\"ButIbelongtoMme.d\'Espard\'sparty.\"
\"Itisnotourbusinesstoknowthat,\"saidtheman,whocouldnothelpexchangingabarelyperceptiblesmilewithhiscolleague.
Acarriagestoppedundertheperistyleashespoke.Achasseur,inaliverywhichLuciendidnotrecognize,letdownthestep,andtwowomenineveningdresscameoutofthebrougham.Lucienhadnomindtolayhimselfopentoaninsolentordertogetoutofthewayfromtheofficial.Hesteppedasidetoletthetwoladiespass.
\"Why,thatladyistheMarquised\'Espard,whomyousayyouknow,sir,\"
saidthemanironically.
LucienwassomuchthemoreconfoundedbecauseMme.deBargetondidnotseemtorecognizehiminhisnewplumage;butwhenhesteppeduptoher,shesmiledathimandsaid:
\"Thishasfallenoutwonderfully——come!\"
ThefunctionariesattheboxofficegrewseriousagainasLucienfollowedMme.deBargeton.OntheirwayupthegreatstaircasetheladyintroducedM.deRubempretohercousin.TheboxbelongingtotheFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamberissituatedinoneoftheanglesatthebackofthehouse,sothatitsoccupantsseeandareseenalloverthetheatre.LucientookhisseatonachairbehindMme.deBargeton,thankfultobeintheshadow.
\"M.deRubempre,\"saidtheMarquisewithflatteringgraciousness,\"thisisyourfirstvisittotheOpera,isitnot?Youmusthaveaviewofthehouse;takethisseat,sitinfrontofthebox;wegiveyoupermission.\"
Lucienobeyedasthefirstactcametoanend.
\"Youhavemadegooduseofyourtime,\"Louisesaidinhisear,inherfirstsurpriseatthechangeinhisappearance.
Louisewasstillthesame.ThenearpresenceoftheMarquised\'Espard,aParisianMme.deBargeton,wassodamagingtoher;thebrilliancyoftheParisiennebroughtoutallthedefectsinhercountrycousinsoclearlybycontrast;thatLucien,lookingoutoverthefashionableaudienceinthesuperbbuilding,andthenatthegreatlady,wastwiceenlightened,andsawpoorAnaisdeNegrepelisseasshereallywas,asParisianssawher——atall,lean,witheredwoman,withapimpledfaceandfadedcomplexion;angular,stiff,affectedinhermanner;pompousandprovincialinherspeech;and,andaboveallthesethings,dowdilydressed.Asamatteroffact,thecreasesinanolddressfromParisstillbearwitnesstogoodtaste,youcantellwhatthegownwasmeantfor;butanolddressmadeinthecountryisinexplicable,itisathingtoprovokelaughter.Therewasneithercharmnorfreshnessaboutthedressoritswearer;thevelvet,likethecomplexionhadseenwear.Lucienfeltashamedtohavefalleninlovewiththiscuttle-fishbone,andvowedthathewouldprofitbyLouise\'snextfitofvirtuetoleaveherforgood.Havinganexcellentviewofthehouse,hecouldseetheopera-glassespointedatthearistocraticboxparexcellence.
Thebest-dressedwomenmustcertainlybescrutinizingMme.deBargeton,fortheysmiledandtalkedamongthemselves.
IfMme.d\'Espardknewtheobjectoftheirsarcasmsfromthosefemininesmilesandgestures,shewasperfectlyinsensibletothem.Inthefirstplace,anybodymustseethathercompanionwasapoorrelationfromthecountry,anafflictionwithwhichanyParisianfamilymaybevisited.And,inthesecond,whenhercousinhadspokentoherofherdresswithmanifestmisgivings,shehadreassuredAnais,seeingthat,whenonceproperlydressed,herrelativewouldveryeasilyacquirethetoneofParisiansociety.IfMme.deBargetonneededpolish,ontheotherhandshepossessedthenativehaughtinessofgoodbirth,andthatindescribablesomethingwhichmaybecalled\"pedigree.\"So,onMondayherturnwouldcome.And,moreover,theMarquiseknewthatassoonaspeoplelearnedthatthestrangerwashercousin,theywouldsuspendtheirbanterandlooktwicebeforetheycondemnedher.
LuciendidnotforeseethechangeinLouise\'sappearanceshortlytobeworkedbyascarfaboutherthroat,aprettydress,anelegantcoiffure,andMme.d\'Espard\'sadvice.Astheycameupthestaircaseevennow,theMarquisetoldhercousinnottoholdherhandkerchiefunfoldedinherhand.Goodorbadtasteturnsuponhundredsofsuchalmostimperceptibleshades,whichaquick-wittedwomandiscernsatonce,whileotherswillnevergraspthem.Mme.deBargeton,plentifullyapt,wasmorethancleverenoughtodiscoverhershortcomings.Mme.d\'Espard,surethatherpupilwoulddohercredit,didnotdeclinetoformher.Inshort,thecompactbetweenthetwowomenhadbeenconfirmedbyself-interestoneitherside.
Mme.deBargeton,enthralled,dazzled,andfascinatedbyhercousin\'smanner,wit,andacquaintances,hadsuddenlydeclaredherselfavotaryoftheidoloftheday.Shehaddiscernedthesignsoftheoccultpowerexertedbytheambitiousgreatlady,andtoldherselfthatshecouldgainherendasthesatelliteofthisstar,soshehadbeenoutspokeninheradmiration.TheMarquisewasnotinsensibletotheartlesslyadmittedconquest.Shetookaninterestinhercousin,seeingthatshewasweakandpoor;shewas,besides,notindisposedtotakeapupilwithwhomtofoundaschool,andaskednothingbetterthantohaveasortoflady-in-waitinginMme.deBargeton,adependentwhowouldsingherpraises,atreasureevenmorescarceamongParisianwomenthanastaunchandloyalcriticamongtheliterarytribe.Theflutterofcuriosityinthehousewastoomarkedtobeignored,however,andMme.d\'Espardpolitelyendeavoredtoturnhercousin\'smindfromthetruth.
