ThenheapproachedMadameRabourdin。”Wehavemuchtosaytoeachother，”heremarkedasheseatedhimselfbesidethebeautifulwoman，whoreceivedhimadmirably。”Ah！”hecontinued，givingherasideglance，”youaregrandindeed；I
findyoujustwhatIexpected，gloriousunderdefeat。Doyouknowthatitisaveryrarethingtofindasuperiorwomanwhoanswerstotheexpectationsformedofher。Sodefeatdoesn’tdisheartenyou？Youareright；weshalltriumphintheend，”hewhisperedinherear。”Yourfateisalwaysinyourownhands，——solong，Imean，asyourallyisamanwhoadoresyou。Wewillholdcounseltogether。””ButisBaudoyerappointed？”sheasked。”Yes，”saidthesecretary。”Doeshegetthecross？””Notyet；buthewillhaveitlater。””Amazing！””Ah！youdon’tunderstandpoliticalexigencies。”
Duringthisevening，whichseemedinterminabletoMadameRabourdin，anotherscenewasoccurringintheplaceRoyale，——oneofthosecomedieswhichareplayedinsevenParisiansalonswheneverthereisachangeofministry。TheSaillards’salonwascrowded。MonsieurandMadameTransonarrivedateighto’clock；MadameTransonkissedMadameBaudoyer，neeSaillard。MonsieurBataille，captainoftheNationalGuard，camewithhiswifeandthecurateofSaintPaul’s。”MonsieurBaudoyer，”saidMadameTranson。”Iwishtobethefirsttocongratulateyou；theyhavedonejusticetoyourtalents。Youhaveindeedearnedyourpromotion。””Hereyouare，director，”saidMonsieurTranson，rubbinghishands，”andtheappointmentisveryflatteringtothisneighborhood。””Andwecantrulysayitcametopasswithoutanyintriguing，”saidtheworthySaillard。”Wearenoneofuspoliticalintriguers；WEdon’tgotoselectpartiesattheministry。”
UncleMitralrubbedhisnoseandgrinnedasheglancedathisnieceElisabeth，thewomanwhosehandhadpulledthewires，whowastalkingwithGigonnet。Falleix，honestfellow，didnotknowwhattomakeofthestupidblindnessofSaillardandBaudoyer。MessieursDutocq，Bixiou，duBruel，Godard，andCollevillethelatterappointedheadofthebureauentered。”Whatacrew！”whisperedBixioutoduBruel。”Icouldmakeafinecaricatureofthemintheshapesoffishes，——dorys，flounders，sharks，andsnappers，alldancingasaraband！””Monsieur，”saidColleville，”Icometoofferyoumycongratulations；
orratherwecongratulateourselvesinhavingsuchamanplacedoverus；andwedesiretoassureyouofthezealwithwhichweshallco-
operateinyourlabors。Allowmetosaythatthiseventaffordsasignalprooftothetruthofmyaxiomthataman’sdestinyliesinthelettersofhisname。ImaysaythatIknewofthisappointmentandofyourotherhonorsbeforeIheardofthem，forIspendthenightinanagrammatizingyournameasfollows:”[proudly]”IsidoreC。T。
Baudoyer，——Director，decoratedbyushisMajestytheKing，ofcourse。”
Baudoyerbowedandremarkedpiouslythatnamesweregiveninbaptism。
MonsieurandMadameBaudoyer，senior，fatherandmotherofthenewdirector，weretheretoenjoythegloryoftheirsonanddaughter-in-
law。UncleGigonnet-Bidault，whohaddinedatthehouse，hadarestless，fidgetylookinhiseyewhichfrightenedBixiou。”There’saqueerone，”saidthelattertoduBruel，callinghisattentiontoGigonnet，”whowoulddoinavaudeville。Iwonderifhecouldbebought。SuchanoldscarecrowisjustthethingforasignovertheTwoBaboons。Andwhatacoat！IdidthinktherewasnobodybutPoiretwhocouldshowthelikeafterthataftertenyears’publicexposuretotheinclemenciesofParisianweather。””Baudoyerismagnificent，”saidduBruel。”Dazzling，”answeredBixiou。”Gentlemen，”saidBaudoyer，”letmepresentyoutomyownuncle，MonsieurMitral，andtomygreat-unclethroughmywife，MonsieurBidault。”
