CHAPTERI
PHELLION，UNDERANEWASPECT
BetweenthefirstandsecondpartsofthishistoryanimmenseeventhadtakenplaceinthelifeofPhellion。
ThereisnoonewhohasnotheardofthemisfortunesoftheOdeon，thatfataltheatrewhich，foryears，ruinedallitsdirectors。Rightorwrong，thequarterinwhichthisdramaticimpossibilitystandsisconvincedthatitsprosperitydependsuponit；sothatmorethanoncethemayorandotherauthoritiesofthearrondissementhave，withacouragethathonorsthem，takenpartinthemostdesperateeffortstogalvanizethecorpse。
Nowtomeddlewiththeatricalmattersisoneoftheeternallyperennialambitionsofthelesserbourgeoisie。Always，therefore，thesuccessivesavioursoftheOdeonfeelthemselvesmagnificentlyrewardediftheyaregiveneversosmallashareintheadministrationofthatenterprise。ItwasatsomecrisisinitsaffairsthatMinard，inhiscapacityasmayorofthe11tharrondissement，hadbeencalledtothechairmanshipofthecommitteeforreadingplays，withthepowertojoinuntohimselfasassistantsacertainnumberofthenotablesoftheLatinquarter，——theselectionbeinglefttohim。
WeshallsoonknowexactlyhownearwastherealizationoflaPeyrade’sprojectsforthepossessionofCeleste’s\"dot\"；letusmerelysaynowthattheseprojectsinapproachingmaturityhadinevitablybecomenoisedabroad；andasthisconditionofthingspointed，ofcourse，totheexclusionofMinardjuniorandalsoofFelixtheprofessor，theprejudicehithertomanifestedbyMinardpereagainstoldPhellionwastransformedintoanunequivocaldispositiontowardsfriendlycordiality；thereisnothingthatbindsandsootheslikethefeelingofacheckmatesharedincommon。Judgedwithouttheevileyeofpaternalrivalry，PhellionbecametoMinardaRomanofincorruptibleintegrityandamanwhoselittletreatiseshadbeenadoptedbytheUniversity，——inotherwords，amanofsoundandtestedintellect。
Sothatwhenitbecamethedutyofthemayortoselectthemembersofthedramaticcustom—house，ofwhichhewasnowthehead，heimmediatelythoughtofPhellion。Asforthegreatcitizen，hefelt，onthedaywhenapostwasofferedtohiminthataugusttribunal，thatacrownofgoldhadbeenplaceduponhisbrow。
Itwillbewellunderstoodthatitwasnotlightly，norwithouthavingdeeplymeditated，thatamanofPhellion’ssolemnityhadacceptedthehighandsacredmissionwhichwasofferedtohim。Hesaidwithinhimselfthathewascalledupontoexercisethefunctionsofamagistracy，apriestlyoffice。
\"Tojudgeofmen，\"herepliedtoMinard，whowasmuchsurprisedathishesitation，\"isanalarmingtask，buttojudgeofminds！——whocanbelievehimselfequaltosuchamission？\"
Oncemorethefamily——thatrockonwhichthefirmestresolutionssplit——hadthreatenedtoinfringeonthedomainofhisconscience。Thethoughtofboxesandticketsofwhichthefuturememberofthecommitteecoulddisposeinfavorofhisownkinhadexcitedinthehouseholdsoeagerafermentthathisfreedomofdecisionseemedforamomentindanger。But，happily，BrutuswasabletodecidehimselfinthesamedirectionalongwhichapositiveuprisingofthewholePhellioniantribeintendedtopushhim。FromtheobservationsofBarniol，hisson—in—law，andalsobyhisownpersonalinspiration，hebecamepersuadedthatbyhisvote，alwaysgiventoworksofirreproachablemorality，andbyhisfirmdeterminationtobarthewaytoallplaysthatmothersoffamiliescouldnottaketheirdaughterstowitness，hewascalledupontorenderthemostsignalservicestomoralsandpublicorder。Phellion，tousehisownexpression，hadthereforebecomeamemberoftheareopaguspresidedoverbyMinard，and——stillspeakingashespoke——hewasissuingfromtheexerciseofhisfunctions，whichwerebothdelicateandinteresting，whentheconversationweareabouttoreporttookplace。Aknowledgeofthisconversationisnecessarytoanunderstandingoftheulterioreventsofthishistory，anditwillalsoservetoputintorelieftheenviousinsightwhichisoneofthemostmarkedtraitsofthebourgeoischaracter。