\"Ifanyonecomestoourbox,\"shesaid,\"perhapswemaydiscoverthecausetowhichweowethehonoroftheinterestthattheseladiesaretaking——\"
\"IhaveastrongsuspicionthatitismyoldvelvetgownandAngoumoisinairwhichParisianladiesfindamusing,\"Mme.deBargetonanswered,laughing.
\"No,itisnotyou;itissomethingthatIcannotexplain,\"sheadded,turningtothepoet,and,asshelookedathimforthefirsttime,itseemedtostrikeherthathewassingularlydressed.
\"ThereisM.duChatelet,\"exclaimedLucienatthatmoment,andhepointedafingertowardsMme.deSerizy\'sbox,whichtherenovatedbeauhadjustentered.
Mme.deBargetonbitherlipswithchagrinasshesawthatgesture,andsawbesidestheMarquise\'sill-suppressedsmileofcontemptuousastonishment.\"Wheredoestheyoungmancomefrom?\"herlooksaid,andLouisefelthumbledthroughherlove,oneofthesharpestofallpangsforaFrenchwoman,amortificationforwhichshecannotforgiveherlover.
Inthesecircleswheretriflesareofsuchimportance,agestureorawordattheoutsetisenoughtoruinanewcomer.Itistheprincipalmeritoffinemannersandthehighestbreedingthattheyproducetheeffectofaharmoniouswhole,inwhicheveryelementissoblendedthatnothingisstartlingorobtrusive.Eventhosewhobreakthelawsofthisscience,eitherthroughignoranceorcarriedawaybysomeimpulse,mustcomprehendthatitiswithsocialintercourseaswithmusic,asinglediscordantnoteisacompletenegationoftheartitself,fortheharmonyexistsonlywhenallitsconditionsareobserveddowntotheleastparticular.
\"Whoisthatgentleman?\"askedMme.d\'Espard,lookingtowardsChatelet.\"AndhaveyoumadeMme.deSerizy\'sacquaintancealready?\"
\"Oh!isthatthefamousMme.deSerizywhohashadsomanyadventuresandyetgoeseverywhere?\"
\"Anunheard-of-thing,mydear,explicablebutunexplained.Themostformidablemenareherfriends,andwhy?Nobodydarestofathomthemystery.ThenisthispersonthelionofAngouleme?\"
\"Well,M.leBaronduChatelethasbeenagooddealtalkedabout,\"
answeredMme.deBargeton,movedbyvanitytogiveheradorerthetitlewhichsheherselfhadcalledinquestion.\"HewasM.deMontriveau\'stravelingcompanion.\"
\"Ah!\"saidtheMarquised\'Espard,\"IneverhearthatnamewithoutthinkingoftheDuchessedeLangeais,poorthing.Shevanishedlikeafallingstar——ThatisM.deRastignacwithMme.deNucingen,\"shecontinued,indicatinganotherbox;\"sheisthewifeofacontractor,abanker,acityman,abrokeronalargescale;heforcedhiswayintosocietywithhismoney,andtheysaythatheisnotveryscrupulousastohismethodsofmakingit.HeisatendlesspainstoestablishhiscreditasastaunchupholderoftheBourbons,andhastriedalreadytogainadmittanceintomyset.WhenhiswifetookMme.deLangeais\'box,shethoughtthatshecouldtakehercharm,herwit,andhersuccessaswell.Itistheoldfableofthejayinthepeacock\'sfeathers!\"
\"HowdoM.andMme.deRastignacmanagetokeeptheirsoninParis,when,asweknow,theirincomeisunderathousandcrowns?\"askedLucien,inhisastonishmentatRastignac\'selegantandexpensivedress.
\"ItiseasytoseethatyoucomefromAngouleme,\"saidMme.d\'Espard,ironicallyenough,asshecontinuedtogazethroughheropera-glass.
HerremarkwaslostuponLucien;theall-absorbingspectacleoftheboxespreventedhimfromthinkingofanythingelse.Heguessedthathehimselfwasanobjectofnosmallcuriosity.Louise,ontheotherhand,wasexceedinglymortifiedbytheevidentslightesteeminwhichtheMarquiseheldLucien\'sbeauty.
\"HecannotbesohandsomeasIthoughthim,\"shesaidtoherself;andbetween\"notsohandsomeand\"notsocleverasIthoughthim\"therewasbutonestep.
Thecurtainfell.ChateletwasnowpayingavisittotheDuchessedeCariglianoinanadjourningbox;Mme.deBargetonacknowledgedhisbowbyaslightinclinationofthehead.Nothingescapesawomanoftheworld;Chatelet\'sairofdistinctionwasnotlostuponMme.d\'Espard.
Justatthatmomentfourpersonages,fourParisiancelebrities,cameintothebox,oneafteranother.
Themoststrikingfeatureofthefirstcomer,M.deMarsay,famousforthepassionswhichhehadinspired,washisgirlishbeauty;butitssoftnessandeffeminacywerecounteractedbytheexpressionofhiseyes,unflinching,steady,untamed,andhardasatiger\'s.Hewaslovedandhewasfeared.Lucienwasnolesshandsome;butLucien\'sexpressionwassogentle,hisblueeyessolimpid,thathescarcelyseemedtopossessthestrengthandthepowerwhichattractwomensostrongly.Nothing,moreover,sofarhadbroughtoutthepoet\'smerits;
whiledeMarsay,withhisflowofspirits,hisconfidenceinhispowertoplease,andappropriatestyleofdress,eclipsedeveryrivalbyhispresence.Judge,therefore,thekindoffigurethatLucien,stiff,starched,unbendinginclothesasnewandunfamiliarashissurroundings,waslikelytocutindeMarsay\'svicinity.DeMarsaywithhiswitandcharmofmannerwasprivilegedtobeinsolent.FromMme.d\'Espard\'sreceptionofthispersonagehisimportancewasatonceevidenttoMme.deBargeton.
