\"Iwillwriteit,\"saidHectorMerlin.\"Itismyownpointofview.\"
\"Yourpartywillcomplainthatyouarecompromisingthem,\"saidFinot.
\"Felicien,youmustundertakeit;Dauriatwillbringitout,andwewillkeepthesecret.\"
\"HowmuchshallIget?\"
\"Sixhundredfrancs.Signit\'LeComteC,threestars.\'\"
\"It\'sabargain,\"saidFelicienVernou.
\"Soyouareintroducingthecanardtothepoliticalworld,\"remarkedLousteau.
\"ItissimplytheChabotaffaircarriedintotheregionofabstractideas,\"saidFinot.\"FastenintentionsontheGovernment,andthenletloosepublicopinion.\"
\"HowaGovernmentcanleavethecontrolofideastosuchapackofscampsasweare,ismatterforperpetualandprofoundastonishmenttome,\"saidClaudeVignon.
\"IftheMinistryblunderssofarastocomedownintothearena,wecangivethemadrubbing.Iftheyarenettledbyit,thethingwillrankleinpeople\'sminds,andtheGovernmentwillloseitsholdonthemasses.Thenewspaperrisksnothing,andtheauthoritieshaveeverythingtolose.\"
\"Francewillbeacipheruntilnewspapersareabolishedbylaw,\"saidClaudeVignon.\"Youaremakingprogresshourly,\"headded,addressingFinot.\"YouareamodernorderofJesuits,lackingthecreed,thefixedidea,thediscipline,andtheunion.\"
Theywentbacktothecard-tables;andbeforelongthelightofthecandlesgrewfeebleinthedawn.
\"Lucien,yourfriendsfromtheRuedesQuatre-Ventslookedasdismalascriminalsgoingtobehanged,\"saidCoralie.
\"Theywerethejudges,notthecriminals,\"repliedthepoet.
\"JudgesaremoreamusingthanTHAT,\"saidCoralie.
ForamonthLucien\'swholetimewastakenupwithsupperparties,dinnerengagements,breakfasts,andeveningparties;hewassweptawaybyanirresistiblecurrentintoavortexofdissipationandeasywork.
Henolongerthoughtofthefuture.Thepowerofcalculationamidthecomplicationsoflifeisthesignofastrongwillwhichpoets,weaklings,andmenwholiveapurelyintellectuallifecannevercounterfeit.Lucienwaslivingfromhandtomouth,spendinghismoneyasfastashemadeit,likemanyanotherjournalist;nordidhegivesomuchasathoughttothoseperiodicallyrecurrentdaysofreckoningwhichchequerthelifeofthebohemianinParissosadly.
Indressandfigurehewasarivalforthegreatdandiesoftheday.
Coralie,likeallzealots,lovedtoadornheridol.SheruinedherselftogiveherbelovedpoettheaccoutrementswhichhadsostirredhisenvyintheGardenoftheTuileries.Lucienhadwonderfulcanes,andacharmingeyeglass;hehaddiamondstuds,andscarf-rings,andsignet-
rings,besidesanassortmentofwaistcoatsmarveloustobehold,andinsufficientnumbertomatcheverycolorinavarietyofcostumes.Histransitiontotheestateofdandyswiftlyfollowed.WhenhewenttotheGermanMinister\'sdinner,alltheyoungmenregardedhimwithsuppressedenvy;yetdeMarsay,Vandenesse,Ajuda-Pinto,MaximedeTrailles,Rastignac,Beaudenord,Manerville,andtheDucdeMaufrigneusegaveplacetononeinthekingdomoffashion.Menoffashionareasjealousamongthemselvesaswomen,andinthesameway.
LucienwasplacedbetweenMme.deMontcornetandMme.d\'Espard,inwhosehonorthedinnerwasgiven;bothladiesoverwhelmedhimwithflatteries.
\"Whydidyouturnyourbackonsocietywhenyouwouldhavebeensowellreceived?\"askedtheMarquise.\"Everyonewaspreparedtomakemuchofyou.AndIhaveaquarrelwithyoutoo.Youowedmeacall——I
amstillwaitingtoreceiveit.IsawyouattheOperatheotherday,andyouwouldnotdeigntocometoseemenortotakeanynoticeofme.\"
\"Yourcousin,madame,sounmistakablydismissedme——\"
\"Oh!youdonotknowwomen,\"theMarquised\'Espardbrokeinuponhim.
\"Youhavewoundedthemostangelicheart,thenoblestnaturethatI
know.YoudonotknowallthatLouisewastryingtodoforyou,norhowtactfullyshelaidherplansforyou——Oh!andshewouldhavesucceeded,\"theMarquisecontinued,replyingtoLucien\'smuteincredulity.\"Herhusbandisdeadnow;died,ashewasboundtodie,ofanindigestion;couldyoudoubtthatshewouldbefreesoonerorlater?AndcanyousupposethatshewouldliketobeMadameChardon?
ItwasworthwhiletotakesometroubletogainthetitleofComtessedeRubempre.Love,yousee,isagreatvanity,whichrequiresthelesservanitiestobeinharmonywithitself——especiallyinmarriage.
