第10章

"Hewillwantthemore."

"Ah?"

"Good!"

"AsupperamongFrenchjournalistsalwaysfillsmewithdread,"saidtheGermandiplomatist,withsereneurbanity;helookedashespokeatBlondet,whomhehadmetattheComtessedeMontcornet"s."Itislaiduponyou,gentlemen,tofulfilaprophecyofBlucher"s."

"Whatprophecy?"askedNathan.

"WhenBlucherandSackenarrivedontheheightsofMontmartrein1814

(pardonme,gentlemen,forrecallingadayunfortunateforFrance),Sacken(aroughbrute),remarked,"NowwewillsetParisalight!"——

"Takeverygoodcarethatyoudon"t,"saidBlucher."FrancewilldieofTHAT,nothingelsecankillher,"andhewavedhishandovertheglowing,seethingcity,thatlaylikeahugecankerinthevalleyoftheSeine——Therearenojournalistsinourcountry,thankHeaven!"

continuedtheMinisterafterapause."Ihavenotyetrecoveredfromthefrightthatthelittlefellowgaveme,aboyoften,inapapercap,withthesenseofanolddiplomatist.Andto-nightIfeelasifI

weresuppingwithlionsandpanthers,whograciouslysheathetheirclawsinmyhonor."

"Itisclear,"saidBlondet,"thatweareatlibertytoinformEuropethataserpentdroppedfromyourExcellency"slipsthisevening,andthatthevenomouscreaturefailedtoinoculateMlle.Tullia,theprettiestdancerinParis;andtofollowupthestorywithacommentaryonEve,andtheScriptures,andthefirstandlasttransgression.Buthavenofear,youareourguest."

"Itwouldbefunny,"saidFinot.

"Wewouldbeginwithascientifictreatiseonalltheserpentsfoundinthehumanheartandhumanbody,andsoproceedtothecorpsdiplomatique,"saidLousteau.

"Andwecouldexhibitoneinspirits,inabottleofbrandiedcherries,"saidVernou.

"Tillyouyourselfwouldendbybelievinginthestory,"addedVignon,lookingatthediplomatist.

"Gentlemen,"criedtheDucdeRhetore,"letsleepingclawslie."

"Theinfluenceandpowerofthepressisonlydawning,"saidFinot.

"Journalismisinitsinfancy;itwillgrow.Intenyears"time,everythingwillbebroughtintopublicity.Thelightofthoughtwillbeturnedonallsubjects,and——"

"Theblightofthoughtwillbeoveritall,"correctedBlondet.

"Hereisanapothegm,"criedClaudeVignon.

"Thoughtwillmakekings,"saidLousteau.

"Andundomonarchs,"saidtheGerman.

"Andtherefore,"saidBlondet,"ifthepressdidnotexist,itwouldbenecessarytoinventitforthwith.Butherewehaveit,andlivebyit."

"Youwilldieofit,"returnedtheGermandiplomatist."Canyounotseethatifyouenlightenthemasses,andraisetheminthepoliticalscale,youmakeitalltheharderfortheindividualtoriseabovetheirlevel?Canyounotseethatifyousowtheseedsofreasoningamongtheworking-classes,youwillreaprevolt,andbethefirsttofallvictims?WhatdotheysmashinPariswhenariotbegins?"

"Thestreet-lamps!"saidNathan;"butwearetoomodesttofearforourselves,weonlyruntheriskofcracks."

"Asanation,youhavetoomuchmentalactivitytoallowanygovernmenttorunitscoursewithoutinterference.Butforthat,youwouldmaketheconquestofEuropeasecondtime,andwinwiththepenallthatyoufailedtokeepwiththesword."

"Journalismisanevil,"saidClaudeVignon."Theevilmayhaveitsuses,butthepresentGovernmentisresolvedtoputitdown.Therewillbeabattleoverit.Whowillgiveway?Thatisthequestion."

"TheGovernmentwillgiveway,"saidBlondet."Ikeeptellingpeoplethatwithallmymight!IntellectualpowerisTHEgreatpowerinFrance;andthepresshasmorewitthanallmenofintellectputtogether,andthehypocrisyofTartufebesides."

"Blondet!Blondet!youaregoingtoofar!"calledFinot."Subscribersarepresent."

"Youaretheproprietorofoneofthosepoisonshops;youhavereasontobeafraid;butIcanlaughatthewholebusiness,evenifIlivebyit."

"Blondetisright,"saidClaudeVignon."Journalism,sofarfrombeinginthehandsofapriesthood,cametobefirstapartyweapon,andthenacommercialspeculation,carriedonwithoutconscienceorscruple,likeothercommercialspeculations.Everynewspaper,asBlondetsays,isashoptowhichpeoplecomeforopinionsoftherightshade.Iftherewereapaperforhunchbacks,itwouldsetforthplainly,morningandevening,initscolumns,thebeauty,theutility,andnecessityofdeformity.Anewspaperisnotsupposedtoenlightenitsreaders,buttosupplythemwithcongenialopinions.Giveanynewspapertimeenough,anditwillbebase,hypocritical,shameless,andtreacherous;theperiodicalpresswillbethedeathofideas,systems,andindividuals;nay,itwillflourishupontheirdecay.Itwilltakethecreditofallcreationsofthebrain;theharmthatitdoesisdoneanonymously.We,forinstance——I,ClaudeVignon;you,Blondet;you,Lousteau;andyou,Finot——weareallPlatos,Aristides,andCatos,Plutarch"smen,inshort;weareallimmaculate;wemaywashourhandsofalliniquity.Napoleon"ssublimeaphorism,suggestedbyhisstudyoftheConvention,"Nooneindividualisresponsibleforacrimecommittedcollectively,"sumsupthewholesignificanceofaphenomenon,moralorimmoral,whicheveryouplease.Howevershamefullyanewspapermaybehave,thedisgraceattachestonooneperson."