ThesecondcomerwasaVandenesse,thecauseofthescandalinwhichLadyDudleywasconcerned.FelixdeVandenesse,amiable,intellectual,andmodest,hadnoneofthecharacteristicsonwhichdeMarsaypridedhimself,andowedhissuccesstodiametricallyopposedqualities.HehadbeenwarmlyrecommendedtoMme.d\'EspardbyhercousinMme.deMortsauf.
ThethirdwasGeneraldeMontriveau,theauthoroftheDuchessedeLangeais\'ruin.
Thefourth,M.deCanalis,oneofthemostfamouspoetsoftheday,andasyetanewlyrisencelebrity,wasprouderofhisbirththanofhisgenius,anddangledinMme.d\'Espard\'strainbywayofconcealinghislovefortheDuchessedeChaulieu.Inspiteofhisgracesandtheaffectationthatspoiledthem,itwaseasytodiscernthevast,lurkingambitionsthatplungedhimatalaterdayintothestormsofpoliticallife.Afacethatmightbecalledinsignificantlyprettyandcaressingmannersthinlydisguisedtheman\'sdeeply-rootedegoismandhabitofcontinuallycalculatingthechancesofacareerwhichatthattimelookedproblematicalenough;thoughhischoiceofMme.deChaulieuawomanpastfortymadeinterestforhimatCourt,andbroughthimtheapplauseoftheFaubourgSaint-GermainandthegibesoftheLiberalparty,whodubbedhim\"thepoetofthesacristy.\"
Mme.deBargeton,withtheseremarkablefiguresbeforeher,nolongerwonderedattheslightesteeminwhichtheMarquiseheldLucien\'sgoodlooks.Andwhenconversationbegan,whenintellectssokeen,sosubtle,wererevealedintwo-edgedwordswithmoremeaninganddepthinthemthanAnaisdeBargetonheardinamonthoftalkatAngouleme;
and,mostofall,whenCanalisutteredasonorousphrase,summingupamaterialisticepoch,andgildingitwithpoetry——thenAnaisfeltallthetruthofChatelet\'sdictumofthepreviousevening.Lucienwasnothingtohernow.Everyonecruellyignoredtheunluckystranger;hewassomuchlikeaforeignerlisteningtoanunknownlanguage,thattheMarquised\'Espardtookpityuponhim.SheturnedtoCanalis.
\"PermitmetointroduceM.deRubempre,\"shesaid.\"Youranktoohighintheworldoflettersnottowelcomeadebutant.M.deRubempreisfromAngouleme,andwillneedyourinfluence,nodoubt,withthepowersthatbringgeniustolight.Sofar,hehasnoenemiestohelphimtosuccessbytheirattacksuponhim.Isthereenoughoriginalityintheideaofobtainingforhimbyfriendshipallthathatredhasdoneforyoutotemptyoutomaketheexperiment?\"
ThefournewcomersalllookedatLucienwhiletheMarquisewasspeaking.DeMarsay,onlyacoupleofpacesaway,putupaneyeglassandlookedfromLucientoMme.deBargeton,andthenagainatLucien,couplingthemwithsomemockingthought,cruellymortifyingtoboth.
Hescrutinizedthemasiftheyhadbeenapairofstrangeanimals,andthenhesmiled.Thesmilewaslikeastabtothedistinguishedprovincial.FelixdeVandenesseassumedacharitableair.MontriveaulookedLucienthroughandthrough.
\"Madame,\"M.deCanalisansweredwithabow,\"Iwillobeyyou,inspiteoftheselfishinstinctwhichpromptsustoshowarivalnofavor;butyouhaveaccustomedustomiracles.\"
\"Verywell,domethepleasureofdiningwithmeonMondaywithM.deRubempre,andyoucantalkofmattersliteraryatyourease.Iwilltrytoenlistsomeofthetyrantsoftheworldoflettersandthegreatpeoplewhoprotectthem,theauthorofOurika,andoneortwoyoungpoetswithsoundviews.\"
\"Mme.laMarquise,\"saiddeMarsay,\"ifyougiveyoursupporttothisgentlemanforhisintellect,Iwillsupporthimforhisgoodlooks.I
willgivehimadvicewhichwillputhiminafairwaytobetheluckiestdandyinParis.Afterthat,hemaybeapoet——ifhehasamind.\"
Mme.deBargetonthankedhercousinbyagratefulglance.
\"Ididnotknowthatyouwerejealousofintellect,\"Montriveausaid,turningtodeMarsay;\"goodfortuneisthedeathofapoet.\"
\"Isthatwhyyourlordshipisthinkingofmarriage?\"inquiredthedandy,addressingCanalis,andwatchingMme.d\'Espardtoseeifthewordswenthome.
Canalisshruggedhisshoulders,andMme.d\'Espard,Mme.deChaulieu\'sniece,begantolaugh.LucieninhisnewclothesfeltasifhewereanEgyptianstatueinitsnarrowsheath;hewasashamedthathehadnothingtosayforhimselfallthiswhile.AtlengthheturnedtotheMarquise.
\"Afterallyourkindness,madame,Iampledgedtomakenofailures,\"
hesaidinthosesofttonesofhis.
Chateletcameinashespoke;hehadseenMontriveau,andbyhookorcrooksnatchedatthechanceofagoodintroductiontotheMarquised\'EspardthroughoneofthekingsofParis.HebowedtoMme.deBargeton,andbeggedMme.d\'Espardtopardonhimforthelibertyhetookininvadingherbox;hehadbeenseparatedsolongfromhistravelingcompanion!MontriveauandChateletmetforthefirsttimesincetheypartedinthedesert.
