\"Aretheredemonstrationsintheology？\"askedtheprofessorofmathematics，naively，plungingheadlongintotheconversation。
\"Ithink，monsieur，\"repliedTheodose，lookingstraightatFelixPhellion，\"thatyoucannotbeseriousinaskingmesuchaquestion。\"
\"Felix，\"saidoldPhellion，comingheavilytotherescueofhisson，andcatchingadistressedlookonthepalefaceofMadameThuillier，——
\"Felixseparatesreligionintotwocategories；heconsidersitfromthehumanpointofviewandthedivinepointofview，——traditionandreason。\"
\"Thatisheresy，monsieur，\"repliedTheodose。\"Religionisone；itrequires，aboveallthings，faith。\"
OldPhellion，nonplussedbythatremark，noddedtohiswife：——
\"Itisgettinglate，mydear，\"andhepointedtotheclock。
\"Oh，MonsieurFelix，\"saidCelesteinawhispertothecandidmathematician，\"Couldn’tyoube，likePascalandBossuet，learnedandpiousboth？\"
ThePhellions，ondeparting，carriedtheCollevilleswiththem。SoonnooneremainedinthesalonbutDutocq，Theodose，andtheThuilliers。
TheflatteryadministeredbyTheodosetoFlavieseemsatthefirstsightcoarselycommonplace，butwemusthereremark，intheinterestsofthishistory，thatthebarristerwaskeepinghimselfascloseaspossibletothesevulgarminds；hewasnavigatingtheirwaters；hespoketheirlanguage。HispainterwasPierreGrassou，andnotJosephBridau；hisbookwas\"PaulandVirginia。\"ThegreatestlivingpoetforhimwasCasimiredelaVigne；tohiseyesthemissionofartwas，aboveallthings，utility。Parmentier，thediscovererofthepotato，wasgreatertohimthatthirtyRaffaelles；themaninthebluecloakseemedtohimasisterofcharity。ThesewereThuillier’sexpressions，andTheodoserememberedthemall——onoccasion。
\"ThatyoungFelixPhellion，\"henowremarked，\"ispreciselytheacademicalmanofourday；theproductofknowledgewhichsendsGodtotherear。Heavens，whatarewecomingto？ReligionalonecansaveFrance；nothingbutthefearofhellwillpreserveusfromdomesticrobbery，whichisgoingonatallhoursinthebosomoffamilies，andeatingintothesurestfortunes。Allofyouhaveasecretwarfareinyourhomes。\"
Afterthisshrewdtirade，whichmadeagreatimpressionuponBrigitte，heretired，followedbyDutocq，afterwishinggoodeveningtothethreeThuilliers。
\"Thatyoungmanhasgreatcapacity，\"saidThuillier，sententiously。
\"Yes，thathehas，\"repliedBrigitte，extinguishingthelamps。
\"Hehasreligion，\"saidMadameThuillier，asshelefttheroom。
\"Monsieur，\"PhellionwassayingtoCollevilleastheycameabreastoftheEcoledeMines，lookingabouthimtoseethatnoonewasnear，\"itisusuallymycustomtosubmitmyinsighttothatofothers，butitisimpossibleformenottothinkthatthatyounglawyerplaysthemasteratourfriendThuillier’s。\"
\"Myownopinion，\"saidColleville，whowaswalkingwithPhellionbehindhiswife，MadamePhellion，andCeleste，\"isthathe’saJesuit；
andIdon’tlikeJesuits；thebestofthemarenogood。TomymindaJesuitmeansknavery，andknaveryforknavery’ssake；theydeceiveforthepleasureofdeceiving，and，asthesayingis，tokeeptheirhandin。That’smyopinion，andIdon’tminceit。\"
\"Iunderstandyou，monsieur，\"saidPhellion，whowasarm—in—armwithColleville。