GigonnetandMitralgaveaglanceatthethreeclerkssopenetrating，soglitteringwithgleamsofgold，thatthetwoscoffersweresoberedatonce。”Hein？”saidBixiou，whentheyweresafelyunderthearcadesintheplaceRoyale；”didyouexaminethoseuncles？——twocopiesofShylock。
I’llbettheirmoneyislentinthemarketatahundredpercentperweek。Theylendonpawn；andsellmostthattheylayholdof，coats，goldlace，cheese，men，women，andchildren；theyareaconglomerationofArabs，Jews，Genoese，Genevese，Greeks，Lombards，andParisians，suckledbyawolfandbornofaTurkishwoman。””Ibelieveyou，”saidGodard。”UncleMitralusedtobeasheriff’sofficer。””Thatsettlesit，”saidduBruel。”I’mofftoseetheproofofmycaricature，”saidBixiou；”butI
shouldliketostudythestateofthingsinRabourdin’ssalonto-
night。Youareluckytobeabletogothere，duBruel。””I！”saidthevaudevillist，”whatshouldIdothere？Myfacedoesn’tlenditselftocondolences。Anditisveryvulgarinthesedaystogoandseepeoplewhoaredown。”
CHAPTERIX
THERESIGNATION
BymidnightMadameRabourdin’ssalonwasdeserted；onlytwoorthreeguestsremainedwithdesLupeaulxandthemasterandmistressofthehouse。WhenSchinnerandMonsieurandMadamedeCampshadlikewisedeparted，desLupeaulxrosewithamysteriousair，stoodwithhisbacktothefireplaceandlookedalternatelyatthehusbandandwife。”Myfriends，”hesaid，”nothingisreallylost，fortheministerandI
arefaithfultoyou。Dutocqsimplychosebetweentwopowerstheonehethoughtstrongest。HehasservedthecourtandtheGrandAlmoner；hehasbetrayedme。Butthatisintheorderofthings；apoliticiannevercomplainsoftreachery。Nevertheless，Baudoyerwillbedismissedasincapableinafewmonths；nodoubthisprotectorswillfindhimaplace，——intheprefectureofpolice，perhaps，——fortheclergywillnotdeserthim。”
FromthispointdesLupeaulxwentonwithalongtiradeabouttheGrandAlmonerandthedangersthegovernmentraninrelyinguponthechurchandupontheJesuits。Weneednot，wethink，pointouttotheintelligentreaderthatthecourtandtheGrandAlmoner，towhomtheliberaljournalsattributedanenormousinfluenceundertheadministration，hadlittlereallytodowithMonsieurBaudoyer’sappointment。Suchpettyintriguesdieintheuppersphereofgreatself-interests。IfafewwordsinfavorofBaudoyerwereobtainedbytheimportunityofthecurateofSaint-Paul’sandtheAbbeGaudron，theywouldhavebeenwithdrawnimmediatelyatasuggestionfromtheminister。TheoccultpoweroftheCongregationofJesusadmissiblecertainlyasconfrontingtheboldsocietyofthe”Doctrine，”entitled”Helpyourselfandheavenwillhelpyou，”wasformidableonlythroughtheimaginaryforceconferredonitbysubordinatepowerswhoperpetuallythreatenedeachotherwithitsevils。Theliberalscandal-
mongersdelightedinrepresentingtheGrandAlmonerandthewholeJesuiticalChapteraspolitical，administrative，civil，andmilitarygiants。Fearcreatesbugbears。AtthiscrisisBaudoyerfirmlybelievedinthesaidChapter，littleawarethattheonlyJesuitswhohadputhimwherehenowwassatbyhisownfireside，andintheCafeThemisplayingdominoes。
Atcertainepochsinhistorycertainpowersappear，towhomallevilsareattributed，thoughatthesametimetheirgeniusisdenied；theyformanefficientargumentinthemouthoffools。JustasMonsieurdeTalleyrandwassupposedtohailalleventsofwhateverkindwithabonmot，sointhesedaysoftheRestorationtheclericalpartyhadthecreditofdoingandundoingeverything。Unfortunately，itdidandundidnothing。ItsinfluencewasnotwieldedbyaCardinalRichelieuoraCardinalMazarin；itwasinthehandsofaspeciesofCardinaldeFleury，who，timidforoverfiveyears，turnedboldforoneday，injudiciouslybold。Lateron，the”Doctrine”didmore，withimpunity，atSaint-Merri，thanCharlesX。pretendedtodoinJuly，1830。Ifthesectiononthecensorshipsofoolishlyintroducedintothenewcharterhadbeenomitted，journalismalsowouldhavehaditsSaint-Merri。TheyoungerBranchcouldhavelegallycarriedoutCharlesX。’splan。”Remainwhereyouare，headofabureauunderBaudoyer，”wentondesLupeaulx。”Havethenervetodothis；makeyourselfatruepolitician；