\"Topartinthedesert,andmeetagainintheopera-house!\"saidLucien.
\"Quiteatheatricalmeeting!\"saidCanalis.
MontriveauintroducedtheBaronduChatelettotheMarquise,andtheMarquisereceivedHerRoyalHighness\'ex-secretarythemoregraciouslybecauseshehadseenthathehadbeenverywellreceivedinthreeboxesalready.Mme.deSerizyknewnonebutunexceptionablepeople,andmoreoverhewasMontriveau\'stravelingcompanion.Sopotentwasthislastcredential,thatMme.deBargetonsawfromthemannerofthegroupthattheyacceptedChateletasoneofthemselveswithoutdemur.
Chatelet\'ssultan\'sairsinAngoulemeweresuddenlyexplained.
AtlengththeBaronsawLucien,andfavoredhimwithacool,disparaginglittlenod,indicativetomenoftheworldoftherecipient\'sinferiorstation.Asardonicexpressionaccompaniedthegreeting,\"HowdoesHEcomehere?\"heseemedtosay.Thiswasnotlostonthosewhosawit;fordeMarsayleanedtowardsMontriveau,andsaidintonesaudibletoChatelet:
\"Doaskhimwhothequeer-lookingyoungfellowisthatlookslikeadummyatatailor\'sshop-door.\"
Chateletspokeafewwordsinhistravelingcompanion\'sear,andwhileapparentlyrenewinghisacquaintance,nodoubtcuthisrivaltopieces.
IfLucienwassurprisedattheaptwitandthesubtletywithwhichthesegentlemenformulatedtheirreplies,hefeltbewilderedwithepigramandrepartee,and,mostofall,bytheiroffhandwayoftalkingandtheireaseofmanner.ThematerialluxuryofParishadalarmedhimthatmorning;atnighthesawthesamelavishexpenditureofintellect.Bywhatmysteriousmeans,heaskedhimself,didthesepeoplemakesuchpiquantreflectionsonthespurofthemoment,thosereparteeswhichhecouldonlyhavemadeaftermuchpondering?Andnotonlyweretheyateaseintheirspeech,theywereateaseintheirdress,nothinglookednew,nothinglookedold,nothingaboutthemwasconspicuous,everythingattractedtheeyes.Thefinegentlemanofto-daywasthesameyesterday,andwouldbethesameto-morrow.Lucienguessedthathehimselflookedasifheweredressedforthefirsttimeinhislife.
\"Mydearfellow,\"saiddeMarsay,addressingFelixdeVandenesse,\"thatyoungRastignacissoaringawaylikeapaper-kite.LookathimintheMarquisedeListomere\'sbox;heismakingprogress,heisputtinguphiseyeglassatus!Heknowsthisgentleman,nodoubt,\"
addedthedandy,speakingtoLucien,andlookingelsewhere.
\"Hecanscarcelyfailtohaveheardthenameofagreatmanofwhomweareproud,\"saidMme.deBargeton.\"QuitelatelyhissisterwaspresentwhenM.deRubemprereadussomeveryfinepoetry.\"
FelixdeVandenesseanddeMarsaytookleaveoftheMarquised\'Espard,andwentofftoMme.deListomere,Vandenesse\'ssister.Thesecondactbegan,andthethreewerelefttothemselvesagain.ThecuriouswomenlearnedhowMme.deBargetoncametobetherefromsomeoftheparty,whiletheothersannouncedthearrivalofapoet,andmadefunofhiscostume.CanaliswentbacktotheDuchessedeChaulieu,andnomorewasseenofhim.
Lucienwasgladwhentherisingofthecurtainproducedadiversion.
AllMme.deBargeton\'smisgivingswithregardtoLucienwereincreasedbythemarkedattentionwhichtheMarquised\'EspardhadshowntoChatelet;hermannertowardstheBaronwasverydifferentfromthepatronizingaffabilitywithwhichshetreatedLucien.Mme.deListomere\'sboxwasfullduringthesecondact,and,toallappearance,thetalkturneduponMme.deBargetonandLucien.YoungRastignacevidentlywasentertainingtheparty;hehadraisedthelaughterthatneedsfreshfueleverydayinParis,thelaughterthatseizesuponatopicandexhaustsit,andleavesitstaleandthreadbareinamoment.Mme.d\'Espardgrewuneasy.Sheknewthatanill-naturedspeechisnotlongincomingtotheearsofthosewhomitwillwound,andwaitedtilltheendoftheact.
AfterarevulsionoffeelingsuchashadtakenplaceinMme.deBargetonandLucien,strangethingscometopassinabriefspaceoftime,andanyrevolutionwithinusiscontrolledbylawsthatworkwithgreatswiftness.Chatelet\'ssageandpoliticwordsastoLucien,spokenonthewayhomefromtheVaudeville,werefreshinLouise\'smemory.Everyphrasewasaprophecy,itseemedasifLucienhadsethimselftofulfilthepredictionsonebyone.WhenLucienandMme.deBargetonhadpartedwiththeirillusionsconcerningeachother,thelucklessyouth,withadestinynotunlikeRousseau\'s,wentsofarinhispredecessor\'sfootstepsthathewascaptivatedbythegreatladyandsmittenwithMme.d\'Espardatfirstsight.Youngmenandmenwhoremembertheiryoungemotionscanseethatthiswasonlywhatmighthavebeenlookedfor.Mme.d\'Espardwithherdaintyways,herdelicateenunciation,andtherefinedtonesofhervoice;thefragilewomansoenvied,ofsuchhighplaceandhighdegree,appearedbeforethepoetasMme.deBargetonhadappearedtohiminAngouleme.Hisficklenaturepromptedhimtodesireinfluenceinthatloftysphereatonce,andthesurestwaytosecuresuchinfluencewastopossessthewomanwhoexertedit,andtheneverythingwouldbehis.HehadsucceededatAngouleme,whyshouldhenotsucceedinParis?