Imightloveyoutomadness——whichistosay,sufficientlytomarryyou——andyetIshouldfinditveryunpleasanttobecalledMadameChardon.Youcanseethat.AndnowthatyouunderstandthedifficultiesofParislife,youwillknowhowmanyroundaboutwaysyoumusttaketoreachyourend;verywell,then,youmustadmitthatLouisewasaspiringtoanallbutimpossiblepieceofCourtfavor;shewasquiteunknown,sheisnotrich,andthereforeshecouldnotaffordtoneglectanymeansofsuccess.
\"Youareclever,\"theMarquised\'Espardcontinued;\"butwewomen,whenwelove,areclevererthanthecleverestman.MycousintriedtomakethatabsurdChateletuseful——Oh!\"shebrokeoff,\"Iowenotalittleamusementtoyou;yourarticlesonChateletmademelaughheartily.\"
Lucienknewnotwhattothinkofallthis.Ofthetreacheryandbadfaithofjournalismhehadhadsomeexperience;butinspiteofhisperspicacity,hescarcelyexpectedtofindbadfaithortreacheryinsociety.Thereweresomesharplessonsinstoreforhim.
\"But,madame,\"heobjected,forherwordsarousedalivelycuriosity,\"isnottheHeronunderyourprotection?\"
\"Oneisobligedtobeciviltoone\'sworstenemiesinsociety,\"
protestedshe;\"onemaybebored,butonemustlookasifthetalkwasamusing,andnotseldomoneseemstosacrificefriendsthebettertoservethem.Areyoustillanovice?Youmeantowrite,andyetyouknownothingofcurrentdeceit?MycousinapparentlysacrificedyoutotheHeron,buthowcouldshedispensewithhisinfluenceforyou?Ourfriendstandswellwiththepresentministry;andwehavemadehimseethatyourattackswilldohimservice——uptoacertainpoint,forwewantyoutomakeitupagainsomeofthesedays.Chatelethasreceivedcompensationsforhistroubles;for,asdesLupeaulxsaid,\'WhilethenewspapersaremakingChateletridiculous,theywillleavetheMinistryinpeace.\'\"
Therewasapause;theMarquiseleftLucientohisownreflections.
\"M.BlondetledmetohopethatIshouldhavethepleasureofseeingyouinmyhouse,\"saidtheComtessedeMontcornet.\"Youwillmeetafewartistsandmenofletters,andsomeoneelsewhohasthekeenestdesiretobecomeacquaintedwithyou——Mlle.desTouches,theowneroftalentsrareamongoursex.Youwillgotoherhouse,nodoubt.Mlle.
deTouchesorCamilleMaupin,ifyoupreferitisprodigiouslyrich,andpresidesoveroneofthemostremarkablesalonsinParis.Shehasheardthatyouareashandsomeasyouareclever,andisdyingtomeetyou.\"
LuciencouldonlypouroutincoherentthanksandglanceenviouslyatEmileBlondet.TherewasasgreatadifferencebetweenagreatladylikeMme.deMontcornetandCoralieasbetweenCoralieandagirloutofthestreets.TheCountesswasyoungandwittyandbeautiful,withtheverywhitefairnessofwomenofthenorth.HermotherwasthePrincessScherbellof,andtheMinisterbeforedinnerhadpaidherthemostrespectfulattention.
BythistimetheMarquisehadmadeanendoftriflingdisdainfullywiththewingofachicken.
\"MypoorLouisefeltsomuchaffectionforyou,\"shesaid.\"Shetookmeintoherconfidence;Iknewherdreamsofagreatcareerforyou.
Shewouldhaveborneagreatdeal,butwhatscornyoushowedherwhenyousentbackherletters!Crueltywecanforgive;thosewhohurtusmusthavestillsomefaithinus;butindifference!Indifferenceislikepolarsnows,itextinguishesalllife.So,youmustseethatyouhavelostapreciousaffectionthroughyourownfault.Whybreakwithher?Evenifshehadscornedyou,youhadyourwaytomake,hadyounot?——yournametowinback?Louisethoughtofallthat.\"
\"Thenwhywasshesilent?\"
\"EH!monDieu!\"criedtheMarquise,\"itwasImyselfwhoadvisedhernottotakeyouintoherconfidence.Betweenourselves,youknow,youseemedsolittleusedtothewaysoftheworld,thatItookalarm.I
wasafraidthatyourinexperienceandrashardormightwreckourcarefully-madeschemes.Canyourecollectyourselfasyouwerethen?
Youmustadmitthatifyoucouldseeyourdoubleto-day,youwouldsaythesameyourself.Youarenotlikethesameman.Thatwasourmistake.Butwouldonemaninathousandcombinesuchintellectualgiftswithsuchwonderfulaptitudefortakingthetoneofsociety?I
didnotthinkthatyouwouldbesuchanastonishingexception.Youweretransformedsoquickly,youacquiredthemannerofParissoeasily,thatIdidnotrecognizeyouintheBoisdeBoulogneamonthago.\"
Lucienheardthegreatladywithinexpressiblepleasure;theflatterieswerespokenwithsuchapetulant,childlike,confidingair,andsheseemedtotakesuchadeepinterestinhim,thathethoughtofhisfirsteveningatthePanorama-Dramatique,andbegantofancythatsomesuchmiraclewasabouttotakeplaceasecondtime.Everythinghadsmileduponhimsincethathappyevening;hisyouth,hethought,wasthetalismanthatworkedthischange.Hewouldprovethisgreatlady;sheshouldnottakehimunawares.
