffinecarriageswentpasthimonthewaytotheChampsElysees.Followingthedirectionofthecrowdofstrollers,hesawthethreeorfourthousandcarriagesthatturntheChampsElyseesintoanimprovisedLongchamponSundayafternoonsinsummer.Thesplendidhorses,thetoilettes,andliveriesbewilderedhim;hewentfurtherandfurther,untilhereachedtheArcdeTriomphe,thenunfinished.Whatwerehisfeelingswhen,ashereturned,hesawMme.deBargetonandMme.d"Espardcomingtowardshiminawonderfullyappointedcaleche,withachasseurbehinditinwavingplumesandthatgold-embroideredgreenuniformwhichheknewonlytoowell.Therewasablocksomewhereintherow,andthecarriageswaited.LucienbeheldLouisetransformedbeyondrecognition.

Allthecolorsofhertoilettehadbeencarefullysubordinatedtohercomplexion;herdresswasdelicious,herhairgracefullyandbecominglyarranged,herhat,inexquisitetaste,wasremarkableevenbesideMme.d"Espard,thatleaderoffashion.

Thereissomethingintheartofwearingahatthatescapesdefinition.Tiltedtoofartothebackofthehead,itimpartsaboldexpressiontotheface;bringittoofarforward,itgivesyouasinisterlook;tippedtooneside,ithasajauntyair;awell-dressedwomanwearsherhatexactlyasshemeanstowearit,andexactlyattherightangle.Mme.deBargetonhadsolvedthiscuriousproblematsight.Adaintygirdleoutlinedherslenderwaist.Shehadadoptedhercousin"sgesturesandtricksofmanner;andnow,asshesatbyMme.

d"Espard"sside,sheplayedwithatinyscentbottlethatdangledbyaslendergoldchainfromoneofherfingers,displayedalittlewell-glovedhandwithoutseemingtodoso.ShehadmodeledherselfonMme.d"Espardwithoutmimickingher;theMarquisehadfoundacousinworthyofher,andseemedtobeproudofherpupil.

Themenandwomenonthefootwaysallgazedatthesplendidcarriage,withthebearingsofthed"EspardsandBlamont-Chauvrysuponthepanels.Lucienwasamazedatthenumberofgreetingsreceivedbythecousins;hedidnotknowthatthe"allParis,"whichconsistsinsomescoreofsalons,waswellawarealreadyoftherelationshipbetweentheladies.AlittlegroupofyoungmenonhorsebackaccompaniedthecarriageintheBois;LuciencouldrecognizedeMarsayandRastignacamongthem,andcouldseefromtheirgesturesthatthepairofcoxcombswerecomplimentingMme.deBargetonuponhertransformation.

Mme.d"Espardwasradiantwithhealthandgrace.Soherindispositionwassimplyapretextforriddingherselfofhim,fortherehadbeennomentionofanotherday!

Thewrathfulpoetwenttowardsthecaleche;hewalkedslowly,waitedtillhecameinfullsightofthetwoladies,andmadethemabow.

Mme.deBargetonwouldnotseehim;buttheMarquiseputuphereyeglass,anddeliberatelycuthim.HehadbeendisownedbythesovereignlordsofAngouleme,buttobedisownedbysocietyinPariswasanotherthing;thebooby-squiresbydoingtheirutmosttomortifyLucienadmittedhispowerandacknowledgedhimasaman;forMme.

d"Espardhehadpositivelynoexistence.Thiswasasentence,itwasarefusalofjustice.Poorpoet!adeadlycoldseizedonhimwhenhesawdeMarsayeyinghimthroughhisglass;andwhentheParisianlionletthatopticalinstrumentfall,itdroppedinsosingularafashionthatLucienthoughtoftheknife-bladeoftheguillotine.

Thecalechewentby.Rageandacravingforvengeancetookpossessionofhisslightedsoul.IfMme.deBargetonhadbeeninhispower,hecouldhavecutherthroatatthatmoment;hewasaFouquier-TinvillegloatingoverthepleasureofsendingMme.d"Espardtothescaffold.

IfonlyhecouldhaveputdeMarsaytothetorturewithrefinementsofsavagecruelty!Canaliswentbyonhorseback,bowingtotheprettiestwomen,hisdresselegant,asbecamethemostdaintyofpoets.

