第13章

"DauriatwillbedumfoundedbythearticleonNathan,"saidLousteau.

"Doyouseenowwhatjournalismis,Lucien?Yourrevengeisbeginningtotell.TheBaronChateletcameherethismorningforyouraddress.

Therewasacuttingarticleuponhiminthismorning"sissue;heisaweakling,thatbuckoftheEmpire,andhehaslosthishead.Haveyouseenthepaper?Itisafunnyarticle.Look,"FuneraloftheHeron,andtheCuttlefish-bone"slament."Mme.deBargetoniscalledtheCuttlefish-bonenow,andnomistake,andChateletisknowneverywhereasBaronHeron."

Lucientookupthepaper,andcouldnothelplaughingatVernou"sextremelycleverskit.

"Theywillcapitulatesoon,"saidHectorMerlin.

Lucienmerrilyassistedatthemanufactureofepigramsandjokesattheendofthepaper;andtheassociatessmokedandchattedovertheday"sadventures,overthefoiblesofsomeamongtheirnumber,orsomenewbitofpersonalgossip.Fromtheirwitty,malicious,banteringtalk,Luciengainedaknowledgeoftheinnerlifeofliterature,andofthemannersandcustomsofthecraft.

"Whiletheyaresettingupthepaper,Iwillgoroundwithyouandintroduceyoutothemanagersofyourtheatres,andtakeyoubehindthescenes,"saidLousteau."AndthenwewillgotothePanorama-

Dramatique,andhaveafrolicintheirdressing-rooms."

Arm-in-arm,theywentfromtheatretotheatre.Lucienwasintroducedtothisoneandthat,andenthronedasadramaticcritic.Managerscomplimentedhim,actressesflunghimsideglances;foreveryoneofthemknewthatthiswasthecriticwho,byasinglearticle,hadgainedanengagementattheGymnase,withtwelvethousandfrancsayear,forCoralie,andanotherforFlorineatthePanorama-Dramatiquewitheightthousandfrancs.Lucienwasamanofimportance.ThelittleovationsraisedLucieninhisowneyes,andtaughthimtoknowhispower.Ateleveno"clockthepairarrivedatthePanorama-Dramatique;

Lucienwithacarelessairthatworkedwonders.Nathanwasthere.

Nathanheldoutahand,whichLuciensqueezed.

"Ah!mymasters,soyouhaveamindtofloorme,haveyou?"saidNathan,lookingfromonetotheother.

"Justyouwaittillto-morrow,mydearfellow,andyoushallseehowLucienhastakenyouinhand.Uponmyword,youwillbepleased.A

pieceofseriouscriticismlikethatissuretodoabookgood."

Lucienreddenedwithconfusion.

"Isitsevere?"inquiredNathan.

"Itisserious,"saidLousteau.

"Thenthereisnoharmdone,"Nathanrejoined."HectorMerlininthegreenroomoftheVaudevillewassayingthatIhadbeencutup."

"Lethimtalk,andwait,"criedLucien,andtookrefugeinCoralie"sdressing-room.Coralie,inheralluringcostume,hadjustcomeoffthestage.

Nextmorning,asLucienandCoraliesatatbreakfast,acarriagedrovealongtheRuedeVendome.Thestreetwasquietenough,sothattheycouldhearthelightsoundmadebyanelegantcabriolet;andtherewasthatinthepaceofthehorse,andthemannerofpullingupatthedoor,whichtellsunmistakablyofathoroughbred.Lucienwenttothewindow,andthere,infact,beheldasplendidEnglishhorse,andnolessapersonthanDauriatflingingthereinstohismanashesteppeddown.

""Tisthepublisher,Coralie,"saidLucien.

"Lethimwait,Berenice,"Coraliesaidatonce.

Luciensmiledatherpresenceofmind,andkissedherwithagreatrushoftenderness.Thismeregirlhadmadehisinterestshersinawonderfulway;shewasquick-wittedwherehewasconcerned.Theapparitionoftheinsolentpublisher,thesuddenandcompletecollapseofthatprinceofcharlatans,wasduetocircumstancesalmostentirelyforgotten,soutterlyhasthebooktradechangedduringthelastfifteenyears.

From1816to1827,whennewspaperreading-roomswereonlyjustbeginningtolendnewbooks,thefiscallawpressedmoreheavilythaneveruponperiodicalpublications,andnecessitycreatedtheinventionofadvertisements.Paragraphsandarticlesinthenewspapersweretheonlymeansofadvertisementknowninthosedays;andFrenchnewspapersbeforetheyear1822weresosmall,thatthelargestsheetofthosetimeswasnotsolargeasthesmallestdailypaperofours.DauriatandLadvocat,thefirstpublisherstomakeastandagainstthetyrannyofjournalists,werealsothefirsttousetheplacardswhichcaughttheattentionofParisbystrangetype,strikingcolors,vignettes,and(atalatertime)bylithographillustrations,tillaplacardbecameafairy-talefortheeyes,andnotunfrequentlyasnareforthepurseoftheamateur.SomuchoriginalityindeedwasexpendedonplacardsinParis,thatoneofthatpeculiarkindofmaniacs,knownasacollector,possessesacompleteseries.

