第17章

Anddoyouknowwhatthenationwillconcludefromthedebate?ThepeoplewillbelievetheinsinuationsoftheLiberalpress;theywillthinkthattheBourbonsmeantoattacktherightsofpropertyacquiredbytheRevolution,andsomefinedaytheywillriseandshakeofftheBourbons.Youarenotonlysoilingyourlife,Lucien,youaregoingovertothelosingside.Youaretooyoung,toolatelyajournalist,toolittleinitiatedintothesecretspringsofmotiveandthetricksofthecraft,youhavearousedtoomuchjealousy,nottofallavictimtothegeneralhueandcrythatwillberaisedagainstyouintheLiberalnewspapers.Youwillbedrawnintothefraybypartyspiritnowstillatfever-heat;thoughthefever,whichspentitselfinviolencein1815and1816,nowappearsindebatesintheChamberandpolemicsinthepapers."

"Iamnotquiteafeatherhead,myfriends,"saidLucien,"thoughyoumaychoosetoseeapoetinme.Whatevermayhappen,IshallgainonesolidadvantagewhichnoLiberalvictorycangiveme.Bythetimeyourvictoryiswon,Ishallhavegainedmyend."

"Wewillcutoff——yourhair,"saidMichelChrestien,withalaugh.

"Ishallhavemychildrenbythattime,"saidLucien;"andifyoucutoffmyhead,itwillnotmatter."

ThethreecouldmakenothingofLucien.Intercoursewiththegreatworldhaddevelopedinhimtheprideofcaste,thevanitiesofthearistocrat.Thepoetthought,andnotwithoutreason,thattherewasafortuneinhisgoodlooksandintellect,accompaniedbythenameandtitleofRubempre.Mme.d"EspardandMme.deBargetonheldhimfastbythisclue,asachildholdsacockchaferbyastring.Lucien"sflightwascircumscribed.Thewords,"Heisoneofus,heissound,"

accidentallyoverheardbutthreedaysagoinMlle.deTouches"salon,hadturnedhishead.TheDucdeLenoncourt,theDucdeNavarreins,theDucdeGrandlieu,Rastignac,Blondet,thelovelyDuchessedeMaufrigneuse,theComted"Escrignon,anddesLupeaulx,allthemostinfluentialpeopleatCourtinfact,hadcongratulatedhimonhisconversion,andcompletedhisintoxication.

"Thenthereisnomoretobesaid,"d"Arthezrejoined."You,ofallmen,willfindithardtokeepcleanhandsandself-respect.Iknowyou,Lucien;youwillfeelitacutelywhenyouaredespisedbytheverymentowhomyouofferyourself."

Thethreetookleave,andnotoneofthemgavehimafriendlyhandshake.Lucienwasthoughtfulandsadforafewminutes.

"Oh!nevermindthoseninnies,"criedCoralie,springinguponhiskneeandputtingherbeautifularmsabouthisneck."Theytakelifeseriously,andlifeisajoke.Besides,youaregoingtobeCountLuciendeRubempre.IwillwheedletheChancellerieifthereisnootherway.IknowhowtocomeroundthatrakeofadesLupeaulx,whowillsignyourpatent.DidInottellyou,Lucien,thatatthelastyoushouldhaveCoralie"sdeadbodyforasteppingstone?"

NextdayLucienallowedhisnametoappearinthelistofcontributorstotheReveil.Hisnamewasannouncedintheprospectuswithaflourishoftrumpets,andtheMinistrytookcarethatahundredthousandcopiesshouldbescatteredabroadfarandwide.TherewasadinneratRobert"s,twodoorsawayfromFrascati"s,tocelebratetheinauguration,andthewholebandofRoyalistwritersforthepresswerepresent.Martainvillewasthere,andAugerandDestains,andahostofothers,stillliving,who"didMonarchyandreligion,"tousethefamiliarexpressioncoinedforthem.Nathanhadalsoenlistedunderthebanner,forhewasthinkingofstartingatheatre,andnotunreasonablyheldthatitwasbettertohavethelicensingauthoritiesforhimthanagainsthim.

"WewillpaytheLiberalsout,"criedMerlin.

"Gentlemen,"saidNathan,"ifweareforwar,letushavewarinearnest;wemustnotcarryitonwithpop-guns.LetusfalluponallClassicalsandLiberalswithoutdistinctionofageorsex,andputthemalltotheswordwithridicule.Theremustbenoquarter."

"Wemustacthonorably;theremustbenobribingwithcopiesofbooksorpresents;notakingmoneyofpublishers.WemustinaugurateaRestorationofJournalism."

"Good!"saidMartainville."Justumettenacempropositivirum!Letusbeimplacableandvirulent.IwillgiveoutLaFayettefortheprinceofharlequinsthatheis!"

"AndIwillundertaketheheroesoftheConstitutionnel,"addedLucien;"SergeantMercier,M.Jouy"sCompleteWorks,and"theillustriousoratorsoftheLeft.""

Awarofexterminationwasunanimouslyresolvedupon,andbyoneo"clockinthemorningallshadesofopinionweremergedanddrowned,togetherwitheveryglimmerofsense,inaflamingbowlofpunch.

"WehavehadafineMonarchicalandReligiousjollification,"remarkedanillustriousrevelerinthedoorwayashewent.

Thatcommentappearedinthenextday"sissueoftheMiroirthroughthegoodofficesofapublisheramongtheguests,andbecamehistoric.

Lucienwassupposedtobethetraitorwhoblabbed.HisdefectiongavethesignalforaterrifichubbubintheLiberalcamp;LucienwasthebuttoftheOppositionnewspapers,andridiculedunmercifully.Thewholehistoryofhissonnetswasgiventothepublic.Dauriatwassaidtopreferafirstlossofathousandcrownstotheriskofpublishingtheverses;Lucienwascalled"thePoetsansSonnets;"andonemorning,inthatverypaperinwhichhehadsobrilliantabeginning,hereadthefollowinglines,significantenoughforhim,butbarelyintelligibletootherreaders:

***"IfM.DauriatpersistentlywithholdstheSonnetsofthefuturePetrarchfrompublication,wewillactlikegenerousfoes.

Wewillopenourowncolumnstohispoems,whichmustbepiquantindeed,tojudgebythefollowingspecimenobliginglycommunicatedbyafriendoftheauthor."

