第18章

"IhavenotwrittenalineintheReveilthisweekpast."

"Verywell.Keepmyshortarticlesinmind.Writefiftyofthemstraightoff,andIwillpayyoufortheminalump;buttheymustbeofthesamecolorasthepaper."AndFinot,withseemingcarelessness,gaveLucienanedifyinganecdoteoftheKeeperoftheSeals,apieceofcurrentgossip,hesaid,forthesubjectofoneofthepapers.

Eagertoretrievehislossesatplay,Lucienshookoffhisdejection,summoneduphisenergyandyouthfulforce,andwrotethirtyarticlesoftwocolumnseach.Thesefinished,hewenttoDauriat"s,partlybecausehefeltsureofmeetingFinotthere,andhewishedtogivethearticlestoFinotinperson;partlybecausehewishedforanexplanationofthenon-appearanceoftheMarguerites.Hefoundthebookseller"sshopfullofhisenemies.Allthetalkimmediatelyceasedasheentered.Putunderthebanofjournalism,hiscouragerose,andoncemorehesaidtohimself,ashehadsaidinthealleyattheLuxembourg,"Iwilltriumph."

Dauriatwasneitheramiableorinclinedtopatronize;hewassarcasticintone,anddeterminednottobateaninchofhisrights.TheMargueritesshouldappearwhenitsuitedhispurpose;heshouldwaituntilLucienwasinapositiontosecurethesuccessofthebook;itwashis,hehadboughtitoutright.WhenLucienassertedthatDauriatwasboundtopublishtheMargueritesbytheverynatureofthecontract,andtherelativepositionsofthepartiestotheagreement,Dauriatflatlycontradictedhim,saidthatnopublishercouldbecompelledbylawtopublishataloss,andthathehimselfwasthebestjudgeoftheexpediencyofproducingthebook.Therewas,besides,aremedyopentoLucien,asanycourtoflawwouldadmit——thepoetwasquitewelcometotakehisversestoaRoyalistpublisherupontherepaymentofthethousandcrowns.

Lucienwentaway.Dauriat"smoderatetonehadexasperatedhimevenmorethanhispreviousarroganceattheirfirstinterview.SotheMargueriteswouldnotappearuntilLucienhadfoundahostofformidablesupporters,orgrownformidablehimself!Hewalkedhomeslowly,sooppressedandoutofheartthathefeltreadyforsuicide.

Coralielayinbed,lookingwhiteandill.

"Shemusthaveapart,orshewilldie,"saidBerenice,asLuciendressedforagreateveningpartyatMlle.desTouches"houseintheRueduMontBlanc.DesLupeaulxandVignonandBlondetweretobethere,aswellasMme.d"EspardandMme.deBargeton.

ThepartywasgiveninhonorofConti,thegreatcomposer,ownerlikewiseofoneofthemostfamousvoicesoffthestage,Cinti,Pasta,Garcia,Levasseur,andtwoorthreecelebratedamateursinsocietynotexcepted.LuciensawtheMarquise,hercousin,andMme.deMontcornetsittingtogether,andmadeoneoftheparty.Theunhappyyoungfellowtoallappearanceswaslight-hearted,happy,andcontent;hejested,hewastheLuciendeRubempreofhisdaysofsplendor,hewouldnotseemtoneedhelpfromanyone.HedweltonhisservicestotheRoyalistparty,andcitedthehueandcryraisedafterhimbytheLiberalpressasaproofofhiszeal.

"Andyouwillbewellrewarded,myfriend,"saidMme.deBargeton,withagracioussmile."GototheChancelleriethedayafterto-morrowwith"theHeron"anddesLupeaulx,andyouwillfindyourpatentsignedbyHisMajesty.TheKeeperoftheSealswilltakeitto-morrowtotheTuileries,butthereistobeameetingoftheCouncil,andhewillnotcomebacktilllate.Still,ifIheartheresultto-morrowevening,Iwillletyouknow.Whereareyouliving?"

"Iwillcometoyou,"saidLucien,ashamedtoconfessthathewaslivingintheRuedelaLune.

"TheDucdeLenoncourtandtheDucdeNavarreinshavemadementionofyoutotheKing,"addedtheMarquise;"theypraisedyourabsoluteandentiredevotion,andsaidthatsomedistinctionoughttoavengeyourtreatmentintheLiberalpress.ThenameandtitleofRubempre,towhichyouhaveaclaimthroughyourmother,wouldbecomeillustriousthroughyou,theysaid.TheKinggavehislordshipinstructionsthateveningtoprepareapatentauthorizingtheSieurLucienChardontobearthearmsandtitleoftheComtesdeRubempre,asgrandsonofthelastCountbythemother"sside."Letusfavorthesongsters"

(chardonnerets)"ofPindus,"saidhisMajesty,afterreadingyoursonnetontheLily,whichmycousinluckilyrememberedtogivetheDuke——"EspeciallywhentheKingcanworkmiracles,andchangethesong-birdintoaneagle,"M.deNavarreinsreplied."

Lucien"sexpansionoffeelingwouldhavesoftenedtheheartofanywomanlessdeeplywoundedthanLouised"EsparddeNegrepelisse;butherthirstforvengeancewasonlyincreasedbyLucien"sgraciousness.

DesLupeaulxwasright;Lucienwaswantingintact.ItnevercrossedhismindthatthishistoryofthepatentwasoneofthemystificationsatwhichMme.d"Espardwasanadept.EmboldenedwithsuccessandtheflatteringdistinctionshowntohimbyMlle.desTouches,hestayedtilltwoo"clockinthemorningforawordinprivatewithhishostess.LucienhadlearnedinRoyalistnewspaperofficesthatMlle.

desToucheswastheauthorofaplayinwhichLapetiteFay,themarvelofthemomentwasabouttoappear.Astheroomsemptied,hedrewMlle.desTouchestoasofaintheboudoir,andtoldthestoryofCoralie"smisfortuneandhisownsotouchingly,thatMlle.desTouchespromisedtogivetheheroine"sparttohisfriend.

ThatpromiseputnewlifeintoCoralie.Butthenextday,astheybreakfastedtogether,LucienopenedLousteau"snewspaper,andfoundthatunluckyanecdoteoftheKeeperoftheSealsandhiswife.Thestorywasfulloftheblackestmalicelurkinginthemostcausticwit.