putideasandgenerousimpulsesaside；attendonlytoyourfunctions；
don’tsayawordtoyournewdirector；don’thelphimwithasuggestion；anddonothingyourselfwithouthisorder。InthreemonthsBaudoyerwillbeoutoftheministry，eitherdismissed，orstrandedonsomeotheradministrativeshore。Theymayattachhimtotheking’shousehold。TwiceinmylifeIhavebeensetasideasyouare，andoverwhelmedbyanavalancheoffolly；Ihavequietlywaitedandletitpass。””Yes，”saidRabourdin，”butyouwerenotcalumniated；yourhonorwasnotassailed，compromised——””Ha，ha，ha！”crieddesLupeaulx，interruptinghimwithaburstofHomericlaughter。”Why，that’sthedailybreadofeveryremarkablemaninthisgloriouskingdomofFrance！Andtherearebuttwowaystomeetsuchcalumny，——eitheryieldtoit，packup，andgoplantcabbagesinthecountry；orelseriseaboveit，marchon，fearless，anddon’tturnyourhead。””Forme，thereisbutonewayofuntyingthenoosewhichtreacheryandtheworkofspieshavefastenedroundmythroat，”repliedRabourdin。”ImustexplainthematteratoncetohisExcellency，andifyouareassincerelyattachedtomeasyousayyouare，youwillputmefacetofacewithhimto-morrow。””Youmeanthatyouwishtoexplaintohimyourplanforthereformoftheservice？”
Rabourdinbowed。”Well，then，trustthepaperswithme，——yourmemoranda，allthedocuments。Ipromiseyouthatheshallsitupallnightandexaminethem。””Letusgotohim，then！”criedRabourdin，eagerly；”sixyears’toilcertainlydeservestwoorthreehoursattentionfromtheking’sminister，whowillbeforcedtorecognize，ifhedoesnotapplaud，suchperseverance。”
CompelledbyRabourdin’stenacitytotakeastraightforwardpath，withoutambushoranglewherehistreacherycouldhideitself，desLupeaulxhesitatedforasingleinstant，andlookedatMadameRabourdin，whileheinwardlyaskedhimself，”WhichshallIpermittotriumph，myhatredforhim，ormyfancyforher？””Youhavenoconfidenceinmyhonor，”hesaid，afterapause。”IseethatyouwillalwaysbetometheauthorofyourSECRETANALYSIS。
Adieu，madame。”
MadameRabourdinbowedcoldly。CelestineandXavierreturnedatoncetotheirownroomswithoutaword；bothwereovercomebytheirmisfortune。Thewifethoughtofthedreadfulsituationinwhichshestoodtowardherhusband。Thehusband，resolvingslowlynottoremainattheministrybuttosendinhisresignationatonce，waslostinaseaofreflections；thecrisisforhimmeantatotalchangeoflifeandthenecessityofstartingonanewcareer。Allnighthesatbeforehisfire，takingnonoticeofCelestine，whocameinseveraltimesontiptoe，inhernight-dress。”Imustgooncemoretotheministry，tobringawaymypapers，andshowBaudoyertheroutineofthebusiness，”hesaidtohimselfatlast。”Ihadbetterwritemyresignationnow。”
Heturnedtohistableandbegantowrite，thinkingovereachclauseoftheletter，whichwasasfollows:——
Monseigneur，——IhavethehonortoinclosetoyourExcellencymyresignation。IventuretohopethatyoustillrememberhearingmesaythatIleftmyhonorinyourhands，andthateverything，forme，dependedonmybeingabletogiveyouanimmediateexplanation。