\"No，MonsieurPhellion，\"remarkedFlavieinashrillvoice，\"youdon’tunderstandColleville；butIknowwhathemeans，andIthinkhehadbetterstopsayingit。Suchsubjectsarenottobetalkedofinthestreet，ateleveno’clockatnight，andbeforeayounglady。\"
\"Youareright，wife，\"saidColleville。
WhentheyreachedtheruedesDeux—Eglises，whichPhellionwastotake，theyallstoppedtosaygood—night，andFelixPhellion，whowasbringuptherear，saidtoColleville：——
\"Monsieur，yoursonFrancoiscouldentertheEcolePolytechniqueifhewerewell—coached；Iproposetoyoutofithimtopasstheexaminationsthisyear。\"
\"That’sanoffernottoberefused！Thankyou，myfriend，\"saidColleville。\"We’llseeaboutit。\"
\"Good！\"saidPhelliontohisson，astheywalkedon。
\"Notabadstroke！\"saidthemother。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"askedFelix。
\"YouareverycleverlypayingcourttoCeleste’sparents。\"
\"MayIneverfindthesolutionofmyproblemifIeventhoughtofit！\"
criedtheyoungprofessor。\"Idiscovered，whentalkingwiththelittleCollevilles，thatFrancoishasastrongturnformathematics，andI
thoughtIoughttoenlightenhisfather。\"
\"Good，myson！\"repeatedPhellion。\"Iwouldn’thaveyouotherwise。Myprayersaregranted！Ihaveasonwhosehonor，probity，andprivateandcivicvirtuesareallthatIcouldwish。\"
MadameColleville，assoonasCelestehadgonetobed，saidtoherhusband：——
\"Colleville，don’tutterthosebluntopinionsaboutpeoplewithoutknowingsomethingaboutthem。WhenyoutalkofJesuitsIknowyoumeanpriests；andIwishyouwoulddomethekindnesstokeepyouropinionsonreligiontoyourselfwhenyouareincompanywithyourdaughter。Wemaysacrificeourownsouls，butnotthesoulsofourchildren。Youdon’twantCelestetobeacreaturewithoutreligion？Andremember，mydear，thatweareatthemercyofothers；wehavefourchildrentoprovidefor；andhowdoyouknowthat，somedayorother，youmaynotneedtheservicesofthisoneorthatone？Thereforedon’tmakeenemies。Youhaven’tanynow，foryouareagood—naturedfellow；and，thankstothatquality，whichamountsinyoutoacharm，wehavegotalongprettywellinlife，sofar。\"
\"That’senough！\"saidColleville，flinginghiscoatonachairandpullingoffhiscravat。\"I’mwrong，andyouareright，mybeautifulFlavie。\"
\"Andonthenextoccasion，mydearoldsheep，\"saidtheslycreature，tappingherhusband’scheek，\"youmusttrytobepolitetothatyounglawyer；heisaschemerandwehadbetterhavehimonourside。Heisplayingcomedy——well！playcomedywithhim；behisdupeapparently；ifheprovestohavetalent，ifhehasafuturebeforehim，makeafriendofhim。DoyouthinkIwanttoseeyouforeverinthemayor’soffice？\"
\"Come，wifeColleville，\"saidtheformerclarionet，tappinghiskneetoindicatetheplacehewishedhiswifetotake。\"Letuswarmourtoesandtalk。——WhenIlookatyouIammorethaneverconvincedthattheyouthofwomenisintheirfigure。\"
\"Andintheirheart。\"
\"Well，both，\"assentedColleville；\"waistslender，heartsolid——\"
\"No，youoldstupid，deep。\"
\"Whatisgoodaboutyouisthatyouhavekeptyourfairnesswithoutgrowingfat。Butthefactis，youhavesuchtinybones。Flavie，itisafactthatifIhadlifetoliveoveragainIshouldn’twishforanyotherwifethanyou。\"
\"YouknowverywellIhavealwayspreferredyoutoOTHERS。Howunluckythatmonseigneurisdead！DoyouknowwhatIcovetforyou？\"
\"No；what？\"