LouisXVIII.wasbroughtintothestoryinamasterlyfashion,andhelduptoridiculeinsuchawaythatprosecutionwasimpossible.

HereisthesubstanceofafictionforwhichtheLiberalpartyattemptedtowincredence,thoughtheyonlysucceededinaddingonemoretothetaleoftheiringeniouscalumnies.

TheKing"spassionforpink-scentednotesandacorrespondencefullofmadrigalsandsparklingwitwasdeclaredtobethelastphaseofthetenderpassion;lovehadreachedtheDoctrinairestage;orhadpassed,inotherwords,fromtheconcretetotheabstract.Theillustriouslady,socruellyridiculedunderthenameofOctaviebyBeranger,hadconceived(soitwassaid)thegravestfears.Thecorrespondencewaslanguishing.ThemoreOctaviedisplayedherwit,thecoolergrewtheroyallover.AtlastOctaviediscoveredthecauseofherdecline;herpowerwasthreatenedbythenoveltyandpiquancyofacorrespondencebetweentheaugustscribeandthewifeofhisKeeperoftheSeals.

Thatexcellentwomanwasbelievedtobeincapableofwritinganote;

shewassimplyandsolelygodmothertotheeffortsofaudaciousambition.Whocouldbehiddenbehindherpetticoats?Octaviedecided,aftermakingobservationsofherown,thattheKingwascorrespondingwithhisMinister.

Shelaidherplans.Withthehelpofafaithfulfriend,shearrangedthatastormydebateshoulddetaintheMinisterattheChamber;thenshecontrivedtosecureatete-a-tete,andtoconvinceoutragedMajestyofthefraud.LouisXVIII.flewintoaroyalandtrulyBourbonpassion,butthetempestbrokeonOctavie"shead.Hewouldnotbelieveher.Octavieofferedimmediateproof,beggingtheKingtowriteanotewhichmustbeansweredatonce.TheunluckywifeoftheKeeperoftheSealssenttotheChamberforherhusband;butprecautionshadbeentaken,andatthatmomenttheMinisterwasonhislegsaddressingtheChamber.Theladyrackedherbrainsandrepliedtothenotewithsuchintellectasshecouldimprovise.

"YourChancellorwillsupplytherest,"criedOctavie,laughingattheKing"schagrin.

Therewasnotawordoftruthinthestory;butitstruckhometothreepersons——theKeeperoftheSeals,hiswife,andtheKing.ItwassaidthatdesLupeaulxhadinventedthetale,butFinotalwayskepthiscounsel.Thearticlewascausticandclever,theLiberalpapersandtheOrleanistsweredelightedwithit,andLucienhimselflaughed,andthoughtofitmerelyasaveryamusingcanard.

HecallednextdayfordesLupeaulxandtheBaronduChatelet.TheBaronhadjustbeentothankhislordship.TheSieurChatelet,newlyappointedCouncillorExtraordinary,wasnowComteduChatelet,withapromiseoftheprefectureoftheCharentesosoonasthepresentprefectshouldhavecompletedthetermofofficenecessarytoreceivethemaximumretiringpension.TheComteDUChatelet(fortheDUhadbeeninsertedinthepatent)drovewithLucientotheChancellerie,andtreatedhiscompanionasanequal.ButforLucien"sarticles,hesaid,hispatentwouldnothavebeengrantedsosoon;Liberalpersecutionhadbeenastepping-stonetoadvancement.DesLupeaulxwaswaitingforthemintheSecretary-General"soffice.ThatfunctionarystartedwithsurprisewhenLucienappearedandlookedatdesLupeaulx.

"What!"heexclaimed,toLucien"sutterbewilderment."Doyoudaretocomehere,sir?Yourpatentwasmadeout,buthislordshiphastornitup.Hereitis!"(theSecretary-Generalcaughtupthefirsttornsheetthatcametohand)."TheMinisterwishedtodiscovertheauthorofyesterday"satrociousarticle,andhereisthemanuscript,"addedthespeaker,holdingoutthesheetsofLucien"sarticle."YoucallyourselfaRoyalist,sir,andyouareonthestaffofthatdetestablepaperwhichturnstheMinister"shairgray,harassestheCentre,andisdraggingthecountryheadlongtoruin?YoubreakfastontheCorsaire,theMiroir,theConstitutionnel,andtheCourier;youdineontheQuotidienneandtheReveil,andthensupwithMartainville,theworstenemyoftheGovernment!MartainvilleurgestheGovernmentontoAbsolutistmeasures;heismorelikelytobringonanotherRevolutionthanifhehadgoneovertotheextremeLeft.Youareaverycleverjournalist,butyouwillnevermakeapolitician.TheMinisterdenouncedyoutotheKing,andtheKingwassoangrythathescoldedM.leDucdeNavarreins,hisFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber.Yourenemieswillbeallthemoreformidablebecausetheyhavehithertobeenyourfriends.Conductthatoneexpectsfromanenemyisatrociousinafriend."

"Why,really,mydearfellow,areyouachild?"saiddesLupeaulx.

"Youhavecompromisedme.Mme.d"Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andMme.deMontcornet,whowereresponsibleforyou,mustbefurious.TheDukeissuretohavehandedonhisannoyancetotheMarquise,andtheMarquisewillhavescoldedhercousin.Keepawayfromthemandwait."

"Herecomeshislordship——go!"saidtheSecretary-General.

LucienwentoutintothePlaceVendome;hewasstunnedbythisbludgeonblow.HewalkedhomealongtheBoulevardstryingtothinkoverhisposition.Hesawhimselfaplaythinginthehandsofenvy,treachery,andgreed.Whatwasheinthisworldofcontendingambitions?Achildsacrificingeverythingtothepursuitofpleasureandthegratificationofvanity;apoetwhosethoughtsneverwentbeyondthemoment,amothflittingfromonebrightgleamingobjecttoanother.Hehadnodefiniteaim;hewastheslaveofcircumstance——

meaningwell,doingill.Consciencetorturedhimremorselessly.Andtocrownitall,hewaspennilessandexhaustedwithworkandemotion.