Atfirsttheplacardwasconfinedtotheshop-windowsandstallsupontheBoulevardsinParis;afterwardsitspreadalloverFrance,tillitwassupplantedtosomeextentbyareturntoadvertisementsinthenewspapers.Buttheplacard,nevertheless,whichcontinuestostriketheeye,aftertheadvertisementandthebookwhichisadvertisedarebothforgotten,willalwaysbeamongus;ittookanewleaseoflifewhenwallswereplasteredwithposters.

Newspaperadvertising,theoffspringofheavystampduties,ahighrateofpostage,andtheheavydepositsofcaution-moneyrequiredbythegovernmentassecurityforgoodbehavior,iswithinthereachofallwhocaretopayforit,andhasturnedthefourthpageofeveryjournalintoaharvestfieldalikeforthespeculatorandtheInlandRevenueDepartment.ThepressrestrictionswereinventedinthetimeofM.deVillele,whohadachance,ifhehadbutknownit,ofdestroyingthepowerofjournalismbyallowingnewspaperstomultiplytillnoonetookanynoticeofthem;buthemissedhisopportunity,andasortofprivilegewascreated,asitwere,bythealmostinsuperabledifficultiesputinthewayofstartinganewventure.So,in1821,theperiodicalpressmightbesaidtohavepoweroflifeanddeathoverthecreationsofthebrainandthepublishingtrade.Afewlinesamongtheitemsofnewscostafearfulamount.Intriguesweremultipliedinnewspaperoffices;andofanightwhenthecolumnsweredividedup,andthisorthatarticlewasputinorleftouttosuitthespace,theprinting-roombecameasortofbattlefield;somuchso,thatthelargestpublishingfirmshadwritersintheirpaytoinsertshortarticlesinwhichmanyideasareputinlittlespace.Obscurejournalistsofthisstampwereonlypaidaftertheinsertionoftheitems,andnotunfrequentlyspentthenightintheprinting-officetomakesurethattheircontributionswerenotomitted;sometimesputtinginalongarticle,obtainedheavenknowshow,sometimesafewlinesofapuff.

Themannersandcustomsofjournalismandofthepublishinghouseshavesincechangedsomuch,thatmanypeoplenowadayswillnotbelievewhatimmenseeffortsweremadebywritersandpublishersofbookstosecureanewspaperpuff;themartyrsofglory,andallthosewhoarecondemnedtothepenalservitudeofalife-longsuccess,werereducedtosuchshifts,andstoopedtodepthsofbriberyandcorruptionasseemfabulousto-day.Everykindofpersuasionwasbroughttobearonjournalists——dinners,flattery,andpresents.Thefollowingstorywillthrowmorelightonthecloseconnectionbetweenthecriticandthepublisherthananyquantityofflatassertions.

Therewasonceuponatimeaneditorofanimportantpaper,acleverwriterwithaprospectofbecomingastatesman;hewasyounginthosedays,andfondofpleasure,andhebecamethefavoriteofawell-knownpublishinghouse.OneSundaythewealthyheadofthefirmwasentertainingseveraloftheforemostjournalistsofthetimeinthecountry,andthemistressofthehouse,thenayoungandprettywoman,wenttowalkinherparkwiththeillustriousvisitor.Thehead-clerkofthefirm,acool,steady,methodicalGermanwithnothingbutbusinessinhishead,wasdiscussingaprojectwithoneofthejournalists,andastheychattedtheywalkedonintothewoodsbeyondthepark.InamongthethicketstheGermanthoughthecaughtaglimpseofhishostess,putuphiseyeglass,madeasigntohisyoungcompaniontobesilent,andturnedback,steppingsoftly——"Whatdidyousee?"askedthejournalist——"Nothingparticular,"saidtheclerk.

"Ouraffairofthelongarticleissettled.To-morrowweshallhaveatleastthreecolumnsintheDebats."

Anotheranecdotewillshowtheinfluenceofasinglearticle.

AbookofM.deChateaubriand"sonthelastoftheStuartswasforsometimea"nightingale"onthebookseller"sshelves.AsinglearticleintheJournaldesDebatssoldtheworkinaweek.Inthosedays,whentherewerenolendinglibraries,apublisherwouldsellaneditionoftenthousandcopiesofabookbyaLiberalifitwaswellreviewedbytheOppositionpapers;butthentheBelgianpiratededitionswerenotasyet.

ThepreparatoryattacksmadebyLucien"sfriends,followedupbyhisarticleonNathan,provedefficacious;theystoppedthesaleofhisbook.Nathanescapedwiththemortification;hehadbeenpaid;hehadnothingtolose;butDauriatwasliketolosethirtythousandfrancs.

Thetradeinnewbooksmay,infact,besummedupmuchonthiswise.A

reamofblankpapercostsfifteenfrancs,areamofprintedpaperisworthanythingbetweenahundredsousandahundredcrowns,accordingtoitssuccess;afavorableorunfavorablereviewatacriticaltimeoftendecidesthequestion;andDauriathavingfivehundredreamsofprintedpaperonhand,hurriedtomaketermswithLucien.Thesultanwasnowtheslave.

Afterwaitingforsometime,fidgetingandmakingasmuchnoiseashecouldwhileparleyingwithBerenice,heatlastobtainedspeechofLucien;and,arrogantpublisherthoughhewas,hecameinwiththeradiantairofacourtierintheroyalpresence,mingled,however,withacertainself-sufficiencyandeasygoodhumor.