Andcloseuponthatominousprefacefollowedasonnetentitled"TheThistle"(leChardon):

Achance-comeseedling,springinguponedayAmongtheflowersinagardenfair,MadeboastthatsplendidcolorsbrightandrareItsclaimstoloftylineageshoulddisplay.

Soforawhiletheysufferedittostay;

Butwithsuchinsolenceitflourishedthere,That,outofpatiencewithitsbraggart"sair,Theybadeitproveitsclaimswithoutdelay.

Itbloomedforthwith;butne"erwasblunderingclownUpontheboardsmorepromptlyhooteddown;

Thesisterflowersbegantojeerandlaugh.

Theownerflungitout.AtcloseofdayAsolitaryjackasscametobray——

AcommonThistle"sfittingepitaph.

Lucienreadthewordsthroughscaldingtears.

VernoutouchedelsewhereonLucien"sgamblingpropensities,andspokeoftheforthcomingArcherofCharlesIX.as"anti-national"initstendency,thewritersidingwithCatholiccut-throatsagainsttheirCalvinistvictims.

Anotherweekfoundthequarrelembittered.LucienhadcounteduponhisfriendEtienne;Etienneowedhimathousandfrancs,andtherehadbeenbesidesaprivateunderstandingbetweenthem;butEtienneLousteauduringtheintervalbecamehisswornfoe,andthiswasthemannerofit.

ForthepastthreemonthsNathanhadbeensmittenwithFlorine"scharms,andmuchatalosshowtoridhimselfofLousteauhisrival,whowasinfactdependentupontheactress.AndnowcameNathan"sopportunity,whenFlorinewasfranticwithdistressoverthefailureofthePanorama-Dramatique,whichleftherwithoutanengagement.HewentasLucien"scolleaguetobegCoralietoaskforapartforFlorineinaplayofhiswhichwasabouttobeproducedattheGymnase.ThenNathanwenttoFlorineandmadecapitalwithheroutoftheservicedonebythepromiseofaconditionalengagement.AmbitionturnedFlorine"shead;shedidnothesitate.ShehadhadtimetogaugeLousteauprettythoroughly.Lousteau"scourseswereweakeninghiswill,andherewasNathanwithhisambitionsinpoliticsandliterature,andenergiesstrongashiscravings.Florineproposedtoreappearonthestagewithrenewedeclat,soshehandedoverMatifat"scorrespondencetoNathan.NathandroveabargainforthemwithMatifat,andtookthesixthshareofFinot"sreviewinexchangeforthecompromisingbillets.Afterthis,FlorinewasinstalledinsumptuouslyfurnishedapartmentsintheRueHauteville,whereshetookNathanforherprotectorinthefaceofthetheatricalandjournalisticworld.

Lousteauwasterriblyovercome.Hewept(towardsthecloseofadinnergivenbyhisfriendstoconsolehiminhisaffliction).InthecourseofthatbanquetitwasdecidedthatNathanhadnotactedunfairly;

severalwriterspresent——FinotandVernou,forinstance,——knewofFlorine"sfervidadmirationfordramaticliterature;buttheyallagreedthatLucienhadbehavedveryillwhenhearrangedthatbusinessattheGymnase;hehadindeedbrokenthemostsacredlawsoffriendship.Party-spiritandzealtoservehisnewfriendshadledtheRoyalistpoetontosinbeyondforgiveness.

"Nathanwascarriedawaybypassion,"pronouncedBixiou,"whilethis"distinguishedprovincial,"asBlondetcallshim,issimplyschemingforhisownselfishends."

Andsoitcametopassthatdeepplotswerelaidbyallpartiesaliketoridthemselvesofthislittleupstartintruderofapoetwhowantedtoeateverybodyup.VernouboreLucienapersonalgrudge,andundertooktokeepatighthandonhim;andFinotdeclaredthatLucienhadbetrayedthesecretofthecombinationagainstMatifat,andtherebyswindledhim(Finot)outoffiftythousandfrancs.Nathan,actingonFlorine"sadvice,gainedFinot"ssupportbysellinghimthesixthshareforfifteenthousandfrancs,andLousteauconsequentlylosthiscommission.Histhousandcrownshadvanishedaway;hecouldnotforgiveLucienforthistreacherousblow(ashesupposedit)dealttohisinterests.Thewoundsofvanityrefusetohealifoxideofsilvergetsintothem.

Nowords,noamountofdescription,candepictthewrathofanauthorinaparoxysmofmortifiedvanity,northeenergywhichhediscoverswhenstungbythepoisoneddartsofsarcasm;but,ontheotherhand,themanthatisrousedtofighting-furybyapersonalattackusuallysubsidesverypromptly.Themorephlegmaticrace,whotakethesethingsquietly,laytheiraccountwiththeoblivionwhichspeedilyovertakesthespitefularticle.Thesearethetrulycourageousmenofletters;andiftheweaklingsseematfirsttobethestrongmen,theycannotholdoutforanylengthoftime.

Duringthatfirstfortnight,whilethefurywasuponhim,LucienpouredaperfecthailstormofarticlesintotheRoyalistpapers,inwhichhesharedtheresponsibilitiesofcriticismwithHectorMerlin.

Hewasalwaysinthebreach,poundingawaywithallhismightintheReveil,backedupbyMartainville,theonlyoneamonghisassociateswhostoodbyhimwithoutanafterthought.Martainvillewasnotinthesecretofcertainunderstandingsmadeandratifiedamidafter-dinnerjokes,oratDauriat"sintheWoodenGalleries,orbehindthescenesattheVaudeville,whenjournalistsofeithersidemetonneutralground.