HisarticlescouldnotcomparewithMerlin"sorNathan"swork.

Hewalkedatrandom,absorbedinthesethoughts.Ashepassedsomeofthereading-roomswhichwerealreadylendingbooksaswellasnewspapers,aplacardcaughthiseyes.Itwasanadvertisementofabookwithagrotesquetitle,butbeneaththeannouncementhesawhisnameinbrilliantletters——"ByLucienChardondeRubempre."Sohisbookhadcomeout,andhehadheardnothingofit!Allthenewspapersweresilent.Hestoodmotionlessbeforetheplacard,hisarmshangingathissides.Hedidnotnoticealittleknotofacquaintances——

RastignacanddeMarsayandsomeotherfashionableyoungmen;nordidheseethatMichelChrestienandLeonGiraudwerecomingtowardshim.

"AreyouM.Chardon?"ItwasMichelwhospoke,andtherewasthatinthesoundofhisvoicethatsetLucien"sheartstringsvibrating.

"Doyounotknowme?"heasked,turningverypale.

Michelspatinhisface.

"Takethatasyourwagesforyourarticleagainstd"Arthez.IfeverybodywoulddoasIdoonhisownorhisfriend"sbehalf,thepresswouldbeasitoughttobe——aself-respectingandrespectedpriesthood."

LucienstaggeredbackandcaughtholdofRastignac.

"Gentlemen,"hesaid,addressingRastignacanddeMarsay,"youwillnotrefusetoactasmyseconds.Butfirst,Iwishtomakemattersevenandapologyimpossible."

HestruckMichelasudden,unexpectedblowintheface.TherestrushedinbetweentheRepublicanandRoyalist,topreventastreetbrawl.RastignacdraggedLucienofftotheRueTaitbout,onlyafewstepsawayfromtheBoulevarddeGand,wherethisscenetookplace.Itwasthehourofdinner,oracrowdwouldhaveassembledatonce.DeMarsaycametofindLucien,andthepairinsistedthatheshoulddinewiththemattheCafeAnglais,wheretheydrankandmademerry.

"Areyouagoodswordsman?"inquireddeMarsay.

"Ihaveneverhadafoilinmyhands."

"Agoodshot?"

"Neverfiredapistolinmylife."

"Thenyouhaveluckonyourside.Youareaformidableantagonisttostandupto;youmaykillyourman,"saiddeMarsay.

Fortunately,LucienfoundCoralieinbedandasleep.

Shehadplayedwithoutrehearsalinaone-actplay,andtakenherrevenge.Shehadmetwithgenuineapplause.Herenemieshadnotbeenpreparedforthissteponherpart,andhersuccesshaddeterminedthemanagertogivehertheheroine"spartinCamilleMaupin"splay.Hehaddiscoveredthecauseofherapparentfailure,andwasindignantwithFlorineandNathan.Coralieshouldhavetheprotectionofthemanagement.

Atfiveo"clockthatmorning,RastignaccameforLucien.

"Thenameofyourstreetmydearfellow,isparticularlyappropriateforyourlodgings;youareupinthesky,"hesaid,bywayofgreeting."LetusbefirstuponthegroundontheroadtoClignancourt;itisgoodform,andweoughttosetthemanexample."

"Hereistheprogramme,"saiddeMarsay,asthecabrattledthroughtheFaubourgSaint-Denis:"Youstandupattwenty-fivepaces,comingnearer,tillyouareonlyfifteenapart.Youhave,eachofyou,fivepacestotakeandthreeshotstofire——nomore.Whateverhappens,thatmustbetheendofit.Weloadforyourantagonist,andhissecondsloadforyou.Theweaponswerechosenbythefoursecondsatagunmaker"s.Wehelpedyoutoachance,Iwillpromiseyou;horsepistolsaretobetheweapons."

ForLucien,lifehadbecomeabaddream.Hedidnotcarewhetherhelivedordied.Thecourageofsuicidehelpedhiminsomesorttocarrythingsoffwithadashofbravadobeforethespectators.Hestoodinhisplace;hewouldnottakeastep,apieceofrecklessnesswhichtheotherstookfordeliberatecalculation.Theythoughtthepoetanuncommonlycoolhand.MichelChrestiencameasfarashislimit;bothfiredtwiceandatthesametime,foreitherpartywasconsideredtobeequallyinsulted.Michel"sfirstbulletgrazedLucien"schin;

Lucien"spassedtenfeetaboveChrestien"shead.ThesecondshothitLucien"scoatcollar,butthebuckramliningfortunatelysaveditswearer.Thethirdbulletstruckhiminthechest,andhedropped.

"Ishedead?"askedMichelChrestien.

"No,"saidthesurgeon,"hewillpullthrough."

"Somuchtheworse,"answeredMichel.

"Yes;somuchtheworse,"saidLucien,ashistearsfellfast.

Bynoontheunhappyboylayinbedinhisownroom.Withuntoldpainstheyhadmanagedtoremovehim,butithadtakenfivehourstobringhimtotheRuedelaLune.Hisconditionwasnotdangerous,butprecautionswerenecessarylestfevershouldsetinandbringabouttroublesomecomplications.Coraliechokeddownhergriefandanguish.

Shesatupwithhimatnightthroughtheanxiousweeksofhisillness,studyingherpartsbyhisbedside.Lucienwasindangerfortwolongmonths;andoftenatthetheatreCoralieactedherfrivolousrolewithonethoughtinherheart,"Perhapsheisdyingatthismoment."

Lucienowedhislifetotheskillanddevotionofafriendwhomhehadgrievouslyhurt.Bianchonhadcometotendhimafterhearingthestoryoftheattackfromd"Arthez,whotolditinconfidence,andexcusedtheunhappypoet.Bianchonsuspectedthatd"Arthezwasgenerouslytryingtoscreentherenegade;butonquestioningLucienduringalucidintervalinthedangerousnervousfever,helearnedthathispatientwasonlyresponsiblefortheoneseriousarticleinHectorMerlin"spaper.