"Don"tdisturbyourselves,mylittledears!Hownicetheylook,justlikeapairofturtle-doves!Whowouldthinknow,mademoiselle,thathe,withthatgirl"sfaceofhis,couldbeatigerwithclawsofsteel,readytotearareputationtorags,justashetearsyourwrappers,I"llbebound,whenyouarenotquickenoughtounfastenthem,"andhelaughedbeforehehadfinishedhisjest.

"Mydearboy——"hebegan,sittingdownbesideLucien——

"Mademoiselle,IamDauriat,"hesaid,interruptinghimself.Hejudgeditexpedienttofirehisnameatherlikeapistolshot,forheconsideredthatCoraliewaslesscordialthansheshouldhavebeen.

"Haveyoubreakfasted,monsieur;willyoukeepuscompany?"askedCoralie.

"Why,yes;itiseasiertotalkattable,"saidDauriat."Besides,byacceptingyourinvitationIshallhavearighttoexpectyoutodinewithmyfriendLucienhere,forwemustbeclosefriendsnow,handandglove!"

"Berenice!Bringoysters,lemons,freshbutter,andchampagne,"saidCoralie.

"Youaretooclevernottoknowwhathasbroughtmehere,"saidDauriat,fixinghiseyesonLucien.

"Youhavecometobuymysonnets."

"Precisely.Firstofall,letuslaydownourarmsonbothsides."Ashespokehetookoutaneatpocketbook,drewfromitthreebillsforathousandfrancseach,andlaidthembeforeLucienwithasuppliantair."Ismonsieurcontent?"askedhe.

"Yes,"saidthepoet.Asenseofbeatitude,forwhichnowordsexist,floodedhissoulatthesightofthatunhopedwealth.Hecontrolledhimself,buthelongedtosingaloud,tojumpforjoy;hewasreadytobelieveinAladdin"slampandinenchantment;hebelievedinhisowngenius,inshort.

"ThentheMargueritesaremine,"continuedDauriat;"butyouwillundertakenottoattackmypublications,won"tyou?"

"TheMargueritesareyours,butIcannotpledgemypen;itisattheserviceofmyfriends,astheirsaremine."

"Butyouareoneofmyauthorsnow.Allmyauthorsaremyfriends.Soyouwon"tspoilmybusinesswithoutwarningmebeforehand,sothatI

amprepared,willyou?"

"Iagreetothat."

"Toyourfame!"andDauriatraisedhisglass.

"IseethatyouhavereadtheMarguerites,"saidLucien.

Dauriatwasnotdisconcerted.

"Myboy,apublishercannotpayagreatercomplimentthanbybuyingyourMargueritesunread.Insixmonths"timeyouwillbeagreatpoet.

Youwillbewrittenup;peopleareafraidofyou;Ishallhavenodifficultyinsellingyourbook.IamthesamemanofbusinessthatI

wasfourdaysago.ItisnotIwhohavechanged;itisYOU.Lastweekyoursonnetsweresomanycabbageleavesforme;to-dayyourpositionhasrankedthembesideDelavigne."

"Ahwell,"saidLucien,"ifyouhavenotreadmysonnets,youhavereadmyarticle."Withthesultan"spleasureofpossessingafairmistress,andthecertaintyofsuccess,hehadgrownsatiricalandadorablyimpertinentoflate.

"Yes,myfriend;doyouthinkIshouldhavecomehereinsuchahurrybutforthat?Thatterriblearticleofyoursisverywellwritten,worseluck.Oh!youhaveaverygreatgift,myboy.Takemyadviceandmakethemostofyourvogue,"headded,withgoodhumor,whichmaskedtheextremeinsolenceofthespeech."Buthaveyouyourselfacopyofthepaper?Haveyouseenyourarticleinprint?"

"Notyet,"saidLucien,"thoughthisisthefirstlongpieceofprosewhichIhavepublished;butHectorwillhavesentacopytomyaddressintheRueCharlot."

"Here——read!"criedDauriat,copyingTalma"sgestureinManlius.

LucientookthepaperbutCoraliesnatcheditfromhim.

"Thefirst-fruitsofyourpenbelongtome,asyouwellknow,"shelaughed.

Dauriatwasunwontedlycourtier-likeandcomplimentary.HewasafraidofLucien,andthereforeheaskedhimtoagreatdinnerwhichhewasgivingtoapartyofjournaliststowardstheendoftheweek,andCoraliewasincludedintheinvitation.HetooktheMargueritesawaywithhimwhenhewent,askingHISpoettolookinwhenhepleasedintheWoodenGalleries,andtheagreementshouldbereadyforhissignature.Dauriatneverforgottheroyalairswithwhichheendeavoredtooverawesuperficialobservers,andtoimpressthemwiththenotionthathewasaMaecenasratherthanapublisher;atthismomentheleftthethreethousandfrancs,wavingawayinlordlyfashionthereceiptwhichLucienoffered,kissedCoralie"shand,andtookhisdeparture.