WhenLucienwenttothegreenroomoftheVaudeville,hemetwithnowelcome;themenofhisownpartyheldoutahandtoshake,theotherscuthim;andallthewhileHectorMerlinandTheodoreGaillardfraternizedunblushinglywithFinot,Lousteau,andVernou,andtherestofthejournalistswhowereknownfor"goodfellows."

ThegreenroomoftheVaudevilleinthosedayswasahotbedofgossip,aswellasaneutralgroundwheremenofeveryshadeofopinioncouldmeet;somuchsothatthePresidentofacourtoflaw,afterreprovingalearnedbrotherinacertaincouncilchamberfor"sweepingthegreenroomwithhisgown,"metthesubjectofhisstrictures,gowntogown,inthegreenroomoftheVaudeville.Lousteau,intime,shookhandsagainwithNathan;Finotcamethitheralmosteveryevening;andLucien,wheneverhecouldsparethetime,wenttotheVaudevilletowatchtheenemies,whoshowednosignofrelentingtowardstheunfortunateboy.

InthetimeoftheRestorationpartyhatredwasfarmorebitterthaninourday.Intensityoffeelingisdiminishedinourhigh-pressureage.Thecriticcutsabooktopiecesandshakeshandswiththeauthorafterwards,andthevictimmustkeepongoodtermswithhisslaughterer,orrunthegantletofinnumerablejokesathisexpense.

Ifherefuses,heisunsociable,eatenupwithself-love,heissulkyandrancorous,hebearsmalice,heisabadbed-fellow.To-dayletanauthorreceiveatreacherousstabintheback,lethimavoidthesnaressetforhimwithbasehypocrisy,andendurethemostunhandsometreatment,hemuststillexchangegreetingswithhisassassin,who,forthatmatter,claimstheesteemandfriendshipofhisvictim.

Everythingcanbeexcusedandjustifiedinanagewhichhastransformedviceintovirtueandvirtueintovice.Good-fellowshiphascometobethemostsacredofourliberties;therepresentativesofthemostoppositeopinionscourteouslyblunttheedgeoftheirwords,andfencewithbuttonedfoils.ButinthosealmostforgottendaysthesametheatrecouldscarcelyholdcertainRoyalistandLiberaljournalists;themostmalignantprovocationwasoffered,glanceswerelikepistol-shots,theleastsparkproducedanexplosionofquarrel.

Whohasnotheardhisneighbor"shalf-smotheredoathontheentranceofsomemanintheforefrontofthebattleontheopposingside?Therewerebuttwoparties——RoyalistsandLiberals,ClassicsandRomantics.

Youfoundthesamehatredmasqueradingineitherform,andnolongerwonderedatthescaffoldsoftheConvention.

LucienhadbeenaLiberalandahotVoltairean;nowhewasarabidRoyalistandaRomantic.Martainville,theonlyoneamonghiscolleagueswhoreallylikedhimandstoodbyhimloyally,wasmorehatedbytheLiberalsthananymanontheRoyalistside,andthisfactdrewdownallthehateoftheLiberalsonLucien"shead.

Martainville"sstaunchfriendshipinjuredLucien.Politicalpartiesshowscantygratitudetooutpostsentinels,andleaveleadersofforlornhopestotheirfate;"tisaruleofwarfarewhichholdsequallygoodinmatterspolitical,tokeepwiththemainbodyofthearmyifyoumeantosucceed.ThespiteofthesmallLiberalpapersfastenedatonceontheopportunityofcouplingthetwonames,andflungthemintoeachother"sarms.Theirfriendship,realorimaginary,broughtdownuponthembothaseriesofarticleswrittenbypensdippedingall.FelicienVernouwasfuriouswithjealousyofLucien"ssocialsuccess;andbelieved,likeallhisoldassociates,inthepoet"sapproachingelevation.

ThefictionofLucien"streasonwasembellishedwitheverykindofaggravatingcircumstance;hewascalledJudastheLess,MartainvillebeingJudastheGreat,forMartainvillewassupposed(rightlyorwrongly)tohavegivenuptheBridgeofPecqtotheforeigninvaders.

LuciensaidjestinglytodesLupeaulxthathehimself,surely,hadgivenuptheAsses"Bridge.

Lucien"sluxuriouslife,hollowthoughitwas,andfoundedonexpectations,hadestrangedhisfriends.Theycouldnotforgivehimforthecarriagewhichhehadputdown——forthemhewasstillrollingaboutinit——noryetforthesplendorsoftheRuedeVendomewhichhehadleft.Allofthemfeltinstinctivelythatnothingwasbeyondthereachofthisyoungandhandsomepoet,withintellectenoughandtospare;theythemselveshadtrainedhimincorruption;and,therefore,theyleftnostoneunturnedtoruinhim.

SomefewdaysbeforeCoralie"sfirstappearanceattheGymnase,LucienandHectorMerlinwentarm-in-armtotheVaudeville.MerlinwasscoldinghisfriendforgivingahelpinghandtoNathaninFlorine"saffair.

"YouthenandtheremadetwomortalenemiesofLousteauandNathan,"

hesaid."Igaveyougoodadvice,andyoutooknonoticeofit.Yougavepraise,youdidthemagoodturn——youwillbewellpunishedforyourkindness.FlorineandCoraliewillneverliveinpeaceonthesamestage;bothwillwishtobefirst.YoucanonlydefendCoralieinourpapers;andNathannotonlyhasapullasadramaticauthor,hecancontrolthedramaticcriticismintheLiberalnewspapers.Hehasbeenajournalistalittlelongerthanyou!"

ThewordsrespondedtoLucien"sinwardmisgivings.NeitherNathannorGaillardwastreatinghimwiththefranknesswhichhehadarighttoexpect,butsonewaconvertcouldhardlycomplain.GaillardutterlyconfoundedLucienbysayingroundlythatnewcomersmustgiveproofsoftheirsincerityforsometimebeforetheirpartycouldtrustthem.

