第9章

Coraliewasawomanofatypethatexertsatwillapoweroffascinationovermen.Withanovalfaceofdeepivorytint,amouthredasapomegranate,andachinsubtlydelicateinitscontourastheedgeofaporcelaincup,CoraliewasaJewessofthesublimetype.Thejetblackeyesbehindtheircurvinglashesseemedtoscorchhereyelids;youcouldguesshowsofttheymightgrow,orhowsparksoftheheatofthedesertmightflashfromtheminresponsetoasummonsfromwithin.Thecirclesofoliveshadowaboutthemwereboundedbythickarchinglinesofeyebrow.Magnificentmentalpower,well-nighamountingtogenius,seemedtodwellintheswarthyforeheadbeneaththedoublecurveofebonyhairthatlayuponitlikeacrown,andgleamedinthelightlikeavarnishedsurface;butlikemanyanotheractress,Coraliehadlittlewitinspiteofheraptnessatgreenroomrepartee,andscarcelyanyeducationinspiteofherboudoirexperience.Herbrainwaspromptedbyhersenses,herkindnesswastheimpulsivewarm-heartednessofgirlsofherclass.ButwhocouldtroubleoverCoralie"spsychologywhenhiseyesweredazzledbythosesmooth,roundarmsofhers,thespindle-shapedfingers,thefairwhiteshoulders,andbreastcelebratedintheSongofSongs,theflexiblecurvinglinesofthroat,thegraciouslymouldedoutlinesbeneaththescarletsilkstockings?Andthisbeauty,worthyofanEasternpoet,wasbroughtintoreliefbytheconventionalSpanishcostumeofthestage.Coraliewasthedelightofthepit;alleyesdweltontheoutlinesmouldedbytheclingingfoldsofherbodice,andlingeredovertheAndalusiancontourofthehipsfromwhichherskirthung,flutteringwantonlywitheverymovement.ToLucien,watchingthiscreature,whoplayedforhimalone,caringnomoreforCamusotthanastreet-boyinthegallerycaresforanapple-paring,therecameamomentwhenhesetdesireabovelove,andenjoymentabovedesire,andthedemonofLuststirredstrangethoughtsinhim.

"Iknownothingofthelovethatwallowsinluxuryandwineandsensualpleasure,"hesaidwithinhimself."Ihavelivedmorewithideasthanwithrealities.Youmustpassthroughallexperienceifyoumeantorenderallexperience.Thiswillbemyfirstgreatsupper,myfirstorgyinanewandstrangeworld;whyshouldInotknow,foronce,thedelightswhichthegreatlordsoftheeighteenthcenturysoughtsoeagerlyofwantonsoftheOpera?Mustonenotfirstlearnofcourtesansandactressesthedelights,theperfections,thetransports,theresources,thesubtletiesoflove,ifonlytotranslatethemafterwardsintotheregionsofahigherlovethanthis?

Andwhatisallthis,afterall,butthepoetryofthesenses?Twomonthsagothesewomenseemedtometobegoddessesguardedbydragonsthatnoonedaredapproach;IwasenvyingLousteaujustnow,buthereisanotherhandsomerthanFlorine;whyshouldInotprofitbyherfancy,whenthegreatestnoblesbuyanightwithsuchwomenwiththeirrichesttreasures?Whenambassadorssetfootinthesedepths,theyflingasideallthoughtofyesterdayorto-morrow.Ishouldbeafooltobemoresqueamishthanprinces,especiallyasIlovenooneasyet."

LucienhadquiteforgottenCamusot.ToLousteauhehadexpressedtheutmostdisgustforthismosthatefulofallpartitions,andnowhehimselfhadsunktothesamelevel,and,carriedawaybythecasuistryofhisvehementdesire,hadgiventhereinstohisfancy.

"Coralieisravingaboutyou,"saidLousteauashecamein."Yourcountenance,worthyofthegreatestGreeksculptors,hasworkedunutterablehavocbehindthescenes.Youareinluckmydearboy.

Coralieiseighteenyearsold,andinafewdays"timeshemaybemakingsixtythousandfrancsayearbyherbeauty.Sheisanhonestgirlstill.Sincehermothersoldherthreeyearsagoforsixtythousandfrancs,shehastriedtofindhappiness,andfoundnothingbutannoyance.Shetooktothestageinadesperatemood;shehasahorrorofherfirstpurchaser,deMarsay;andwhenshecameoutofthegalleys,forthekingofdandiessoondroppedher,shepickedupoldCamusot.Shedoesnotcaremuchabouthim,butheislikeafathertoher,andsheendureshimandhislove.Severaltimesalreadyshehasrefusedthehandsomestproposals;sheisfaithfultoCamusot,wholetsherliveinpeace.Soyouareherfirstlove.Thefirstsightofyouwenttoherheartlikeapistol-shot,Florinehasgonetoherdressing-roomtobringthegirltoreason.Sheiscryingoveryourcruelty;shehasforgottenherpart,theplaywillgotopieces,andgood-daytotheengagementattheGymnasewhichCamusothadplannedforher."