"Well,dearlove,wouldyouhaveseenmanyofthesebitsofpaperifyouhadstoppedinyourholeintheRuedeCluny,prowlingaboutamongthemustyoldbooksintheBibliothequedeSainte-Genevieve?"askedCoralie,forsheknewthewholestoryofLucien"slifebythistime.

"ThoselittlefriendsofyoursintheRuedesQuatre-Ventsaregreatninnies,itseemstome."

Hisbrothersofthecenacle!AndLuciencouldheartheverdictandlaugh.

Hehadseenhimselfinprint;hehadjustexperiencedtheineffablejoyoftheauthor,thatfirstpleasurablethrillofgratifiedvanitywhichcomesbutonce.Thefullimportandbearingofhisarticlebecameapparenttohimashereadandre-readit.Thegarbofprintistomanuscriptasthestageistowomen;itbringsbeautiesanddefectstolight,killingandgivinglife;thefinethoughtsandthefaultsalikestareyouintheface.

Lucien,inhisexcitementandrapture,gavenotanotherthoughttoNathan.Nathanwasastepping-stoneforhim——thatwasall;andhe(Lucien)washappyexceedingly——hethoughthimselfrich.ThemoneybroughtbyDauriatwasaveryPotosifortheladwhousedtogoaboutunnoticedthroughthestreetsofAngoulemeanddownthesteeppathintoL"HoumeautoPostel"sgarret,wherehiswholefamilyhadliveduponanincomeoftwelvehundredfrancs.ThepleasuresofhislifeinParismustinevitablydimthememoriesofthosedays;butsokeenwerethey,that,asyet,heseemedtobebackagaininthePlaceduMurier.

HethoughtofEve,hisbeautiful,noblesister,ofDavidhisfriend,andofhispoormother,andhesentBereniceouttochangeoneofthenotes.Whileshewenthewroteafewlinestohisfamily,andonthemaid"sreturnhesenthertothecoach-officewithapacketoffivehundredfrancsaddressedtohismother.Hecouldnottrusthimself;hewantedtosentthemoneyatonce;laterhemightnotbeabletodoit.

BothLucienandCoralielookeduponthisrestitutionasameritoriousaction.Coralieputherarmsaboutherloverandkissedhim,andthoughthimamodelsonandbrother;shecouldnotmakeenoughofhim,forgenerosityisatraitofcharacterwhichdelightsthesekindlycreatures,whoalwayscarrytheirheartsintheirhands.

"Wehaveadinnernoweverydayforaweek,"shesaid;"wewillmakealittlecarnival;youhaveworkedquitehardenough."

Coralie,faintodelightinthebeautyofamanwhomallotherwomenshouldenvyher,tookLucienbacktoStaub.Hewasnotdressedfinelyenoughforher.ThencetheloverswenttodriveintheBoisdeBoulogne,andcamebacktodineatMme.duVal-Noble"s.Rastignac,Bixiou,desLupeaulx,Finot,Blondet,Vignon,theBarondeNucingen,Beaudenord,PhilippeBridau,Conti,thegreatmusician,alltheartistsandspeculators,allthemenwhoseekforviolentsensationsasarelieffromimmenselabors,gaveLucienawelcomeamongthem.AndLucienhadgainedconfidence;hegavehimselfoutintalkasthoughhehadnottolivebyhiswit,andwaspronouncedtobea"cleverfellow"

intheslangofthecoterieofsemi-comrades.

"Oh!wemustwaitandseewhathehasinhim,"saidTheodoreGaillard,apoetpatronizedbytheCourt,whothoughtofstartingaRoyalistpapertobeentitledtheReveilatalaterday.

Afterdinner,MerlinandLucien,CoralieandMme.duVal-Noble,wenttotheOpera,whereMerlinhadabox.Thewholepartyadjournedthither,andLucientriumphantreappeareduponthesceneofhisfirstseriouscheck.

Hewalkedinthelobby,arminarmwithMerlinandBlondet,lookingthedandieswhohadoncemademerryathisexpensebetweentheeyes.

Chateletwasunderhisfeet.HeclashedglanceswithdeMarsay,Vandenesse,andManerville,thebucksofthatday.AndindeedLucien,beautifulandelegantlyarrayed,hadcausedadiscussionintheMarquised"Espard"sbox;Rastignachadpaidalongvisit,andtheMarquiseandMme.deBargetonputuptheiropera-glassesatCoralie.

DidthesightofLuciensendapangofregretthroughMme.deBargeton"sheart?Thisthoughtwasuppermostinthepoet"smind.ThelongingforrevengearousedinhimbythesightoftheCorinneofAngoulemewasasfierceasonthatdaywhentheladyandhercousinhadcuthimintheChamps-Elysees.

"Didyoubringanamuletwithyoufromtheprovinces?"——ItwasBlondetwhomadethisinquirysomefewdayslater,whenhecalledateleveno"clockinthemorningandfoundthatLucienwasnotyetrisen——"Hisgoodlooksaremakingravagesfromcellartogarret,highandlow,"

continuedBlondet,kissingCoralieontheforehead."Ihavecometoenlistyou,dearfellow,"hecontinued,graspingLucienbythehand.

"Yesterday,attheItaliens,theComtessedeMontcornetaskedmetobringyoutoherhouse.Youwillnotgivearefusaltoacharmingwoman?Youmeetpeopleofthefirstfashionthere."