"Greatheavens!"exclaimedLucien."Money,moneyatallcosts!moneyistheonepowerbeforewhichtheworldbendstheknee."("No!"criedconscience,"notmoney,butglory;andglorymeanswork!Work!thatwaswhatDavidsaid.")"Greatheavens!whatamIdoinghere?ButI

willtriumph.Iwilldrivealongthisavenueinacalechewithachasseurbehindme!IwillpossessaMarquised"Espard."Andflingingoutthewrathfulwords,hewenttoHurbain"stodinefortwofrancs.

Nextmorning,atnineo"clock,hewenttotheRueNeuve-de-LuxembourgtoupbraidLouiseforherbarbarity.ButMme.deBargetonwasnotathometohim,andnotonlyso,buttheporterwouldnotallowhimtogouptoherrooms;sohestayedoutsideinthestreet,watchingthehousetillnoon.Attwelveo"clockChateletcameout,lookedatLucienoutofthecornerofhiseye,andavoidedhim.

Stungtothequick,Lucienhurriedafterhisrival;andChatelet,findinghimselfcloselypursued,turnedandbowed,evidentlyintendingtoshakehimoffbythiscourtesy.

"Sparemejustamomentforpity"ssake,sir,"saidLucien;"Iwantjustawordortwowithyou.Youhaveshownmefriendship,Inowaskthemosttriflingserviceofthatfriendship.YouhavejustcomefromMme.deBargeton;howhaveIfallenintodisgracewithherandMme.

d"Espard?——pleaseexplain."

"M.Chardon,doyouknowwhytheladiesleftyouattheOperathatevening?"askedChatelet,withtreacherousgood-nature.

"No,"saidthepoorpoet.

"Well,itwasM.deRastignacwhospokeagainstyoufromthebeginning.Theyaskedhimaboutyou,andtheyoungdandysimplysaidthatyournamewasChardon,andnotdeRubempre;thatyourmotherwasamonthlynurse;thatyourfather,whenhewasalive,wasanapothecaryinL"Houmeau,asuburbofAngouleme;andthatyoursister,acharminggirl,getsupshirtstoadmiration,andisjustabouttobemarriedtoalocalprinternamedSechard.Suchistheworld!Younosoonershowyourselfthanitpullsyoutopieces.

"M.deMarsaycametoMme.d"Espardtolaughatyouwithher;sothetwoladies,thinkingthatyourpresenceputtheminafalseposition,wentoutatonce.Donotattempttogotoeitherhouse.IfMme.deBargetoncontinuedtoreceiveyourvisits,hercousinwouldhavenothingtodowithher.Youhavegenius;trytoavengeyourself.Theworldlooksdownuponyou;lookdowninyourturnupontheworld.Takerefugeinsomegarret,writeyourmasterpieces,seizeonpowerofanykind,andyouwillseetheworldatyourfeet.Thenyoucangivebackthebruiseswhichyouhavereceived,andintheveryplacewheretheyweregiven.Mme.deBargetonwillbethemoredistantnowbecauseshehasbeenfriendly.Thatisthewaywithwomen.ButthequestionnowforyouisnothowtowinbackAnais"friendship,buthowtoavoidmakinganenemyofher.Iwilltellyouofaway.Shehaswrittenletterstoyou;sendallherlettersbacktoher,shewillbesensiblethatyouareactinglikeagentleman;andatalatertime,ifyoushouldneedher,shewillnotbehostile.Formyownpart,Ihavesohighanopinionofyourfuture,thatIhavetakenyourparteverywhere;andifIcandoanythinghereforyou,youwillalwaysfindmereadytobeofuse."

TheelderlybeauseemedtohavegrownyoungagainintheatmosphereofParis.Hebowedwithfrigidpoliteness;butLucien,woe-begone,haggard,andundone,forgottoreturnthesalutation.Hewentbacktohisinn,andtherefoundthegreatStaubhimself,comeinperson,notsomuchtotryhiscustomer"sclothesastomakeinquiriesofthelandladywithregardtothatcustomer"sfinancialstatus.Thereporthadbeensatisfactory.Lucienhadtraveledpost;Mme.deBargetonbroughthimbackfromVaudevillelastThursdayinhercarriage.StaubaddressedLucienas"MonsieurleComte,"andcalledhiscustomer"sattentiontotheartisticskillwithwhichhehadbroughtacharmingfigureintorelief.