Beforethefirstmonthwasout,thefirmofFendantandCavalierfiledtheirschedule.BianchontoldCoraliethatLucienmustonnoaccounthearthenews.ThefamousArcherofCharlesIX.,broughtoutwithanabsurdtitle,hadbeenacompletefailure.Fendant,beinganxioustorealizealittlereadymoneybeforegoingintobankruptcy,hadsoldthewholeedition(withoutCavalier"sknowledge)todealersinprintedpaper.These,intheirturn,haddisposedofitatacheapratetohawkers,andLucien"sbookatthatmomentwasadorningthebookstallsalongtheQuays.ThebooksellersontheQuaidesAugustins,whohadpreviouslytakenaquantityofcopies,nowdiscoveredthatafterthissuddenreductionofthepricetheywereliketoloseheavilyontheirpurchases;thefourduodecimovolumes,forwhichtheyhadpaidfourfrancsfiftycentimes,werebeinggivenawayforfiftysous.Greatwastheoutcryinthetrade;butthenewspaperspreservedaprofoundsilence.Barbethadnotforeseenthis"clearance;"hehadabeliefinLucien"sabilities;foroncehehadbrokenhisruleandtakentwohundredcopies.Theprospectofalossdrovehimfrantic;thethingshesaidofLucienwerefearfultohear.ThenBarbettookaheroicresolution.Hestockedhiscopiesinacornerofhisshop,withtheobstinacyofgreed,andlefthiscompetitorstoselltheirwaresataloss.Twoyearsafterwards,whend"Arthez"sfinepreface,themeritsofthebook,andoneortwoarticlesbyLeonGiraudhadraisedthevalueofthebook,Barbetsoldhiscopies,onebyone,attenfrancseach.

Lucienknewnothingofallthis,butBereniceandCoraliecouldnotrefusetoallowHectorMerlintoseehisdyingcomrade,andHectorMerlinmadehimdrink,dropbydrop,thewholeofthebitterdraughtbrewedbythefailureofFendantandCavalier,madebankruptsbyhisfirstill-fatedbook.Martainville,theonefriendwhostoodbyLucienthroughthickandthin,hadwrittenamagnificentarticleonhiswork;

butsogreatwasthegeneralexasperationagainsttheeditorofL"Aristarque,L"Oriflamme,andLeDrapeauBlanc,thathischampionshiponlyinjuredLucien.InvaindidtheathletereturntheLiberalinsultstenfold,notanewspapertookupthechallengeinspiteofallhisattacks.

Coralie,Berenice,andBianchonmightshutthedooronLucien"sso-

calledfriends,whoraisedagreatoutcry,butitwasimpossibletokeepoutcreditorsandwrits.AfterthefailureofFendantandCavalier,theirbillsweretakenintobankruptcyaccordingtothatprovisionoftheCodeofCommercemostinimicaltotheclaimsofthirdparties,whointhiswaylosethebenefitofdelay.

LuciendiscoveredthatCamusotwasproceedingagainsthimwithgreatenergy.WhenCoralieheardthename,andforthefirsttimelearnedthedreadfulandhumiliatingstepwhichherpoethadtakenforhersake,theangeliccreaturelovedhimtentimesmorethanbefore,andwouldnotapproachCamusot.Thebailiffbringingthewarrantofarrestshrankbackfromtheideaofdragginghisprisoneroutofbed,andwentbacktoCamusotbeforeapplyingtothePresidentoftheTribunalofCommerceforanordertoremovethedebtortoaprivatehospital.

CamusothurriedatoncetotheRuedelaLune,andCoraliewentdowntohim.

Whenshecameupagainsheheldthewarrants,inwhichLucienwasdescribedasatradesman,inherhand.HowhadsheobtainedthosepapersfromCamusot?Whatpromisehadshegiven?Coraliekeptasad,gloomysilence,butwhenshereturnedshelookedasifallthelifehadgoneoutofher.SheplayedinCamilleMaupin"splay,andcontributednotalittletothesuccessofthatillustriousliteraryhermaphrodite;butthecreationofthischaracterwasthelastflickerofabright,dyinglamp.Onthetwentiethnight,whenLucienhadsofarrecoveredthathehadregainedhisappetiteandcouldwalkabroad,andtalkedofgettingtoworkagain,Coraliebrokedown;asecrettroublewasweighinguponher.BerenicealwaysbelievedthatshehadpromisedtogobacktoCamusottosaveLucien.

Anothermortificationfollowed.CoraliewasobligedtoseeherpartgiventoFlorine.NathanhadthreatenedtheGymnasewithwarifthemanagementrefusedtogivethevacantplacetoCoralie"srival.

Coraliehadpersistedtillshecouldplaynolonger,knowingthatFlorinewaswaitingtostepintoherplace.Shehadovertaskedherstrength.TheGymnasehadadvancedsumsduringLucien"sillness,shehadnomoneytodraw;Lucien,eagertoworkthoughhewas,wasnotyetstrongenoughtowrite,andhehelpedbesidestonurseCoralieandtorelieveBerenice.Frompovertytheyhadcometoutterdistress;butinBianchontheyfoundaskilfulanddevoteddoctor,whoobtainedcreditforthemofthedruggist.Thelandlordofthehouseandthetradespeopleknewbythistimehowmattersstood.Thefurniturewasattached.Thetailoranddressmakernolongerstoodinaweofthejournalist,andproceededtoextremes;andatlastnoone,withtheexceptionofthepork-butcherandthedruggist,gavethetwounluckychildrencredit.Foraweekormoreallthreeofthem——Lucien,Berenice,andtheinvalid——wereobligedtoliveonthevariousingeniouspreparationssoldbythepork-butcher;theinflammatorydietwaslittlesuitedtothesickgirl,andCoraliegrewworse.SheerwantcompelledLucientoaskLousteauforareturnoftheloanofathousandfrancslostatplaybythefriendwhohaddesertedhiminhishourofneed.Perhaps,amidallhistroubles,thisstepcosthimmostcruelsuffering.

LousteauwasnottobefoundintheRuedelaHarpe.Hunteddownlikeahare,hewaslodgingnowwiththisfriend,nowwiththat.LucienfoundhimatlastatFlicoteaux"s;hewassittingattheverytableatwhichLucienhadfoundhimthateveningwhen,forhismisfortune,heforsookd"Arthezforjournalism.Lousteauofferedhimdinner,andLucienacceptedtheoffer.