Thesessionofthecommitteehadbeenextremelystormy。Onthesubjectofatragedyentitled，\"TheDeathofHercules，\"theclassicpartyandtheromanticparty，whomthemayorhadcarefullybalancedinthecompositionofhiscommittee，hadnearlyapproachedthepointoftearingeachother’shairout。TwicePhellionhadrisentospeak，andhishearerswereastonishedatthequantityofmetaphorsthespeechofamajoroftheNationalGuardcouldcontainwhenhisliteraryconvictionswereimperilled。Astheresultofavote，victoryremainedwiththeopinionsofwhichPhellionwastheeloquentorgan。ItwaswhiledescendingthestairwayofthetheatrewithMinardthatheremarked：——
\"Wehavedoneagoodworkthisday。’TheDeathofHercules’remindedmeof’TheDeathofHector，’bythelateLucedeLancival；theworkwehavejustacceptedsparkleswithsublimeverses。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMinard，\"theversificationhastaste；therearesomereallyfinelinesinit，andIadmittoyouthatIthinkthissortofliteratureratherabovetheanagramsofMasterColleville。\"
\"Oh！\"repliedMinard，\"Colleville’sanagramsaremerewitticisms，whichhavenothingincommonwiththesterneraccentsofMelpomene。\"
\"Andyet，\"saidMinard，\"Icanassureyouheattachesthegreatestimportancetothatrubbish，andapropostohisanagrams，as，indeed，aboutmanyotherthings，heisnotalittlepuffedup。SincetheiremigrationtotheMadeleinequarteritseemstomethatnotonlytheSieurColleville，buthiswifeanddaughter，andtheThuilliersandthewholecoteriehaveassumedanairofimportancewhichisratherdifficulttojustify。\"
\"Nowonder！\"saidPhellion；\"onemusthaveaprettystrongheadtostandthefumesofopulence。Ourfriendshavebecomesoveryrichbythepurchaseofthatpropertywheretheyhavegonetolivethatweoughttoforgivethemforalittleintoxication；andImustsaythedinnertheygaveusyesterdayforahouse—warmingwasreallyaswellarrangedasitwassucculent。\"
\"Imyself，\"saidMinard，\"havegivenafewremarkabledinnerstowhichmeninhighgovernmentpositionshavenotdisdainedtocome，yetIamnotpuffedupwithprideonthataccount；suchasmyfriendshavealwaysknownme，thatIhaveremained。\"
\"You，Monsieurlemaire，havelongbeenhabituatedtothesplendidexistenceyouhavemadeforyourselfbyyourhighcommercialtalents；
ourfriends，onthecontrary，solatelyembarkedonthesmilingshipofFortune，havenotyetfound，asthevulgarsayingis，theirsea—
legs。\"
AndthentocutshortaconversationinwhichPhellionbegantothinkthemayorrather\"caustic，\"hemadeasifheintendedtotakeleaveofhim。Inordertoreachtheirrespectivehomestheydidnotalwaystakethesameway。
\"AreyougoingthroughtheLuxembourg？\"askedMinard，notallowingPhelliontogivehimtheslip。
\"Ishallcrossit，butIhaveanappointmenttomeetMadamePhellionandthelittleBarniolsattheendofthegrandalley。\"
\"Then，\"saidMinard，\"I’llgowithyouandhavethepleasureofmakingmybowtoMadamePhellion；andIshallgetthefreshairatthesametime，for，inspiteofhearingfinethings，one’sheadgetstiredatthebusinesswehavejustbeenabout。\"
MinardhadfeltthatPhelliongaveratherreluctantassenttohissharpremarksaboutthenewestablishmentoftheThuilliers，andhedidnotattempttorenewthesubject；butwhenhehadMadamePhellionforalistener，hewasverysurethathisspitewouldfindanecho。
\"Well，fairlady，\"hebegan，\"whatdidyouthinkofyesterday’sdinner？\"