"Pooh!Poorthing!"saidLucien.Everyinstinctofvanitywastickledbythewords;hefelthisheartswellhighwithself-conceit.

"Moreadventureshavebefallenmeinthisoneevening,mydearfellow,thaninallthefirsteighteenyearsofmylife."AndLucienrelatedthehistoryofhisloveaffairswithMme.deBargeton,andofthecordialhatredheboretheBaronduChatelet.

"Staythough!thenewspaperwantsabetenoire;wewilltakehimup.

TheBaronisabuckoftheEmpireandaMinisterialist;heisthemanforus;IhaveseenhimmanyatimeattheOpera.IcanseeyourgreatladyasIsithere;sheisoftenintheMarquised"Espard"sbox.TheBaronispayingcourttoyourladylove,acuttlefishbonethatsheis.Wait!Finothasjustsentaspecialmessengerroundtosaythattheyareshortofcopyattheoffice.YoungHectorMerlinhaslefttheminthelurchbecausetheydidnotpayforwhitelines.Finot,indespair,isknockingoffanarticleagainsttheOpera.Wellnow,mydearfellow,youcandothisplay;listentoitandthinkitover,andIwillgotothemanager"sofficeandthinkoutthreecolumnsaboutyourmanandyourdisdainfulfairone.Theywillbeinnopleasantpredicamentto-morrow."

"Sothisishowanewspaperiswritten?"saidLucien.

"Itisalwayslikethis,"answeredLousteau."ThesetenmonthsthatI

havebeenajournalist,theyhavealwaysrunshortofcopyateighto"clockintheevening."

Manuscriptsenttotheprinterisspokenofas"copy,"doubtlessbecausethewritersaresupposedtosendinafaircopyoftheirwork;

orpossiblythewordisironicallyderivedfromtheLatinwordcopia,forcopyisinvariablyscarce.

"Wealwaysmeantohaveafewnumbersreadyinadvance,agrandideathatwillneverberealized,"continuedLousteau."Itisteno"clock,yousee,andnotalinehasbeenwritten.IshallaskVernouandNathanforascoreofepigramsondeputies,oron"ChancellorCruzoe,"

orontheMinistry,oronfriendsofoursifitneedsmustbe.Amaninthispasswouldslaughterhisparent,justasaprivateerwillloadhisgunswithsilverpiecestakenoutofthebootysoonerthanperish.

Writeabrilliantarticle,andyouwillmakebrilliantprogressinFinot"sestimation;forFinothasalivelysenseofbenefitstocome,andthatsortofgratitudeisbetterthananykindofpledge,pawnticketsalwaysexcepted,fortheyinvariablyrepresentsomethingsolid."

"Whatkindofmencanjournalistsbe?Areyoutositdownatatableandbewittytoorder?"

"Justexactlyasalampbeginstoburnwhenyouapplyamatch——solongasthereisanyoilinit."

Lousteau"shandwasonthelockwhenduBruelcameinwiththemanager.

"Permitme,monsieur,totakeamessagetoCoralie;allowmetotellherthatyouwillgohomewithheraftersupper,ormyplaywillberuined.Thewretchedgirldoesnotknowwhatsheisdoingorsaying;

shewillcrywhensheoughttolaughandlaughwhensheoughttocry.

Shehasbeenhissedoncealready.Youcanstillsavethepiece,and,afterall,pleasureisnotamisfortune."

"Iamnotaccustomedtorivals,sir,"Lucienanswered.

"Praydon"ttellherthat!"criedthemanager."CoralieisjustthegirltoflingCamusotoverboardandruinherselfingoodearnest.TheproprietoroftheGoldenCocoon,worthyman,allowshertwothousandfrancsamonth,andpaysforallherdressesandclaqueurs."

"Asyourpromisepledgesmetonothing,saveyourplay,"saidLucien,withasultan"sairs.

"Butdon"tlookasifyoumeanttosnubthatcharmingcreature,"

pleadedduBruel.

"Dearme!amItowritethenoticeofyourplayandsmileonyourheroineaswell?"exclaimedthepoet.

TheauthorvanishedwithasignaltoCoralie,whobegantoactforthwithinamarvelousway.Vignol,whoplayedthepartofthealcalde,andrevealedforthefirsttimehisgeniusasanactorofoldmen,cameforwardamidastormofapplausetomakeanannouncementtothehouse.

"Thepiecewhichwehavethehonorofplayingforyouthisevening,gentlemen,istheworkofMM.RaoulanddeCursy."

"Why,Nathanispartlyresponsible,"saidLousteau."Idon"twonderthathelookedin."