"Theauthoritieswillresorttorepressivelegislation,"interposedduBruel."Alawisgoingtobepassed,infact."

"Pooh!"retortedNathan."WhatisthelawinFranceagainstthespiritinwhichitisreceived,themostsubtleofallsolvents?"

"Ideasandopinionscanonlybecounteractedbyopinionsandideas,"

Vignoncontinued."Bysheerterroranddespotism,andbynoothermeans,canyouextinguishthegeniusoftheFrenchnation;forthelanguagelendsitselfadmirablytoallusionandambiguity.Epigrambreaksoutthemoreforrepressivelegislation;itislikesteaminanenginewithoutasafety-valve——TheKing,forexample,doesright;ifanewspaperisagainsthim,theMinistergetsallthecreditofthemeasure,andviceversa.Anewspaperinventsascandalouslibel——ithasbeenmisinformed.Ifthevictimcomplains,thepapergetsoffwithanapologyfortakingsogreatafreedom.Ifthecaseistakenintocourt,theeditorcomplainsthatnobodyaskedhimtorectifythemistake;butaskforredress,andhewilllaughinyourfaceandtreathisoffenceasameretrifle.Thepaperscoffsifthevictimgainstheday;andifheavydamagesareawarded,theplaintiffisheldupasanunpatrioticobscurantistandamenacetothelibertiesofthecountry.

InthecourseofanarticlepurportingtoexplainthatMonsieurSo-

and-soisashonestamanasyouwillfindinthekingdom,youareinformedthatheisnotbetterthanacommonthief.Thesinsofthepress?Pooh!meretrifles;thecurtailersofitslibertiesaremonsters;andgivehimtimeenough,theconstantreaderispersuadedtobelieveanythingyouplease.Everythingwhichdoesnotsuitthenewspaperwillbeunpatriotic,andthepresswillbeinfallible.Onereligionwillbeplayedoffagainstanother,andtheCharteragainsttheKing.Thepresswillholdupthemagistracytoscornformetingoutrigorousjusticetothepress,andapplauditsactionwhenitservesthecauseofpartyhatred.Themostsensationalfictionswillbeinventedtoincreasethecirculation;Journalismwilldescendtomountebanks"tricksworthyofBobeche;JournalismwouldserveupitsfatherwiththeAtticsaltofitsownwitsoonerthanfailtointerestoramusethepublic;Journalismwilloutdotheactorwhoputhisson"sashesintotheurntodrawrealtearsfromhiseyes,orthemistresswhosacrificeseverythingtoherlover."

"Journalismis,infact,thePeopleinfolioform,"interruptedBlondet.

"Thepeoplewithhypocrisyaddedandgenerositylacking,"saidVignon.

"AllrealabilitywillbedrivenoutfromtheranksofJournalism,asAristideswasdrivenintoexilebytheAthenians.Weshallseenewspapersstartedinthefirstinstancebymenofhonor,fallingsoonerorlaterintothehandsofmenofabilitiesevenlowerthantheaverage,butendowedwiththeresistanceofflexibilityofindia-

rubber,qualitiesdeniedtonoblegenius;nay,perhapsthefuturenewspaperproprietorwillbethetradesmanwithcapitalsufficienttobuyvenalpens.Weseesuchthingsalreadyindeed,butintenyears"

timeeverylittleyoungsterthathasleftschoolwilltakehimselfforagreatman,slashhispredecessorsfromtheloftyheightofanewspapercolumn,dragthemdownbythefeet,andtaketheirplace.

"Napoleondidwiselywhenhemuzzledthepress.IwouldwagerthattheOppositionpaperswouldbatterdownagovernmentoftheirownsettingup,justastheyarebatteringthepresentgovernment,ifanydemandwasrefused.Themoretheyhave,themoretheywillwantinthewayofconcessions.Theparvenujournalistwillbesucceededbythestarvelinghack.Thereisnosalveforthissore.Itisakindofcorruptionwhichgrowsmoreandmoreobtrusiveandmalignant;thewideritspreads,themorepatientlyitwillbeendured,untilthedaycomeswhennewspapersshallsoincreaseandmultiplyintheearththatconfusionwillbetheresult——asecondBabel.We,allofus,suchasweare,havereasontoknowthatcrownedkingsarelessungratefulthankingsofourprofession;thatthemostsordidmanofbusinessisnotsomercenarynorsokeeninspeculation;thatourbrainsareconsumedtofurnishtheirdailysupplyofpoisonoustrash.Andyetwe,allofus,shallcontinuetowrite,likemenwhoworkinquicksilvermines,knowingthattheyaredoomedtodieoftheirtrade.