\"Then,whatweretheseschemeswhichhaveturnedtochimeras,madame?\"
askedhe.
\"LouisemeanttoobtainaroyalpatentpermittingyoutobearthenameandtitleofRubempre.ShewishedtoputChardonoutofsight.Youropinionshaveputthatoutofthequestionnow,butTHENitwouldnothavebeensohardtomanage,andatitlewouldmeanafortuneforyou.
\"Youwilllookonthesethingsastriflesandvisionaryideas,\"shecontinued;\"butweknowsomethingoflife,andweknow,too,allthesolidadvantagesofaCount\'stitlewhenitisbornebyafashionableandextremelycharmingyoungman.Announce\'M.Chardon\'and\'M.leComtedeRubempre\'beforeheiressesorEnglishgirlswithamilliontotheirfortune,andnotethedifferenceoftheeffect.TheCountmightbeindebt,buthewouldfindopenhearts;hisgoodlooks,broughtintoreliefbyhistitle,wouldbelikeadiamondinarichsetting;
M.Chardonwouldnotbesomuchasnoticed.WEhavenotinventedthesenotions;theyareeverywhereintheworld,evenamongtheburgeois.
Youareturningyourbackonfortuneatthisminute.Doyouseethatgood-lookingyoungman?HeistheVicomteFelixdeVandenesse,oneoftheKing\'sprivatesecretaries.TheKingisfondenoughofyoungmenoftalent,andVandenessecamefromtheprovinceswithbaggagenearlyaslightasyours.Youareathousandtimesclevererthanhe;butdoyoubelongtoagreatfamily,haveyouaname?YouknowdesLupeaulx;
hisnameisverymuchlikeyours,forhewasbornaChardin;well,hewouldnotsellhislittlefarmofLupeaulxforamillion,hewillbeComtedesLupeaulxsomeday,andperhapshisgrandsonmaybeaduke——
Youhavemadeafalsestart;andifyoucontinueinthatway,itwillbealloverwithyou.SeehowmuchwiserM.EmileBlondethasbeen!HeisengagedonaGovernmentnewspaper;heiswelllookedonbythoseinauthority;hecanaffordtomixwithLiberals,forheholdssoundopinions;andsoonorlaterhewillsucceed.Butthenheunderstoodhowtochoosehisopinionsandhisprotectors.
\"Yourcharmingneighbor\"Mme.d\'EspardglancedatMme.deMontcornet
\"wasaTroisville;therearetwopeersofFranceinthefamilyandtwodeputies.Shemadeawealthymarriagewithhername;sheseesagreatdealofsocietyatherhouse;shehasinfluence,shewillmovethepoliticalworldforyoungM.Blondet.WherewillaCoralietakeyou?
Inafewyears\'timeyouwillbehopelesslyindebtandwearyofpleasure.Youhavechosenbadlyinlove,andyouarearrangingyourlifeill.ThewomanwhomyoudelighttowoundwasattheOperatheothernight,andthiswashowshespokeofyou.Shedeploredthewayinwhichyouwerethrowingawayyourtalentandtheprimeofyouth;
shewasthinkingofyou,andnotofherself,allthewhile.\"
\"Ah!ifyouwereonlytellingmethetruth,madame!\"criedLucien.
\"WhatobjectshouldIhaveintellinglies?\"returnedtheMarquise,withaglanceofcolddisdainwhichannihilatedhim.Hewassodashedbyit,thattheconversationdropped,fortheMarquisewasoffended,andsaidnomore.
Lucienwasnettledbyhersilence,buthefeltthatitwasduetohisownclumsiness,andpromisedhimselfthathewouldrepairhiserror.
HeturnedtoMme.deMontcornetandtalkedtoherofBlondet,extollingthatyoungwriterforherbenefit.TheCountesswasgracioustohim,andaskedhimatasignfromMme.d\'Espardtospendaneveningatherhouse.Itwastobeasmallandquietgatheringtowhichonlyfriendswereinvited——Mme.deBargetonwouldbethereinspiteofhermourning;Lucienwouldbepleased,shewassure,tomeetMme.deBargeton.
\"Mme.laMarquisesaysthatallthewrongisonmyside,\"saidLucien;
\"sosurelyitrestswithhercousin,doesitnot,todecidewhethershewillmeetme?\"
\"Putanendtothoseridiculousattacks,whichonlycouplehernamewiththenameofamanforwhomshedoesnotcareatall,andyouwillsoonsignatreatyofpeace.Youthoughtthatshehadusedyouill,I
amtold,butImyselfhaveseenherinsadnessbecauseyouhadforsakenher.Isittruethatshelefttheprovincesonyouraccount?\"
Luciensmiled;hedidnotventuretomakeanyotherreply.
\"Oh!howcouldyoudoubtthewomanwhomadesuchsacrificesforyou?
Beautifulandintellectualassheis,shedeservesbesidestobelovedforherownsake;andMme.deBargetoncaredlessforyouthanforyourtalents.Believeme,womenvalueintellectmorethangoodlooks,\"
addedtheCountess,stealingaglanceatEmileBlondet.