"CORALIE!CORALIE!"shoutedtheenrapturedhouse."Florine,too!"

roaredavoiceofthunderfromtheoppositebox,andothervoicestookupthecry,"FlorineandCoralie!"

Thecurtainrose,Vignolreappearedbetweenthetwoactresses;MatifatandCamusotflungwreathsonthestage,andCoraliestoopedforherflowersandheldthemouttoLucien.

Forhimthosetwohoursspentinthetheatreseemedtobeadream.Thespellthatheldhimhadbeguntoworkwhenhewentbehindthescenes;

and,inspiteofitshorrors,theatmosphereoftheplace,itssensualityanddissolutemoralshadaffectedthepoet"sstilluntaintednature.Asortofmalariathatinfectsthesoulseemstolurkamongthosedark,filthypassagesfilledwithmachinery,andlitwithsmoky,greasylamps.Thesolemnityandrealityoflifedisappear,themostsacredthingsarematterforajest,themostimpossiblethingsseemtobetrue.Lucienfeltasifhehadtakensomenarcotic,andCoraliehadcompletedthework.Heplungedintothisjoyousintoxication.

Thelightsinthegreatchandelierwereextinguished;therewasnooneleftinthehouseexcepttheboxkeepers,busytakingawayfootstoolsandshuttingdoors,thenoisesechoingstrangelythroughtheemptytheatre.Thefootlights,blownoutasonecandle,sentupafetidreekofsmoke.Thecurtainroseagain,alanternwasloweredfromtheceiling,andfiremenandstagecarpentersdepartedontheirrounds.

Thefairyscenesofthestage,therowsoffairfacesintheboxes,thedazzlinglights,themagicalillusionofnewsceneryandcostumehadalldisappeared,anddismaldarkness,emptiness,andcoldreignedintheirstead.Itwashideous.Luciensatoninbewilderment.

"Well!areyoucoming,myboy?"Lousteau"svoicecalledfromthestage."Jumpdown."

Luciensprangover.HescarcelyrecognizedFlorineandCoralieintheirordinaryquiltedpaletotsandcloaks,withtheirfaceshiddenbyhatsandthickblackveils.Twobutterfliesreturnedtothechrysalisstagecouldnotbemorecompletelytransformed.

"Willyouhonormebygivingmeyourarm?"Coralieaskedtremulously.

"Withpleasure,"saidLucien.Hecouldfeelthebeatingofherheartthrobbingagainsthislikesomesnaredbirdasshenestledcloselytohisside,withsomethingofthedelightofacatthatrubsherselfagainsthermasterwitheagersilkencaresses.

"Sowearesuppingtogether!"shesaid.

ThepartyoffourfoundtwocabswaitingforthematthedoorintheRuedesFosses-du-Temple.CoraliedrewLucientooneofthetwo,inwhichCamusotandhisfather-in-lawoldCardotwereseatedalready.

SheofferedduBruelafifthplace,andthemanagerdroveoffwithFlorine,Matifat,andLousteau.

"Thesehackneycabsareabominablethings,"saidCoralie.

"Whydon"tyouhaveacarriage?"returnedduBruel.

"WHY?"sheaskedpettishly."IdonotliketotellyoubeforeM.

Cardot"sface;forhetrainedhisson-in-law,nodoubt.Wouldyoubelieveit,littleandoldasheis,M.CardotonlygivesFlorinefivehundredfrancsamonth,justaboutenoughtopayforherrentandhergrubandherclothes.TheoldMarquisdeRochegudeofferedmeabroughamtwomonthsago,andhehassixhundredthousandfrancsayear,butIamanartistandnotacommonhussy."

"Youshallhaveacarriagethedayafterto-morrow,miss,"saidCamusotbenignly;"youneveraskedmeforone."

"AsifoneASKEDforsuchathingasthat?What!youloveawomanandletherpaddleaboutinthemudattheriskofbreakingherlegs?

Nobodybutaknightoftheyardsticklikestoseeadraggledskirthem."

AssheutteredthesharpwordsthatcutCamusottothequick,shegropedforLucien"sknee,andpresseditagainstherown,andclaspedherfingersuponhishand.Shewassilent.Allherpowertofeelseemedtobeconcentratedupontheineffablejoyofamomentwhichbringscompensationforthewholewretchedpastofalifesuchasthesepoorcreatureslead,anddevelopswithintheirsoulsapoetryofwhichotherwomen,happilyignorantoftheseviolentrevulsions,knownothing.

"YouplayedlikeMlle.Marsherselftowardstheend,"saidduBruel.

"Yes,"saidCamusot,"somethingputheroutatthebeginning;butfromthemiddleofthesecondacttotheveryend,shewasenoughtodriveyouwildwithadmiration.Halfofthesuccessofyourplaywasduetoher."