ThisexplanationIhavevainlysoughttogive。To-dayitwould，perhaps，beuseless；forafragmentofmyworkrelatingtotheadministration，stolenandmisused，hasgonetheroundsoftheofficesandismisinterpretedbyhatred；inconsequence，Ifindmyselfcompelledtoresign，underthetacitcondemnationofmysuperiors。
YourExcellencymayhavethought，onthemorningwhenIfirstsoughttospeakwithyou，thatmypurposewastoaskformypromotion，when，infact，Iwasthinkingonlyofthegloryandusefulnessofyourministryandofthepublicgood。Itisall-
important，Ithink，tocorrectthatimpression。
Thenfollowedtheusualepistolaryformulas。
Itwashalf-pastseveninthemorningwhenthemanconsummatedthesacrificeofhisideas；heburnedeverything，thetoilofyears。
Fatiguedbythepressureofthought，overcomebymentalsuffering，hefellasleepwithhisheadonthebackofhisarmchair。Hewaswakenedbyacurioussensation，andfoundhishandscoveredwithhiswife’stearsandsawherkneelingbeforehim。Celestinehadreadtheresignation。Shecouldmeasurethedepthofhisfall。Theywerenowtobereducedtoliveonfourthousandfrancsayear；andthatdayshehadcountedupherdebts，——theyamountedtosomethinglikethirty-twothousandfrancs！Themostignobleofallwretchednesshadcomeuponthem。Andthatnoblemanwhohadtrustedherwasignorantthatshehadabusedthefortunehehadconfidedtohercare。Shewassobbingathisfeet，beautifulastheMagdalen。”Mycupisfull，”criedXavier，interror。”Iamdishonoredattheministry，anddishonored——”
ThelightofherpurehonorflashedfromCelestine’seyes；shespranguplikeastartledhorseandcastafulminatingglanceatRabourdin。”I！I！”shesaid，ontwosublimetones。”AmIabasewife？IfIwere，youwouldhavebeenappointed。But，”sheaddedmournfully，”itiseasiertobelievethatthantobelievewhatisthetruth。””Thenwhatisit？”saidRabourdin。”Allinthreewords，”shesaid；”Iowethirtythousandfrancs。”
Rabourdincaughthiswifetohisheartwithagestureofalmostfranticjoy，andseatedheronhisknee。”Takecomfort，dear，”hesaid，inatoneofvoicesoadorablykindthatthebitternessofhergriefwaschangedtosomethinginexpressiblytender。”Itoohavemademistakes；IhaveworkeduselesslyformycountrywhenIthoughtIwasbeingusefultoher。ButnowImeantotakeanotherpath。IfIhadsoldgroceriesweshouldnowbemillionaires。Well，letusbegrocers。Youareonlytwenty-eight，dearangel；intenyearsyoushallrecovertheluxurythatyoulove，whichwemustneedsrenounceforashorttime。I，too，dearheart，amnotabaseorcommonhusband。Wewillsellourfarm；itsvaluehasincreasedoflate。Thatandthesaleofourfurniturewillpaymydebts。
MYdebts！Celestineembracedherhusbandathousandtimesinthesinglekisswithwhichshethankedhimforthatgenerousword。”Weshallstillhaveahundredthousandfrancstoputintobusiness。
BeforethemonthisoutIshallfindsomefavorableopening。IfluckgaveaMartinFalleixtoaSaillard，whyshouldwedespair？Waitbreakfastforme。Iamgoingnowtotheministry，butIshallcomebackwithmyneckfreeoftheyoke。”
Celestineclaspedherhusbandinherarmswithaforcemendonotpossess，evenintheirpassionatemoments；forwomenarestrongerthroughemotionthanmenthroughpower。Sheweptandlaughedandsobbedinturns。
WhenRabourdinleftthehouseateighto’clock，theportergavehimthesatiricalcardssuggestedbyBixiou。Nevertheless，hewenttotheministry，wherehefoundSebastienwaitingnearthedoortoentreathimnottoenteranyofthebureaus，becauseaninfamouscaricatureofhimwasmakingtheroundoftheoffices。”Ifyouwishtosoftenthepainofmydownfall，”hesaidtothelad，”bringmethatdrawing；IamnowtakingmyresignationtoErnestdelaBrieremyself，thatitmaynotbealteredordistortedwhilepassingthroughtheroutinechannels。Ihavemyownreasonsforwishingtoseethatcaricature。”