"IfLucienisnice,hewillnotgotoseeyourCountess,"putinCoralie."Whatcallisthereforhimtoshowhisfaceinfinesociety?

Hewouldonlybeboredthere."

"Haveyouavestedinterestinhim?Areyoujealousoffineladies?"

"Yes,"criedCoralie."Theyareworsethanweare."

"Howdoyouknowthat,mypet?"askedBlondet.

"Fromtheirhusbands,"retortedshe."YouareforgettingthatIoncehadsixmonthsofdeMarsay."

"Doyousuppose,child,that_I_amparticularlyanxioustotakesuchahandsomefellowasyourpoettoMme.deMontcornet"shouse?Ifyouobject,letusconsiderthatnothinghasbeensaid.ButIdon"tfancythatthewomenaresomuchinquestionasapoordevilthatLucienpilloriedinhisnewspaper;heisbeggingformercyandpeace.TheBaronduChateletisimbecileenoughtotakethethingseriously.TheMarquised"Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andMme.deMontcornet"ssethavetakenuptheHeron"scause;andIhaveundertakentoreconcilePetrarchandhisLaura——Mme.deBargetonandLucien."

"Aha!"criedLucien,theglowoftheintoxicationofrevengethrobbingfull-pulsedthrougheveryvein."Aha!somyfootisontheirnecks!

Youmakemeadoremypen,worshipmyfriends,bowdowntothefate-

dispensingpowerofthepress.IhavenotwrittenasinglesentenceasyetupontheHeronandtheCuttlefish-bone——Iwillgowithyou,myboy,"hecried,catchingBlondetbythewaist;"yes,Iwillgo;butfirst,thecoupleshallfeeltheweightofTHIS,forsolightasitis."HeflourishedthepenwhichhadwrittenthearticleuponNathan.

"To-morrow,"hecried,"Iwillhurlacoupleofcolumnsattheirheads.Then,weshallsee.Don"tbefrightened,Coralie,itisnotlovebutrevenge;revenge!AndIwillhaveittothefull!"

"Whatamanitis!"saidBlondet."Ifyoubutknew,Lucien,howraresuchexplosionsareinthisjadedParis,youmightappreciateyourself.Youwillbeapreciousscamp"(theactualexpressionwasatriflestronger);"youareinafairwaytobeapowerintheland."

"Hewillgeton,"saidCoralie.

"Well,hehascomeagoodwayalreadyinsixweeks."

"Andifheshouldclimbsohighthathecanreachasceptrebytreadingoveracorpse,heshallhaveCoralie"sbodyforastepping-

stone,"saidthegirl.

"YouareapairofloversoftheGoldenAge,"saidBlondet——"I

congratulateyouonyourbigarticle,"headded,turningtoLucien.

"Therewerealotofnewthingsinit.Youarepastmaster!"

LousteaucalledwithHectorMerlinandVernou.Lucienwasimmenselyflatteredbythisattention.FelicienVernoubroughtahundredfrancsforLucien"sarticle;itwasfeltthatsuchacontributormustbewellpaidtoattachhimtothepaper.

Coralie,lookingroundatthechapterofjournalists,orderedinabreakfastfromtheCadranbleu,thenearestrestaurant,andaskedhervisitorstoadjourntoherhandsomelyfurnisheddining-roomwhenBereniceannouncedthatthemealwasready.Inthemiddleoftherepast,whenthechampagnehadgonetoallheads,themotiveofthevisitcameout.

"YoudonotmeantomakeanenemyofNathan,doyou?"askedLousteau.

"Nathanisajournalist,andhehasfriends;hemightplayyouanuglytrickwithyourfirstbook.YouhaveyourArcherofCharlesIX.tosell,haveyounot?WewentroundtoNathanthismorning;heisinaterribleway.Butyouwillsetaboutanotherarticle,andpuffpraiseinhisface."

"What!Aftermyarticleagainsthisbook,wouldyouhavemesay——"

beganLucien.

Thewholepartycuthimshortwithashoutoflaughter.

"Didyouaskhimtosupperherethedayafterto-morrow?"askedBlondet.

"Youarticlewasnotsigned,"addedLousteau."Felicien,notbeingquitesuchanewhandasyouare,wascarefultoputaninitialCatthebottom.Youcandothatnowwithallyourarticlesinhispaper,whichispureunadulteratedLeft.WeareallofusintheOpposition.

Felicienwastactfulenoughnottocompromiseyourfutureopinions.

Hector"sshopisRightCentre;youmightsignyourworkonitwithanL.Ifyoucutamanup,youdoitanonymously;ifyoupraisehim,itisjustaswelltoputyournametoyourarticle."

"Itisnotthesignaturesthattroubleme,"returnedLucien,"butI

cannotseeanythingtobesaidinfavorofthebook."

"Thendidyoureallythinkasyouwrote?"askedHector.

"Yes."

"Oh!Ithoughtyouwereclevererthanthat,youngster,"saidBlondet.