AstheycameoutofFlicoteaux"swithClaudeVignon(whohappenedtobediningtherethatday)andthegreatmaninobscurity,whokepthiswardrobeatSamanon"s,thefouramongthemcouldnotproduceenoughspecietopayforacupofcoffeeattheCafeVoltaire.TheyloungedabouttheLuxembourginthehopeofmeetingwithapublisher;and,asitfellout,theymetwithoneofthemostfamousprintersoftheday.

Lousteauborrowedfortyfrancsofhim,anddividedthemoneyintofourequalparts.

MiseryhadbroughtdownLucien"sprideandextinguishedsentiment;heshedtearsashetoldthestoryofhistroubles,buteachoneofhiscomradeshadataleascruelashisown;andwhenthethreeversionshadbeengiven,itseemedtothepoetthathewastheleastunfortunateamongthefour.Allofthemcravedarespitefromremembranceandthoughtswhichmadetroubledoublyhardtobear.

LousteauhurriedtothePalaisRoyaltogamblewithhisremainingninefrancs.Thegreatmanunknowntofame,thoughhehadadivinemistress,mustneedshiehimtoalowhauntofvicetowallowinperilouspleasure.VignonbetookhimselftotheRocherdeCancaletodrownmemoryandthoughtinacoupleofbottlesofBordeaux;Lucienpartedcompanywithhimonthethreshold,decliningtosharethatsupper.Whenheshookhandswiththeonejournalistwhohadnotbeenhostiletohim,itwaswithacruelpanginhisheart.

"WhatshallIdo?"heaskedaloud.

"Onemustdoasonecan,"thegreatcriticsaid."Yourbookisgood,butitexcitedjealousy,andyourstrugglewillbehardandlong.

Geniusisacrueldisease.Everywritercarriesacankerinhisheart,adevouringmonster,likethetapeworminthestomach,whichdestroysallfeelingasitarisesinhim.Whichisthestronger?Themanorthedisease?Onehasneedbeagreatman,truly,tokeepthebalancebetweengeniusandcharacter.Thetalentgrows,theheartwithers.

Unlessamanisagiant,unlesshehasthethewsofaHercules,hemustbecontenteithertolosehisgiftortolivewithoutaheart.

Youareslenderandfragile,youwillgiveway,"headded,asheturnedintotherestaurant.

Lucienreturnedhome,thinkingoverthatterribleverdict.HebeheldthelifeofliteraturebythelightoftheprofoundtruthsutteredbyVignon.

"Money!money!"avoicecriedinhisears.

Thenhedrewthreebillsofathousandfrancseach,duerespectivelyinone,two,andthreemonths,imitatingthehandwritingofhisbrother-in-law,DavidSechard,withadmirableskill.Heendorsedthebills,andtookthemnextmorningtoMetivier,thepaper-dealerintheRueSerpente,whomadenodifficultyabouttakingthem.Lucienwroteafewlinestogivehisbrother-in-lawnoticeofthisassaultuponhiscash-box,promising,asusualinsuchcases,tobereadytomeetthebillsastheyfelldue.

Whenalldebts,hisownandCoralie"s,werepaid,heputthethreehundredfrancswhichremainedintoBerenice"shands,biddinghertorefusehimmoneyifheaskedherforit.Hewasafraidofareturnofthegambler"sfrenzy.Lucienworkedawaygloomilyinasortofcold,speechlessfury,puttingforthallhispowersintowittyarticles,writtenbythelightofthelampatCoralie"sbedside.Wheneverhelookedupinsearchofideas,hiseyesfellonthatbelovedface,whiteasporcelain,fairwiththebeautythatbelongstothedying,andhesawasmileonherpalelips,andhereyes,grownbrightwithamoreconsumingpainthanphysicalsuffering,alwaysturnedonhisface.

Luciensentinhiswork,buthecouldnotleavethehousetoworryeditors,andhisarticlesdidnotappear.Whenheatlastmadeuphismindtogototheoffice,hemetwithacoolreceptionfromTheodoreGaillard,whohadadvancedhimmoney,andturnedhisliterarydiamondstogoodaccountafterwards.

"Takecare,mydearfellow,youarefallingoff,"hesaid."Youmustnotletyourselfdown,yourworkwantsinspiration!"

"ThatlittleLucienhaswrittenhimselfoutwithhisromanceandhisfirstarticles,"criedFelicienVernou,Merlin,andthewholechorusofhisenemies,wheneverhisnamecameupatDauriat"sortheVaudeville."Theworkheissendingusispitiable."

"Tohavewrittenoneselfout"(intheslangofjournalism),isaverdictveryhardtolivedown.Itpassedeverywherefrommouthtomouth,ruiningLucien,allunsuspiciousashewas.And,indeed,hisburdensweretooheavyforhisstrength.Inthemidstofaheavystrainofwork,hewassuedforthebillswhichhehaddrawninDavidSechard"sname.HehadrecoursetoCamusot"sexperience,andCoralie"ssometimeadorerwasgenerousenoughtoassistthemansheloved.Theintolerablesituationlastedfortwowholemonths;thedaysbeingdiversifiedbystampedpapershandedovertoDesroches,afriendofBixiou,Blondet,anddesLupeaulx.

EarlyinAugust,BianchontoldthemthatCoralie"sconditionwashopeless——shehadonlyafewdaystolive.ThosedayswerespentintearsbyBereniceandLucien;theycouldnothidetheirgrieffromthedyinggirl,andshewasbroken-heartedforLucien"ssake.

SomestrangechangewasworkinginCoralie.ShewouldhaveLucienbringapriest;shemustbereconciledtotheChurchanddieinpeace.

CoraliediedasaChristian;herrepentancewassincere.HeragonyanddeathtookallenergyandheartoutofLucien.Hesankintoalowchairatthefootofthebed,andnevertookhiseyesoffhertillDeathbroughttheendofhersuffering.Itwasfiveo"clockinthemorning.Somesinging-birdlightinguponaflower-potonthewindow-

sill,twitteredafewnotes.Berenice,kneelingbythebedside,wascoveringahandfastgrowingcoldwithkissesandtears.Onthechimney-piecetherelayelevensous.