\"SomeofficeattheHoteldeVille，——anofficeworthtwelvethousandfrancsayear；cashier，orsomethingofthatkind；eitherthere，oratPoissy，inthemunicipaldepartment；orelseasmanufacturerofmusicalinstruments——\"
\"Anyoneofthemwouldsuitme。\"
\"Well，then！ifthatqueerbarristerhaspower，andhecertainlyhasplentyofintrigue，letusmanagehim。I’llsoundhim；leavemetodothething——and，aboveall，don’tthwarthisgameattheThuilliers’。\"
TheodosehadlaidafingeronasoresportinFlavieColleville’sheart；andthisrequiresanexplanation，whichmay，perhaps，havethevalueofasyntheticglanceatwomen’slife。
Atfortyyearsofageawoman，aboveall，ifshehastastedthepoisonedappleofpassion，undergoesasolemnshock；sheseestwodeathsbeforeher：thatofthebodyandthatoftheheart。Dividingwomenintotwogreatcategorieswhichrespondtothecommonideas，andcallingthemeithervirtuousorguilty，itisallowabletosaythatafterthatfatalperiodtheybothsufferpangsofterribleintensity。
Ifvirtuous，anddisappointedinthedeepesthopesoftheirnature——
whethertheyhavehadthecouragetosubmit，whethertheyhaveburiedtheirrevoltintheirheartsoratthefootofthealtar——theyneveradmittothemselvesthatallisoverforthemwithouthorror。Thatthoughthassuchstrangeanddiabolicaldepthsthatinitliesthereasonofsomeofthoseapostasieswhichhave，attimes，amazedtheworldandhorrifiedit。Ifguilty，womenofthatagefallintooneofseveraldeliriousconditionswhichoftenturn，alas！tomadness，orendinsuicide，orterminateinsomewithpassiongreaterthanthesituationitself。
Thefollowingisthe\"dilemmatic\"meaningofthiscrisis。Eithertheyhaveknownhappiness，knownitinavirtuouslife，andareunabletobreatheinanyairbutthatsurchargedwithincense，oractinanybutabalmyatmosphereofflatteryandworship，——ifso，howisitpossibletorenounceit？——or，byaphenomenonlessrarethansingular，theyhavefoundonlywearyingpleasureswhileseekingforthehappinessthatescapedthem——sustainedinthateagerchasebytheirritatingsatisfactionsofvanity，clingingtothegamelikeagamblertohisdoubleorquits；fortothemtheselastdaysofbeautyaretheirlaststakeagainstdespair。
\"Youhavebeenloved，butneveradored。\"
ThatspeechofTheodose，accompaniedbyalookwhichread，notintoherheart，butintoherlife，wasthekey—notetoherenigma，andFlaviefeltherselfdivined。
Thelawyerhadmerelyrepeatedideaswhichliteraturehasrenderedtrivial；butwhatmatterwherethewhipcomesfrom，orhowitismade，ifittouchesthesensitivespotofahorse’shide？TheemotionwasinFlavie，notinthespeech，justasthenoiseisnotintheavalanche，thoughitproducesit。
Ayoungofficer，twofops，abanker，aclumsyyouth，andColleville，werepoorattemptsathappiness。OnceinherlifeMadameCollevillehaddreamedofit，butneverattainedit。Deathhadhastenedtoputanendtotheonlypassioninwhichshehadfoundacharm。Forthelasttwoyearsshehadlistenedtothevoiceofreligion，whichtoldherthatneithertheChurch，noritsvotaries，shouldtalkofloveorhappiness，butofdutyandresignation；thattheonlyhappinesslayinthesatisfactionoffulfillingpainfulandcostlyduties，therewardsforwhichwerenotinthisworld。Allthesame，however，shewasconsciousofanotherclamoringvoice；but，inasmuchasherreligionwasonlyamaskwhichitsuitedhertowear，andnotaconversion，shedidnotlayitaside，thinkingitaresource。Believingalsothatpiety，falseortrue，wasabecomingmannerinwhichtomeetherfuture，shecontinuedintheChurch，asthoughitwerethecross—roadsofaforest，where，seatedonabench，shereadthesign—posts，andwaitedforsomeluckychance；feelingallthewhilethatnightwascomingon。