IntheMinister\'shotelLuciencouldseethedifferencesbetweenthegreatworldandthatotherworldbeyondthepaleinwhichhehadlatelybeenliving.Therewasnosortofresemblancebetweenthetwokindsofsplendor,nosinglepointincommon.TheloftinessanddispositionoftheroomsinoneofthehandsomesthousesintheFaubourgSaint-Germain,theancientgilding,thebreadthofdecorativestyle,thesubduedrichnessoftheaccessories,allthiswasstrangeandnewtohim;butLucienhadlearnedveryquicklytotakeluxuryforgranted,andheshowednosurprise.Hisbehaviorwasasfarremovedfromassuranceorfatuityontheonehandasfromcomplacencyandservilityupontheother.Hismannerwasgood;hefoundfavorintheeyesofallwhowerenotpreparedtobehostile,liketheyoungermen,whoresentedhissuddenintrusionintothegreatworld,andfeltjealousofhisgoodlooksandhissuccess.
Whentheyrosefromtable,heofferedhisarmtoMme.d\'Espard,andwasnotrefused.Rastignac,watchinghim,sawthattheMarquisewasgracioustoLucien,andcameinthecharacterofafellow-countrymantoremindthepoetthattheyhadmetoncebeforeatMme.duVal-
Noble\'s.Theyoungpatricianseemedanxioustofindanallyinthegreatmanfromhisownprovince,askedLucientobreakfastwithhimsomemorning,andofferedtointroducehimtosomeyoungmenoffashion.Lucienwasnothingloath.
\"ThedearBlondetiscoming,\"saidRastignac.
ThetwowerestandingneartheMarquisdeRonquerolles,theDucdeRhetore,deMarsay,andGeneralMontriveau.TheMinistercameacrosstojointhegroup.
\"Well,\"saidhe,addressingLucienwithabluffGermanheartinessthatconcealedhisdangeroussubtlety;\"well,soyouhavemadeyourpeacewithMme.d\'Espard;sheisdelightedwithyou,andweallknow,\"headded,lookingroundthegroup,\"howdifficultitistopleaseher.\"
\"Yes,butsheadoresintellect,\"saidRastignac,\"andmyillustriousfellow-countrymanhaswitenoughtosell.\"
\"Hewillsoonfindoutthatheisnotdoingwellforhimself,\"Blondetputinbriskly.\"Hewillcomeover;hewillsoonbeoneofus.\"
ThosewhostoodaboutLucienrangthechangesonthistheme;theolderandresponsiblemenlaiddownthelawwithoneortwoprofoundremarks;theyoungeronesmademerryattheexpenseoftheLiberals.
\"HesimplytossedupheadortailsforRightorLeft,Iamsure,\"
remarkedBlondet,\"butnowhewillchooseforhimself.\"
Lucienburstoutlaughing;hethoughtofhistalkwithLousteauthateveningintheLuxembourgGardens.
\"Hehastakenonabear-leader,\"continuedBlondet,\"oneEtienneLousteau,anewspaperhackwhoseesafive-francpieceinacolumn.
Lousteau\'spoliticsconsistinabeliefthatNapoleonwillreturn,andandthisseemstometobestillmoresimpleinaconfidenceinthegratitudeandpatriotismoftheirworshipsthegentlemenoftheLeft.
AsaRubempre,Lucien\'ssympathiesshouldleantowardsthearistocracy;asajournalist,heoughttobeforauthority,orhewillneverbeeitherRubempreorasecretary-general.\"
TheMinisternowaskedLucientotakeahandatwhist;but,tothegreatastonishmentofthosepresent,hedeclaredthathedidnotknowthegame.
\"Comeearlytomeonthedayofthatbreakfastaffair,\"Rastignacwhispered,\"andIwillteachyoutoplay.YouareadiscredittotheroyalcityofAngouleme;and,torepeatM.deTalleyrand\'ssaying,youarelayingupanunhappyoldageforyourself.\"
DesLupeaulxwasannounced.HerememberedLucien,whomhehadmetatMme.duVal-Noble\'s,andbowedwithasemblanceoffriendlinesswhichthepoetcouldnotdoubt.DesLupeaulxwasinfavor,hewasaMasterofRequests,anddidtheMinistrysecretservices;hewas,moreover,cunningandambitious,slippinghimselfineverywhere;hewaseverybody\'sfriend,forheneverknewwhomhemightneed.Hesawplainlythatthiswasayoungjournalistwhosesocialsuccesswouldprobablyequalhissuccessinliterature;saw,too,thatthepoetwasambitious,andoverwhelmedhimwithprotestationsandexpressionsoffriendshipandinterest,tillLucienfeltasiftheywereoldfriendsalready,andtookhispromisesandspeechesformorethantheirworth.
DesLupeaulxmadeapointofknowingamanthoroughlywellifhewantedtogetridofhimorfearedhimasarival.So,toallappearance,Lucienwaswellreceived.HeknewthatmuchofhissuccesswasowingtotheDucdeRhetore,theMinister,Mme.d\'Espard,andMme.
deMontcornet,andwenttospendafewmomentswiththetwoladiesbeforetakingleave,andtalkedhisverybestforthem.
\"Whatacoxcomb!\"saiddesLupeaulx,turningtotheMarquisewhenhehadgone.
\"Hewillberottenbeforeheisripe,\"deMarsayadded,smiling.\"Youmusthaveprivatereasonsofyourown,madame,forturninghisheadinthisway.\"
WhenLuciensteppedintothecarriageinthecourtyard,hefoundCoraliewaitingforhim.Shehadcometofetchhim.Thelittleattentiontouchedhim;hetoldherthehistoryofhisevening;and,tohisnosmallastonishment,thenewnotionswhichevennowwererunninginhisheadmetwithCoralie\'sapproval.Shestronglyadvisedhimtoenlistundertheministerialbanner.