Lucienwentout.DespairmadehimbegformoneytolayCoralieinhergrave.HehadwildthoughtsofflinginghimselfattheMarquised"Espard"sfeet,ofentreatingtheComteduChatelet,Mme.deBargeton,Mlle.desTouches,nay,thatterribledandyofadeMarsay.

Allhispridehadgonewithhisstrength.Hewouldhaveenlistedasacommonsoldieratthatmomentformoney.Hewalkedonwithaslouching,feverishgaitknowntoalltheunhappy,reachedCamilleMaupin"shouse,entered,carelessofhisdisordereddress,andsentinamessage.HeentreatedMlle.desTouchestoseehimforamoment.

"Mademoiselleonlywenttobedatthreeo"clockthismorning,"saidtheservant,"andnoonewoulddaretodisturbheruntilsherings."

"Whendoesshering?"

"Neverbeforeteno"clock."

ThenLucienwroteoneofthoseharrowingappealsinwhichthewell-

dressedbeggarflingsallprideandself-respecttothewinds.Oneevening,notsoverylongago,whenLousteauhadtoldhimoftheabjectbeggingletterswhichFinotreceived,Lucienhadthoughtitimpossiblethatanycreaturewouldsinksolow;andnow,carriedawaybyhispen,hehadgonefurther,itmaybe,thanotherunluckywretchesuponthesameroad.Hedidnotsuspect,inhisfeverandimbecility,thathehadjustwrittenamasterpieceofpathos.OnhiswayhomealongtheBoulevards,hemetBarbet.

"Barbet!"hebegged,holdingouthishand."Fivehundredfrancs!"

"No.Twohundred,"returnedtheother.

"Ah!thenyouhaveaheart."

"Yes;butIamamanofbusinessaswell.Ihavelostalotofmoneythroughyou,"heconcluded,aftergivingthehistoryofthefailureofFendantandCavalier,"willyouputmeinthewayofmakingsome?"

Lucienquivered.

"Youareapoet.Yououghttounderstandallkindsofpoetry,"

continuedthelittlepublisher."Iwantafewrollickingsongsatthismomenttoputalongwithsomemorebydifferentauthors,ortheywillbedownuponmeoverthecopyright.Iwanttohaveagoodcollectiontosellonthestreetsattensous.Ifyoucaretoletmehavetengooddrinking-songsbyto-morrowmorning,orsomethingspicy,——youknowthesortofthing,eh!——Iwillpayyoutwohundredfrancs."

WhenLucienreturnedhome,hefoundCoraliestretchedoutstraightandstiffonapallet-bed;Berenice,withmanytears,hadwrappedherinacoarselinensheet,andputlightedcandlesatthefourcornersofthebed.Coralie"sfacehadtakenthatstrange,delicatebeautyofdeathwhichsovividlyimpressesthelivingwiththeideaofabsolutecalm;

shelookedlikesomewhitegirlinadecline;itseemedasifthosepale,crimsonlipsmustopenandmurmurthenamewhichhadblendedwiththenameofGodinthelastwordsthatsheutteredbeforeshedied.

LucientoldBerenicetoorderafuneralwhichshouldnotcostmorethantwohundredfrancs,includingtheserviceattheshabbylittlechurchoftheBonne-Nouvelle.Assoonasshehadgoneout,hesatdowntoatable,andbesidethedeadbodyofhislovehecomposedtenrollickingsongstofitpopularairs.Theeffortcosthimuntoldanguish,butatlastthebrainbegantoworkatthebiddingofNecessity,asifsufferingwerenot;andalreadyLucienhadlearnedtoputClaudeVignon"sterriblemaximsinpractice,andtoraiseabarrierbetweenheartandbrain.Whatanightthepoorboyspentoverthosedrinkingsongs,writingbythelightofthetallwaxcandleswhilethepriestrecitedtheprayersforthedead!

Morningbrokebeforethelastsongwasfinished.Lucientrieditovertoastreet-songoftheday,totheconsternationofBereniceandthepriest,whothoughtthathewasmad:——

Lads,"tistediouswasteoftimeTominglesongandreason;

Follycallsforlaughingrhyme,Senseisoutofseason.

LetApollobeforgotWhenBacchusfillsthedrinking-cup;

Anycatchisgood,Iwot,Ifgoodfellowstakeitup.

Letphilosophersprotest,Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!

AsHippocrateshassaid,Everyjollyfellow,Whenacenturyhassped,Stillisfitandmellow.

NomorefollowingofalassWiththepalsyinyourlegs?——

Whileyourhandcanholdaglass,Youcandrainittothedregs,Withanundiminishedzest.

Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!

Whencewecomeweknowfullwell.

Whiterarewegoing?

Ne"eraoneofuscantell,"Tisathingpastknowing.

Faith!whatdoesitsignify,TakethegoodthatHeavensends;

Itiscertainthatwedie,Certainthatwelive,myfriends.

Lifeisnothingbutajest.

Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!

Hewasshoutingtherecklessrefrainwhend"ArthezandBianchonarrived,tofindhiminaparoxysmofdespairandexhaustion,utterlyunabletomakeafaircopyofhisverses.Atorrentoftearsfollowed;

andwhen,amidhissobs,hehadtoldhisstory,hesawthetearsstandinginhisfriends"eyes.

"Thiswipesoutmanysins,"saidd"Arthez.

"Happyaretheywhosufferfortheirsinsinthisworld,"thepriestsaidsolemnly.

Atthesightofthefair,deadfacesmilingatEternity,whileCoralie"sloverwrotetavern-catchestobuyagraveforher,andBarbetpaidforthecoffin——ofthefourcandleslightedaboutthedeadbodyofherwhohadthrilledagreataudienceasshestoodbehindthefootlightsinherSpanishbasquinaandscarletgreen-clockedstockings;whilebeyondinthedoorway,stoodthepriestwhohadreconciledthedyingactresswithGod,nowabouttoreturntothechurchtosayamassforthesoulofherwhohad"lovedmuch,"——allthegrandeurandthesordidaspectsofthescene,allthatsorrowcrushedunderbyNecessity,frozethebloodofthegreatwriterandthegreatdoctor.Theysatdown;neitherofthemcouldutteraword.

JustatthatmomentaservantinliveryannouncedMlle.desTouches.