\"Itwasveryfine，\"repliedMadamePhellion；\"asItastedthatsoup’alabisque’Iknewthatsomecaterer，likeChevet，hadsupplantedthecook。Butthewholeaffairwasdull；ithadn’tthegaietyofouroldmeetingsintheLatinquarter。Andthen，didn’titstrikeyou，asitdidme，thatMadameandMademoiselleThuilliernolongerseemedmistressesoftheirownhouse？IreallyfeltasifIweretheguestofMadame——whatIShername？Inevercanrememberit。\"
\"Torna，ComtessedeGodollo，\"saidPhellion，intervening。\"Thenameiseuphoniousenoughtoremember。\"
\"Euphoniousifyoulike，mydear；buttomeitneverseemsanameatall。\"
\"ItisaMagyar，ortospeakmorecommonly，aHungarianname。Ourownname，ifwewantedtodiscussit，mightbesaidtobealoanfromtheGreeklanguage。\"
\"Verylikely；atanyratewehavetheadvantageofbeingknown，notonlyinourownquarter，butthroughoutthetuitionworld，wherewehaveearnedanhonorableposition；whilethisHungariancountess，whomakes，astheysay，thegoodandthebadweatherintheThuilliers’
home，wheredoesshecomefrom，I’dliketoknow？Howdidsuchafinelady，——forshehasgoodmannersandaverydistinguishedair，noonedeniesherthat，——howcameshetofallinlovewithBrigitte；who，betweenourselves，keepsasickeningodoroftheporter’slodgeabouther。Formypart，Ithinkthisdevotedfriendisanintriguingcreature，whoscentsmoney，andisschemingforsomefuturegain。\"
\"Ahca！\"saidMinard，\"thenyoudon’tknowtheoriginalcauseoftheintimacybetweenMadamelaComtessedeGodolloandtheThuilliers？\"
\"Sheisatenantintheirhouse；sheoccupiestheentresolbeneaththeirapartment。\"
\"True，butthere’ssomethingmorethanthatinit。Zelie，mywife，hearditfromJosephine，whowanted，lately，toenterourservice；themattercametonothing，forFrancoise，ourwoman，whothoughtofmarrying，changedhermind。Youmustknow，fairlady，thatitwassolelyMadamedeGodollowhobroughtabouttheemigrationoftheThuilliers，whoseupholsterer，asonemightsay，sheis。\"
\"What！theirupholsterer？\"criedPhellion，——\"thatdistinguishedwoman，ofwhomonemaytrulysay，’Incessupatuitdea’；whichinFrenchweveryinadequatelyrenderbytheexpression，’bearingofaqueen’？\"
\"Excuseme，\"saidMinard。\"IdidnotmeanthatMadamedeGodolloisactuallyinthefurniturebusiness；but，atthetimewhenMademoiselleThuillierdecided，bylaPeyrade’sadvice，tomanagethenewhouseherself，thatlittlefellow，whohasn’talltheascendancyoverhermindhethinkshehas，couldn’tpersuadehertomovethefamilyintothesplendidapartmentwheretheyreceivedusyesterday。MademoiselleBrigitteobjectedthatsheshouldhavetochangeherhabits，andthatherfriendsandrelationswouldn’tfollowhertosuchadistantquarter——\"
\"Itisquitecertain，\"interruptedMadamePhellion，\"thattomakeupone’smindtohireacarriageeverySunday，onewantsaprospectofgreaterpleasurethancanbefoundinthatsalon。Whenonethinksthat，exceptonthedayofthefamousdanceofthecandidacy，theyneveronceopenedthepianointherueSaint—Dominique！\"
\"Itwouldhavebeen，Iamsure，mostagreeabletothecompanytohaveatalentlikeyoursputinrequisition，\"remarkedMinard；\"butthosearenotideasthatcouldevercomeintothemindofthatgoodBrigitte。She’dhaveseentwomorecandlestolight。Five—francpiecesarehermusic。So，whenlaPeyradeandThuillierinsistedthatsheshouldmoveintotheapartmentinthePlacedelaMadeleine，shethoughtofnothingbuttheextracostsentailedbytheremoval。Shejudged，rightlyenough，thatbeneaththosegildedceilingsherold’penates’mighthaveasingulareffect。\"
\"Seehowallthingslinktogether，\"remarkedPhellion，\"andhow，fromthesummitsofsociety，luxuryinfiltratesitself，soonerorlater，throughthelowerclasses，leadingtotheruinofempires。\"