Involuntarily,anddespitethenovelcounterfascinationofthestage,hiseyesturnedtotheCelimeneinhersplendor;heglancedfurtivelyathereverymoment;thelongerhelooked,themorehedesiredtolookather.Mme.deBargetoncaughtthegleaminLucien\'seyes,andsawthathefoundtheMarquisemoreinterestingthantheopera.IfLucienhadforsakenherforthefiftydaughtersofDanaus,shecouldhavebornehisdesertionwithequanimity;butanotherglance——bolder,moreardentandunmistakablethananybefore——revealedthestateofLucien\'sfeelings.Shegrewjealous,butnotsomuchforthefutureasforthepast.
\"Henevergavemesuchalook,\"shethought.\"Dearme!Chateletwasright!\"
Thenshesawthatshehadmadeamistake;andwhenawomanoncebeginstorepentofherweaknesses,shespongesoutthewholepast.EveryoneofLucien\'sglancesrousedherindignation,buttoalloutwardappearanceshewascalm.DeMarsaycamebackintheinterval,bringingM.deListomerewithhim;andthatseriouspersonandtheyoungcoxcombsooninformedtheMarquisethattheweddingguestinhisholidaysuit,whomshehadthebadlucktohaveinherbox,hadasmuchrighttotheappellationofRubempreasaJewtoabaptismalname.Lucien\'sfatherwasanapothecarynamedChardon.M.deRastignac,whoknewallaboutAngouleme,hadsetseveralboxeslaughingalreadyatthemummywhomtheMarquisestyledhercousin,andattheMarquise\'sforethoughtinhavinganapothecaryathandtosustainanartificiallifewithdrugs.Inshort,deMarsaybroughtaselectionfromthethousand-and-onejokesmadebyParisiansonthespurofthemoment,andnosoonerutteredthanforgotten.Chateletwasatthebackofitall,andtherealauthorofthisPunicfaith.
Mme.d\'EspardturnedtoMme.deBargeton,putupherfan,andsaid,\"Mydear,tellmeifyourprotege\'snameisreallyM.deRubempre?\"
\"Hehasassumedhismother\'sname,\"saidAnais,uneasily.
\"Butwhowashisfather?\"
\"Hisfather\'snamewasChardon.\"
\"AndwhatwasthisChardon?\"
\"Adruggist.\"
\"Mydearfriend,IfeltquitesurethatallPariscouldnotbelaughingatanyonewhomItookup.Idonotcaretostayherewhenwagscomeininhighgleebecausethereisanapothecary\'ssoninmybox.Ifyouwillfollowmyadvice,wewillleaveit,andatonce.\"
Mme.d\'Espard\'sexpressionwasinsolentenough;Lucienwasatalosstoaccountforherchangeofcountenance.Hethoughtthathiswaistcoatwasinbadtaste,whichwastrue;andthathiscoatlookedlikeacaricatureofthefashion,whichwaslikewisetrue.Hediscerned,inbitternessofsoul,thathemustputhimselfinthehandsofanexperttailor,andvowedthathewouldgotheverynextmorningtothemostcelebratedartistinParis.OnMondayhewouldholdhisownwiththemenintheMarquise\'shouse.
Yet,lostinthoughtthoughhewas,hesawthethirdacttoanend,and,withhiseyesfixedonthegorgeoussceneuponthestage,dreamedouthisdreamofMme.d\'Espard.Hewasindespairoverhersuddencoldness;itgaveastrangechecktotheardentreasoningthroughwhichheadvanceduponthisnewlove,undismayedbytheimmensedifficultiesintheway,difficultieswhichhesawandresolvedtoconquer.Herousedhimselffromthesedeepmusingstolookoncemoreathisnewidol,turnedhishead,andsawthathewasalone;hehadheardafaintrustlingsound,thedoorclosed——Madamed\'Espardhadtakenhercousinwithher.Lucienwassurprisedtothelastdegreebythesuddendesertion;hedidnotthinklongaboutit,however,simplybecauseitwasinexplicable.
WhenthecarriagewasrollingalongtheRuedeRichelieuonthewaytotheFaubourgSaint-Honore,theMarquisespoketohercousininatoneofsuppressedirritation.
\"Mydearchild,whatareyouthinkingabout?Praywaittillanapothecary\'ssonhasmadeanameforhimselfbeforeyoutroubleyourselfabouthim.TheDuchessedeChaulieudoesnotacknowledgeCanalisevennow,andheisfamousandamanofgoodfamily.Thisyoungfellowisneitheryoursonnoryourlover,Isuppose?\"addedthehaughtydame,withakeen,inquisitiveglanceathercousin.
\"HowfortunateformethatIkeptthelittlescapegraceatadistance!\"thoughtMadamedeBargeton.
\"Verywell,\"continuedtheMarquise,takingtheexpressioninhercousin\'seyesforananswer,\"drophim,Ibegofyou.Takinganillustriousnameinthatway!——Why,itisapieceofimpudencethatwillmeetwithitsdessertsinsociety.Itishismother\'sname,I
daresay;butjustremember,dear,thattheKingalonecanconfer,byaspecialordinance,thetitleofdeRubempreonthesonofadaughterofthehouse.Ifshemadeamesalliance,thefavorwouldbeenormous,onlytobegrantedtovastwealth,orconspicuousservices,orverypowerfulinfluence.TheyoungmanlookslikeashopmaninhisSundaysuit;evidentlyheisneitherwealthynornoble;hehasafinehead,butheseemstometobeverysilly;hehasnoideawhattodo,andhasnothingtosayforhimself;infact,hehasnobreeding.Howcameyoutotakehimup?\"
Mme.deBargetonrenouncedLucienasLucienhimselfhadrenouncedher;
aghastlyfearlesthercousinshouldlearnthemannerofherjourneyshotthroughhermind.