"Andhalfofhersuccessisduetome,"saidduBruel.

"Thisisallmuchadoaboutnothing,"saidCoralieinanunfamiliarvoice.And,seizinganopportunityinthedarkness,shecarriedLucien"shandtoherlipsandkisseditanddrencheditwithtears.

Lucienfeltthrilledthroughandthroughbythattouch,forinthehumilityofthecourtesan"slovethereisamagnificencewhichmightsetanexampletoangels.

"Areyouwritingthedramaticcriticism,monsieur?"saidduBruel,addressingLucien;"youcanwriteacharmingparagraphaboutourdearCoralie."

"Oh!dousthatlittleservice!"pleadedCamusot,downonhisknees,metaphoricallyspeaking,beforethecritic."Youwillalwaysfindmereadytodoyouagoodturnatanytime."

"Doleavehimhisindependence,"Coralieexclaimedangrily;"hewillwritewhathepleases.PapaCamusot,buycarriagesformeinsteadofpraises."

"Youshallhavethemonveryeasyterms,"Lucienansweredpolitely."I

haveneverwrittenfornewspapersbefore,soIamnotaccustomedtotheirways,mymaidenpenisatyourdisposal——"

"Thatisfunny,"saidduBruel.

"HereweareintheRuedeBondy,"saidCardot.Coralie"ssallyhadquitecrushedthelittleoldman.

"Ifyouaregivingmethefirstfruitsofyourpen,thefirstlovethathassprungupinmyheartshallbeyours,"whisperedCoralieinthebriefinstantthattheyremainedalonetogetherinthecab;thenshewentuptoFlorine"sbedroomtochangeherdressforatoilettepreviouslysent.

Lucienhadnoideahowlavishlyaprosperousmerchantwillspendmoneyuponanactressoramistresswhenhemeanstoenjoyalifeofpleasure.MatifatwasnotnearlysorichamanashisfriendCamusot,andhehaddonehispartrathershabbily,yetthesightofthedining-

roomtookLucienbysurprise.Thewallswerehungwithgreenclothwithaborderofgildednails,thewholeroomwasartisticallydecorated,lightedbyhandsomelamps,standsfullofflowersstoodineverydirection.Thedrawing-roomwasresplendentwiththefurnitureinfashioninthosedays——aThomirechandelier,acarpetofEasterndesign,andyellowsilkenhangingsrelievedbyabrownborder.Thecandlesticks,fire-irons,andclockwereallingoodtaste;forMatifathadlefteverythingtoGrindot,arisingarchitect,whowasbuildingahouseforhim,andtheyoungmanhadtakengreatpainswiththeroomswhenheknewthatFlorinewastooccupythem.

Matifat,atradesmantothebackbone,wentaboutcarefully,afraidtotouchthenewfurniture;heseemedtohavethetotalsofthebillsalwaysbeforehiseyes,andtolookuponthesplendorsabouthimassomuchjewelryimprudentlywithdrawnfromthecase.

"AndIshallbeobligedtodoasmuchforFlorentine!"oldCardot"seyesseemedtosay.

LucienatoncebegantounderstandLousteau"sindifferencetothestateofhisgarret.Etiennewastherealkingofthesefestivals;

Etienneenjoyedtheuseofallthesefinethings.Hewasstandingjustnowonthehearthrugwithhisbacktothefire,asifhewerethemasterofthehouse,chattingwiththemanager,whowascongratulatingduBruel.

"Copy,copy!"calledFinot,comingintotheroom."Thereisnothinginthebox;theprintersaresettingupmyarticle,and

Cardot,Camusot,andMatifatdisappearedinsearchofquills,penknives,andeverythingnecessary.Suddenlythedoorwasflungopen,andTullia,oneoftheprettiestopera-dancersoftheday,dashedintotheroom.

"Theyagreetotakethehundredcopies,dearboy!"shecried,addressingFinot;"theywon"tcostthemanagementanything,forthechorusandtheorchestraandthecorpsdeballetaretotakethemwhethertheylikeitornot;butyourpaperissocleverthatnobodywillgrumble.Andyouaregoingtohaveyourboxes.Hereisthesubscriptionforthefirstquarter,"shecontinued,holdingoutacoupleofbanknotes;"sodon"tcutmeup!"

"Itisalloverwithme!"groanedFinot;"Imustsuppressmyabominablediatribe,andIhaven"tanothernotioninmyhead."

"Whatahappyinspiration,divineLais!"exclaimedBlondet,whohadfollowedtheladyupstairsandbroughtNathan,VernouandClaudeVignonwithhim."Stoptosupper,thereisadear,orIwillcrushthee,butterflyasthouart.Therewillbenoprofessionaljealousies,asyouareadancer;andastobeauty,youhaveallofyoutoomuchsensetoshowjealousyinpublic."