\"Youarebroachingthere，mydearcommander，\"saidMinard，\"oneofthemostknottyquestionsofpoliticaleconomy。Manygoodmindsthink，onthecontrary，thatluxuryisabsolutelydemandedintheinterestsofcommerce，whichiscertainlythelifeofStates。Inanycase，thisview，whichisn’tyours，appearstohavebeenthatofMadamedeGodollo，for，theytellme，herapartmentisverycoquettishlyfurnished；andtocoaxMademoiselleBrigitteintothesamepathofeleganceshemadeaproposaltoherasfollows：’Afriendofmine，’
shesaid，’aRussianprincessforwhomoneofthefirstupholsterershasjustmadesplendidfurniture，issuddenlyrecalledtoRussiabytheczar，agentlemanwithwhomnoonedarestotrifle。Thepoorwomanisthereforeobligedtoturneverythingsheownshereintomoneyasfastaspossible；andIfeelsureshewouldsellthisfurnitureforreadymoneyataquarterofthepriceitcosther。Allofitisnearlynew，andsomethingshaveneverbeenusedatall。’\"
\"So，\"criedMadamePhellion，\"allthatmagnificencedisplayedbeforeoureyeslastnightwasamagnificenteconomicalbargain？\"
\"Justso，\"repliedMinard；\"andthethingthatdecidedMademoiselleBrigittetotakethatsplendidchancewasnotsomuchthedesiretorenewhershabbyfurnitureastheideaofdoinganexcellentstrokeofbusiness。Inthatoldmaidthere’salwayssomethingofMadamelaRessourceinMoliere’s’Miser。’\"
\"Ithink，Monsieurlemaire，thatyouaremistaken，\"saidPhellion。
\"MadamelaRessourceisacharacterin’Turcaret，’averyimmoralplaybythelateLeSage。\"
\"Doyouthinkso？\"saidMinard。\"Well，verylikely。Butwhatiscertainisthat，thoughthebarristeringratiatedhimselfwithBrigitteinhelpinghertobuythehouse，itwasbythiscleverjockeyingaboutthefurniturethattheforeigncountessgotuponthefootingwithBrigittethatyounowsee。Youmayhaveremarked，perhaps，thatastruggleisgoingonbetweenthosetwoinfluences；
whichwemaydesignateasthehouse，anditsfurniture。\"
\"Yes，certainly，\"saidMadamePhellion，withabeamingexpressionthatborewitnesstotheinterestshetookintheconversation，\"itdidseemtomethatthegreatladyallowedherselftocontradictthebarrister，anddidit，too，withacertainsharpness。\"
\"Verymarkedsharpness，\"resumedMinard，\"andthatintriguingfellowperceivesit。Itstrikesmethatthelady’shostilitymakeshimuneasy。TheThuilliershegotcheaply；for，betweenourselvesyouknow，there’snotmuchinThuillierhimself；buthefeelsnowthathehasmetatoughadversary，andheislookinganxiouslyforaweakspotonwhichtoattackher。\"
\"Well，that’sjustice，\"saidMadamePhellion。\"Forsometimepastthatman，whousedtomakehimselfsosmallandhumble，hasbeentakingairsofauthorityinthehousewhicharequiteintolerable；hebehavesopenlyastheson—in—law；andyouknowverywell，inthataffairofThuillier’selectionhejockeyedusall，andmadeusthestepping—
stoneforhismatrimonialambition。\"
\"Yes；butIcanassureyou，\"saidMinard，\"thatatthepresenttimehisinfluenceiswaning。Inthefirstplace，hewon’tfindeverydayforhisdear，goodfriend，ashecallshim，afinepropertyworthamilliontobeboughtforabitofbread。\"
\"Thentheydidgetthathouseverycheap？\"saidMadamePhellion，interrogatively。
\"Theygotitfornothing，astheresultofadirtyintriguewhichthelawyerDesrochesrelatedtometheotherday。Ifiteverbecameknowntothecouncilofthebar，thatlittlebarristerwouldbebadlycompromised。ThenextthingisthecomingelectiontotheChamber。
Eatinggivesappetite，astheysay，andourgoodThuillierishungry；