"Lookthere,"hecontinued,"atthatyoungmansittingbesideCoralie——whatishisname?Lucien!Hehasabeautifulface;heisapoet;andwhatismore,heiswitty——somuchthebetterforhim.Well,hewillcrossthethresholdofoneofthosedenswhereaman"sintellectisprostituted;hewillputallhisbestandfinestthoughtintohiswork;hewillblunthisintellectandsullyhissoul;hewillbeguiltyofanonymousmeannesseswhichtaketheplaceofstratagem,pillage,andrattingtotheenemyinthewarfareofcondottieri.Andwhen,likehundredsmore,hehassquanderedhisgeniusintheserviceofotherswhofindthecapitalanddonowork,thosedealersinpoisonswillleavehimtostarveifheisthirsty,andtodieofthirstifheisstarving."

"Thanks,"saidFinot.

"But,dearme,"continuedClaudeVignon,"_I_knewallthis,yethereamIinthegalleys,andthearrivalofanotherconvictgivesmepleasure.Wearecleverer,BlondetandI,thanMessieursThisandThat,whospeculateinourabilities,yetneverthelesswearealwaysexploitedbythem.Wehaveaheartsomewherebeneaththeintellect;wehaveNOTthegrimqualitiesofthemanwhomakesothersworkforhim.

Weareindolent,weliketolookonatthegame,wearemeditative,andwearefastidious;theywillsweatourbrainsandblameusforimprovidence."

"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoreamusingthanthis!"saidFlorine.

"Florineisright,"saidBlondet;"letusleavethecureofpublicevilstothosequacksthestatesmen.AsCharletsays,"Quarrelwithmyownbreadandbutter?NEVER!""

"DoyouknowwhatVignonputsmeinmindof?"saidLousteau."OfoneofthosefatwomenintheRueduPelicantellingaschoolboy,"Myboy,youaretooyoungtocomehere.""

Aburstoflaughterfollowedthesally,butitpleasedCoralie.Themerchantsmeanwhileateanddrankandlistened.

"Whatanationthisis!Youseesomuchgoodinitandsomuchevil,"

saidtheMinister,addressingtheDucdeRhetore——"Youareprodigalswhocannotruinyourselves,gentlemen."

Andso,bytheblessingofchance,Lucien,standingonthebrinkoftheprecipiceoverwhichhewasdestinedtofall,heardwarningsonallsides.D"Arthezhadsethimontherightroad,hadshownhimthenoblemethodofwork,andarousedinhimthespiritbeforewhichallobstaclesdisappear.Lousteauhimself(partlyfromselfishmotives)

hadtriedtowarnhimawaybydescribingJournalismandLiteratureintheirpracticalaspects.Lucienhadrefusedtobelievethattherecouldbesomuchhiddencorruption;butnowhehadheardthejournaliststhemselvescryingwoefortheirhurt,hehadseenthemattheirwork,hadwatchedthemtearingtheirfoster-mother"shearttoreadauguriesofthefuture.

Thateveninghehadseenthingsastheyare.Hebeheldtheveryheart"scoreofcorruptionofthatPariswhichBluchersoaptlydescribed;andsofarfromshudderingatthesight,hewasintoxicatedwithenjoymentoftheintellectuallystimulatingsocietyinwhichhefoundhimself.

Theseextraordinarymen,cladinarmordamascenedbytheirvices,theseintellectsenvironedbycoldandbrilliantanalysis,seemedsofargreaterinhiseyesthanthegraveandearnestmembersofthebrotherhood.Andbesidesallthis,hewasrevelinginhisfirsttasteofluxury;hehadfallenunderthespell.Hiscapriciousinstinctsawoke;forthefirsttimeinhislifehedrankexquisitewines,thiswashisfirstexperienceofcookerycarriedtothepitchofafineart.Aminister,aduke,andanopera-dancerhadjoinedthepartyofjournalists,andwonderedattheirsinisterpower.Lucienfeltahorriblecravingtoreignoverthesekings,andhethoughtthathehadpowertowinhiskingdom.Finally,therewasthisCoralie,madehappybyafewwordsofhis.Bythebrightlightofthewax-candles,throughthesteamofthedishesandthefumesofwine,shelookedsublimelybeautifultohiseyes,sofairhadshegrownwithlove.Shewastheloveliest,themostbeautifulactressinParis.Thebrotherhood,theheavenofnoblethoughts,fadedawaybeforeatemptationthatappealedtoeveryfibreofhisnature.Howcouldithavebeenotherwise?

Lucien"sauthor"svanityhadjustbeengratifiedbythepraisesofthosewhoknow;bytheappreciationofhisfuturerivals;thesuccessofhisarticlesandhisconquestofCoraliemighthaveturnedanolderheadthanhis.

Duringthediscussion,moreover,everyoneattablehadmadearemarkablygoodsupper,andsuchwinesarenotmetwitheveryday.

Lousteau,sittingbesideCamusot,furtivelypouredcherry-brandyseveraltimesintohisneighbor"swineglass,andchallengedhimtodrink.AndCamusotdrank,allunsuspicious,forhethoughthimself,inhisownway,amatchforajournalist.Thejokesbecamemorepersonalwhendessertappearedandthewinebegantocirculate.TheGermanMinister,akeen-wittedmanoftheworld,madeasigntotheDukeandTullia,andthethreedisappearedwiththefirstsymptomsofvociferousnonsensewhichprecedethegrotesquescenesofanorgyinitsfinalstage.CoralieandLucienhadbeenbehavinglikechildrenalltheevening;assoonasthewinewasuppermostinCamusot"shead,theymadegoodtheirescapedownthestaircaseandsprangintoacab.