\"Dearcousin,IamindespairthatIhavecompromisedyou.\"
\"Peopledonotcompromiseme,\"Mme.d\'Espardsaid,smiling;\"Iamonlythinkingofyou.\"
\"ButyouhaveaskedhimtodinewithyouonMonday.\"
\"Ishallbeill,\"theMarquisesaidquickly;\"youcantellhimso,andIshallleaveordersthatheisnottobeadmittedundereithername.\"
DuringtheintervalLuciennoticedthateveryonewaswalkingupanddownthelobby.Hewoulddothesame.Inthefirstplace,notoneofMme.d\'Espard\'svisitorsrecognizedhimnorpaidanyattentiontohim,theirconductseemednothinglessthanextraordinarytotheprovincialpoet;and,secondly,Chatelet,onwhomhetriedtohang,watchedhimoutofthecornerofhiseyeandfoughtshyofhim.Lucienwalkedtoandfro,watchingtheeddyingcrowdofmen,tillhefeltconvincedthathiscostumewasabsurd,andhewentbacktohisbox,ensconcedhimselfinacorner,andstayedtheretilltheend.AttimeshethoughtofnothingbutthemagnificentspectacleoftheballetinthegreatInfernosceneinthefifthact;sometimesthesightofthehouseabsorbedhim,sometimeshisownthoughts;hehadseensocietyinParis,andthesighthadstirredhimtothedepths.
\"Sothisismykingdom,\"hesaidtohimself;\"thisistheworldthatI
mustconquer.\"
AshewalkedhomethroughthestreetshethoughtoverallthathadbeensaidbyMme.d\'Espard\'scourtiers;memoryreproducingwithstrangefaithfulnesstheirdemeanor,theirgestures,theirmannerofcomingandgoing.
Nextday,towardsnoon,LucienbetookhimselftoStaub,thegreattailorofthatday.Partlybydintofentreaties,andpartlybyvirtueofcash,Luciensucceededinobtainingapromisethathisclothesshouldbereadyintimeforthegreatday.Staubwentsofarastogivehiswordthataperfectlyelegantcoat,awaistcoat,andapairoftrousersshouldbeforthcoming.Lucienthenorderedlinenandpocket-handkerchiefs,alittleoutfit,inshort,ofalinen-draper,andacelebratedbootmakermeasuredhimforshoesandboots.HeboughtaneatwalkingcaneatVerdier\'s;hewenttoMme.Irlandeforglovesandshirtstuds;inshort,hedidhisbesttoreachtheclimaxofdandyism.Whenhehadsatisfiedallhisfancies,hewenttotheRueNeuve-de-Luxembourg,andfoundthatLouisehadgoneout.
\"ShewasdiningwithMme.laMarquised\'Espard,\"hermaidsaid,\"andwouldnotbebacktilllate.\"
LuciendinedfortwofrancsatarestaurantinthePalaisRoyal,andwenttobedearly.ThenextdaywasSunday.HewenttoLouise\'slodgingateleveno\'clock.Louisehadnotyetrisen.Attwoo\'clockhereturnedoncemore.
\"Madamecannotseeanybodyyet,\"reportedAlbertine,\"butshegavemealineforyou.\"
\"Cannotseeanybodyyet?\"repeatedLucien.\"ButIamnotanybody——\"
\"Idonotknow,\"Albertineansweredveryimpertinently;andLucien,lesssurprisedbyAlbertine\'sanswerthanbyanotefromMme.deBargeton,tookthebillet,andreadthefollowingdiscouraginglines:——
\"Mme.d\'Espardisnotwell;shewillnotbeabletoseeyouonMonday.
Iamnotfeelingverywellmyself,butIamabouttodressandgotokeephercompany.Iamindespairoverthislittledisappointment;butyourtalentsreassureme,youwillmakeyourwaywithoutcharlatanism.\"
\"Andnosignature!\"Luciensaidtohimself.HefoundhimselfintheTuileriesbeforeheknewwhitherhewaswalking.
Withthegiftofsecond-sightwhichaccompaniesgenius,hebegantosuspectthatthechillynotewasbutawarningofthecatastrophetocome.Lostinthought,hewalkedonandon,gazingatthemonumentsinthePlaceLouisQuinze.
Itwasasunnyday;astreamoffinecarriageswentpasthimonthewaytotheChampsElysees.Followingthedirectionofthecrowdofstrollers,hesawthethreeorfourthousandcarriagesthatturntheChampsElyseesintoanimprovisedLongchamponSundayafternoonsinsummer.Thesplendidhorses,thetoilettes,andliveriesbewilderedhim;hewentfurtherandfurther,untilhereachedtheArcdeTriomphe,thenunfinished.Whatwerehisfeelingswhen,ashereturned,hesawMme.deBargetonandMme.d\'Espardcomingtowardshiminawonderfullyappointedcaleche,withachasseurbehinditinwavingplumesandthatgold-embroideredgreenuniformwhichheknewonlytoowell.Therewasablocksomewhereintherow,andthecarriageswaited.LucienbeheldLouisetransformedbeyondrecognition.
Allthecolorsofhertoilettehadbeencarefullysubordinatedtohercomplexion;herdresswasdelicious,herhairgracefullyandbecominglyarranged,herhat,inexquisitetaste,wasremarkableevenbesideMme.d\'Espard,thatleaderoffashion.