buthebeginstoperceivethatMonsieurdelaPeyrade，whenitbecomesaquestionofgettinghimthatmouthful，hasn’thisformeropportunitytomakedupesofus。ThatiswhythefamilyisturningmoreandmoretoMadamedeGodollo，whoseemstohavesomeveryhighacquaintancesinthepoliticalworld。Besidesallthis，infact，withoutdwellingontheelectionbusiness，whichisstilladistantmatter，thisHungariancountessisbecoming，everyday，moreandmoreanecessitytoBrigitte；foritmustbeownedthatwithoutthehelpofthegreatlady，thepoorsoulwouldlookinthemidstofhergildedsalonlikearaggedgowninabride’strousseau。\"
\"Oh，Monsieurlemaire，youarecruel，\"saidMadamePhellion，affectingcompunction。
\"No，butsay，\"returnedMinard，\"withyourhandonyourconscience，whetherBrigitte，whetherMadameThuilliercouldpresideinsuchasalon？No，itistheHungariancountesswhodoesitall。Shefurnishedtherooms；sheselectedthemaledomestic，whoseexcellenttrainingandintelligenceyoumusthaveobserved；itwasshewhoarrangedthemenuofthatdinner；inshort，sheistheprovidenceoftheparvenucolony，which，withoutherintervention，wouldhavemadethewholequarterlaughatit。And——nowthisisaverynoticeablething——insteadofbeingaparasitelikelaPeyrade，thisHungarianlady，whoseemstohaveafortuneofherown，provestobenotonlydisinterested，butgenerous。ThetwogownsthatyousawBrigitteandMadameThuillierwearlastnightwereapresentfromher，anditwasbecauseshecameherselftosuperintendthetoiletofourtwo’amphitryonesses’thatyouweresosurprisedlastnightnottofindthemriggedintheirusualdowdyfashion。\"
\"Butwhatcanbethemotive，\"askedMadamePhellion，\"ofthismaternalanddevotedguardianship？\"
\"Mydearwife，\"saidPhellion，solemnly，\"themotivesofhumanactionsarenotalways，thankGod！selfishnessandtheconsiderationofvileinterests。Thereareheartsinthisworldthatfindpleasureindoinggoodforitsownsake。Thisladymayhaveseeninourgoodfriendsasetofpeopleabouttoenterblindlyintoaspheretheyknewnothingabout，andhavingencouragedtheirfirststepsbythepurchaseofthisfurniture，shemay，likeanurseattachedtohernursling，findpleasureingivingthemthemilkofhersocialknowledgeandhercounsels。\"
\"Heseemstokeepalooffromourstrictures，thedearhusband！\"criedMinard；\"butjustseehowhegoesbeyondthem！\"
\"I！\"saidPhellion；\"itisneithermyintentionnormyhabittodoso。\"
\"AllthesameitwouldbedifficulttosaymoreneatlythattheThuilliersaregeese，andthatMadamedeGodolloisbringingthemupbyhand。\"
\"Idonotacceptforthesefriendsofours，\"saidPhellion，\"acharacterizationsoderogatorytotheirrepute。Imeanttosaythattheywerelacking，perhaps，inthatformofexperience，andthatthisnobleladyhasplacedattheirserviceherknowledgeoftheworldanditsusages。Iprotestagainstanyinterpretationofmylanguagewhichgoesbeyondmythoughtthuslimited。\"
\"Well，anyhow，youwillagree，mydearcommander，thatintheideaofgivingCelestetothislaPeyrade，thereissomethingmorethanwantofexperience；thereis，itmustbesaid，blunderingfollyandimmorality；forreallythegoingsonofthatbarristerwithMadameColleville——\"
\"Monsieurlemaire，\"interruptedPhellion，withredoubledsolemnity，\"Solon，thelaw—giver，decreednopunishmentforparricide，declaringittobeanimpossiblecrime。Ithinkthesamethingmaybesaidoftheoffencetowhichyouseemtomakeallusion。MadameCollevillegrantingfavorstoMonsieurdelaPeyrade，andallthewhileintendingtogivehimherdaughter？No，monsieur，no！thatpassesimagination。
Questionedonthissubject，likeMarieAntoinette，byahumantribunal，MadameCollevillewouldanswerwiththequeen，’Iappealtoallmothers。’\"
\"Nevertheless，myfriend，\"saidMadamePhellion，\"allowmetoremindyouthatMadameCollevilleisexcessivelylight—minded，andhasgiven，aswealknow，prettygoodproofsofit。\"