Camusotsubsidedunderthetable;Matifat,lookingroundforhim,thoughtthathehadgonehomewithCoralie,lefthisgueststosmoke,laugh,andargue,andfollowedFlorinetoherroom.Daylightsurprisedtheparty,ormoreaccurately,thefirstdawnoflightdiscoveredonemanstillabletospeak,andBlondet,thatintrepidchampion,wasproposingtotheassembledsleepersahealthtoAuroratherosy-

fingered.

Lucienwasunaccustomedtoorgiesofthiskind.Hisheadwasverytolerablyclearashecamedownthestaircase,butthefreshairwastoomuchforhim;hewashorriblydrunk.WhentheyreachedthehandsomehouseintheRuedeVendome,wheretheactresslived,Coralieandherwaiting-womanwereobligedtoassistthepoettoclimbtothefirstfloor.Lucienwasignominiouslysick,andverynearlyfaintedonthestaircase.

"Quick,Berenice,sometea!Makesometea,"criedCoralie.

"Itisnothing;itistheair,"Luciengotout,"andIhavenevertakensomuchbeforeinmylife."

"Poorboy!Heisasinnocentasalamb,"saidBerenice,astalwartNormanpeasantwomanasuglyasCoraliewaspretty.Lucien,halfunconscious,waslaidatlastinbed.Coralie,withBerenice"sassistance,undressedthepoetwithallamother"stendercare.

"Itisnothing,"hemurmuredagainandagain."Itistheair.Thankyou,mamma."

"Howcharminglyhesays"mamma,""criedCoralie,puttingakissonhishair.

"Whathappinesstolovesuchanangel,mademoiselle!Wheredidyoupickhimup?Ididnotthinkamancouldbeasbeautifulasyouare,"

saidBerenice,whenLucienlayinbed.Hewasverydrowsy;heknewnothingandsawnothing;Coraliemadehimswallowseveralcupsoftea,andlefthimtosleep.

"Didtheporterseeus?Wasthereanyoneelseabout?"sheasked.

"No;Iwassittingupforyou."

"DoesVictoireknowanything?"

"Rathernot!"returnedBerenice.

TenhourslaterLucienawoketomeetCoralie"seyes.Shehadwatchedbyhimasheslept;heknewit,poetthathewas.Itwasalmostnoon,butshestillworethedelicatedress,abominablystained,whichshemeanttolayupasarelic.Lucienunderstoodalltheself-sacrificeanddelicacyoflove,fainofitsreward.HelookedintoCoralie"seyes.InamomentshehadflungoffherclothingandslippedlikeaserpenttoLucien"sside.

Atfiveo"clockintheafternoonLucienwasstillsleeping,cradledinthisvoluptuousparadise.HehadcaughtglimpsesofCoralie"schamber,anexquisitecreationofluxury,aworldofrose-colorandwhite.HehadadmiredFlorine"sapartments,butthissurpassedtheminitsdaintyrefinement.

Coraliehadalreadyrisen;forifshewastoplayherpartastheAndalusian,shemustbeatthetheatrebyseveno"clock.Yetshehadreturnedtogazeattheunconsciouspoet,lulledtosleepinbliss;

shecouldnotdrinktoodeeplyofthislovethatrosetorapture,drawingclosethebondbetweentheheartandthesenses,tosteepbothinecstasy.Forinthatapotheosisofhumanpassion,whichofthosethatweretwainonearththattheymightknowblisstothefullcreatesonesoultorisetoloveinheaven,layCoralie"sjustification.Who,moreover,wouldnothavefoundexcuseinLucien"smorethanhumanbeauty?Totheactresskneelingbythebedside,happyinlovewithinher,itseemedthatshehadreceivedlove"sconsecration.BerenicebrokeinuponCoralie"srapture.

"HerecomesCamusot!"criedthemaid."Andheknowsthatyouarehere."

Luciensprangupatonce.InnategenerositysuggestedthathewasdoingCoralieaninjury.Berenicedrewasideacurtain,andhefledintoadaintydressing-room,whitherCoralieandthemaidbroughthisclotheswithmagicalspeed.

Camusotappeared,andonlythendidCoralie"seyesalightonLucien"sboots,warminginthefender.Berenicehadprivatelyvarnishedthem,andputthembeforethefiretodry;andbothmistressandmaidalikeforgotthattell-talewitness.BerenicelefttheroomwithascaredglanceatCoralie.Coralieflungherselfintothedepthsofasettee,andbadeCamusotseathimselfinthegondole,around-backedchairthatstoodopposite.ButCoralie"sadorer,honestsoul,darednotlookhismistressintheface;hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthepairofboots.

"OughtItomakeasceneandleaveCoralie?"hepondered."Isitworthwhiletomakeafussaboutatrifle?Thereisapairofbootswhereveryougo.Thesewouldbemoreinplaceinashopwindowortakingawalkontheboulevardonsomebody"sfeet;here,however,withoutapairoffeetinthem,theytellaprettyplaintale.Iamfiftyyearsold,andthatisthetruth;IoughttobeasblindasCupidhimself."