TherewasmorejealousythanhehadimaginedintheinnercirclesofRoyalistandMinisterialjournalism.Thejealousyofcursfightingforaboneisapttoappearinthehumanspecieswhenthereisaloaftodivide;thereisthesamegrowlingandshowingofteeth,thesamecharacteristicscomeout.

Ineverypossiblewaythesewritersofarticlestriedtoinjureeachotherwiththoseinpower;theybroughtreciprocalaccusationsoflukewarmzeal;theyinventedthemosttreacherouswaysofgettingridofarival.TherehadbeennoneofthisinternecinewarfareamongtheLiberals;theyweretoofarfrompower,toohopelesslyoutoffavor;

andLucien,amidtheinextricabletangleofambitions,hadneitherthecouragetodrawswordandcuttheknot,orthepatiencetounravelit.

HecouldnotbetheBeaumarchais,theAretino,theFreronofhisepoch;hewasnotmadeofsuchstuff;hethoughtofnothingbuthisonedesire,thepatentofnobility;forhesawclearlythatforhimsucharestorationmeantawealthymarriage,and,thetitleoncesecured,chanceandhisgoodlookswoulddotherest.Thiswasallhisplan,andEtienneLousteau,whohadconfidedsomuchtohim,knewhissecret,knewhowtodealadeathblowtothepoetofAngouleme.Thatverynight,asLucienandMerlinwenttotheVaudeville,Etiennehadlaidaterribletrap,intowhichaninexperiencedboycouldnotbutfall.

"HereisourhandsomeLucien,"saidFinot,drawingdesLupeaulxinthedirectionofthepoet,andshakinghandswithfelineamiability."I

cannotthinkofanotherexampleofsuchrapidsuccess,"continuedFinot,lookingfromdesLupeaulxtoLucien."TherearetwosortsofsuccessinParis:thereisafortuneinsolidcash,whichanyonecanamass,andthereistheintangiblefortuneofconnections,position,orafootingincertaincirclesinaccessibleforcertainpersons,howeverrichtheymaybe.Nowmyfriendhere——"

"Ourfriend,"interposeddesLupeaulx,smilingblandly.

"Ourfriend,"repeatedFinot,pattingLucien"shand,"hasmadeabrilliantsuccessfromthispointofview.Truthtotell,Lucienhasmoreinhim,moregift,morewitthantherestofusthatenvyhim,andheisenchantinglyhandsomebesides;hisoldfriendscannotforgivehimforhissuccess——theycallitluck."

"Luckofthatsortnevercomestofoolsorincapables,"saiddesLupeaulx."CanyoucallBonaparte"sfortuneluck,eh?TherewereascoreofapplicantsforthecommandofthearmyinItaly,justasthereareahundredyoungmenatthismomentwhowouldliketohaveanentrancetoMlle.desTouches"house;peoplearecouplinghernamewithyoursalreadyinsociety,mydearboy,"saiddesLupeaulx,clappingLucienontheshoulder."Ah!youareinhighfavor.Mme.

d"Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andMme.deMontcornetarewildaboutyou.

YouaregoingtoMme.Firmiani"spartyto-night,areyounot,andtotheDuchessedeGrandlieu"sroutto-morrow?"

"Yes,"saidLucien.

"Allowmetointroduceayoungbankertoyou,aM.duTillet;yououghttobeacquainted,hehascontrivedtomakeagreatfortuneinashorttime."

LucienandduTilletbowed,andenteredintoconversation,andthebankeraskedLucientodinner.FinotanddesLupeaulx,awell-matchedpair,kneweachotherwellenoughtokeepupongoodterms;theyturnedawaytocontinuetheirchatononeofthesofasinthegreenroom,andleftLucienwithduTillet,Merlin,andNathan.

"Bytheway,myfriend,"saidFinot,"tellmehowthingsstand.IstherereallysomebodybehindLucien?Forheisthebetenoireofmystaff;andbeforeallowingthemtoplotagainsthim,IthoughtI

shouldliketoknowwhether,inyouropinion,itwouldbebettertobafflethemandkeepwellwithhim."

TheMasterofRequestsandFinotlookedateachotherverycloselyforamomentortwo.

"Mydearfellow,"saiddesLupeaulx,"howcanyouimaginethattheMarquised"Espard,orChatelet,orMme.deBargeton——whohasprocuredtheBaron"snominationtotheprefectureandthetitleofCount,soastoreturnintriumphtoAngouleme——howcanyousupposethatanyofthemwillforgiveLucienforhisattacksonthem?TheydroppedhimdownintheRoyalistrankstocrushhimoutofexistence.Atthismomenttheyarelookingroundforanyexcusefornotfulfillingthepromisestheymadetothatboy.Helpthemtosome;youwilldothegreatestpossibleservicetothetwowomen,andsomedayorothertheywillrememberit.Iamintheirsecrets;Iwassurprisedtofindhowmuchtheyhatedthelittlefellow.ThisLucienmighthaveridhimselfofhisbitterestenemy(Mme.deBargeton)bydesistingfromhisattacksontermswhichawomanlovestogrant——doyoutakeme?Heisyoungandhandsome,heshouldhavedrownedherhateintorrentsoflove,hewouldbeComtedeRubemprebythistime;theCuttlefish-bonewouldhaveobtainedsomesinecureforhim,somepostintheRoyalHousehold.LucienwouldhavemadeaveryprettyreadertoLouisXVIII.;hemighthavebeenlibrariansomewhereorother,MasterofRequestsforajoke,MasterofRevels,whatyouplease.Theyoungfoolhasmissedhischance.Perhapsthatishisunpardonablesin.Insteadofimposinghisconditions,hehasacceptedthem.WhenLucienwascaughtwiththebaitofthepatentofnobility,theBaronChateletmadeagreatstep.Coraliehasbeentheruinofthatboy.Ifhehadnothadtheactressforhismistress,hewouldhaveturnedagaintotheCuttlefish-bone;andhewouldhavehadhertoo."