ThusithappenedthatherinterestwaskeenlyexcitedwhenTheodoseputhersecretconditionofmindintowords，seemingtopromisehertherealizationofhercastleintheair，alreadybuiltandoverthrownsomesixoreighttimes。
FromthebeginningofthewintershehadnoticedthatTheodosewasexaminingandstudyingher，thoughcautiouslyandsecretly。Morethanonce，shehadputonhergraymoiresilkwithitsblacklace，andherheaddressofMechlinwithafewflowers，inordertoappeartoherbestadvantage；andmenknowverywellwhenatoilethasbeenmadetopleasethem。TheoldbeauoftheEmpire，thathandsomeThuillier，overwhelmedherwithcompliments，assuringhershewasqueenofthesalon，butlaPeyradesaidinfinitelymoretothepurposebyalook。
Flaviehadexpected，SundayafterSunday，adeclaration，sayingtoherselfattimes：——
\"HeknowsIamruinedandhaven’tasou。Perhapsheisreallypious。\"
Theodosedidnothingrashly；likeawisemusician，hehadmarkedtheplaceinhissymphonywhereheintendedtotaphisdrum。WhenhesawCollevilleattemptingtowarnThuillieragainsthim，hefiredhisbroadside，cleverlypreparedduringthethreeorfourmonthsinwhichhehadbeenstudyingFlavie；henowsucceededwithherashehad，earlierintheday，succeededwithThuillier。
Whilegettingintobed，Theodosesaidtohimself：——
\"Thewifeisonmyside；thehusbandcan’tendureme；theyarenowquarrelling；andIshallgetthebetterofit，forshedoeswhatshelikeswiththatman。\"
Thelawyerwasmistakeninonething：therewasnodisputewhatever，andCollevillewassleepingpeacefullybesidehisdearlittleFlavie，whileshewassayingtoherself：——
\"CertainlyTheodosemustbeasuperiorman。\"
Manymen，likelaPeyrade，derivetheirsuperiorityfromtheaudacity，orthedifficulty，ofanenterprise；thestrengththeydisplayincreasestheirmuscularpower，andtheyspenditfreely。Thenwhensuccessiswon，ordefeatismet，thepublicisastonishedtofindhowsmall，exhausted，andpunythosemenreallyare。AftercastingintothemindsofthetwopersonsonwhomCeleste’sfatechieflydepended，aninterestandcuriositythatwerealmostfeverish，Theodosepretendedtobeaverybusyman；forfiveorsixdayshewasoutofthehousefrommorningtillnight，inordernottomeetFlavieuntilthetimewhenherinterestshouldincreasetothepointofoversteppingconventionality，andalsoinordertoforcethehandsomeThuilliertocomeandfetchhim。
ThefollowingSundayhefeltcertainheshouldfindMadameCollevilleatchurch；hewasnotmistaken，fortheycameout，eachofthem，atthesamemoment，andmetatthecorneroftheruedesDeux—Eglises。
Theodoseofferedhisarm，whichFlavieaccepted，leavingherdaughtertowalkinfrontwithherbrotherAnatole。Thisyoungestchild，thenabouttwelveyearsold，beingdestinedfortheseminary，wasnowattheBarniolinstitute，whereheobtainedanelementaryeducation；
Barniol，theson—in—lawofthePhellions，wasnaturallymakingthetuitionfeeslight，withaviewtothehoped—foralliancebetweenFelixandCeleste。