"No.Uponmyword,asIlookedatthatforeheadofyours,Icreditedyouwiththeomnipotenceofthegreatmind——thepowerofseeingbothsidesofeverything.Inliterature,myboy,everyideaisreversible,andnomancantakeuponhimselftodecidewhichistherightorwrongside.Everythingisbi-lateralinthedomainofthought.Ideasarebinary.JanusisafablesignifyingcriticismandthesymbolofGenius.TheAlmightyaloneistriform.WhatraisesMoliereandCorneilleabovetherestofusbutthefacultyofsayingonethingwithanAlcesteoranOctave,andanotherwithaPhilinteoraCinna?

RousseauwrotealetteragainstduelingintheNouvelleHeloise,andanotherinfavorofit.Whichofthetworepresentedhisownopinion?

willyouventuretotakeituponyourselftodecide?WhichofuscouldgivejudgementforClarissaorLovelace,HectororAchilles?WhowasHomer"shero?WhatdidRichardsonhimselfthink?Itisthefunctionofcriticismtolookataman"sworkinallitsaspects.Wedrawupourcase,inshort."

"Doyoureallysticktoyourwrittenopinions?"askedVernou,withasatiricalexpression."Why,weareretailersofphrases;thatishowwemakealivelihood.Whenyoutrytodoagoodpieceofwork——towriteabook,inshort——youcanputyourthoughts,yourselfintoit,andclingtoit,andfightforit;butasfornewspaperarticles,readto-dayandforgottento-morrow,theyareworthnothinginmyeyesbutthemoneythatispaidforthem.Ifyouattachanyimportancetosuchdrivel,youmightaswellmakethesignoftheCrossandinvokeheavenwhenyousitdowntowriteatradesman"scircular."

EveryoneapparentlywasastonishedatLucien"sscruples.Thelastragsoftheboyishconscienceweretornaway,andhewasinvestedwiththetogavirilisofjournalism.

"DoyouknowwhatNathansaidbywayofcomfortinghimselfafteryourcriticism?"askedLousteau.

"HowshouldIknow?"

"Nathanexclaimed,"Paragraphspassaway;butagreatworklives!"Hewillbeheretosupperintwodays,andhewillbesuretofallflatatyourfeet,andkissyourclaws,andswearthatyouareagreatman."

"Thatwouldbeafunnything,"wasLucien"scomment.

"FUNNY!"repeatedBlondet."Hecan"thelphimself."

"Iamquitewilling,myfriends,"saidLucien,onwhomthewinehadbeguntotakeeffect."ButwhatamItosay?"

"Ohwell,refuteyourselfinthreegoodcolumnsinMerlin"spaper.WehavebeenenjoyingthesightofNathan"swrath;wehavejustbeentellinghimthatheowesusnolittlegratitudeforgettingupahotcontroversythatwillsellhissecondeditioninaweek.Inhiseyesatthispresentmomentyouareaspy,ascoundrel,acaitiffwretch;

thedayafterto-morrowyouwillbeagenius,anuncommonlycleverfellow,oneofPlutarch"smen.Nathanwillhugyouandcallyouhisbestfriend.Dauriathasbeentoseeyou;youhaveyourthreethousandfrancs;youhaveworkedthetrick!NowyouwantNathan"srespectandesteem.Nobodyoughttobeletinexceptthepublisher.Wemustnotimmolateanyonebutanenemy.Weshouldnottalklikethisifitwereaquestionofsomeoutsider,someinconvenientpersonwhohadmadeanameforhimselfwithoutusandwasnotwanted;butNathanisoneofus.BlondetgotsomeonetoattackhimintheMercureforthepleasureofreplyingintheDebats.Forwhichreasonthefirsteditionwentoffatonce."

"Myfriends,uponmywordandhonor,Icannotwritetwowordsinpraiseofthatbook——"

"Youwillhaveanotherhundredfrancs,"interruptedMerlin."Nathanwillhavebroughtyouintenlouisd"or,tosaynothingofanarticlethatyoumightputinFinot"spaper;youwouldgetahundredfrancsforwritingthat,andanotherhundredfrancsfromDauriat——total,twentylouis."

"ButwhatamItosay?"

"Hereisyourwayoutofthedifficulty,"saidBlondet,aftersomethought."Saythattheenvythatfastensonallgoodwork,likewaspsonripefruit,hasattemptedtosetitsfangsinthisproduction.Thecaptiouscritic,tryinghisbesttofindfault,hasbeenobligedtoinventtheoriesforthatpurpose,andhasdrawnadistinctionbetweentwokindsofliterature——"theliteratureofideasandtheliteratureofimagery,"ashecallsthem.Ontheheadsofthat,youngster,saythattogiveexpressiontoideasthroughimageryisthehighestformofart.Trytoshowthatallpoetryissummedupinthat,andlamentthatthereissolittlepoetryinFrench;quoteforeigncriticismsontheunimaginativeprecisionofourstyle,andthenextolM.deCanalisandNathanfortheservicestheyhavedoneFrancebyinfusingalessprosaicspiritintothelanguage.Knockyourpreviousargumenttopiecesbycallingattentiontothefactthatwehavemadeprogresssincetheeighteenthcentury.(Discoverthe"progress,"abeautifulwordtomystifythebourgeoispublic.)Saythatthenewmethodsinliteratureconcentrateallstyles,comedyandtragedy,description,character-drawinganddialogues,inaseriesofpicturessetinthebrilliantframeofaplotwhichholdsthereader"sinterest.TheNovel,whichdemandssentiment,style,andimagery,isthegreatestcreationofmoderndays;itisthesuccessorofstagecomedygrownobsoletewithitsrestrictions.Factsandideasareallwithintheprovinceoffiction.Theintellectofanincisivemoralist,likeLaBruyere,thepoweroftreatingcharacterasMolierecouldtreatit,thegrandmachineryofaShakespeare,togetherwiththeportrayalofthemostsubtleshadesofpassion(theonetreasuryleftuntouchedbyourpredecessors)——forallthisthemodernnovelaffordsfreescope.