"Thenwecanknockhimover?"

"How?"desLupeaulxaskedcarelessly.HesawawayofgainingcreditwiththeMarquised"Espardforthisservice.

"HeisundercontracttowriteforLousteau"spaper,andwecanthebetterholdhimtohisagreementbecausehehasnotasou.IfwetickleuptheKeeperoftheSealswithafacetiousarticle,andprovethatLucienwroteit,hewillconsiderthatLucienisunworthyoftheKing"sfavor.Wehaveaplotonhandbesides.Coraliewillberuined,andourdistinguishedprovincialwilllosehisheadwhenhismistressishissedoffthestageandleftwithoutanengagement.Whenoncethepatentissuspended,wewilllaughatthevictim"saristocraticpretensions,andalludetohismotherthenurseandhisfathertheapothecary.Lucien"scourageisonlyskindeep,hewillcollapse;wewillsendhimbacktohisprovinces.NathanmadeFlorinesellmeMatifat"ssixthshareofthereview,Iwasabletobuy;DauriatandI

aretheonlyproprietorsnow;wemightcometoanunderstanding,youandI,andthereviewmightbetakenoverforthebenefitoftheCourt.IstipulatedfortherestitutionofmysixthbeforeIundertooktoprotectNathanandFlorine;theyletmehaveit,andImusthelpthem;butIwishedtoknowfirsthowLucienstood——"

"Youdeserveyourname,"saiddesLupeaulx."Ilikeamanofyoursort——"

"Verywell.ThencanyouarrangeadefiniteengagementforFlorine?"

askedFinot.

"Yes,butridusofLucien,forRastignacanddeMarsayneverwishtohearofhimagain."

"Sleepinpeace,"returnedFinot."NathanandMerlinwillalwayshavearticlesreadyforGaillard,whowillpromisetotakethem;Lucienwillnevergetalineintothepaper.Wewillcutoffhissupplies.

ThereisonlyMartainville"spaperlefthiminwhichtodefendhimselfandCoralie;whatcanasinglepaperdoagainstsomany?"

"IwillletyouknowtheweakpointsoftheMinistry;butgetLucientowritethatarticleandhandoverthemanuscript,"saiddesLupeaulx,whorefrainedcarefullyfrominformingFinotthatLucien"spromisedpatentwasnothingbutajoke.

WhendesLupeaulxhadgone,FinotwenttoLucien,andtakingthegood-

naturedtonewhichdeceivessomanyvictims,heexplainedthathecouldnotpossiblyaffordtolosehiscontributor,andatthesametimeheshrankfromtakingproceedingswhichmightruinhimwithhisfriendsoftheotherside.Finothimselflikedamanwhowasstrongenoughtochangehisopinions.Theywereprettysuretocomeacrossoneanother,heandLucien,andmightbemutuallyhelpfulinathousandlittleways.Lucien,besides,neededasuremanintheLiberalpartytoattacktheUltrasandmeninofficewhomightrefusetohelphim.

"Supposethattheyplayyoufalse,whatwillyoudo?"Finotended.

"SupposethatsomeMinisterfanciesthathehasyoufastbythehalterofyourapostasy,andturnsthecoldshoulderonyou?Youwillbegladtosetonafewdogstosnapathislegs,willyounot?Verywell.ButyouhavemadeadeadlyenemyofLousteau;heisthirstingforyourblood.YouandFelicienarenotonspeakingterms.Ionlyremaintoyou.Itisaruleofthecrafttokeepagoodunderstandingwitheverymanofrealability.Intheworldwhichyouareabouttoenteryoucandomeservicesinreturnforminewiththepress.Butbusinessfirst.

Letmehavepurelyliteraryarticles;theywillnotcompromiseyou,andweshallhaveexecutedouragreement."

Luciensawnothingbutgood-fellowshipandashrewdeyetobusinessinFinot"soffer;FinotanddesLupeaulxhadflatteredhim,andhewasinagoodhumor.HeactuallythankedFinot!

Ambitiousmen,likeallthosewhocanonlymaketheirwaybythehelpofothersandofcircumstances,areboundtolaytheirplansverycarefullyandtoadhereverycloselytothecourseofconductonwhichtheydetermine;itisacruelmomentinthelivesofsuchaspirantswhensomeunknownpowerbringsthefabricoftheirfortunestosomeseveretestandeverythinggiveswayatonce;threadsaresnappedorentangled,andmisfortuneappearsoneveryside.Letamanlosehisheadintheconfusion,itisalloverwithhim;butifhecanresistthisfirstrevoltofcircumstances,ifhecanstanderectuntilthetempestpassesover,ormakeasupremeeffortandreachtheserenesphereaboutthestorm——thenheisreallystrong.Toeveryman,unlessheisbornrich,therecomessoonerorlater"hisfatalweek,"asitmustbecalled.ForNapoleon,forinstance,thatweekwastheRetreatfromMoscow.IthadbegunnowforLucien.

Socialandliterarysuccesshadcometohimtooeasily;hehadhadsuchluckthathewasboundtoknowreversesandtoseemenandcircumstancesturnagainsthim.