\"HaveyoudonemethehonorandfavorofthinkingoverwhatIsaidtoyousobadlytheotherday？\"askedthelawyer，inacaressingtone，pressingthelady’sarmtohisheartwithamovementbothsoftandstrong；forheseemedtowishtorestrainhimselfandappearrespectful，inspiteofhisevidenteagerness。\"Donotmisunderstandmyintentions，\"hecontinued，afterreceivingfromMadameCollevilleoneofthoselookswhichwomentrainedtothemanagementofpassionknowhowtogive，——alookthat，bymereexpression，canconveybothsevererebukeandsecretcommunityofsentiment。\"Iloveyouasweloveanoblenaturestrugglingagainstmisfortune；Christiancharityenfoldsboththestrongandtheweak；itstreasurebelongstoboth。
Refined，graceful，elegantasyouare，madetobeanornamentofthehighestsociety，whatmancouldseeyouwithoutfeelinganimmensecompassioninhisheart——buriedhereamongtheseodiousbourgeois，whoknownothingofyou，noteventhearistocraticvalueofasingleoneofyourattitudes，orthoseenchantinginflectionsofyourvoice！Ah！
ifIwereonlyrich！ifIhadpower！yourhusband，whoiscertainlyagoodfellow，shouldbemadereceiver—general，andyouyourselfcouldgethimelecteddeputy。But，alas！poorambitiousman，myfirstdutyistosilencemyambition。Knowingmyselfatthebottomofthebaglikethelastnumberinafamilylottery，Icanonlyofferyoumyarmandnotmyheart。Ihopeallfromagoodmarriage，and，believeme，I
shallmakemywifenotonlyhappy，butIshallmakeheroneofthefirstintheland，receivingfromherthemeansofsuccess。Itissofineaday，willyounottakeaturnintheLuxembourg？\"headded，astheyreachedtherued’EnferatthecornerofColleville’shouse，oppositetowhichwasapassageleadingtothegardensbythestairwayofalittlebuilding，thelastremainsofthefamousconventoftheChartreux。
Thesoftyieldingofthearmwithinhisown，indicatedatacitconsenttothisproposal，andasFlaviedeservedthehonorofasortofenthusiasm，hedrewhervehementlyalong，exclaiming：——
\"Come！wemayneverhavesogoodamoment——Butsee！\"headded，\"thereisyourhusbandatthewindowlookingatus；letuswalkslowly。\"
\"YouhavenothingtofearfromMonsieurColleville，\"saidFlavie，smiling；\"heleavesmemistressofmyownactions。\"
\"Ah！here，indeed，isthewomanIhavedreamedof，\"criedtheProvencal，withthatecstasythatinflamesthesoulonly，andintonesthatissueonlyfromSouthernlips。\"Pardonme，madame，\"hesaid，recoveringhimself，andreturningfromanupperspheretotheexiledangelwhomhelookedatpiously，——\"pardonme，IabandonwhatIwassaying；buthowcanamanhelpfeelingforthesorrowshehasknownhimselfwhenheseesthemthelotofabeingtowhomlifeshouldbringonlyjoyandhappiness？Yoursufferingsaremine；Iamnomoreinmyrightplacethanyouareinyours；thesamemisfortunehasmadeusbrotherandsister。Ah！dearFlavie，thefirstdayitwasgrantedtometoseeyou——thelastSundayinSeptember，1838——youwereverybeautiful；Ishalloftenrecallyoutomemoryinthatprettylittlegownofmousseline—de—laineofthecolorofsomeScottishtartan！ThatdayIsaidtomyself：’WhyisthatwomansooftenattheThuilliers’；
aboveall，whydidsheeverhaveintimaterelationswithThuillierhimself？——’\"
\"Monsieur！\"saidFlavie，alarmedatthesingularcourselaPeyradewasgivingtotheconversation。