Therewasnoexcuseforthismean-spiritedmonologue.Thebootswerenotthehigh-lowsatpresentinvogue,whichanunobservantmanmaybeallowedtodisregarduptoacertainpoint.Theyweretheunmistakable,uncompromisinghessiansthenprescribedbyfashion,apairofextremelyelegantbetasseledboots,whichshoneinglisteningcontrastagainsttight-fittingtrousersinvariablyofsomelightcolor,andreflectedtheirsurroundingslikeamirror.Thebootsstaredthehonestsilk-merceroutofcountenance,and,itmustbeadded,theypainedhisheart.

"Whatisit?"askedCoralie.

"Nothing."

"Ringthebell,"saidCoralie,smilingtoherselfatCamusot"swantofspirit——"Berenice,"shesaid,whentheNormanhandmaidappeared,"justbringmeabutton-hook,forImustputontheseconfoundedbootsagain.Don"tforgettobringthemtomydressing-roomto-night."

"What?YOURboots?"falteredoutCamusot,breathingmorefreely.

"Andwhoseshouldtheybe?"shedemandedhaughtily."Wereyoubeginningtobelieve?——greatstupid!Oh!andhewouldbelieveittoo,"

shewenton,addressingBerenice——"Ihaveaman"spartinWhat"s-his-

name"spiece,andIhaveneverwornaman"sclothesinmylifebefore.

ThebootmakerforthetheatrebroughtmethesethingstotryifI

couldwalkinthem,untilapaircanbemadetomeasure.Heputthemon,buttheyhurtmesomuchthatIhavetakenthemoff,andafterallImustwearthem."

"Don"tputthemonagainiftheyareuncomfortable,"saidCamusot.

(Thebootshadmadehimfeelsoveryuncomfortablehimself.)

"Mademoisellewoulddobettertohaveapairmadeofverythinmorocco,sir,insteadoftorturingherselfasshedidjustnow;butthemanagementissostingy.Shewascrying,sir;ifIwasamanandlovedawoman,Iwouldn"tlethershedatear,Iknow.Yououghttoorderapairforher——"

"Yes,yes,"saidCamusot."Areyoujustgettingup,Coralie?"

"Justthismoment;Ionlycameinatsixo"clockafterlookingforyoueverywhere.Iwasobligedtokeepthecabforsevenhours.Somuchforyourcareofme;youforgetmeforawine-bottle.IoughttotakecareofmyselfnowwhenIamtoplayeverynightsolongastheAlcaldedraws.Idon"twanttofalloffafterthatyoungman"snoticeofme."

"Thatisahandsomeboy,"saidCamusot.

"Doyouthinkso?Idon"tadmiremenofthatsort;theyaretoomuchlikewomen;andtheydonotunderstandhowtolovelikeyoustupidoldbusinessmen.Youaresoboredwithyourownsociety."

"Ismonsieurdiningwithmadame?"inquiredBerenice.

"No,mymouthisclammy."

"Youwerenicelyscrewedyesterday.Ah!PapaCamusot,Idon"tlikemenwhodrink,Itellyouatonce——"

"Youwillgivethatyoungmanapresent,Isuppose?"interruptedCamusot.

"Oh!yes.IwouldratherdothatthanpayasFlorinedoes.There,goawaywithyou,good-for-nothingthatoneloves;orgivemeacarriagetosavetimeinfuture."

"Youshallgoinyourowncarriageto-morrowtoyourmanager"sdinnerattheRocherdeCancale.ThenewpiecewillnotbegivennextSunday."

"Come,Iamjustgoingtodine,"saidCoralie,hurryingCamusotoutoftheroom.

AnhourlaterBerenicecametoreleaseLucien.Berenice,Coralie"scompanionsinceherchildhood,hadakeenandsubtlebraininherunwieldyframe.

"Stayhere,"shesaid."Coralieiscomingbackalone;sheeventalkedofgettingridofCamusotifheisinyourway;butyouaretoomuchofanangeltoruinher,herheart"sdarlingasyouare.Shewantstoclearoutofthis,shesays;toleavethisparadiseandgoandliveinyourgarret.Oh!therearethosethatarejealousandenviousofyou,andtheyhavetoldherthatyouhaven"tabrassfarthing,andliveintheLatinQuarter;andIshouldgo,too,yousee,todothehouse-

work——ButIhavejustbeencomfortingher,poorchild!Ihavebeentellingherthatyouweretooclevertodoanythingsosilly.Iwasright,wasn"tI,sir?Oh!youwillseethatyouareherdarling,herlove,thegodtowhomshegiveshersoul;yonderoldfoolhasnothingbutthebody——IfyouonlyknewhownicesheiswhenIhearhersayherpartover!MyCoralie,mylittlepet,sheis!ShedeservedthatGodinheavenshouldsendheroneofHisangels.Shewassickofthelife——Shewassounhappywithhermotherthatusedtobeather,andsoldher.Yes,sir,soldherownchild!IfIhadadaughter,IwouldwaitonherhandandfootasIwaitonCoralie;sheislikemyownchildtome——ThesearethefirstgoodtimesshehasseensinceIhavebeenwithher;thefirsttimethatshehasbeenreallyapplauded.Youhavewrittensomething,itseems,andtheyhavegotupafamousclaqueforthesecondperformance.Braulardhasbeengoingthroughtheplaywithherwhileyouwereasleep."