Thefirstblowwastheheaviestandthemostkeenlyfelt,forittouchedLucienwherehethoughthimselfinvulnerable——inhisheartandhislove.Coraliemightnotbeclever,butherswasanoblenature,andshepossessedthegreatactress"facultyofsuddenlystandingalooffromself.Thisstrangephenomenonissubject,untilitdegeneratesintoahabitwithlongpractice,tothecapricesofcharacter,andnotseldomtoanadmirabledelicacyoffeelinginactresseswhoarestillyoung.Coralie,toallappearanceboldandwanton,asthepartrequired,wasinrealitygirlishandtimid,andlovehadwroughtinherarevulsionofherwoman"sheartagainstthecomedian"smask.Art,thesupremeartoffeigningpassionandfeeling,hadnotyettriumphedovernatureinher;sheshrankbeforeagreataudiencefromtheutterancethatbelongstoLovealone;andCoraliesufferedbesidesfromanothertruewoman"sweakness——sheneededsuccess,bornstagequeenthoughshewas.Shecouldnotconfrontanaudiencewithwhichshewasoutofsympathy;shewasnervouswhensheappearedonthestage,acoldreceptionparalyzedher.Eachnewpartgavehertheterriblesensationsofafirstappearance.Applauseproducedasortofintoxicationwhichgaveherencouragementwithoutflatteringhervanity;atamurmurofdissatisfactionorbeforeasilenthouse,sheflagged;butagreataudiencefollowingattentively,admiringly,willingtobepleased,electrifiedCoralie.Shefeltatonceincommunicationwiththenoblerqualitiesofallthoselisteners;shefeltthatshepossessedthepowerofstirringtheirsoulsandcarryingthemwithher.Butifthisactionandreactionoftheaudienceupontheactressrevealsthenervousorganizationofgenius,itshowsnolessclearlythepoorchild"ssensitivenessanddelicacy.Lucienhaddiscoveredthetreasuresofhernature;hadlearnedinthepastmonthsthatthiswomanwholovedhimwasstillsomuchofagirl.AndCoraliewasunskilledinthewilesofanactress——

shecouldnotfightherownbattlesnorprotectherselfagainstthemachinationsofjealousybehindthescenes.Florinewasjealousofher,andFlorinewasasdangerousanddepravedasCoraliewassimpleandgenerous.RolesmustcometofindCoralie;shewastooproudtoimploreauthorsortosubmittodishonoringconditions;shewouldnotgiveherselftothefirstjournalistwhopersecutedherwithhisadvancesandthreatenedherwithhispen.Geniusisrareenoughintheextraordinaryartofthestage;butgeniusisonlyoneconditionofsuccessamongmany,andispositivelyhurtfulunlessitisaccompaniedbyageniusforintrigueinwhichCoraliewasutterlylacking.

LucienknewhowmuchhisfriendwouldsufferonherfirstappearanceattheGymnase,andwasanxiousatallcoststoobtainasuccessforher;butallthemoneyremainingfromthesaleofthefurnitureandallLucien"searningshadbeensunkincostumes,inthefurnitureofadressing-room,andtheexpensesofafirstappearance.

Afewdayslater,Lucienmadeuphismindtoahumiliatingstepforlove"ssake.HetookFendantandCavalier"sbills,andwenttotheGoldenCocoonintheRuedesBourdonnais.HewouldaskCamusottodiscountthem.Thepoethadnotfallensolowthathecouldmakethisattemptquitecoolly.Therehadbeenmanyasharpstrugglefirst,andthewaytothatdecisionhadbeenpavedwithmanydreadfulthoughts.

Nevertheless,hearrivedatlastinthedark,cheerlesslittleprivateofficethatlookedoutuponayard,andfoundCamusotseatedgravelythere;thiswasnotCoralie"sinfatuatedadorer,nottheeasy-natured,indolent,incredulouslibertinewhomhehadknownhithertoasCamusot,butaheavyfatherofafamily,amerchantgrownoldinshrewdexpedientsofbusinessandrespectablevirtues,wearingamagistrate"smaskofjudicialprudery;thisCamusotwasthecool,business-likeheadofthefirmsurroundedbyclerks,greencardboardboxes,pigeonholes,invoices,andsamples,andfortifiedbythepresenceofawifeandaplainly-dresseddaughter.Lucientrembledfromheadtofootasheapproached;fortheworthymerchant,likethemoney-lenders,turnedcool,indifferenteyesuponhim.

"Herearetwoorthreebills,monsieur,"hesaid,standingbesidethemerchant,whodidnotrisefromhisdesk."Ifyouwilltakethemofme,youwillobligemeextremely."

"YouhavetakensomethingofME,monsieur,"saidCamusot;"Idonotforgetit."

Onthis,LucienexplainedCoralie"spredicament.Hespokeinalowvoice,bendingtomurmurhisexplanation,sothatCamusotcouldheartheheavythrobbingofthehumiliatedpoet"sheart.ItwasnopartofCamusot"splansthatCoralieshouldsufferacheck.Helistened,smilingtohimselfoverthesignaturesonthebills(for,asajudgeattheTribunalofCommerce,heknewhowthebooksellersstood),butintheendhegaveLucienfourthousandfivehundredfrancsforthem,stipulatingthatheshouldaddtheformula"Forvaluereceivedinsilks."

LucienwentstraighttoBraulard,andmadearrangementsforagoodreception.Braulardpromisedtocometothedress-rehearsal,todetermineonthepointswherehis"Romans"shouldworktheirfleshyclapperstobringdownthehouseinapplause.LuciengavetherestofthemoneytoCoralie(hedidnottellherhowhehadcomebyit),andallayedheranxietiesandthefearsofBerenice,whowassorelytroubledovertheirdailyexpenses.

MartainvillecameseveraltimestohearCoralierehearse,andheknewmoreofthestagethanmostmenofhistime;severalRoyalistwritershadpromisedfavorablearticles;Lucienhadnotasuspicionoftheimpendingdisaster.

AfataleventoccurredontheeveningbeforeCoralie"sdebut.

D"Arthez"sbookhadappeared;andtheeditorofMerlin"spaper,consideringLucientobethebestqualifiedmanonthestaff,gavehimthebooktoreview.HeowedhisunluckyreputationtothosearticlesonNathan"swork.Therewereseveralmenintheofficeatthetime,forallthestaffhadbeensummoned;MartainvillewasexplainingthatthepartywarfarewiththeLiberalsmustbewagedoncertainlines.

Nathan,Merlin,allthecontributors,infact,weretalkingofLeonGiraud"spaper,andremarkingthatitsinfluencewasthemoreperniciousbecausethelanguagewasguarded,cool,moderate.PeoplewerebeginningtospeakofthecircleintheRuedesQuatre-VentsasasecondConvention.IthadbeendecidedthattheRoyalistpapersweretowageasystematicwarofexterminationagainstthesedangerousopponents,who,indeed,atalaterday,weredestinedtosowthedoctrinesthatdrovetheBourbonsintoexile;butthatwasonlyafterthemostbrilliantofRoyalistwritershadjoinedthemforthesakeofameanrevenge.