WhenRabourdincamebacktothecourtyard，aftermakingsurethathisletterwouldgostraightintotheminister’shands，hefoundSebastienintears，withacopyofthelithograph，whichtheladreluctantlyhandedovertohim。”Itisveryclever，”saidRabourdin，showingaserenebrowtohiscompanion，thoughthecrownofthornswasonitallthesame。
Heenteredthebureauswithacalmair，andwentatonceintoBaudoyer’ssectiontoaskhimtocometotheofficeoftheheadofthedivisionandreceiveinstructionsastothebusinesswhichthatincapablebeingwashenceforthtodirect。”TellMonsieurBaudoyerthattheremustbenodelay，”headded，inthehearingofalltheclerks；”myresignationisalreadyintheminister’shands，andIdonotwishtostayherelongerthanisnecessary。”
SeeingBixiou，Rabourdinwentstraightuptohim，showedhimthelithograph，andsaid，tothegreatastonishmentofallpresent，——”WasInotrightinsayingyouwereanartist？Still，itisapityyoudirectedthepointofyourpencilagainstamanwhocannotbejudgedinthisway，norindeedbythebureausatall；——buteverythingislaughedatinFrance，evenGod。”
ThenhetookBaudoyerintotheofficeofthelateLaBillardiere。AtthedoorhefoundPhellionandSebastien，theonlytwowho，underhisgreatdisaster，daredtoremainopenlyfaithfultothefallenman。
RabourdinnoticedthatPhellion’seyesweremoist，andhecouldnotrefrainfromwringinghishand。”Monsieur，”saidthegoodman，”ifwecanserveyouinanyway，makeuseofus。”
MonsieurRabourdinshuthimselfupinthelatechief’sofficewithMonsieurBaudoyer，andPhellionhelpedhimtoshowthenewincumbentalltheadministrativedifficultiesofhisnewposition。AteachseparateaffairwhichRabourdincarefullyexplained，Baudoyer’slittleeyesgrewbigassaucers。”Farewell，monsieur，”saidRabourdinatlast，withamannerthatwashalf-solemn，half-satirical。
Sebastienmeanwhilehadmadeupapackageofpapersandlettersbelongingtohischiefandhadcarriedthemawayinahackneycoach。
Rabourdinpassedthroughthegrandcourtyard，whilealltheclerkswerewatchingfromthewindows，andwaitedthereamomenttoseeiftheministerwouldsendhimanymessage。HisExcellencywasdumb。
Phellioncourageouslyescortedthefallenmantohishome，expressinghisfeelingsofrespectfuladmiration；thenhereturnedtotheoffice，andtookuphiswork，satisfiedwithhisownconductinrenderingthesefuneralhonorstotheneglectedandmisjudgedadministrativetalent。
Bixiou[seeingPhellionre-enter]。”Victrixcausediisplacuit，sedvictaCatoni。”
Phellion。”Yes，monsieur。”
Poiret。”Whatdoesthatmean？”
Fleury。”Thatpriestsrejoice，andMonsieurRabourdinhastherespectofmenofhonor。”
Dutocq[annoyed]。”Youdidn’tsaythatyesterday。”
Fleury。”Ifyouaddressmeyou’llhavemyhandinyourface。ItisknownforcertainthatyoufilchedthosepapersfromMonsieurRabourdin。”[Dutocqleavestheoffice。]”Oh，yes，goandcomplaintoyourMonsieurdesLupeaulx，spy！”
Bixiou[laughingandgrimacinglikeamonkey]。”Iamcurioustoknowhowthedivisionwillgetalong。MonsieurRabourdinissoremarkableamanthathemusthavehadsomespecialviewsinthatworkofhis。
Well，theministerlosesafinemind。”[Rubshishands。]
Laurent[entering]。”MonsieurFleuryisrequestedtogotothesecretary’soffice。”
Alltheclerks。”Donefor！”
Fleury[leavingtheroom]。”Idon’tcare；Iamofferedaplaceasresponsibleeditor。Ishallhaveallmytimetomyselftoloungethestreetsordoamusingworkinanewspaperoffice。”
Bixiou。”DutocqhasalreadymadethemcutofftheheadofthatpoorDesroys。”
Colleville[enteringjoyously]。”Gentlemen，Iamappointedheadofthisbureau。”
Thuillier。”Ah，myfriend，ifitwereImyself，Icouldn’tbebetterpleased。”