\"YouhavenothingtoexpectfromtheLiberalsbuthardknocks,\"shesaid.\"Theyplotandconspire;theymurderedtheDucdeBerri.WilltheyupsettheGovernment?Never!Youwillnevercometoanythingthroughthem,whileyouwillbeComtedeRubempreifyouthrowinyourlotwiththeotherside.YoumightrenderservicestotheState,andbeapeerofFrance,andmarryanheiress.BeanUltra.Itistheproperthingbesides,\"sheadded,thisbeingthelastwordwithheronallsubjects.\"IdinedwiththeVal-Noble;shetoldmethatTheodoreGaillardisreallygoingtostarthislittleRoyalistRevue,soastoreplytoyourwitticismsandthejokesintheMiroir.Tohearthemtalk,M.Villele\'spartywillbeinofficebeforetheyearisout.Trytoturnthechangetoaccountbeforetheycometopower;andsaynothingtoEtienneandyourfriends,fortheyarequiteequaltoplayingyousomeillturn.\"
Aweeklater,LucienwenttoMme.deMontcornet\'shouse,andsawthewomanwhomhehadsoloved,whomlaterhehadstabbedtotheheartwithajest.Hefeltthemostviolentagitationatthesightofher,forLouisealsohadundergoneatransformation.ShewastheLouisethatshewouldalwayshavebeenbutforherdetentionintheprovinces——shewasagreatlady.Therewasagraceandrefinementinhermourningdresswhichtoldthatshewasahappywidow;Lucienfanciedthatthiscoquetrywasaimedinsomedegreeathim,andhewasright;
but,likeanogre,hehadtastedflesh,andallthateveninghevacillatedbetweenCoralie\'swarm,voluptuousbeautyandthedried-up,haughty,cruelLouise.Hecouldnotmakeuphismindtosacrificetheactresstothegreatlady;andMme.deBargeton——alltheoldfeelingrevivinginheratthesightofLucien,Lucien\'sbeauty,Lucien\'scleverness——waswaitingandexpectingthatsacrificeallevening;andafterallherinsinuatingspeechesandherfascinations,shehadhertroubleforherpains.Shelefttheroomwithafixeddeterminationtoberevenged.
\"Well,dearLucien,\"shehadsaid,andinherkindnesstherewasbothgenerosityandParisiangrace;\"well,dearLucien,soyou,thatweretohavebeenmypride,tookmeforyourfirstvictim;andIforgaveyou,mydear,forIfeltthatinsucharevengetherewasatraceoflovestillleft.\"
Withthatspeech,andthequeenlywayinwhichitwasuttered,Mme.deBargetonrecoveredherposition.Lucien,convincedthathewasathousandtimesintheright,feltthathehadbeenputinthewrong.
Notonewordofthecausesoftherupture!notonesyllableoftheterriblefarewellletter!Awomanoftheworldhasawonderfulgeniusfordiminishingherfaultsbylaughingatthem;shecanobliteratethemallwithasmileoraquestionoffeignedsurprise,andsheknowsthis.Sheremembersnothing,shecanexplaineverything;sheisamazed,asksquestions,comments,amplifies,andquarrelswithyou,tillintheendhersinsdisappearlikestainsontheapplicationofalittlesoapandwater;blackasinkyouknewthemtobe;andlo!inamoment,youbeholdimmaculatewhiteinnocence,andluckyareyouifyoudonotfindthatyouyourselfhavesinnedinsomewaybeyondredemption.
InamomentoldillusionsregainedtheirpoweroverLucienandLouise;
theytalkedlikefriends,asbefore;butwhenthelady,withahesitatingsigh,putthequestion,\"Areyouhappy?\"Lucienwasnotreadywithaprompt,decidedanswer;hewasintoxicatedwithgratifiedvanity;Coralie,wholetusadmitithadmadelifeeasyforhim,hadturnedhishead.Amelancholy\"No\"wouldhavemadehisfortune,buthemustneedsbegintoexplainhispositionwithregardtoCoralie.Hesaidthathewaslovedforhisownsake;hesaidagoodmanyfoolishthingsthatamanwillsaywhenheissmittenwithatenderpassion,andthoughtthewhilethathewasdoingacleverthing.
Mme.deBargetonbitherlips.Therewasnomoretobesaid.Mme.
d\'EspardbroughtMme.deMontcornettohercousin,andLucienbecametheherooftheevening,sotospeak.Hewasflattered,petted,andmademuchofbythethreewomen;hewasentangledwithartwhichnowordscandescribe.Hissocialsuccessinthisfineandbrilliantcirclewasatleastasgreatashistriumphsinjournalism.BeautifulMlle.desTouches,sowellknownas\"CamilleMaupin,\"askedhimtooneofherWednesdaydinners;hisbeauty,nowsojustlyfamous,seemedtohavemadeanimpressionuponher.Lucienexertedhimselftoshowthathiswitequaledhisgoodlooks,andMlle.desTouchesexpressedheradmirationwithaplayfuloutspokennessandaprettyfervoroffriendshipwhichdeceivesthosewhodonotknowlifeinParistoitsdepths,norsuspecthowcontinualenjoymentwhetstheappetitefornovelty.