"Who?Braulard?"askedLucien;itseemedtohimthathehadheardthenamebefore.

"Heistheheadoftheclaqueurs,andshewasarrangingwithhimtheplaceswhereshewishedhimtolookafterher.Florinemighttrytoplayhersomeshabbytrick,andtakeallforherself,forallshecallsherselfherfriend.ThereissuchatalkaboutyourarticleontheBoulevards——Isn"titabedfitforaprince,"shesaid,smoothingthelacebed-spread.

Shelightedthewax-candles,andtoLucien"sbewilderedfancy,thehouseseemedtobesomepalaceintheCabinetdesFees.CamusothadchosenthericheststuffsfromtheGoldenCocoonforthehangingsandwindow-curtains.Acarpetfitforaking"spalacewasspreaduponthefloor.Thecarvingoftherosewoodfurniturecaughtandimprisonedthelightthatrippledoveritssurface.Pricelesstriflesgleamedfromthewhitemarblechimney-piece.Therugbesidethebedwasofswan"sskinsborderedwithsable.Apairoflittle,blackvelvetslipperslinedwithpurplesilktoldofhappinessawaitingthepoetofTheMarguerites.Adaintylamphungfromtheceilingdrapedwithsilk.Theroomwasfulloffloweringplants,delicatewhiteheathsandscentlesscamellias,instandsmarvelouslywrought.Everythingcalledupassociationsofinnocence.HowwasitpossibleintheseroomstoseethelifethatCoralieledinitstruecolors?BerenicenoticedLucien"sbewilderedexpression.

"Isn"titnice?"shesaidcoaxingly."Youwouldbemorecomfortablehere,wouldn"tyou,thaninagarret?——Youwon"tletherdoanythingrash?"shecontinued,settingacostlystandbeforehim,coveredwithdishesabstractedfromhermistress"dinner-table,lestthecookshouldsuspectthathermistresshadaloverinthehouse.

Lucienmadeagooddinner.Berenicewaitingonhim,thedisheswereofwroughtsilver,thepaintedporcelainplateshadcostalouisd"orapiece.Theluxurywasproducingexactlythesameeffectuponhimthatthesightofagirlwalkingthepavement,withherbareflauntingthroatandneatankles,producesuponaschoolboy.

"HowluckyCamusotis!"criedhe.

"Lucky?"repeatedBerenice."Hewouldwillinglygiveallthatheisworthtobeinyourplace;hewouldbegladtobarterhisgrayhairforyourgoldenhead."

ShegaveLucientherichestwinethatBordeauxkeepsforthewealthiestEnglishpurchaser,andpersuadedLucientogotobedtotakeapreliminarynap;andLucien,intruth,wasquitewillingtosleeponthecouchthathehadbeenadmiring.Berenicehadreadhiswish,andfeltgladforhermistress.

Athalf-pasttenthatnightLucienawoketolookintoeyesbrimmingoverwithlove.TherestoodCoralieinmostluxuriousnightattire.

Lucienhadbeensleeping;Lucienwasintoxicatedwithlove,andnotwithwine.Berenicelefttheroomwiththeinquiry,"Whattimeto-morrowmorning?"

"Ateleveno"clock.Wewillhavebreakfastinbed.Iamnotathometoanybodybeforetwoo"clock."

Attwoo"clockintheafternoonCoralieandherloverweresittingtogether.Thepoettoallappearancehadcometopayacall.Lucienhadbeenbathedandcombedanddressed.CoraliehadsenttoColliau"sforadozenfineshirts,adozencravatsandadozenpocket-

handkerchiefsforhim,aswellastwelvepairsofglovesinacedar-

woodbox.Whenacarriagestoppedatthedoor,theybothrushedtothewindow,andwatchedCamusotalightfromahandsomecoupe.

"Iwouldnothavebelievedthatonecouldsohateamanandluxury——"

"Iamtoopoortoallowyoutoruinyourselfforme,"hereplied.AndthusLucienpassedundertheCaudineForks.

"Poorpet,"saidCoralie,holdinghimtightlytoher,"doyoulovemesomuch?——Ipersuadedthisgentlemantocallonmethismorning,"shecontinued,indicatingLucientoCamusot,whoenteredtheroom."I

thoughtthatwemighttakeadriveintheChampsElyseestotrythecarriage."

"Gowithoutme,"saidCamusotinamelancholyvoice;"Ishallnotdinewithyou.Itismywife"sbirthday,Ihadforgottenthat."

"PoorMusot,howbadlyboredyouwillbe!"shesaid,puttingherarmsabouthisneck.

ShewaswildwithjoyatthethoughtthatsheandLucienwouldhandselthisgifttogether;shewoulddrivewithhiminthenewcarriage;andinherhappiness,sheseemedtoloveCamusot,shelavishedcaressesuponhim.

"IfonlyIcouldgiveyouacarriageeveryday!"saidthepoorfellow.

"Now,sir,itistwoo"clock,"shesaid,turningtoLucien,whostoodindistressandconfusion,butshecomfortedhimwithanadorablegesture.