Bixiou。”Hiswifehasmanagedit。”[Laughter。]
Poiret。”Willanyonetellmethemeaningofallthatishappeninghereto-day？”
Bixiou。”Doyoureallywanttoknow？Thenlisten。Theantechamberoftheadministrationishenceforthachamber，thecourtisaboudoir，thebestwaytogetinisthroughthecellar，andthebedismorethaneveracross-cut。”
Poiret。”MonsieurBixiou，mayIentreatyou，explain？”
Bixiou。”I’llparaphrasemyopinion。Tobeanythingatallyoumustbeginbybeingeverything。Itisquitecertainthatareformofthisserviceisneeded；foronmywordofhonor，theStaterobsthepoorofficialsasmuchastheofficialsrobtheStateinthematterofhours。Butwhyisitthatweidleaswedo？becausetheypayustoolittle；andthereasonofthatiswearetoomanyforthework，andyourlatechief，thevirtuousRabourdin，sawallthisplainly。Thatgreatadministrator，——forhewasthat，gentlemen，——sawwhatthethingiscomingto，thethingthattheseidiotscallthe’workingofouradmirableinstitutions。’Thechamberwillwantbeforelongtoadministrate，andtheadministratorswillwanttolegislate。Thegovernmentwilltrytoadministrateandtheadministratorswillwanttogovern，andsoitwillgoon。Lawswillcometobemereregulations，andordinanceswillbethoughtlaws。Godmadethisepochoftheworldforthosewholiketolaugh。Iliveinastateofjovialadmirationofthespectaclewhichthegreatestjokerofmoderntimes，LouisXVIII。，bequeathedtous”[generalstupefaction]。”Gentlemen，ifFrance，thecountrywiththebestcivilserviceinEurope，ismanagedthus，whatdoyousupposetheothernationsarelike？Poorunhappynations！IaskmyselfhowtheycanpossiblygetalongwithouttwoChambers，withoutthelibertyofthepress，withoutreports，withoutcircularseven，withoutanarmyofclerks？Dear，dear，howdoyousupposetheyhavearmiesandnavies？howcantheyexistatallwithoutpoliticaldiscussions？Cantheyevenbecallednations，orgovernments？Itissaidmeretraveller’stalesthatthesestrangepeoplesclaimtohaveapolicy，towieldacertaininfluence；butthat’sabsurd！howcantheywhentheyhaven’t’progress’or’newlights’？Theycan’tstirupideas，theyhaven’tanindependentforum；
theyarestillinthetwilightofbarbarism。TherearenopeopleintheworldbuttheFrenchpeoplewhohaveideas。Canyouunderstand，MonsieurPoiret，”[Poiretjumpedasifhehadbeenshot]”howanationcandowithoutheadsofdivisions，general-secretariesanddirectors，andallthissplendidarrayofofficials，thegloryofFranceandoftheEmperorNapoleon，——whohadhisowngoodreasonsforcreatingamyriadofoffices？Idon’tseehowthosenationshavetheaudacitytoliveatall。There’sAustria，whichhaslessthanahundredclerksinherwarministry，whilethesalariesandpensionsofoursamounttoathirdofourwholebudget，athingthatwasunheardofbeforetheRevolution。IsumupallI’vebeensayinginonesingleremark，namely，thattheAcademyofInscriptionsandBelles-lettres，whichseemstohaveverylittletodo，hadbetterofferaprizefortheablestanswertothefollowingquestion:WhichisthebestorganizedState；theonethatdoesmanythingswithfewofficials，ortheonethatdoesnexttonothingwithanarmyofthem？”
Poiret。”Isthatyourlastword？”
Bixiou。”Yes，sir！whetherEnglish，French，GermanorItalian，——Iletyouofftheotherlanguages。”
Poiret[liftinghishandstoheaven]。”Graciousgoodness！andtheycallyouawittyman！”
Bixiou。”Haven’tyouunderstoodmeyet？”
Phellion。”Yourlastobservationwasfullofexcellentsense。”
Bixiou。”Justasfullasthebudgetitself，andlikethebudgetagain，ascomplicatedasitlookssimple；andIsetitasawarning，abeacon，attheedgeofthishole，thisgulf，thisvolcano，called，inthelanguageofthe’Constitutionel，’’thepoliticalhorizon。’”