\"IfsheshouldlikemeasmuchasIlikeher,wemightabridgetheromance,\"saidLucien,addressingdeMarsayandRastignac.
\"Youbothofyouwriteromancestoowelltocaretolivethem,\"
returnedRastignac.\"Canmenandwomenwhowriteeverfallinlovewitheachother?Atimeissuretocomewhentheybegintomakelittlecuttingremarks.\"
\"Itwouldnotbeabaddreamforyou,\"laugheddeMarsay.\"Thecharmingyoungladyisthirtyyearsold,itistrue,butshehasanincomeofeightythousandlivres.Sheisadorablycapricious,andherstyleofbeautywearswell.Coralieisasillylittlefool,mydearboy,wellenoughforastart,forayoungsparkmusthaveamistress;
butunlessyoumakesomegreatconquestinthegreatworld,anactresswilldoyouharminthelongrun.Now,myboy,goandcutoutConti.
Hereheis,justabouttosingwithCamilleMaupin.Poetryhastakenprecedenceofmusiceversincetimebegan.\"
ButwhenLucienheardMlle.desTouches\'voiceblendingwithConti\'s,hishopesfled.
\"Contisingstoowell,\"hetolddesLupeaulx;andhewentbacktoMme.
deBargeton,whocarriedhimofftoMme.d\'Espardinanotherroom.
\"Well,willyounotinterestyourselfinhim?\"askedMme.deBargeton.
TheMarquisespokewithanairhalfkindly,halfinsolent.\"LetM.
Chardonfirstputhimselfinsuchapositionthathewillnotcompromisethosewhotakeaninterestinhim,\"shesaid.\"Ifhewishestodrophispatronymicandtobearhismother\'sname,heshouldatanyratebeontherightside,shouldhenot?\"
\"InlessthantwomonthsIwillarrangeeverything,\"saidLucien.
\"Verywell,\"returnedMme.d\'Espard.\"Iwillspeaktomyfatheranduncle;theyareinwaiting,theywillspeaktotheChancellorforyou.\"
ThediplomatistandthetwowomenhadverysoondiscoveredLucien\'sweakside.Thepoet\'sheadwasturnedbythegloryofthearistocracy;
everymanwhoenteredtheroomsboreasoundingnamemountedinaglitteringtitle,andhehimselfwasplainChardon.Unspeakablemortificationfilledhimatthesoundofit.Whereverhehadbeenduringthelastfewdays,thatpanghadbeenconstantlypresentwithhim.Hefelt,moreover,asensationquiteasunpleasantwhenhewentbacktohisdeskafteraneveningspentinthegreatworld,inwhichhemadeatolerablefigure,thankstoCoralie\'scarriageandCoralie\'sservants.
Helearnedtoride,inordertoescortMme.d\'Espard,Mlle.desTouches,andtheComtessedeMontcornetwhentheydroveintheBois,aprivilegewhichhehadenviedotheryoungmensogreatlywhenhefirstcametoParis.Finotwasdelightedtogivehisright-handmananorderfortheOpera,soLucienwastedmanyaneveningthere,andthenceforwardhewasamongtheexquisitesoftheday.
ThepoetaskedRastignacandhisnewassociatestoabreakfast,andmadetheblunderofgivingitinCoralie\'sroomsintheRuedeVendome;hewastooyoung,toomuchofapoet,tooself-confident,todiscerncertainshadesanddistinctionsinconduct;andhowshouldanactress,agood-heartedbutuneducatedgirl,teachhimlife?Hisguestswereanythingbutcharitablydisposedtowardshim;itwasclearlyproventotheirmindsthatLucienthecriticandtheactresswereincollusionfortheirmutualinterests,andalloftheyoungmenwerejealousofanarrangementwhichallofthemstigmatized.ThemostpitilessofthosewholaughedthateveningatLucien\'sexpensewasRastignachimself.Rastignachadmadeandheldhispositionbyverysimilarmeans;butsocarefulhadhebeenofappearances,thathecouldaffordtotreatscandalasslander.
Lucienprovedanaptpupilatwhist.Playbecameapassionwithhim;
andsofarfromdisapproving,Coralieencouragedhisextravagancewiththepeculiarshort-sightednessofanall-absorbinglove,whichseesnothingbeyondthemoment,andisreadytosacrificeanything,eventhefuture,tothepresentenjoyment.Coralielookedoncardsasasafe-guardagainstrivals.Agreatlovehasmuchincommonwithchildhood——achild\'sheedless,careless,spendthriftways,achild\'slaughterandtears.
Inthosedaystherelivedandflourishedasetofyoungmen,someofthemrich,somepoor,andallofthemidle,called\"free-livers\"
viveurs;and,indeed,theylivedwithincredibleinsolence——
unabashedandunproductiveconsumers,andyetmoreintrepiddrinkers.
Thesespendthriftsmingledtheroughestpracticaljokeswithalifenotsomuchrecklessassuicidal;theydrewbackfromnoimpossibility,andgloriedinprankswhich,nevertheless,wereconfinedwithincertainlimits;andastheyshowedthemostoriginalwitintheirescapades,itwasimpossiblenottopardonthem.