"Ohdear!"criedFinot,"Nathan,Blondet,duBruel,helpfriends!I

wantfivecolumns."

"Icanmaketwooftheplay,"saidLucien.

"Ihaveenoughforone,"addedLousteau.

"Verywell;Nathan,Vernou,andduBruelwillmakethejokesattheend;andBlondet,goodfellow,surelywillvouchsafeacoupleofshortcolumnsforthefirstsheet.Iwillrunroundtotheprinter.Itisluckythatyoubroughtyourcarriage,Tullia."

"Yes,buttheDukeiswaitingbelowinit,andhehasaGermanMinisterwithhim."

"AsktheDukeandtheMinistertocomeup,"saidNathan.

"AGerman?Theyaretheonestodrink,andtheylistentoo;heshallhearsomeastonishingthingstosendhometohisGovernment,"criedBlondet.

"Isthereanysufficientlyseriouspersonagetogodowntospeaktohim?"askedFinot."Here,duBruel,youareanofficial;bringuptheDucdeRhetoreandtheMinister,andgiveyourarmtoTullia.Dearme!

Tullia,howhandsomeyouareto-night!"

"Weshallbethirteenattable!"exclaimedMatifat,palingvisibly.

"No,fourteen,"saidavoiceinthedoorway,andFlorentineappeared.

"Ihavecometolookafter"milordCardot,""sheadded,speakingwithaburlesqueEnglishaccent.

"Andbesides,"saidLousteau,"ClaudeVignoncamewithBlondet."

"Ibroughthimheretodrink,"returnedBlondet,takingupaninkstand."Lookhere,allofyou,youmustuseallyourwitbeforethosefifty-sixbottlesofwinedriveitout.And,ofallthings,stirupduBruel;heisavaudevillist,heiscapableofmakingbadjokesifyougethimtoconcertpitch."

AndLucienwrotehisfirstnewspaperarticleattheroundtableinFlorine"sboudoir,bythelightofthepinkcandleslightedbyMatifat;beforesucharemarkableaudiencehewaseagertoshowwhathecoulddo.

THEPANORAMA-DRAMATIQUE.

FirstperformanceoftheAlcaldeinaFix,animbrogliointhreeacts——FirstappearanceofMademoiselleFlorine——MademoiselleCoralie——Vignol.

Peoplearecomingandgoing,walkingandtalking,everybodyislookingforsomething,nobodyfindsanything.Generalhubbub.TheAlcaldehaslosthisdaughterandfoundhiscap,butthecapdoesnotfit;itmustbelongtosomethief.Whereisthethief?Peoplewalkandtalk,andcomeandgomorethanever.FinallytheAlcaldefindsamanwithouthisdaughter,andhisdaughterwithouttheman,whichissatisfactoryforthemagistrate,butnotfortheaudience.Quietbeingresorted,theAlcaldetriestoexaminetheman.BeholdavenerableAlcalde,sittinginanAlcalde"sgreatarmchair,arrangingthesleevesofhisAlcalde"sgown.OnlyinSpaindoAlcaldesclingtotheirenormoussleevesandwearplaitedlawnrufflesaboutthemagisterialthroat,agoodhalfofanAlcalde"sbusinessonthestageinParis.ThisparticularAlcalde,wheezingandwaddlingaboutlikeanasthmaticoldman,isVignol,onwhomPotier"smantlehasfallen;ayoungactorwhopersonatesoldagesoadmirablythattheoldestmenintheaudiencecannothelplaughing.Withthatquaveringvoiceofhis,thatbaldforehead,andthosespindleshankstremblingundertheweightofasenileframe,hemaylookforwardtoalongcareerofdecrepitude.

Thereissomethingalarmingabouttheyoungactor"soldage;heissoveryold;youfeelnervouslestsenilityshouldbeinfectious.

AndwhatanadmirableAlcaldehemakes!Whatadelightful,uneasysmile!whatpompousstupidity!whatwoodendignity!whatjudicialhesitation!Howwellthemanknowsthatblackmaybewhite,orwhiteblack!HoweminentlywellheisfittedtobeMinistertoaconstitutionalmonarch!Thestrangeranswerseveryoneofhisinquiriesbyaquestion;Vignolretortsinsuchafashion,thatthepersonunderexaminationelicitsallthetruthfromtheAlcalde.Thispieceofpurecomedy,withabreathofMolierethroughout,putsthehouseingoodhumor.Thepeopleonthestageallseemedtounderstandwhattheywereabout,butIamquiteunabletoclearupthemystery,ortosaywhereinitlay;fortheAlcalde"sdaughterwasthere,personifiedbyaliving,breathingAndalusian,aSpaniardwithaSpaniard"seyes,aSpaniard"scomplexion,aSpaniard"sgaitandfigure,aSpaniardfromtoptotoe,withherponiardinhergarter,loveinherheart,andacrossontheribbonaboutherneck.Whentheactwasover,andsomebodyaskedmehowthepiecewasgoing,Ianswered,"Shewearsscarletstockingswithgreenclockstothem;shehasalittlefoot,nolargerthanTHAT,inherpatentleathershoes,andtheprettiestpairofanklesinAndalusia!"Oh!thatAlcalde"sdaughterbringsyourheartintoyourmouth;shetantalizesyousohorribly,thatyoulongtospringuponthestageandofferheryourthatchedhovelandyourheart,orthirtythousandlivresperannumandyourpen.TheAndalusianistheloveliestactressinParis.Coralie,forshemustbecalledbyherrealname,canbeacountessoragrisette,andinwhichpartshewouldbemorecharmingonecannottell.Shecanbeanythingthatshechooses;