D"Arthez"sabsolutistopinionswerenotknown;itwastakenforgrantedthathesharedtheviewsofhisclique,hefellunderthesameanathema,andhewastobethefirstvictim.Hisbookwastobehonoredwith"aslashingarticle,"tousetheconsecratedformula.

Lucienrefusedtowritethearticle.GreatwasthecommotionamongtheleadingRoyalistwritersthusmetinconclave.Lucienwastoldplainlythatarenegadecouldnotdoashepleased;ifitdidnotsuithisviewstotakethesideoftheMonarchyandReligion,hecouldgobacktotheothercamp.MerlinandMartainvilletookhimasideandbeggedhim,ashisfriends,torememberthathewouldsimplyhandCoralieovertothetendermerciesoftheLiberalpapers,forshewouldfindnochampionsontheRoyalistandMinisterialside.Heractingwascertaintoprovokeahotbattle,andthekindofdiscussionwhicheveryactresslongstoarouse.

"Youdon"tunderstanditintheleast,"saidMartainville;"ifsheplaysforthreemonthsamidacross-fireofcriticism,shewillmakethirtythousandfrancswhenshegoesontourintheprovincesattheendoftheseason;andhereareyouabouttosacrificeCoralieandyourownfuture,andtoquarrelwithyourownbreadandbutter,allforascruplethatwillalwaysstandinyourway,andoughttobegotridofatonce."

Lucienwasforcedtochoosebetweend"ArthezandCoralie.Hismistresswouldberuinedunlesshedealthisfriendadeath-blowintheReveilandthegreatnewspaper.Poorpoet!Hewenthomewithdeathinhissoul;andbythefiresidehesatandreadthatfinestproductionofmodernliterature.Tearsfellfastoveritasthepagesturned.Foralongwhilehehesitated,butatlasthetookupthepenandwroteasarcasticarticleofthekindthatheunderstoodsowell,takingthebookaschildrenmighttakesomebrightbirdtostripitofitsplumageandtortureit.Hissardonicjestsweresuretotell.Againheturnedtothebook,andashereaditoverasecondtime,hisbetterselfawoke.InthedeadofnighthehurriedacrossParis,andstoodoutsided"Arthez"shouse.Helookedupatthewindowsandsawthefaintpuregleamoflightinthepanes,ashehadsooftenseenit,withafeelingofadmirationforthenoblesteadfastnessofthattrulygreatnature.Forsomemomentshestoodirresoluteonthecurbstone;

hehadnotcouragetogofurther;buthisgoodangelurgedhimon.Hetappedatthedoorandopened,andfoundd"Arthezsittingreadinginafirelessroom.

"Whathashappened?"askedd"Arthez,fornewsofsomedreadfulkindwasvisibleinLucien"sghastlyface.

"Yourbookissublime,d"Arthez,"saidLucien,withtearsinhiseyes,"andtheyhaveorderedmetowriteanattackuponit."

"Poorboy!thebreadthattheygiveyouishardindeed!"saidd"Arthez"Ionlyaskforonefavor,keepmyvisitasecretandleavemetomyhell,totheoccupationsofthedamned.Perhapsitisimpossibletoattaintosuccessuntiltheheartissearedandcallousineverymostsensitivespot."

"Thesameasever!"criedd"Arthez.

"Doyouthinkmeabasepoltroon?No,d"Arthez;no,Iamaboyhalfcrazedwithlove,"andhetoldhisstory.

"Letuslookatthearticle,"saidd"Arthez,touchedbyallthatLuciensaidofCoralie.

Lucienheldoutthemanuscript;d"Arthezread,andcouldnothelpsmiling.

"Oh,whatafatalwasteofintellect!"hebegan.ButatthesightofLucienovercomewithgriefintheoppositearmchair,hecheckedhimself.

"Willyouleaveitwithmetocorrect?Iwillletyouhaveitagainto-morrow,"hewenton."Flippancydepreciatesawork;seriousandconscientiouscriticismissometimespraiseinitself.Iknowawaytomakeyourarticlemorehonorablebothforyourselfandforme.

Besides,Iknowmyfaultswellenough."

"Whenyouclimbahot,shadowlesshillside,yousometimesfindfruittoquenchyourtorturingthirst;andIhavefoundithereandnow,"

saidLucien,ashesprangsobbingtod"Arthez"sarmsandkissedhisfriendontheforehead."ItseemstomethatIamleavingmyconscienceinyourkeeping;somedayIwillcometoyouandaskforitagain."

"Ilookuponaperiodicalrepentanceasgreathypocrisy,"d"Arthezsaidsolemnly;"repentancebecomesasortofindemnityforwrongdoing.

Repentanceisvirginityofthesoul,whichwemustkeepforGod;amanwhorepentstwiceisahorriblesycophant.Iamafraidthatyouregardrepentanceasabsolution."

LucienwentslowlybacktotheRuedelaLune,strickendumbbythosewords.

Nextmorningd"Arthezsentbackhisarticle,recastthroughout,andLuciensentitintothereview;butfromthatdaymelancholypreyeduponhim,andhecouldnotalwaysdisguisehismood.Thatevening,whenthetheatrewasfull,heexperiencedforthefirsttimetheparoxysmofnervousterrorcausedbyadebut;terroraggravatedinhiscasebyallthestrengthofhislove.Vanityofeverykindwasinvolved.Helookedovertherowsoffacesasacriminaleyesthejudgesandthejuryonwhomhislifedepends.Amurmurwouldhavesethimquivering;anyslightincidentuponthestage,Coralie"sexitsandentrances,theslightestmodulationofthetonesofhervoice,wouldperturbhimbeyondallreason.