NosignofthetimesmoreplainlydiscoveredthehelotismtowhichtheRestorationhadcondemnedtheyoungmanhoodoftheepoch.Theyoungermen,beingatalosstoknowwhattodowiththemselves,werecompelledtofindotheroutletsfortheirsuperabundantenergybesidesjournalism,orconspiracy,orart,orletters.Theysquanderedtheirstrengthinthewildestexcesses,suchsapandluxuriantpowerwasthereinyoungFrance.Thehardworkersamongthesegildedyouthswantedpowerandpleasure;theartistswishedformoney;theidlesoughttostimulatetheirappetitesorwishedforexcitement;oneandallofthemwantedaplace,andoneandallwereshutoutfrompoliticsandpubliclife.Nearlyallthe\"free-livers\"weremenofunusualmentalpowers;someheldoutagainsttheenervatinglife,otherswereruinedbyit.ThemostcelebratedandthecleverestamongthemwasEugeneRastignac,whoentered,withdeMarsay\'shelp,uponapoliticalcareer,inwhichhehassincedistinguishedhimself.Thepracticaljokes,inwhichthesetindulgedbecamesofamous,thatnotafewvaudevilleshavebeenfoundeduponthem.
BlondetintroducedLucientothissocietyofprodigals,ofwhichhebecameabrilliantornament,rankingnexttoBixiou,oneofthemostmischievousanduntiringscoffingwitsofhistime.AllthroughthatwinterLucien\'slifewasonelongfitofintoxication,withintervalsofeasywork.Hecontinuedhisseriesofsketchesofcontemporarylife,andveryoccasionallymadegreateffortstowriteafewpagesofseriouscriticism,onwhichhebroughthisutmostpowerofthoughttobear.Butstudywastheexception,nottherule,andonlyundertakenatthebiddingofnecessity;dinnersandbreakfasts,partiesofpleasureandplay,tookupmostofhistime,andCoralieabsorbedallthatwasleft.Hewouldnotthinkofthemorrow.Hesawbesidesthathisso-calledfriendswereleadingthesamelife,earningmoneyeasilybywritingpublishers\'prospectusesandarticlespaidforbyspeculators;allofthemlivedbeyondtheirincomes,noneofthemthoughtseriouslyofthefuture.
Lucienhadbeenadmittedintotheranksofjournalismandofliteratureontermsofequality;heforesawimmensedifficultiesinthewayifheshouldtrytoriseabovetherest.Everyonewaswillingtolookuponhimasanequal;noonewouldhavehimforasuperior.
Unconsciouslyhegaveuptheideaofwinningfameinliterature,foritseemedeasiertogainsuccessinpolitics.
\"Intrigueraiseslessoppositionthantalent,\"duChatelethadsaidonedayforLucienandtheBaronhadmadeuptheirquarrel;\"aplotbelowthesurfacerousesnoone\'sattention.Intrigue,moreover,issuperiortotalent,foritmakessomethingoutofnothing;while,forthemostpart,theimmenseresourcesoftalentonlyinjureaman.\"
SoLucienneverlostsightofhisprincipalidea;andthoughto-morrow,followingcloseupontheheelsofto-dayinthemidstofanorgy,neverfoundthepromisedworkaccomplished,Lucienwasassiduousinsociety.HepaidcourttoMme.deBargeton,theMarquised\'Espard,andtheComtessedeMontcornet;henevermissedasinglepartygivenbyMlle.desTouches,appearinginsocietyafteradinnergivenbyauthorsorpublishers,andleavingthesalonsforasuppergiveninconsequenceofabet.Thedemandsofconversationandtheexcitementofplayabsorbedalltheideasandenergyleftbyexcess.Thepoethadlostthelucidityofjudgmentandcoolnessofheadwhichmustbepreservedifamanistoseeallthatisgoingonaroundhim,andnevertolosetheexquisitetactwhichtheparvenueneedsateverymoment.HowshouldheknowhowmanyatimeMme.deBargetonlefthimwithwoundedsusceptibilities,howoftensheforgavehimoraddedonemorecondemnationtotherest?
Chateletsawthathisrivalhadstillachanceleft,sohebecameLucien\'sfriend.Heencouragedthepoetindissipationthatwastedhisenergies.Rastignac,jealousofhisfellow-countryman,andthinking,besides,thatChateletwouldbeasurerandmoreusefulallythanLucien,hadtakenuptheBaron\'scause.So,somefewdaysafterthemeetingofthePetrarchandLauraofAngouleme,RastignacbroughtaboutthereconciliationbetweenthepoetandtheelderlybeauatasumptuoussuppergivenattheRocherdeCancale.Lucienneverreturnedhometillmorning,androseinthemiddleoftheday;Coraliewasalwaysathisside,hecouldnotforegoasinglepleasure.Sometimeshesawhisrealposition,andmadegoodresolutions,buttheycametonothinginhisidle,easylife;andthemainspringofwillgrewslack,andonlyrespondedtotheheaviestpressureofnecessity.
CoraliehadbeengladthatLucienshouldamusehimself;shehadencouragedhiminthisrecklessexpenditure,becauseshethoughtthatthecravingswhichshefosteredwouldbindherlovertoher.Buttender-heartedandlovingasshewas,shefoundcouragetoadviseLuciennottoforgethiswork,andonceortwicewasobligedtoremindhimthathehadearnedverylittleduringthemonth.Theirdebtsweregrowingfrightfullyfast.Thefifteenhundredfrancswhichremainedfromthepurchase-moneyoftheMargueriteshadbeenswallowedupatonce,togetherwithLucien\'sfirstfivehundredlivres.Inthreemonthshehadonlymadeathousandfrancs,yethefeltasthoughhehadbeenworkingtremendouslyhard.ButbythistimeLucienhadadoptedthe\"free-livers\"pleasanttheoryofdebts.