Thereissomethingintheartofwearingahatthatescapesdefinition.Tiltedtoofartothebackofthehead,itimpartsaboldexpressiontotheface;bringittoofarforward,itgivesyouasinisterlook;tippedtooneside,ithasajauntyair;awell-dressedwomanwearsherhatexactlyasshemeanstowearit,andexactlyattherightangle.Mme.deBargetonhadsolvedthiscuriousproblematsight.Adaintygirdleoutlinedherslenderwaist.Shehadadoptedhercousin\'sgesturesandtricksofmanner;andnow,asshesatbyMme.
d\'Espard\'sside,sheplayedwithatinyscentbottlethatdangledbyaslendergoldchainfromoneofherfingers,displayedalittlewell-glovedhandwithoutseemingtodoso.ShehadmodeledherselfonMme.d\'Espardwithoutmimickingher;theMarquisehadfoundacousinworthyofher,andseemedtobeproudofherpupil.
Themenandwomenonthefootwaysallgazedatthesplendidcarriage,withthebearingsofthed\'EspardsandBlamont-Chauvrysuponthepanels.Lucienwasamazedatthenumberofgreetingsreceivedbythecousins;hedidnotknowthatthe\"allParis,\"whichconsistsinsomescoreofsalons,waswellawarealreadyoftherelationshipbetweentheladies.AlittlegroupofyoungmenonhorsebackaccompaniedthecarriageintheBois;LuciencouldrecognizedeMarsayandRastignacamongthem,andcouldseefromtheirgesturesthatthepairofcoxcombswerecomplimentingMme.deBargetonuponhertransformation.
Mme.d\'Espardwasradiantwithhealthandgrace.Soherindispositionwassimplyapretextforriddingherselfofhim,fortherehadbeennomentionofanotherday!
Thewrathfulpoetwenttowardsthecaleche;hewalkedslowly,waitedtillhecameinfullsightofthetwoladies,andmadethemabow.
Mme.deBargetonwouldnotseehim;buttheMarquiseputuphereyeglass,anddeliberatelycuthim.HehadbeendisownedbythesovereignlordsofAngouleme,buttobedisownedbysocietyinPariswasanotherthing;thebooby-squiresbydoingtheirutmosttomortifyLucienadmittedhispowerandacknowledgedhimasaman;forMme.
d\'Espardhehadpositivelynoexistence.Thiswasasentence,itwasarefusalofjustice.Poorpoet!adeadlycoldseizedonhimwhenhesawdeMarsayeyinghimthroughhisglass;andwhentheParisianlionletthatopticalinstrumentfall,itdroppedinsosingularafashionthatLucienthoughtoftheknife-bladeoftheguillotine.
Thecalechewentby.Rageandacravingforvengeancetookpossessionofhisslightedsoul.IfMme.deBargetonhadbeeninhispower,hecouldhavecutherthroatatthatmoment;hewasaFouquier-TinvillegloatingoverthepleasureofsendingMme.d\'Espardtothescaffold.
IfonlyhecouldhaveputdeMarsaytothetorturewithrefinementsofsavagecruelty!Canaliswentbyonhorseback,bowingtotheprettiestwomen,hisdresselegant,asbecamethemostdaintyofpoets.
\"Greatheavens!\"exclaimedLucien.\"Money,moneyatallcosts!moneyistheonepowerbeforewhichtheworldbendstheknee.\"\"No!\"criedconscience,\"notmoney,butglory;andglorymeanswork!Work!thatwaswhatDavidsaid.\"\"Greatheavens!whatamIdoinghere?ButI
willtriumph.Iwilldrivealongthisavenueinacalechewithachasseurbehindme!IwillpossessaMarquised\'Espard.\"Andflingingoutthewrathfulwords,hewenttoHurbain\'stodinefortwofrancs.
Nextmorning,atnineo\'clock,hewenttotheRueNeuve-de-LuxembourgtoupbraidLouiseforherbarbarity.ButMme.deBargetonwasnotathometohim,andnotonlyso,buttheporterwouldnotallowhimtogouptoherrooms;sohestayedoutsideinthestreet,watchingthehousetillnoon.Attwelveo\'clockChateletcameout,lookedatLucienoutofthecornerofhiseye,andavoidedhim.
Stungtothequick,Lucienhurriedafterhisrival;andChatelet,findinghimselfcloselypursued,turnedandbowed,evidentlyintendingtoshakehimoffbythiscourtesy.
\"Sparemejustamomentforpity\'ssake,sir,\"saidLucien;\"Iwantjustawordortwowithyou.Youhaveshownmefriendship,Inowaskthemosttriflingserviceofthatfriendship.YouhavejustcomefromMme.deBargeton;howhaveIfallenintodisgracewithherandMme.
d\'Espard?——pleaseexplain.\"
\"M.Chardon,doyouknowwhytheladiesleftyouattheOperathatevening?\"askedChatelet,withtreacherousgood-nature.
\"No,\"saidthepoorpoet.
\"Well,itwasM.deRastignacwhospokeagainstyoufromthebeginning.Theyaskedhimaboutyou,andtheyoungdandysimplysaidthatyournamewasChardon,andnotdeRubempre;thatyourmotherwasamonthlynurse;thatyourfather,whenhewasalive,wasanapothecaryinL\'Houmeau,asuburbofAngouleme;andthatyoursister,acharminggirl,getsupshirtstoadmiration,andisjustabouttobemarriedtoalocalprinternamedSechard.Suchistheworld!Younosoonershowyourselfthanitpullsyoutopieces.