TheplayinwhichCoraliemadeherfirstappearanceattheGymnasewasapieceofthekindwhichsometimesfallsflatatfirst,andafterwardshasimmensesuccess.Itfellflatthatnight.Coraliewasnotapplaudedwhenshecameon,andthechillyreceptionreacteduponher.TheonlyapplausecamefromCamusot"sbox,andvariouspersonspostedinthebalconyandgalleriessilencedCamusotwithrepeatedcriesof"Hush!"Thegalleriesevensilencedtheclaqueurswhentheyledoffwithexaggeratedsalvos.Martainvilleapplaudedbravely;

Nathan,Merlin,andthetreacherousFlorinefollowedhisexample;butitwasclearthatthepiecewasafailure.AcrowdgatheredinCoralie"sdressing-roomandconsoledher,tillshehadnocourageleft.Shewenthomeindespair,lessforherownsakethanforLucien"s.

"Braulardhasbetrayedus,"Luciensaid.

Coraliewasheartstricken.Thenextdayfoundherinahighfever,utterlyunfittoplay,facetofacewiththethoughtthatshehadbeencutshortinhercareer.Lucienhidthepapersfromher,andlookedthemoverinthedining-room.ThereviewersoneandallattributedthefailureofthepiecetoCoralie;shehadoverestimatedherstrength;

shemightbethedelightofaboulevardaudience,butshewasoutofherelementattheGymnase;shehadbeeninspiredbyalaudableambition,butshehadnottakenherpowersintoaccount;shehadchosenaparttowhichshewasquiteunequal.Lucienreadonthroughapileofpenny-a-lining,puttogetheronthesamesystemashisattackuponNathan.MiloofCrotona,whenhefoundhishandsfastintheoakwhichhehimselfhadcleft,wasnotmorefuriousthanLucien.Hegrewhaggardwithrage.HisfriendsgaveCoraliethemosttreacherousadvice,inthelanguageofkindlycounselandfriendlyinterest.Sheshouldplay(accordingtotheseauthorities)allkindofroles,whichthetreacherouswritersoftheseunblushingfeuilletonsknewtobeutterlyunsuitedtohergenius.AndtheseweretheRoyalistpapers,ledoffbyNathan.AsfortheLiberalpress,alltheweaponswhichLucienhadusedwerenowturnedagainsthim.

Coralieheardasob,followedbyanotherandanother.ShesprangoutofbedtofindLucien,andsawthepapers.Nothingwouldsatisfyherbutshemustreadthemall;andwhenshehadreadthem,shewentbacktobed,andlaythereinsilence.

Florinewasintheplot;shehadforeseentheoutcome;shehadstudiedCoralie"spart,andwasreadytotakeherplace.Themanagement,unwillingtogiveupthepiece,wasreadytotakeFlorineinCoralie"sstead.Whenthemanagercame,hefoundpoorCoraliesobbingandexhaustedonherbed;butwhenhebegantosay,inLucien"spresence,thatFlorineknewthepart,andthattheplaymustbegiventhatevening,Coraliesprangupatonce.

"Iwillplay!"shecried,andsankfaintingonthefloor.

SoFlorinetookthepart,andmadeherreputationinit;forthepiecesucceeded,thenewspapersallsangherpraises,andfromthattimeforthFlorinewasthegreatactresswhomweallknow.Florine"ssuccessexasperatedLucientothehighestdegree.

"Awretchedgirl,whomyouhelpedtoearnherbread!IftheGymnasepreferstodoso,letthemanagementpayyoutocancelyourengagement.IshallbetheComtedeRubempre;Iwillmakemyfortune,andyoushallbemywife."

"Whatnonsense!"saidCoralie,lookingathimwithwaneyes.

"Nonsense!"repeatedhe."Verywell,waitafewdays,andyoushallliveinafinehouse,youshallhaveacarriage,andIwillwriteapartforyou!"

HetooktwothousandfrancsandhurriedtoFrascati"s.ForsevenhourstheunhappyvictimoftheFurieswatchedhisvaryingluck,andoutwardlyseemedcoolandself-contained.Heexperiencedbothextremesoffortuneduringthatdayandpartofthenightthatfollowed;atonetimehepossessedasmuchasthirtythousandfrancs,andhecameoutatlastwithoutasou.IntheRuedelaLunehefoundFinotwaitingforhimwitharequestforoneofhisshortarticles.Luciensofarforgothimself,thathecomplained.

"Oh,itisnotallrosy,"returnedFinot."Youmadeyourright-about-

faceinsuchawaythatyouwereboundtolosethesupportoftheLiberalpress,andtheLiberalsarefarstrongerinprintthanalltheMinisterialistandRoyalistpapersputtogether.Amanshouldneverleaveonecampforanotheruntilhehasmadeacomfortableberthforhimself,bywayofconsolationforthelossesthathemustexpect;andinanycase,aprudentpoliticianwillseehisfriendsfirst,andgivethemhisreasonsforgoingover,andtaketheiropinions.Youcanstillacttogether;theysympathizewithyou,andyouagreetogivemutualhelp.NathanandMerlindidthatbeforetheywentover.Hawksdon"tpikeouthawks"eyes.Youwereasinnocentasalamb;youwillbeforcedtoshowyourteethtoyournewpartytomakeanythingoutofthem.YouhavebeennecessarilysacrificedtoNathan.Icannotconcealfromyouthatyourarticleond"Arthezhasrousedaterrifichubbub.

Maratisasaintcomparedwithyou.Youwillbeattacked,andyourbookwillbeafailure.Howfarhavethingsgonewithyourromance?"

"Thesearethelastproofsheets."

"Alltheanonymousarticlesagainstthatyoungd"ArthezintheMinisterialistandUltrapapersaresetdowntoyou.TheReveilispokingfunatthesetintheRuedesQuatre-Vents,andthehitsarethemoretellingbecausetheyarefunny.ThereisawholeseriouspoliticalcoterieatthebackofLeonGiraud"spaper;theywillcomeintopowertoo,soonerorlater."