\"Enough，mydear，\"saidPhellion。\"Thedinnerhoursummonsus；Ithinkthat，littlebylittle，wehaveallowedthisconversationtodrifttowardthemirysloughofbackbiting。\"
\"Youarefullofillusions，mydearcommander，\"saidMinard，takingPhellionbythehandandshakingit；\"buttheyarehonorableillusions，andIenvythem。Madame，Ihavethehonor——\"addedthemayor，witharespectfulbowtoMadamePhellion。
Andeachpartytookitsway。
CHAPTERII
THEPROVENCAL’SPRESENTPOSITION
Theinformationacquiredbythemayorofthe11tharrondissementwasbynomeansincorrect。IntheThuilliersalon，sincetheemigrationtotheMadeleinequarter，mightbeseendaily，betweenthetartBrigitteandtheplaintiveMadameThuillier，thegracefulandattractivefigureofawomanwhoconveyedtothissalonanappearanceofthemostunexpectedelegance。Itwasquitetruethatthroughthegoodofficesofthislady，whohadbecomehertenantinthenewhouse，Brigittehadmadeaspeculationinfurniturenotlessadvantageousinitsway，butmoreavowable，thantheveryshadypurchaseofthehouseitself。Forsixthousandfrancsinreadymoneyshehadobtainedfurniturelatelyfromworkshopsrepresentingavalueofatleastthirtythousand。
Itwasstillfurthertruethatinconsequenceofaservicewhichwentdeepintoherheart，Brigittewasshowingtothebeautifulforeigncountesstherespectfuldeferencewhichthebourgeoisie，inspiteofitssulkyjealousy，ismuchlessindisposedtogivetotitlesofnobilityandhighpositionsinthesocialhierarchythanpeoplethink。
AsthisHungariancountesswasawomanofgreattactandaccomplishedtraining，intakingthedirectionwhichshehadthoughtitwisetoassumeovertheaffairsofherproteges，shehadbeencarefultoguardherinfluencefromallappearanceofmeddlesomeandimperiousdictation。Onthecontrary，sheflatteredBrigitte’sclaimtobeamodelhousekeeper；inherownhouseholdexpensessheaffectedtoaskthespinster’sadvice；sothatbyreservingtoherselfthedepartmentofluxuriousexpenses，shehadmoretheairofgivinginformationthanofexercisingsupervision。
LaPeyradecouldnotdisguisefromhimselfthatachangewastakingplace。Hisinfluencewasevidentlywaningbeforethatofthisstranger；buttheantagonismofthecountesswasnotconfinedtoasimplestruggleforinfluence。ShemadenosecretofbeingopposedtohissuitforCeleste；shegaveherunequivocalapprovaltotheloveofFelixPhellion，theprofessor。Minard，bywhomthisfactwasnotunobserved，tookverygoodcare，inthemidstofhisotherinformation，nottomentionittothosewhomitmostconcerned。
LaPeyradewasallthemoreanxiousatbeingthusunderminedbyahostilitythecauseofwhichwasinexplicabletohim，becauseheknewhehadhimselftoblameforbringingthisdisquietingadversaryintotheveryheartofhiscitadel。HisfirstmistakewasinyieldingtothebarrenpleasureofdisappointingCerizetintheleaseofthehouse。IfBrigittebyhisadviceandurginghadnottakentheadministrationofthepropertyintoherownhandstherewaseveryprobabilitythatshewouldneverhavemadetheacquaintanceofMadamedeGodollo。AnotherimprudencehadbeentourgetheThuillierstoleavetheiroldhomeintheLatinquarter。
Atthisperiod，whenhispowerandcredithadreachedtheirapogee，Theodoseconsideredhismarriageasettledthing；andhenowfeltanalmostchildishhastetospringintothesphereofelegancewhichseemedhenceforthtobehisfuture。Hehadthereforefurtheredtheinducementsofthecountess，feelingthathethussenttheThuilliersbeforehimtomakehisbedinthesplendidapartmentheintendedtosharewiththem。Bythusremovingthemfromtheiroldhomehesawanotheradvantage，——thatofwithdrawingCelestefromdailyintercoursewitharivalwhoseemedtohimdangerous。Deprivedoftheadvantageofpropinquity，Felixwouldbeforcedtomakehisvisitsfartherapart；