sheisborntoachieveallpossibilities;canmorebesaidofaboulevardactress?

Withthesecondact,aParisianSpaniardappeareduponthescene,withherfeaturescutlikeacameoandherdangerouseyes."Wheredoesshecomefrom?"Iaskedinmyturn,andwastoldthatshecamefromthegreenroom,andthatshewasMademoiselleFlorine;

but,uponmyword,Icouldnotbelieveasyllableofit,suchspiritwasthereinhergestures,suchfrenzyinherlove.SheistherivaloftheAlcalde"sdaughter,andmarriedtoagrandeecutouttowearanAlmaviva"scloak,withstuffsufficientinitforahundredboulevardnoblemen.Mlle.Florineworeneitherscarletstockingswithgreenclocks,norpatentleathershoes,butsheappearedinamantilla,aveilwhichsheputtoadmirableuses,likethegreatladythatsheis!Sheshowedtoadmirationthatthetigresscanbeacat.Ibegantounderstand,fromthesparklingtalkbetweenthetwo,thatsomedramaofjealousywasgoingon;

andjustaseverythingwasputright,theAlcalde"sstupidityembroiledeverybodyagain.Torchbearers,richmen,footmen,Figaros,grandees,alcaldes,dames,anddamsels——thewholecompanyonthestagebegantoeddyabout,andcomeandgo,andlookforoneanother.Theplotthickened,againIleftittothicken;forFlorinethejealousandthehappyCoraliehadentangledmeoncemoreinthefoldsofmantillaandbasquina,andtheirlittlefeetweretwinklinginmyeyes.

Imanaged,however,toreachthethirdactwithoutanymishap.Thecommissaryofpolicewasnotcompelledtointerfere,andIdidnothingtoscandalizethehouse,whereforeIbegintobelieveintheinfluenceofthat"publicandreligiousmorality,"aboutwhichtheChamberofDeputiesissoanxious,thatanyonemightthinktherewasnomoralityleftinFrance.Ievencontrivedtogatherthatamanwasinlovewithtwowomenwhofailedtoreturnhisaffection,orelsethattwowomenwereinlovewithamanwholovedneitherofthem;themandidnotlovetheAlcalde,ortheAlcaldehadnolovefortheman,whowasneverthelessagallantgentleman,andinlovewithsomebody,withhimself,perhaps,orwithheaven,iftheworstcametotheworst,forhebecomesamonk.Andifyouwanttoknowanymore,youcangotothePanorama-Dramatique.Youareherebygivenfairwarning——youmustgooncetoaccustomyourselftothoseirresistiblescarletstockingswiththegreenclocks,tolittlefeetfullofpromises,toeyeswitharayofsunlightshiningthroughthem,tothesubtlecharmofaParisiennedisguisedasanAndalusiangirl,andofanAndalusianmasqueradingasaParisienne.Youmustgoasecondtimetoenjoytheplay,toshedtearsoverthelove-distractedgrandee,anddieoflaughingattheoldAlcalde.Theplayistwiceasuccess.Theauthor,whowritesit,itissaid,incollaborationwithoneofthegreatpoetsoftheday,wascalledbeforethecurtain,andappearedwithalove-distraughtdamseloneacharm,andfairlybroughtdowntheexcitedhouse.Thetwodancersseemedtohavemorewitintheirlegsthantheauthorhimself;butwhenoncethefairrivalsleftthestage,thedialogueseemedwittyatonce,atriumphantproofoftheexcellenceofthepiece.Theapplauseandcallsfortheauthorcausedthearchitectsomeanxiety;butM.deCursy,theauthor,beingaccustomedtovolcaniceruptionsofthereelingVesuviusbeneaththechandelier,feltnotremor.Asfortheactresses,theydancedthefamousboleroofSeville,whichoncefoundfavorinthesightofacouncilofreverendfathers,andescapedecclesiasticalcensureinspiteofitswantondangerousgrace.Theboleroinitselfwouldbeenoughtoattractoldagewhilethereisanylingeringheatofyouthintheveins,andoutofcharityIwarnthesepersonstokeepthelensesoftheiropera-glasseswellpolished.