Debtsarebecomingtoayoungman,butaftertheageoffive-and-
twentytheyareinexcusable.Itshouldbeobservedthattherearecertainnaturesinwhichareallypoetictemperisunitedwithaweakenedwill;andthesewhileabsorbedinfeeling,thattheymaytransmutepersonalexperience,sensation,orimpressionintosomepermanentformareessentiallydeficientinthemoralsensewhichshouldaccompanyallobservation.Poetspreferrathertoreceivetheirownimpressionsthantoenterintothesoulsofotherstostudythemechanismoftheirfeelingsandthoughts.SoLucienneitheraskedhisassociateswhatbecameofthosewhodisappearedfromamongthem,norlookedintothefuturesofhisso-calledfriends.Someofthemwereheirstoproperty,othershaddefiniteexpectations;yetotherseitherpossessednamesthatwereknownintheworld,oramostrobustbeliefintheirdestinyandafixedresolutiontocircumventthelaw.Lucien,too,believedinhisfutureonthestrengthofvariousprofoundaxiomaticsayingsofBlondet\'s:\"Everythingcomesoutallrightatlast——Ifamanhasnothing,hisaffairscannotbeembarrassed——Wehavenothingtolosebutthefortunethatweseek——Swimwiththestream;itwilltakeyousomewhere——Aclevermanwithafootinginsocietycanmakeafortunewheneverhepleases.\"
Thatwinter,filledasitwaswithsomanypleasuresanddissipations,wasanecessaryintervalemployedinfindingcapitalforthenewRoyalistpaper;TheodoreGaillardandHectorMerlinonlybroughtoutthefirstnumberoftheReveilinMarch1822.TheaffairhadbeensettledatMme.duVal-Noble\'shouse.Mme.duval-Nobleexercisedacertaininfluenceoverthegreatpersonages,Royalistwriters,andbankerswhometinhersplendidrooms——\"fitforataleoutoftheArabianNights,\"astheelegantandclevercourtesanherselfusedtosay——totransactbusinesswhichcouldnotbearrangedelsewhere.TheeditorshiphadbeenpromisedtoHectorMerlin.Lucien,Merlin\'sintimate,wasprettycertaintobehisright-handman,andafeuilletoninaMinisterialpaperhadbeenpromisedtohimbesides.
AllthroughthedissipationsofthatwinterLucienhadbeensecretlymakingreadyforthischangeoffront.Childashewas,hefanciedthathewasadeeppoliticianbecauseheconcealedthepreparationfortheapproachingtransformation-scene,whilehewascountinguponMinisteriallargessestoextricatehimselffromembarrassmentandtolightenCoralie\'ssecretcares.Coraliesaidnothingofherdistress;
shesmilednow,asalways;butBerenicewasbolder,shekeptLucieninformedoftheirdifficulties;andthebuddinggreatman,moved,afterthefashionofpoets,bythetaleofdisasters,wouldvowthathewouldbegintoworkinearnest,andthenforgethisresolution,anddrownhisfleetingcaresinexcess.OnedayCoraliesawthepoeticbrowovercast,andscoldedBerenice,andtoldherloverthateverythingwouldbesettled.
Mme.d\'EspardandMme.deBargetonwerewaitingforLucien\'sprofessionofhisnewcreed,sotheysaid,beforeapplyingthroughChateletforthepatentwhichshouldpermitLucientobeartheso-muchdesiredname.LucienhadproposedtodedicatetheMargueritestoMme.
d\'Espard,andtheMarquiseseemedtobenotalittleflatteredbyacomplimentwhichauthorshavebeensomewhatcharyofpayingsincetheybecameapowerintheland;butwhenLucienwenttoDauriatandaskedafterhisbook,thatworthypublishermethimwithexcellentreasonsforthedelayinitsappearance.Dauriathadthisandthatinhand,whichtookupallhistime;anewvolumebyCanaliswascomingout,andhedidnotwantthetwobookstoclash;M.deLamartine\'ssecondseriesofMeditationswasinthepress,andtwoimportantcollectionsofpoetryoughtnottoappeartogether.
Bythistime,however,Lucien\'sneedsweresopressingthathehadrecoursetoFinot,andreceivedanadvanceonhiswork.When,atasupper-partythatevening,thepoetjournalistexplainedhispositiontohisfriendsinthefastset,theydrownedhisscruplesinchampagne,icedwithpleasantries.Debts!Therewasneveryetamanofanypowerwithoutdebts!Debtsrepresentedsatisfiedcravings,clamorousvices.Amanonlysucceedsunderthepressureoftheironhandofnecessity.Debtsforsooth!
\"Why,theonepledgeofwhichagreatmancanbesure,isgivenhimbyhisfriendthepawnbroker,\"criedBlondet.
\"Ifyouwanteverything,youmustoweforeverything,\"calledBixiou.
\"No,\"correcteddesLupeaulx,\"ifyouoweforeverything,youhavehadeverything.\"