Downthestairsshewent,severalstepsatatime,drawingLucienafterher;theelderlymerchantfollowingintheirwakelikeasealonland,andquiteunabletocatchthemup.

Lucienenjoyedthemostintoxicatingofpleasures;happinesshadincreasedCoralie"slovelinesstothehighestpossibledegree;sheappearedbeforealleyesanexquisitevisioninherdaintytoilette.

AllParisintheChampsElyseesbeheldthelovers.

InanavenueoftheBoisdeBoulognetheymetacaleche;Mme.d"EspardandMme.deBargetonlookedinsurpriseatLucien,andmetascornfulglancefromthepoet.Hesawglimpsesofagreatfuturebeforehim,andwasabouttomakehispowerfelt.Hecouldflingthembackinaglancesomeoftherevengefulthoughtswhichhadgnawedhishearteversincetheyplantedthemthere.Thatmomentwasoneofthesweetestinhislife,andperhapsdecidedhisfate.OnceagaintheFuriesseizedonLucienatthebiddingofPride.HewouldreappearintheworldofParis;hewouldtakeasignalrevenge;allthesocialpettinesshithertotroddenunderfootbytheworker,thememberofthebrotherhood,sprangupagainafreshinhissoul.

NowheunderstoodallthatLousteau"sattackhadmeant.Lousteauhadservedhispassions;whilethebrotherhood,thatcollectivementor,hadseemedtomortifythemintheinterestsoftiresomevirtuesandworkwhichbegantolookuselessandhopelessinLucien"seyes.Work!

Whatisitbutdeathtoaneagerpleasure-lovingnature?Andhoweasyitisforthemanofletterstoslideintoafarnienteexistenceofself-indulgence,intotheluxuriouswaysofactressesandwomenofeasyvirtues!Lucienfeltanovermasteringdesiretocontinuetherecklesslifeofthelasttwodays.

ThedinnerattheRocherdeCancalewasexquisite.AllFlorine"ssupperguestswerethereexcepttheMinister,theDuke,andthedancer;Camusot,too,wasabsent;butthesegapswerefilledbytwofamousactorsandHectorMerlinandhismistress.Thischarmingwoman,whochosetobeknownasMme.duVal-Noble,wasthehandsomestandmostfashionableoftheclassofwomennoweuphemisticallystyledlorettes.

Lucienhadspenttheforty-eighthourssincethesuccessofhisarticleinparadise.Hewasfetedandenvied;hegainedself-

possession;histalksparkled;hewasthebrilliantLuciendeRubemprewhoshoneforafewmonthsintheworldoflettersandart.Finot,withhisinfallibleinstinctfordiscoveringability,scentingitafarasanogremightscenthumanflesh,cajoledLucien,anddidhisbesttosecurearecruitforthesquadronunderhiscommand.AndCoraliewatchedthemanoeuvresofthispurveyorofbrains,sawthatLucienwasnibblingatthebait,andtriedtoputhimonhisguard.

"Don"tmakeanyengagement,dearboy;wait.Theywanttoexploityou;

wewilltalkofitto-night."

"Pshaw!"saidLucien."IamsureIamquiteassharpandshrewdastheycanbe."

FinotandHectorMerlinevidentlyhadnotfallenoutoverthataffairofthewhitelinesandspacesinthecolumns,foritwasFinotwhointroducedLucientothejournalist.CoralieandMme.duVal-Noblewereoverwhelminglyamiableandpolitetoeachother,andMme.duVal-

NobleaskedLucienandCoralietodinewithher.

HectorMerlin,shortandthin,withlipsalwaystightlycompressed,wasthemostdangerousjournalistpresent.Unboundedambitionandjealousysmoulderedwithinhim;hetookpleasureinthepainofothers,andfomentedstrifetoturnittohisownaccount.Hisabilitieswerebutslender,andhehadlittleforceofcharacter,butthenaturalinstinctwhichdrawstheupstarttowardsmoneyandpowerservedhimaswellasfixityofpurpose.LucienandMerlinatoncetookadisliketooneanother,forreasonsnotfartoseek.Merlin,unfortunately,proclaimedaloudthethoughtsthatLucienkepttohimself.Bythetimethedessertwasputonthetable,themosttouchingfriendshipappearedtoprevailamongthemen,eachoneofwhominhisheartthoughthimselfaclevererfellowthantherest;andLucienasthenewcomerwasmademuchofbythemall.Theychattedfranklyandunrestrainedly.HectorMerlin,alone,didnotjoininthelaughter.Lucienaskedthereasonofhisreserve.

"Youarejustenteringtheworldofletters,Icansee,"hesaid."Youareajournalistwithallyourillusionsleft.Youbelieveinfriendship.Herewearefriendsorfoes,asithappens;westrikedownafriendwiththeweaponwhichbyrightsshouldonlybeturnedagainstanenemy.Youwillfindout,beforeverylong,thatfinesentimentswilldonothingforyou.Ifyouarenaturallykindly,learntobeill-

natured,tobeconsistentlyspiteful.Ifyouhaveneverheardthisgoldenrulebefore,Igiveityounowinconfidence,anditisnosmallsecret.Ifyouhaveamindtobeloved,neverleaveyourmistressuntilyouhavemadehershedatearortwo;andifyoumeantomakeyourwayinliterature,letotherpeoplecontinuallyfeelyourteeth;makenoexceptionevenofyourfriends;woundtheirsusceptibilities,andeverybodywillfawnuponyou."