"AyoungmaninsuchacostumehasonlytowalkintheTuileries,"hesaid,"andhewillmarryanEnglishheiresswithinafortnight."

LucienbrightenedalittleundertheinfluencesoftheGermantailor"sjoke,theperfectfitofhisnewclothes,thefinecloth,andthesightofagracefulfigurewhichmethiseyesinthelooking-glass.

VaguelyhetoldhimselfthatPariswasthecapitalofchance,andforthemomenthebelievedinchance.HadhenotavolumeofpoemsandamagnificentromanceentitledTheArcherofCharlesIX.inmanuscript?

Hehadhopeforthefuture.Staubpromisedtheovercoatandtherestoftheclothesthenextday.

Thenextdaythebootmaker,linen-draper,andtailorallreturnedarmedeachwithhisbill,whichLucien,stillunderthecharmofprovincialhabits,paidforthwith,notknowinghowotherwisetoridhimselfofthem.Afterhehadpaid,thereremainedbutthreehundredandsixtyfrancsoutofthetwothousandwhichhehadbroughtwithhimfromAngouleme,andhehadbeenbutoneweekinParis!Nevertheless,hedressedandwenttotakeastrollintheTerrasseedesFeuillants.

Hehadhisdayoftriumph.Helookedsohandsomeandsograceful,hewassowelldressed,thatwomenlookedathim;twoorthreeweresomuchstruckwithhisbeauty,thattheyturnedtheirheadstolookagain.LucienstudiedthegaitandcarriageoftheyoungmenontheTerrasse,andtookalessoninfinemannerswhilehemeditatedonhisthreehundredandsixtyfrancs.

Thatevening,aloneinhischamber,anideaoccurredtohimwhichthrewalightontheproblemofhisexistenceattheGaillard-Bois,wherehelivedontheplainestfare,thinkingtoeconomizeinthisway.Heaskedforhisaccount,asifhemeanttoleave,anddiscoveredthathewasindebtedtohislandlordtotheextentofahundredfrancs.ThenextmorningwasspentinrunningaroundtheLatinQuarter,recommendedforitscheapnessbyDavid.Foralongwhilehelookedabouttill,finally,intheRuedeCluny,closetotheSorbonne,hediscoveredaplacewherehecouldhaveafurnishedroomforsuchapriceashecouldaffordtopay.HesettledwithhishostessoftheGaillard-Bois,andtookuphisquartersintheRuedeClunythatsameday.Hisremovalonlycosthimthecabfare.

Whenhehadtakenpossessionofhispoorroom,hemadeapacketofMme.deBargeton"sletters,laidthemonthetable,andsatdowntowritetoher;butbeforehewrotehefelltothinkingoverthatfatalweek.Hedidnottellhimselfthathehadbeenthefirsttobefaithless;thatforasuddenfancyhehadbeenreadytoleavehisLouisewithoutknowingwhatwouldbecomeofherinParis.Hesawnoneofhisownshortcomings,buthesawhispresentposition,andblamedMme.deBargetonforit.Shewastohavelightedhisway;insteadshehadruinedhim.Hegrewindignant,hegrewproud,heworkedhimselfintoaparoxysmofrage,andsethimselftocomposethefollowingepistle:——

"Whatwouldyouthink,madame,ofawomanwhoshouldtakeafancytosomepoorandtimidchildfullofthenoblesuperstitionswhichthegrownmancalls"illusions;"andusingallthecharmsofwoman"scoquetry,allhermostdelicateingenuity,shouldfeignamother"slovetoleadthatchildastray?Herfondestpromises,thecard-castleswhichraisedhiswonder,costhernothing;sheleadshimon,tightensherholduponhim,sometimescoaxing,sometimesscoldinghimforhiswantofconfidence,tillthechildleaveshishomeandfollowsherblindlytotheshoresofavastsea.Smiling,shelureshimintoafrailskiff,andsendshimforthaloneandhelplesstofacethestorm.Standingsafeontherock,shelaughsandwisheshimluck.Youarethatwoman;Iamthatchild.