WhileLucienwaswritingacolumnwhichwastosetanewfashioninjournalismandrevealafreshandoriginalgift,Lousteauinditedanarticleofthekinddescribedasmoeurs——asketchofcontemporarymanners,entitledTheElderlyBeau.

"ThebuckoftheEmpire,"hewrote,"isinvariablylong,slender,andwellpreserved.HewearsacorsetandtheCrossoftheLegionofHonor.HisnamewasoriginallyPotelet,orsomethingverylikeit;buttostandwellwiththeCourt,heconferredaduuponhimself,andduPoteletheisuntilanotherrevolution.AbaronoftheEmpire,amanoftwoends,ashisname(Potelet,apost)implies,heispayinghiscourttotheFaubourgSaint-Germain,afterayouthgloriouslyandusefullyspentastheagreeabletrainbearerofasisterofthemanwhomdecencyforbidsmetomentionbyname.DuPotelethasforgottenthathewasonceinwaitinguponHerImperialHighness;buthestillsingsthesongscomposedforthebenefactresswhotooksuchatenderinterestinhiscareer,"andsoforthandsoforth.Itwasatissueofpersonalities,sillyenoughforthemostpart,suchastheyusedtowriteinthosedays.Otherpapers,andnotablytheFigaro,havebroughtthearttoacuriousperfectionsince.LousteaucomparedtheBarontoaheron,andintroducedMme.deBargeton,towhomhewaspayinghiscourt,asacuttlefishbone,aburlesqueabsurditywhichamusedreaderswhoknewneitherofthepersonages.AtaleofthelovesoftheHeron,whotriedinvaintoswallowtheCuttlefishbone,whichbrokeintothreepieceswhenhedroppedit,wasirresistiblyludicrous.EverybodyremembersthesensationwhichthepleasantrymadeintheFaubourgSaint-Germain;itwasthefirstofaseriesofsimilararticles,andwasoneofthethousandandonecauseswhichprovokedtherigorouspresslegislationofCharlesX.

Anhourlater,Blondet,Lousteau,andLuciencamebacktothedrawing-

room,wheretheotherguestswerechatting.TheDukewasthereandtheMinister,thefourwomen,thethreemerchants,themanager,andFinot.

Aprinter"sdevil,withapapercaponhishead,waswaitingeventhenforcopy.

"Themenarejustgoingoff,ifIhavenothingtotakethem,"hesaid.

"Stayabit,herearetenfrancs,andtellthemtowait,"saidFinot.

"IfIgivethemthemoney,sir,theywouldtaketotippleography,andgood-nighttothenewspaper."

"Thatboy"scommon-senseisappallingtome,"remarkedFinot;andtheMinisterwasinthemiddleofapredictionofabrilliantfuturefortheurchin,whenthethreecamein.BlondetreadaloudanextremelycleverarticleagainsttheRomantics;Lousteau"sparagraphdrewlaughter,andbytheDucdeRhetore"sadviceanindirecteulogiumofMme.d"Espardwasslippedin,lestthewholeFaubourgSaint-Germainshouldtakeoffence.

"WhathaveYOUwritten?"askedFinot,turningtoLucien.

AndLucienread,quakingforfear,buttheroomrangwithapplausewhenhefinished;theactressesembracedtheneophyte;andthetwomerchants,followingsuit,halfchokedthebreathoutofhim.ThereweretearsinduBruel"seyesashegraspedhiscritic"shand,andthemanagerinvitedhimtodinner.

"Therearenochildrennowadays,"saidBlondet."SinceM.deChateaubriandcalledVictorHugoa"sublimechild,"Icanonlytellyouquitesimplythatyouhavespiritandtaste,andwritelikeagentleman."

"Heisonthenewspaper,"saidFinot,ashethankedEtienne,andgavehimashrewdglance.

"Whatjokeshaveyoumade?"inquiredLousteau,turningtoBlondetandduBruel.

"HereareduBruel"s,"saidNathan.

***"Now,thatM.leVicomted"A——isattractingsomuchattention,theywillperhapsletMEalone,"M.leVicomteDemostheneswasheardtosayyesterday.

***AnUltra,condemningM.Pasquier"sspeech,saidhisprogrammewasonlyacontinuationofDecaze"spolicy."Yes,"saidalady,"buthestandsonaMonarchicalbasis,hehasjustthekindoflegforaCourtsuit."

"Withsuchabeginning,Idon"taskmoreofyou,"saidFinot;"itwillbeallright——Runroundwiththis,"headded,turningtotheboy;

"thepaperisnotexactlyagenuinearticle,butitisourbestnumberyet,"andheturnedtothegroupofwriters.AlreadyLucien"scolleagueswereprivatelytakinghismeasure.