andthereforetherewouldbegreaterfacilitiestoruinhiminthegirl’sheart，wherehewasinstalledonconditionofgivingreligioussatisfaction，——arequirementtowhichheshowedhimselfrefractory。
Butinalltheseplansandschemesvariousdrawbacksconfrontedhim。
ToenlargethehorizonoftheThuillierswasforlaPeyradetorunthechanceofcreatingcompetitionfortheconfidenceandadmirationofwhichhehadbeentillthentheexclusiveobject。Inthesortofprovinciallifetheyhadhithertolived，Brigitteandhisdear，goodfriendplacedhim，forwantofcomparison，ataheightfromwhichthejuxtapositionofothersuperioritiesandelegancesmustbringhimdown。So，then，apartfromtheblowscovertlydealthimbyMadamedeGodollo，theideaofthetranspontineemigrationhadprovedtobe，onthewhole，abadone。
TheCollevilleshadfollowedtheirfriendstheThuilliers，tothenewhouseneartheMadeleine，whereanentresolatthebackhadbeenconcededtothematapriceconformabletotheirbudget。ButCollevilledeclareditlackedlightandair，andbeingobligedtogodailyfromtheboulevardoftheMadeleinetothefaubourgSaint—
Jacques，wherehisofficewas，hefumedagainstthearrangementofwhichhewasthevictim，andfeltattimesthatlaPeyradewasatyrant。MadameColleville，ontheotherhand，hadflungherselfintoanalarmingorgyofbonnets，mantles，andnewgowns，requiringthepresentationofamassofbills，whichlednotinfrequentlytoscenesinthehouseholdwhichweremoreorlessstormy。AsforCeleste，shehadundoubtedlyfeweropportunitiestoseeyoungPhellion，butshehadalsofewerchancestorushintoreligiouscontroversy；andabsence，whichisdangeroustononebutinferiorattachments，madeherthinkmoretenderlyandlesstheologicallyofthemanofherdreams。
ButallthesefalsecalculationsofTheodosewereasnothinginthebalancewithanothercauseforhisdiminishinginfluencewhichwasnowtoweighheavilyonhissituation。
HehadassuredThuillierthat，afterashortdelayandthepaymentoftenthousandfrancs，towhichhisdear，goodfriendsubmittedwithtolerablegrace，thecrossoftheLegionofhonorwouldarrivetorealizethesecretdesireofallhislife。Twomonthshadnowpassedwithoutasignofthatgloriousrattle；andtheformersub—director，whowouldhavefeltsuchjoyinparadinghisredribbonontheboulevardoftheMadeleine，ofwhichhewasnowoneofthemostassiduouspromenaders，hadnothingtoadornhisbuttonholebuttheflowersoftheearth，theprivilegeofeverybody，——ofwhichhewasfarlessproudthanBeranger。
LaPeyradehad，tobesure，mentionedanunforeseenandinexplicabledifficultybywhichalltheeffortsoftheComtesseduBruelhadbeenparalyzed；butThuillierdidnottakecomfortintheexplanation；andoncertaindays，whenthedisappointmentbecameacute，hewasverynearsayingwithChicaneauinLesPlaideurs，\"Returnmymoney。\"
However，nooutbreakhappened，forlaPeyradeheldhiminleashbythefamouspamphleton\"TaxationandtheSliding—Scale\"；theconclusionofwhichhadbeensuspendedduringtheexcitementofthemoving；forduringthatagitatingperiodThuillierhadbeenunabletogivepropercaretothecorrectionofproofs，aboutwhich，wemayremember，hehadreservedtherightofpunctiliousexamination。LaPeyradehadnowreachedapointwhenhewasforcedtoseethat，inordertorestorehisinfluence，whichwasdailyevaporating，hemuststrikesomegrandblow；anditwaspreciselythisnaggingandvexatiousfancyabouttheproofsthatthebarristerdecidedtotakeasthestarting—pointofascheme，bothdeepandadventurous，whichcameintohismind。