\"Eh！Iknowall，\"hecried，accompanyingthewordswithashrugofhisshoulders。\"Iexplainitalltomyownmind，andIdonotrespectyouless。Younowhavetogatherthefruitsofyoursin，andIwillhelpyou。Celestewillbeveryrich，andinthatliesyourownfuture。Youcanhaveonlyoneson—in—law；chosehimwisely。Anambitiousmanmightbecomeaminister，butyouwouldhumbleyourdaughterandmakehermiserable；andifsuchamanlosthisplaceandfortunehecouldneverrecoverit。Yes，Iloveyou，\"hecontinued。\"Iloveyouwithanunlimitedaffection；youarefarabovethemassofpettyconsiderationsinwhichsillywomenentanglethemselves。Letusunderstandeachother。\"
Flaviewasbewildered；shewas，however，awaketotheextremefranknessofsuchlanguage，andshesaidtoherself，\"Heisnotasecretmanoeuvrer，certainly。\"Moreover，sheadmittedtoherownmindthatnoonehadeversodeeplystirredandexcitedherasthisyoungman。
\"Monsieur，\"shesaid，\"Idonotknowwhocouldhaveputintoyourmindsogreatanerrorastomylife，norbywhatrightyou——\"
\"Ah！pardonme，madame，\"interruptedtheProvencalwithacoolnessthatsmackedofcontempt。\"Imusthavedreamedit。Isaidtomyself，’Sheisallthat！’ButIseeIwasjudgingfromtheoutside。Iknownowwhyyouarelivingandwillalwaysliveonafourthfloorintherued’Enfer。\"
AndhepointedhisspeechwithanenergeticgesturetowardtheCollevillewindows，whichcouldbeseenthroughthepassagefromthealleyoftheLuxembourg，wheretheywerewalkingalone，inthatimmensetracttroddenbysomanyandvariousyoungambitions。
\"Ihavebeenfrank，andIexpectedreciprocity，\"resumedTheodose。\"I
myselfhavehaddayswithoutfood，madame；Ihavemanagedtolive，pursuemystudies，obtainmydegree，withtwothousandfrancsformysoledependence；andIenteredParisthroughtheBarriered’Italie，withfivehundredfrancsinmypocket，firmlyresolved，likeoneofmycompatriots，tobecome，someday，oneoftheforemostmenofourcountry。Themanwhohasoftenpickedhisfoodfrombasketsofscrapswheretherestaurateursputtheirrefuse，whichareemptiedatsixo’clockeverymorning——thatmanisnotlikelytorecoilbeforeanymeans，——avowable，ofcourse。Well，doyouthinkmethefriendofthepeople？\"hesaid，smiling。\"Onehastohaveaspeaking—trumpettoreachtheearofFame；shedoesn’tlistenifyouspeakwithyourlips；
andwithoutfameofwhatuseistalent？Thepoorman’sadvocatemeanstobesomedaytheadvocateoftherich。Isthatplainspeaking？Don’tIopenmyinmostbeingtoyou？Thenopenyourhearttome。Saytome，’Letusbefriends，’andthedaywillcomewhenweshallbothbehappy。\"
\"Goodheavens！whydidIevercomehere？WhydidIevertakeyourarm？\"criedFlavie。
\"Becauseitisinyourdestiny，\"hereplied。\"Ah！mydear，belovedFlavie，\"headded，againpressingherarmuponhisheart，\"didyouexpecttohearthevulgaritiesoflovefromme？Wearebrotherandsister；thatisall。\"
Andheledhertowardsthepassagetoreturntotherued’Enfer。
Flaviefeltasortofterrorinthedepthsofthecontentmentwhichallwomenfindinviolentemotions；andshetookthatterrorforthesortoffearwhichanewpassionalwaysexcites；butforallthat，shefeltshewasfascinated，andshewalkedalonginabsolutesilence。
\"Whatareyouthinkingof？\"askedTheodose，whentheyreachedthemiddleofthepassage。
\"Ofwhatyouhavejustsaidtome，\"sheanswered。
\"Atourage，\"hesaid，\"itisbesttosuppresspreliminaries；wearenotchildren；webothbelongtoasphereinwhichweshouldunderstandeachother。Rememberthis，\"headded，astheyreachedtherued’Enfer。