HectorMerlinwatchedLucienashespoke,sawthathiswordswenttotheneophyte"sheartlikeastab,andHectorMerlinwasglad.Playfollowed,Lucienlostallhismoney,andCoraliebroughthimaway;andheforgotforawhile,inthedelightsoflove,thefierceexcitementofthegambler,whichwastogainsostrongaholduponhim.

WhenheleftCoralieinthemorningandreturnedtotheLatinQuarter,hetookouthispurseandfoundthemoneyhehadlost.Atfirsthefeltmiserableoverthediscovery,andthoughtofgoingbackatoncetoreturnagiftwhichhumiliatedhim;but——hehadalreadycomeasfarastheRuedelaHarpe;hewouldnotreturnnowthathehadalmostreachedtheHoteldeCluny.HeponderedoverCoralie"sforethoughtashewent,tillhesawinitaproofofthematernallovewhichisblendedwithpassioninwomenofherstamp.ForCoralieandherlike,passionincludeseveryhumanaffection.Lucienwentfromthoughttothought,andarguedhimselfintoacceptingthegift."Iloveher,"hesaid;"weshalllivetogetherashusbandandwife;Iwillneverforsakeher!"

Whatmortal,shortofaDiogenes,couldfailtounderstandLucien"sfeelingsasheclimbedthedirty,fetidstaircasetohislodging,turnedthekeythatgratedinthelock,andenteredandlookedroundattheunsweptbrickfloor,atthecheerlessgrate,attheuglypovertyandbarenessoftheroom.

Apackageofmanuscriptwaslyingonthetable.Itwashisnovel;anotefromDanield"Arthezlaybesideit:——

"Ourfriendsarealmostsatisfiedwithyourwork,dearpoet,"

d"Arthezwrote."Youwillbeabletopresentitwithmoreconfidencenow,theysay,tofriendsandenemies.WesawyourcharmingarticleonthePanorama-Dramatique;youaresuretoexciteasmuchjealousyintheprofessionasregretamongyourfriendshere.

DANIEL."

"Regrets!Whatdoeshemean?"exclaimedLucien.Thepolitetoneofthenoteastonishedhim.Washetobehenceforthastrangertothebrotherhood?HehadlearnedtosetahighervalueonthegoodopinionandthefriendshipofthecircleintheRuedesQuatre-VentssincehehadtastedofthedeliciousfruitsofferedtohimbytheEveofthetheatricalunderworld.Forsomemomentshestoodindeepthought;hesawhispresentinthegarret,andforesawhisfutureinCoralie"srooms.Honorableresolutionstruggledwithtemptationandswayedhimnowthisway,nowthat.Hesatdownandbegantolookthroughhismanuscript,toseeinwhatconditionhisfriendshadreturnedittohim.Whatwashisamazement,ashereadchapterafterchapter,tofindhispovertytransmutedintorichesbythecunningofthepen,andthedevotionoftheunknowngreatmen,hisfriendsofthebrotherhood.

Dialogue,closelypacked,nervous,pregnant,terse,andfullofthespiritoftheage,replacedhisconversations,whichseemedpoorandpointlessprattleincomparison.Hischaracters,alittleuncertaininthedrawing,nowstoodoutinvigorouscontrastofcolorandrelief;

physiologicalobservations,duenodoubttoHoraceBianchon,suppliedlinksofinterpretationsbetweenhumancharacterandthecuriousphenomenaofhumanlife——subtletoucheswhichmadehismenandwomenlive.Hiswordypassagesofdescriptionwerecondensedandvivid.Themisshapen,ill-cladchildofhisbrainhadreturnedtohimasalovelymaiden,withwhiterobesandrosy-huedgirdleandscarf——anentrancingcreation.Nightfellandtookhimbysurprise,readingthroughrisingtears,strickentoearthbysuchgreatnessofsoul,feelingtheworthofsuchalesson,admiringthealternations,whichtaughthimmoreofliteratureandartthanallhisfouryears"apprenticeshipofstudyandreadingandcomparison.Amaster"scorrectionofalinemadeuponthestudyalwaysteachesmorethanallthetheoriesandcriticismsintheworld.

"Whatfriendsarethese!Whathearts!HowfortunateIam!"hecried,graspinghismanuscripttightly.

Withthequickimpulsivenessofapoeticandmobiletemperament,herushedofftoDaniel"slodging.Asheclimbedthestairs,andthoughtofthesefriends,whorefusedtoleavethepathofhonor,hefeltconsciousthathewaslessworthyofthemthanbefore.Avoicespokewithinhim,tellinghimthatifd"ArthezhadlovedCoralie,hewouldhavehadherbreakwithCamusot.And,besidesthis,heknewthatthebrotherhoodheldjournalisminutterabhorrence,andthathehimselfwasalready,tosomesmallextent,ajournalist.Allofthem,exceptMeyraux,whohadjustgoneout,wereind"Arthez"sroomwhenheenteredit,andsawthatalltheirfaceswerefullofsorrowanddespair.

"Whatisit?"hecried.