Thatbeautifulandnoblewomanunderstoodeverythingatonce.ShesteppedquicklyacrosstheroomtoLucien,andslippedtwothousand-

francnotesintohishandasshegraspedit.

"Itistoolate,"hesaid,lookingupatherwithdull,hopelesseyes.

ThethreestayedwithLucien,tryingtosoothehisdespairwithcomfortingwords;buteveryspringseemedtobebroken.Atnoonallthebrotherhood,withtheexceptionofMichelChrestien(who,however,hadlearnedthetruthastoLucien"streachery),wasassembledinthepoorlittlechurchoftheBonne-Nouvelle;Mlle.deToucheswaspresent,andBereniceandCoralie"sdresserfromthetheatre,withacoupleofsupernumerariesandthedisconsolateCamusot.Allthemenaccompaniedtheactresstoherlastresting-placeinPereLachaise.

Camusot,sheddinghottears,hadsolemnlypromisedLucientobuythegraveinperpetuity,andtoputaheadstoneaboveitwiththewords:

CORALIE

AGEDNINETEENYEARS

August,1822

Lucienstayedthere,ontheslopinggroundthatlooksoutoverParis,untilthesunhadset.

"Whowilllovemenow?"hethought."Mytruestfriendsdespiseme.

WhateverImighthavedone,shewholiesherewouldhavethoughtmewhollynobleandgood.IhavenoonelefttomenowbutmysisterandmotherandDavid.Andwhatdotheythinkofmeathome?"

Poordistinguishedprovincial!HewentbacktotheRuedelaLune;butthesightoftheroomswassoacutelypainful,thathecouldnotstayinthem,andhetookacheaplodgingelsewhereinthesamestreet.

Mlle.desTouches"twothousandfrancsandthesaleofthefurniturepaidthedebts.

Berenicehadtwohundredfrancsleft,onwhichtheylivedfortwomonths.Lucienwasprostrate;hecouldneitherwritenorthink;hegavewaytomorbidgrief.Berenicetookpityuponhim.

"Supposethatyouweretogobacktoyourowncountry,howareyoutogetthere?"sheaskedoneday,bywayofreplytoanexclamationofLucien"s.

"Onfoot."

"Butevenso,youmustliveandsleepontheway.Evenifyouwalktwelveleaguesaday,youwillwanttwentyfrancsatleast."

"Iwillgetthemtogether,"hesaid.

Hetookhisclothesandhisbestlinen,keepingnothingbutstrictnecessaries,andwenttoSamanon,whoofferedfiftyfrancsforhisentirewardrobe.Invainhebeggedthemoney-lendertolethimhaveenoughtopayhisfarebythecoach;Samanonwasinexorable.Inaparoxysmoffury,LucienrushedtoFrascati"s,stakedtheproceedsofthesale,andlosteveryfarthing.BackoncemoreinthewretchedroomintheRuedelaLune,heaskedBereniceforCoralie"sshawl.Thegoodgirllookedathim,andknewinamomentwhathemeanttodo.Hehadconfessedtohislossatthegaming-table;andnowhewasgoingtohanghimself.

"Areyoumad,sir?Gooutforawalk,andcomebackagainatmidnight.

Iwillgetthemoneyforyou;butkeeptotheBoulevards,donotgotowardstheQuais."

LucienpacedupanddowntheBoulevards.Hewasstupidwithgrief.Hewatchedthepassers-byandthestreamoftraffic,andfeltthathewasalone,andaverysmallatominthisseethingwhirlpoolofParis,churnedbythestrifeofinnumerableinterests.HisthoughtswentbacktothebanksofhisCharente;acravingforhappinessandhomeawokeinhim;andwiththecraving,cameoneofthesuddenfebrileburstsofenergywhichhalf-femininenatureslikehismistakeforstrength.HewouldnotgiveupuntilhehadpouredouthishearttoDavidSechard,andtakencounselofthethreegoodangelsstilllefttohimonearth.

Asheloungedalong,hecaughtsightofBerenice——BereniceinherSundayclothes,speakingtoastrangeratthecorneroftheRuedelaLuneandthefilthyBoulevardBonne-Nouvelle,whereshehadtakenherstand.

"Whatareyoudoing?"askedLucien,dismayedbyasuddensuspicion.

"Hereareyourtwentyfrancs,"saidthegirl,slippingfourfive-francpiecesintothepoet"shand."Theymaycostdearyet;butyoucango,"

andshehadfledbeforeLuciencouldseethewayshewent;for,injusticetohim,itmustbesaidthatthemoneyburnedhishand,hewantedtoreturnit,buthewasforcedtokeepitasthefinalbrandsetuponhimbylifeinParis.

ADDENDUM

ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy.

BarbetAManofBusinessTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMiddleClassesBeaudenord,GodefroiddeTheBallatSceauxTheFirmofNucingenBereniceLostIllusionsBianchon,HoraceFatherGoriotTheAtheist"sMassCesarBirotteauTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsABachelor"sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGovernmentClerksPierretteAStudyofWomanScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeHonorineTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMagicSkinASecondHomeAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheImaginaryMistressTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyTheCountryParsonInaddition,M.Bianchonnarratedthefollowing:

AnotherStudyofWomanLaGrandeBretecheBlondet,EmileJealousiesofaCountryTownScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeModesteMignonAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheFirmofNucingenThePeasantryBlondet,VirginieJealousiesofaCountryTownTheSecretsofaPrincessThePeasantryAnotherStudyofWomanTheMemberforArcisADaughterofEveBraulardCousinBettyCousinPonsBridau,JosephThePurseABachelor"sEstablishmentAStartinLifeModesteMignonAnotherStudyofWomanPierreGrassouLettersofTwoBridesCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisBruel,JeanFrancoisduABachelor"sEstablishmentTheGovernmentClerksAStartinLifeAPrinceofBohemiaTheMiddleClassesADaughterofEveBruel,ClaudineChaffaroux,MadameduABachelor"sEstablishmentAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMiddleClassesCabirolle,Agathe-FlorentineAStartinLifeLostIllusionsABachelor"sEstablishmentCamusotABachelor"sEstablishmentCousinPonsTheMuseoftheDepartmentCesarBirotteauAttheSignoftheCatandRacketCanalis,Constant-Cyr-Melchior,BarondeLettersofTwoBridesModesteMignonTheMagicSkinAnotherStudyofWomanAStartinLifeBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsTheMemberforArcisCardot,Jean-Jerome-SeverinAStartinLifeLostIllusionsABachelor"sEstablishmentAttheSignoftheCatandRacketCesarBirotteauCarigliano,DuchessedeAttheSignoftheCatandRacketThePeasantryTheMemberforArcisCavalierTheSeamySideofHistoryChaboisseauTheGovernmentClerksAManofBusinessChatelet,Sixte,BaronduLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeTheThirteenChatelet,Marie-Louise-AnaisdeNegrepelisse,BaronneduLostIllusionsTheGovernmentClerksChrestien,MichelABachelor"sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessCollin,JacquesFatherGoriotLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeTheMemberforArcisColoquinteABachelor"sEstablishmentCoralie,MademoiselleAStartinLifeABachelor"sEstablishmentDauriatScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeModesteMignonDesroches(son)

ABachelor"sEstablishmentColonelChabertAStartinLifeAWomanofThirtyTheCommissioninLunacyTheGovernmentClerksScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeTheFirmofNucingenAManofBusinessTheMiddleClassesArthez,Danield"

LettersofTwoBridesTheMemberforArcisTheSecretsofaPrincessEspard,Jeanne-Clementine-AthenaisdeBlamont-Chauvry,Marquised"

TheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeLettersofTwoBridesAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveBeatrixFinot,AndocheCesarBirotteauABachelor"sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeTheGovernmentClerksAStartinLifeGaudissarttheGreatTheFirmofNucingenFoy,Maximilien-SebastienCesarBirotteauGaillard,TheodoreBeatrixScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeTheUnconsciousHumoristsGaillard,MadameTheodoreJealousiesofaCountryTownABachelor"sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsGalathionne,PrinceandPrincess(bothnotineachstory)

TheSecretsofaPrincessTheMiddleClassesFatherGoriotADaughterofEveBeatrixGentilLostIllusionsGiraud,LeonABachelor"sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessTheUnconsciousHumoristsGiroudeauAStartinLifeABachelor"sEstablishmentGrindotCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsAStartinLifeScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeBeatrixTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyLambert,LouisLouisLambertASeasideTragedyListomere,MarquisdeTheLilyoftheValleyAStudyofWomanListomere,MarquisedeTheLilyoftheValleyLostIllusionsAStudyofWomanADaughterofEveLousteau,EtienneABachelor"sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeADaughterofEveBeatrixTheMuseoftheDepartmentCousinBettyAPrinceofBohemiaAManofBusinessTheMiddleClassesTheUnconsciousHumoristsLupeaulx,ClementChardindesTheMuseoftheDepartmentEugenieGrandetABachelor"sEstablishmentTheGovernmentClerksScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeUrsuleMirouetManerville,PaulFrancois-Joseph,ComtedeTheThirteenTheBallatSceauxLostIllusionsAMarriageSettlementMarsay,HenrideTheThirteenTheUnconsciousHumoristsAnotherStudyofWomanTheLilyoftheValleyFatherGoriotJealousiesofaCountryTownUrsuleMirouetAMarriageSettlementLostIllusionsLettersofTwoBridesTheBallatSceauxModesteMignonTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveMatifat(wealthydruggist)

CesarBirotteauABachelor"sEstablishmentLostIllusionsTheFirmofNucingenCousinPonsMeyrauxLouisLambertMontcornet,Marechal,ComtedeDomesticPeaceLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeThePeasantryAManofBusinessCousinBettyMontriveau,GeneralMarquisArmanddeTheThirteenFatherGoriotLostIllusionsAnotherStudyofWomanPierretteTheMemberforArcisNathan,RaoulLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveLettersofTwoBridesTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMuseoftheDepartmentAPrinceofBohemiaAManofBusinessTheUnconsciousHumoristsNathan,MadameRaoulTheMuseoftheDepartmentLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLife.

TheGovernmentClerksABachelor"sEstablishmentUrsuleMirouetEugenieGrandetTheImaginaryMistressAPrinceofBohemiaNegrepelisse,DeTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsNucingen,BaronFredericdeTheFirmofNucingenFatherGoriotPierretteCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessAManofBusinessCousinBettyTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsNucingen,BaronneDelphinedeFatherGoriotTheThirteenEugenieGrandetCesarBirotteauMelmothReconciledLostIllusionsTheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeModesteMignonTheFirmofNucingenAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisPalma(banker)

TheFirmofNucingenCesarBirotteauGobseckLostIllusionsTheBallatSceauxPombreton,MarquisdeLostIllusionsJealousiesofaCountryTownRastignac,EugenedeFatherGoriotScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeTheBallatSceauxTheCommissioninLunacyAStudyofWomanAnotherStudyofWomanTheMagicSkinTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheGondrevilleMysteryTheFirmofNucingenCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisTheUnconsciousHumoristsRhetore,DucAlphonsedeABachelor"sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeLettersofTwoBridesAlbertSavarusTheMemberforArcisRidal,FulgenceABachelor"sEstablishmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsRubempre,Lucien-ChardondeLostIllusionsTheGovernmentClerksUrsuleMirouetScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeSamanonTheGovernmentClerksAManofBusinessCousinBettySechard,DavidLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeSechard,MadameDavidLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeTillet,FerdinandduCesarBirotteauTheFirmofNucingenTheMiddleClassesABachelor"sEstablishmentPierretteMelmothReconciledTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisCousinBettyTheUnconsciousHumoristsTouches,MademoiselleFelicitedesBeatrixLostIllusionsABachelor"sEstablishmentAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveHonorineBeatrixTheMuseoftheDepartmentVandenesse,ComteFelixdeTheLilyoftheValleyLostIllusionsCesarBirotteauLettersofTwoBridesAStartinLifeTheMarriageSettlementTheSecretsofaPrincessAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveVernou,FelicienABachelor"sEstablishmentLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan"sLifeADaughterofEveCousinBettyVignon,ClaudeADaughterofEveHonorineBeatrixCousinBettyTheUnconsciousHumorists。