——\"Iamwhollyyours。\"
Sosaying，hebowedlowtoher。
\"Theiron’sinthefirenow！\"hethoughttohimselfashewatchedhisgiddypreyonherwayhome。
CHAPTERVI
AKEYNOTE
WhenTheodosereachedhomehefound，waitingforhimonthelanding，apersonagewhois，asitwere，thesubmarinecurrentofthishistory；
hewillbefoundwithinitlikesomeburiedchurchonwhichhasrisenthefacadeofapalace。Thesightofthisman，who，aftervainlyringingatlaPeyrade’sdoor，wasnowtryingthatofDutocq，madetheProvencalbarristertremble——butsecretly，withinhimself，notbetrayingexternallyhisinwardemotion。ThismanwasCerizet，whomDutocqhadmentionedtoThuillierashiscopying—clerk。
Cerizetwasonlythirty—eightyearsold，buthelookedamanoffifty，soagedhadhebecomefromcauseswhichageallmen。Hishairlessheadhadayellowskull，ill—coveredbyarusty，discoloredwig；themaskofhisface，pale，flabby，andunnaturallyrough，seemedthemorehorriblebecausethenosewaseatenaway，thoughnotsufficientlytoadmitofitsbeingreplacedbyafalseone。Fromthespringofthisnoseattheforehead，downtothenostrils，itremainedasnaturehadmadeit；butdisease，aftergnawingawaythesidesneartheextremities，hadlefttwoholesoffantasticshape，whichvitiatedpronunciationandhamperedspeech。Theeyes，originallyhandsome，butweakenedbymiseryofallkindsandbysleeplessnights，wereredaroundtheedges，anddeeplysunken；theglanceofthoseeyes，whenthesoulsentintothemanexpressionofmalignancy，wouldhavefrightenedbothjudgesandcriminals，oranyotherswhomnothingusuallyaffrights。
Themouth，toothlessexceptforafewblackfangs，wasthreatening；
thesalivamadeafoamwithinit，whichdidnot，however，passthepalethinlips。Cerizet，ashortman，lesssparethanshrunken，endeavoredtoremedythedefectsofhispersonbyhisclothes，andalthoughhisgarmentswerenotthoseofopulence，hekepttheminaconditionofneatnesswhichmayevenhaveincreasedhisforlornappearance。Everythingabouthimseemeddubious；hisage，hisnose，hisglanceinspireddoubt。Itwasimpossibletoknowifhewerethirty—eightorsixty；ifhisfadedbluetrousers，whichfittedhimwell，wereofacomingorapastfashion。Hisboots，wornattheheels，butscrupulouslyblacked，resoledforthethirdtime，andverychoice，originally，mayhavetroddenintheirdayaministerialcarpet。Thefrockcoat，soakedbymanyadown—pour，withitsbrandebourgs，thefrogsofwhichwereindiscreetenoughtoshowtheirskeletons，testifiedbyitscuttodepartedelegance。Thesatinstock—
cravatfortunatelyconcealedtheshirt，butthetongueofthebucklebehindtheneckhadfrayedthesatin，whichwasre—satined，thatis，re—polished，byaspeciesofoildistilledfromthewig。Inthedaysofitsyouththewaistcoatwasnot，ofcourse，withoutfreshness，butitwasoneofthosewaistcoats，boughtforfourfrancs，whichcomefromthehooksoftheready—madeclothingdealer。Allthesethingswerecarefullybrushed，andsowastheshinyandmisshapenhat。Theyharmonizedwitheachother，eventotheblackgloveswhichcoveredthehandsofthissubalternMephistopheles，whosewholeanteriorlifemaybesummedupinasinglephrase：——
Hewasanartistinevil，withwhom，fromthefirst，evilhadsucceeded；amanmisledbytheseearlysuccessestocontinuetheplottingofinfamousdeedswithinthelinesofstrictlegality。