"Thatfellowhasbrains,"saidBlondet.

"Hisarticleiswellwritten,"saidClaudeVignon.

"Supper!"criedMatifat.

TheDukegavehisarmtoFlorine,CoraliewentacrosstoLucien,andTulliawentintosupperbetweenEmileBlondetandtheGermanMinister.

"IcannotunderstandwhyyouaremakinganonslaughtonMme.deBargetonandtheBaronduChatelet;theysaythatheisprefect-

designateoftheCharente,andwillbeMasterofRequestssomeday."

"Mme.deBargetonshowedLucienthedoorasifhehadbeenanimposter,"saidLousteau.

"Suchafineyoungfellow!"exclaimedtheMinister.

Supper,servedwithnewplate,Sevresporcelain,andwhitedamask,wasredolentofopulence.ThedisheswerefromChevet,thewinesfromacelebratedmerchantontheQuaiSaint-Bernard,apersonalfriendofMatifat"s.ForthefirsttimeLucienbeheldtheluxuryofParisdisplayed;hewentfromsurprisetosurprise,buthekepthisastonishmenttohimself,likeamanwhohadspiritandtasteandwrotelikeagentleman,asBlondethadsaid.

Astheycrossedthedrawing-room,CoraliebenttoFlorine,"MakeCamusotsodrunkthathewillbecompelledtostophereallnight,"

shewhispered.

"Soyouhavehookedyourjournalist,haveyou?"returnedFlorine,usingtheidiomofwomenofherclass.

"No,dear;Ilovehim,"saidCoralie,withanadorablelittleshrugoftheshoulders.

ThosewordsranginLucien"sears,bornetothembythefifthdeadlysin.Coraliewasperfectlydressed.Everywomanpossessessomepersonalcharminperfection,andCoralie"stoilettebroughthercharacteristicbeautyintoprominence.Herdress,moreover,likeFlorine"s,wasofsomeexquisitestuff,unknownasyettothepublic,amousselinedesoie,withwhichCamusothadbeensuppliedafewdaysbeforetherestoftheworld;for,asowneroftheGoldenCocoon,hewasakindofProvidenceinParistotheLyonssilkweavers.

Loveandtoiletarelikecolorandperfumeforawoman,andCoralieinherhappinesslookedlovelierthanever.Alooked-fordelightwhichcannoteludethegrasppossessesanimmensecharmforyouth;perhapsintheireyesthesecretoftheattractionofahouseofpleasureliesinthecertaintyofgratification;perhapsmanyalongfidelityisattributabletothesamecause.Loveforlove"ssake,firstloveindeed,hadblentwithoneofthestrangeviolentfancieswhichsometimespossessthesepoorcreatures;andloveandadmirationofLucien"sgreatbeautytaughtCoralietoexpressthethoughtsinherheart.

"Ishouldloveyouifyouwereillandugly,"shewhisperedastheysatdown.

Whatasayingforapoet!Camusotutterlyvanished,Lucienhadforgottenhisexistence,hesawCoralie,andhadeyesfornothingelse.Howshouldhedrawback——thiscreature,allsensation,allenjoymentoflife,tiredofthemonotonyofexistenceinacountrytown,wearyofpoverty,harassedbyenforcedcontinence,impatientoftheclaustrallifeoftheRuedeCluny,oftoilingwithoutreward?ThefascinationoftheunderworldofPariswasuponhim;howshouldheriseandleavethisbrilliantgathering?LucienstoodwithonefootinCoralie"schamberandtheotherinthequicksandsofJournalism.Aftersomuchvainsearch,andclimbingofsomanystairs,afterstandingaboutandwaitingintheRuedeSentier,hehadfoundJournalismajollybooncompanion,joyousoverthewine.Hiswrongshadjustbeenavenged.Thereweretwoforwhomhehadvainlystriventofillthecupofhumiliationandpainwhichhehadbeenmadetodrinktothedregs,andnowto-morrowtheyshouldreceiveastabintheirveryhearts.

"Hereisarealfriend!"hethought,ashelookedatLousteau.ItnevercrossedhismindthatLousteaualreadyregardedhimasadangerousrival.Hehadmadeablunder;hehaddonehisverybestwhenacolorlessarticlewouldhaveservedhimadmirablywell.Blondet"sremarktoFinotthatitwouldbebettertocometotermswithamanofthatcalibre,hadcounteractedLousteau"sgnawingjealousy.HereflectedthatitwouldbeprudenttokeepongoodtermswithLucien,and,atthesametime,toarrangewithFinottoexploitthisformidablenewcomer——hemustbekeptinpoverty.Thedecisionwasmadeinamoment,andthebargainmadeinafewwhisperedwords.

"Hehastalent."