Howfarsuperiorisallthistothecut-and-driedlogic-chopping,thecoldanalysistotheeighteenthcentury!——"TheNovel,"saysententiously,"istheEpicgrownamusing."InstanceCorinne,bringMme.deStaeluptosupportyourargument.Theeighteenthcenturycalledallthingsinquestion;itisthetaskofthenineteenthtoconcludeandspeakthelastword;andthelastwordofthenineteenthcenturyhasbeenforrealities——realitieswhichlivehoweverandmove.

Passion,inshort,anelementunknowninVoltaire"sphilosophy,hasbeenbroughtintoplay.HereadiatribeagainstVoltaire,andasforRousseau,hischaractersarepolemicsandsystemsmasquerading.JulieandClaireareentelechies——informingspiritawaitingfleshandbones.

"Youmightslipoffonasideissueatthis,andsaythatweoweanewandoriginalliteraturetothePeaceandtheRestorationoftheBourbons,foryouarewritingforaRightCentrepaper.

"ScoffatFoundersofSystems.Andcrywithaglowoffineenthusiasm,"Hereareerrorsandmisleadingstatementsinabundanceinourcontemporary"swork,andtowhatend?Todepreciateafinework,todeceivethepublic,andtoarriveatthisconclusion——"Abookthatsells,doesnotsell.""Prohpudor!(MindyouputProhpudor!"tisaharmlessexpletivethatstimulatesthereader"sinterest.)Foreseetheapproachingdecadenceofcriticism,infact.Moral——"Thereisbutonekindofliterature,theliteraturewhichaimstoplease.Nathanhasstarteduponanewway;heunderstandshisepochandfulfilstherequirementsofhisage——thedemandfordrama,thenaturaldemandofacenturyinwhichthepoliticalstagehasbecomeapermanentpuppetshow.Havewenotseenfourdramasinascoreofyears——theRevolution,theDirectory,theEmpire,andtheRestoration?"Withthat,wallowindithyrambandeulogy,andthesecondeditionshallvanishlikesmoke.Thisisthewaytodoit.NextSaturdayputareviewinourmagazine,andsignit"deRubempre,"outinfull.

"Inthatfinalarticlesaythat"fineworkalwaysbringsaboutabundantcontroversy.ThisweeksuchandsuchapapercontainedsuchandsuchanarticleonNathan"sbook,andsuchanotherpapermadeavigorousreply."Thenyoucriticisethecritics"C"and"L";paymeapassingcomplimentonthefirstarticleintheDebats,andendbyaverringthatNathan"sworkisthegreatbookoftheepoch;whichisallasifyousaidnothingatall;theysaythesameofeverythingthatcomesout.

"Andso,"continuedBlondet,"youwillhavemadefourhundredfrancsinaweek,tosaynothingofthepleasureofnowandagainsayingwhatyoureallythink.AdiscerningpublicwillmaintainthateitherCorL

orRubempreisintherightofit,ormayhapallthethree.Mythology,beyonddoubtoneofthegrandestinventionsofthehumanbrain,placesTruthatthebottomofawell;andwhatarewetodowithoutbuckets?

Youwillhavesuppliedthepublicwiththreeforone.Thereyouare,myboy,Goahead!"

Lucien"sheadwasswimmingwithbewilderment.Blondetkissedhimonbothcheeks.

"Iamgoingtomyshop,"saidhe.Andeverymanlikewisedepartedtohisshop.Forthese"hommesforts,"anewspaperofficewasnothingbutashop.

TheyweretomeetagainintheeveningattheWoodenGalleries,andLucienwouldsignhistreatyofpeacewithDauriat.FlorineandLousteau,LucienandCoralie,BlondetandFinot,weretodineatthePalais-Royal;duBruelwasgivingthemanagerofthePanorama-

Dramatiqueadinner.

"Theyareright,"exclaimedLucien,whenhewasalonewithCoralie.

"Menaremadetobetoolsinthehandsofstrongerspirits.Fourhundredfrancsforthreearticles!Doguereauwouldscarcelygivemeasmuchforabookwhichcostmetwoyearsofwork."

"Writecriticism,"saidCoralie,"haveagoodtime!Lookatme,IamanAndalusiangirlto-night,to-morrowImaybeagypsy,andamanthenightafter.DoasIdo,givethemgrimacesfortheirmoney,andletuslivehappily."

Lucien,smittenwithloveofParadox,sethimselftomountandridethatunrulyhybridproductofPegasusandBalaam"sass;startedoutatagallopoverthefieldsofthoughtwhilehetookaturnintheBois,anddiscoverednewpossibilitiesinBlondet"soutline.