\"M.deMarsaycametoMme.d\'Espardtolaughatyouwithher;sothetwoladies,thinkingthatyourpresenceputtheminafalseposition,wentoutatonce.Donotattempttogotoeitherhouse.IfMme.deBargetoncontinuedtoreceiveyourvisits,hercousinwouldhavenothingtodowithher.Youhavegenius;trytoavengeyourself.Theworldlooksdownuponyou;lookdowninyourturnupontheworld.Takerefugeinsomegarret,writeyourmasterpieces,seizeonpowerofanykind,andyouwillseetheworldatyourfeet.Thenyoucangivebackthebruiseswhichyouhavereceived,andintheveryplacewheretheyweregiven.Mme.deBargetonwillbethemoredistantnowbecauseshehasbeenfriendly.Thatisthewaywithwomen.ButthequestionnowforyouisnothowtowinbackAnais\'friendship,buthowtoavoidmakinganenemyofher.Iwilltellyouofaway.Shehaswrittenletterstoyou;sendallherlettersbacktoher,shewillbesensiblethatyouareactinglikeagentleman;andatalatertime,ifyoushouldneedher,shewillnotbehostile.Formyownpart,Ihavesohighanopinionofyourfuture,thatIhavetakenyourparteverywhere;andifIcandoanythinghereforyou,youwillalwaysfindmereadytobeofuse.\"
TheelderlybeauseemedtohavegrownyoungagainintheatmosphereofParis.Hebowedwithfrigidpoliteness;butLucien,woe-begone,haggard,andundone,forgottoreturnthesalutation.Hewentbacktohisinn,andtherefoundthegreatStaubhimself,comeinperson,notsomuchtotryhiscustomer\'sclothesastomakeinquiriesofthelandladywithregardtothatcustomer\'sfinancialstatus.Thereporthadbeensatisfactory.Lucienhadtraveledpost;Mme.deBargetonbroughthimbackfromVaudevillelastThursdayinhercarriage.StaubaddressedLucienas\"MonsieurleComte,\"andcalledhiscustomer\'sattentiontotheartisticskillwithwhichhehadbroughtacharmingfigureintorelief.
\"AyoungmaninsuchacostumehasonlytowalkintheTuileries,\"hesaid,\"andhewillmarryanEnglishheiresswithinafortnight.\"
LucienbrightenedalittleundertheinfluencesoftheGermantailor\'sjoke,theperfectfitofhisnewclothes,thefinecloth,andthesightofagracefulfigurewhichmethiseyesinthelooking-glass.
VaguelyhetoldhimselfthatPariswasthecapitalofchance,andforthemomenthebelievedinchance.HadhenotavolumeofpoemsandamagnificentromanceentitledTheArcherofCharlesIX.inmanuscript?
Hehadhopeforthefuture.Staubpromisedtheovercoatandtherestoftheclothesthenextday.
Thenextdaythebootmaker,linen-draper,andtailorallreturnedarmedeachwithhisbill,whichLucien,stillunderthecharmofprovincialhabits,paidforthwith,notknowinghowotherwisetoridhimselfofthem.Afterhehadpaid,thereremainedbutthreehundredandsixtyfrancsoutofthetwothousandwhichhehadbroughtwithhimfromAngouleme,andhehadbeenbutoneweekinParis!Nevertheless,hedressedandwenttotakeastrollintheTerrasseedesFeuillants.
Hehadhisdayoftriumph.Helookedsohandsomeandsograceful,hewassowelldressed,thatwomenlookedathim;twoorthreeweresomuchstruckwithhisbeauty,thattheyturnedtheirheadstolookagain.LucienstudiedthegaitandcarriageoftheyoungmenontheTerrasse,andtookalessoninfinemannerswhilehemeditatedonhisthreehundredandsixtyfrancs.
Thatevening,aloneinhischamber,anideaoccurredtohimwhichthrewalightontheproblemofhisexistenceattheGaillard-Bois,wherehelivedontheplainestfare,thinkingtoeconomizeinthisway.Heaskedforhisaccount,asifhemeanttoleave,anddiscoveredthathewasindebtedtohislandlordtotheextentofahundredfrancs.ThenextmorningwasspentinrunningaroundtheLatinQuarter,recommendedforitscheapnessbyDavid.Foralongwhilehelookedabouttill,finally,intheRuedeCluny,closetotheSorbonne,hediscoveredaplacewherehecouldhaveafurnishedroomforsuchapriceashecouldaffordtopay.HesettledwithhishostessoftheGaillard-Bois,andtookuphisquartersintheRuedeClunythatsameday.Hisremovalonlycosthimthecabfare.
Whenhehadtakenpossessionofhispoorroom,hemadeapacketofMme.deBargeton\'sletters,laidthemonthetable,andsatdowntowritetoher;butbeforehewrotehefelltothinkingoverthatfatalweek.Hedidnottellhimselfthathehadbeenthefirsttobefaithless;thatforasuddenfancyhehadbeenreadytoleavehisLouisewithoutknowingwhatwouldbecomeofherinParis.Hesawnoneofhisownshortcomings,buthesawhispresentposition,andblamedMme.deBargetonforit.Shewastohavelightedhisway;insteadshehadruinedhim.Hegrewindignant,hegrewproud,heworkedhimselfintoaparoxysmofrage,andsethimselftocomposethefollowingepistle:——
\"Whatwouldyouthink,madame,ofawomanwhoshouldtakeafancytosomepoorandtimidchildfullofthenoblesuperstitionswhichthegrownmancalls\'illusions;\'andusingallthecharmsofwoman\'scoquetry,allhermostdelicateingenuity,shouldfeignamother\'slovetoleadthatchildastray?Herfondestpromises,thecard-castleswhichraisedhiswonder,costhernothing;sheleadshimon,tightensherholduponhim,sometimescoaxing,sometimesscoldinghimforhiswantofconfidence,tillthechildleaveshishomeandfollowsherblindlytotheshoresofavastsea.Smiling,shelureshimintoafrailskiff,andsendshimforthaloneandhelplesstofacethestorm.Standingsafeontherock,shelaughsandwisheshimluck.Youarethatwoman;Iamthatchild.