Becomingtheheadofaprinting—officebybetrayinghismaster[see\"LostIllusions\"]，hehadafterwardsbeencondemnedtoimprisonmentaseditorofaliberalnewspaper。Intheprovinces，undertheRestoration，hebecamethebetenoireofthegovernment，andwascalled\"thatunfortunateCerizet\"bysome，aspeoplespokeof\"theunfortunateChauvet\"and\"theheroicMercier。\"Heowedtothisreputationofpersecutedpatriotismaplaceassub—prefectin1830。
Sixmonthslaterhewasdismissed；butheinsistedthathewasjudgedwithoutbeingheard；andhemadesomuchtalkaboutitthat，undertheministryofCasimirPerier，hebecametheeditorofananti—republicannewspaperinthepayofthegovernment。Heleftthatpositiontogointobusiness，onephaseofwhichwasthemostnefariousstock—companythateverfellintothehandsofthecorrectionalpolice。Cerizetproudlyacceptedtheseveresentencehereceived；declaringittobearevengefulplotonthepartoftherepublicans，who，hesaid，wouldneverforgivehimforthehardblowshehaddealttheminhisjournal。
Hespentthetimeofhisimprisonmentinahospital。Thegovernmentbythistimewereashamedofamanwhosealmostinfamoushabitsandshamefulbusinesstransactions，carriedonincompanywithaformerbanker，namedClaparon，ledhimatlastintowell—deservedpubliccontempt。
Cerizet，thusfallen，stepbystep，tothelowestrungofthesocialladder，hadrecoursetopityinordertoobtaintheplaceofcopyingclerkinDutocq’soffice。Inthedepthsofhiswretchednessthemanstilldreamedofrevenge，and，ashehadnothingtolose，heemployedallmeanstothatend。Dutocqandhimselfwereboundtogetherindepravity。CerizetwastoDutocqwhatthehoundisthehuntsman。
Knowinghimselfthenecessitiesofpovertyandwretchedness，hesetupthatbusinessofgutterusurycalled，inpopularparlance，\"theloanbythelittleweek。\"HebeganthisatfirstbyhelpofDutocq，whosharedtheprofits；but，atthepresentmomentthismanofmanylegalcrimes，nowthebankeroffishwives，themoney—lenderofcostermongers，wasthegnawingrodentofthewholefaubourg。
\"Well，\"saidCerizetasDutocqopenedhisdoor，\"Theodosehasjustcomein；letusgotohisroom。\"
Theadvocateofthepoorwasfaintoallowthetwomentopassbeforehim。
Allthreecrossedalittleroom，thetiledfloorofwhich，coveredwithacoatingofredencaustic，shoneinthelight；thenceintoalittlesalonwithcrimsoncurtainsandmahoganyfurniture，coveredwithredUtrechtvelvet；thewalloppositethewindowbeingoccupiedbybook—shelvescontainingalegallibrary。Thechimney—piecewascoveredwithvulgarornaments，aclockwithfourcolumnsinmahogany，andcandelabraunderglassshades。Thestudy，wherethethreemenseatedthemselvesbeforeasoft—coalfire，wasthestudyofalawyerjustbeginningtopractise。Thefurnitureconsistedofadesk，anarmchair，littlecurtainsofgreensilkatthewindows，agreencarpet，shelvesforlawyer’sboxes，andacouch，abovewhichhunganivoryChristonavelvetbackground。Thebedroom，kitchen，andrestoftheapartmentlookedoutuponthecourtyard。
\"Well，\"saidCerizet，\"howarethingsgoing？Arewegettingon？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedTheodose。
\"Youmustadmit，\"criedDutocq，\"thatmyideawasafamousone，inlayingholdofthatimbecileofaThuillier？\"