Hedinedashappypeopledine,andsignedawayallhisrightsintheMarguerites.Itneveroccurredtohimthatanytroublemightarisefromthattransactioninthefuture.Hetookaturnofworkattheoffice,wroteoffacoupleofcolumns,andcamebacktotheRuedeVendome.Nextmorninghefoundthegermsofyesterday"sideashadsprungupanddevelopedinhisbrain,asideasdevelopwhiletheintellectisyetunjadedandthesapisrising;andthoroughlydidheenjoytheprojectionofthisnewarticle.Hethrewhimselfintoitwithenthusiasm.Atthesummonsofthespiritofcontradiction,newcharmsmetbeneathhispen.Hewaswittyandsatirical,herosetoyetnewviewsofsentiment,ofideasandimageryinliterature.Withsubtleingenuity,hewentbacktohisownfirstimpressionsofNathan"swork,whenhereaditinthenewsroomoftheCourduCommerce;andtheruthless,bloodthirstycritic,thelivelymocker,becameapoetinthefinalphraseswhichroseandfellwithmajesticrhythmliketheswayingcenserbeforethealtar.

"Onehundredfrancs,Coralie!"criedhe,holdingupeightsheetsofpapercoveredwithwritingwhileshedressed.

Themoodwasuponhim;hewentontoindite,strokebystroke,thepromisedterriblearticleonChateletandMme.deBargeton.Thatmorningheexperiencedoneofthekeenestpersonalpleasuresofjournalism;heknewwhatitwastoforgetheepigram,towhetandpolishthecoldbladetobesheathedinavictim"sheart,tomakeofthehiltacunningpieceofworkmanshipforthereadertoadmire.Forthepublicadmiresthehandle,thedelicateworkofthebrain,whilethecrueltyisnotapparent;howshouldthepublicknowthatthesteeloftheepigram,temperedinthefireofrevenge,hasbeenplungeddeftly,torankleintheveryquickofavictim"svanity,andisreekingfromwoundsinnumerablewhichithasinflicted?Itisahideousjoy,thatgrim,solitarypleasure,relishedwithoutwitnesses;

itislikeaduelwithanabsentenemy,slainatadistancebyaquill;ajournalistmightreallypossessthemagicalpoweroftalismansinEasterntales.Epigramisdistilledrancor,thequintessenceofahatederivedfromalltheworstpassionsofman,evenasloveconcentratesallthatisbestinhumannature.Themandoesnotexistwhocannotbewittytoavengehimself;and,bythesamerule,thereisnotonetowhomlovedoesnotbringdelight.CheapandeasyasthiskindofwitmaybeinFrance,itisalwaysrelished.

Lucien"sarticlewasdestinedtoraisethepreviousreputationofthepaperforvenomousspiteandevil-speaking.Hisarticleprobedtwoheartstothedepths;itdealtagrievouswoundtoMme.deBargeton,hisLauraofolddays,aswellastohisrival,theBaronduChatelet.

"Well,letusgoforadriveintheBois,"saidCoralie,"thehorsesarefidgeting.Thereisnoneedtokillyourself."

"WewilltakethearticleonNathantoHector.JournalismisreallyverymuchlikeAchilles"lance,itsalvesthewoundsthatitmakes,"

saidLucien,correctingaphrasehereandthere.

TheloversstartedforthinsplendortoshowthemselvestothePariswhichhadbutlatelygivenLucienthecoldshoulder,andnowwasbeginningtotalkabouthim.TohaveParistalkingofyou!andthisafteryouhavelearnedhowlargethegreatcityis,howharditistobeanybodythere——itwasthisthoughtthatturnedLucien"sheadwithexultation.

"Letusgobywayofyourtailor"s,dearboy,andtellhimtobequickwithyourclothes,ortrythemoniftheyareready.Ifyouaregoingtoyourfineladies"houses,youshalleclipsethatmonsterofadeMarsayandyoungRastignacandanyAjuda-PintoorMaximedeTraillesorVandenesseofthemall.RememberthatyourmistressisCoralie!Butyouwillnotplaymeanytricks,eh?"

Twodaysafterwards,ontheeveofthesupper-partyatCoralie"shouse,therewasanewplayattheAmbigu,anditfelltoLucientowritethedramaticcriticism.LucienandCoraliewalkedtogetherafterdinnerfromtheRuedeVendometothePanorama-Dramatique,goingalongtheCafeTurcsideoftheBoulevardduTemple,aloungemuchfrequentedatthattime.Peoplewonderedathisluck,andpraisedCoralie"sbeauty.Chanceremarksreachedhisears;somesaidthatCoraliewasthefinestwomaninParis,othersthatLucienwasamatchforher.Theromanticyouthfeltthathewasinhisatmosphere.Thiswasthelifeforhim.Thebrotherhoodwassofarawaythatitwasalmostoutofsight.Onlytwomonthsago,howhehadlookeduptothoseloftygreatnatures;nowheaskedhimselfiftheywerenotjustatrifleridiculouswiththeirnotionsandtheirPuritanism.Coralie"scarelesswordshadlodgedinLucien"smind,andbegunalreadytobearfruit.HetookCoralietoherdressing-room,andstrolledaboutlikeasultanbehindthescenes;theactressesgavehimburningglancesandflatteringspeeches.

"ImustgototheAmbiguandattendtobusiness,"saidhe.