Poiret。”Ishouldmuchpreferacomprehensibleexplanation。”
Bixiou。”HurrahforRabourdin！there’smyexplanation；that’smyopinion。Areyousatisfied？”
Colleville[gravely]。”MonsieurRabourdinhadbutonedefect。”
Poiret。”Whatwasit？”
Colleville。”Thatofbeingastatesmaninsteadofasubordinateofficial。”
Phellion[standingbeforeBixiou]。”Monsieur！whydidyou，whounderstandMonsieurRabourdinsowell，whydidyoumakethatinf——thatodi——thathideouscaricature？”
Bixiou。”Doyouforgetourbet？don’tyouknowIwasbackingthedevil’sgame，andthatyourbureauowesmeadinnerattheRocherdeCancale？”
Poiret[muchput-out]。”ThenitisasettledthingthatIamtoleavethisgovernmentofficewithouteverunderstandingasentence，orasinglewordutteredbyMonsieurBixiou。”
Bixiou。”Itisyourownfault；askthesegentlemen。Gentlemen，haveyouunderstoodthemeaningofmyobservations？andwerethoseobservationsjust，andbrilliant？”
All。”Alas，yes！”
Minard。”AndtheproofisthatIshallsendinmyresignation。Ishallplungeintoindustrialavocations。”
Bixiou。”What！haveyoumanagedtoinventamechanicalcorset，orababy’sbottle，orafireengine，orchimneysthatconsumenofuel，orovenswhichcookcutletswiththreesheetsofpaper？”
Minard[departing。]”Adieu，Ishallkeepmysecret。”
Bixiou。”Well，youngPoiretjunior，yousee，——allthesegentlemenunderstandme。”
Poiret[crest-fallen]。”MonsieurBixiou，wouldyoudomethehonortocomedownforoncetomylevelandspeakinalanguageIcanunderstand？”
Bixiou[winkingattherest]。”Willingly。”[TakesPoiretbythebuttonofhisfrock-coat。]”Beforeyouleavethisofficeforeverperhapsyouwouldbegladtoknowwhatyouare——”
Poiret[quickly]。”Anhonestman，monsieur。”
Bixiou[shrugginghisshoulders]。”——tobeabletodefine，explain，andanalyzepreciselywhatagovernmentclerkis？Doyouknowwhatheis？”
Poiret。”IthinkIdo。”
Bixiou[twistingthebutton]。”Idoubtit。”
Poiret。”Heisamanpaidbygovernmenttodowork。”
Bixiou。”Oh！thenasoldierisagovernmentclerk？”
Poiret[puzzled]。”Why，no。”
Bixiou。”Butheispaidbythegovernmenttodowork，tomountguardandshowoffatreviews。Youmayperhapstellmethathelongstogetoutofhisplace，——thatheworkstoohardandfingerstoolittlemetal，exceptthatofhismusket。”
Poiret[hiseyeswideopen]。”Monsieur，agovernmentclerkis，logicallyspeaking，amanwhoneedsthesalarytomaintainhimself，andisnotfreetogetoutofhisplace；forhedoesn’tknowhowtodoanythingbutcopypapers。”
Bixiou。”Ah！nowwearecomingtoaconclusion。Sothebureauistheclerk’sshell，husk，pod。Noclerkwithoutabureau，nobureauwithoutaclerk。Butwhatdoyoumake，then，ofacustomsofficer？”[Poiretshuffleshisfeetandtriestoedgeaway；Bixioutwistsoffonebuttonandcatcheshimbyanother。]”Heis，fromthebureaucraticpointofview，aneutralbeing。Theexcise-manisonlyhalfaclerk；heisontheconfinesbetweencivilandmilitaryservice；neitheraltogethersoldiernoraltogetherclerk——Here，here，whereareyougoing？”
[Twiststhebutton。]”Wheredoesthegovernmentclerkproperend？
That’saseriousquestion。Isaprefectaclerk？”
Poiret[hesitating]。”Heisafunctionary。”
Bixiou。”Butyoudon’tmeanthatafunctionaryisnotaclerk？that’sanabsurdity。”
Poiret[wearyandlookingroundforescape]。”IthinkMonsieurGodardwantstosaysomething。”
Godard。”Theclerkistheorder，thefunctionarythespecies。”
Bixiou[laughing]。”Ishouldn’thavethoughtyoucapableofthatdistinction，mybravesubordinate。”
Poiret[tryingtogetaway]。”Incomprehensible！”
Bixiou。”La，la，papa，don’tsteponyourtether。Ifyoustandstillandlisten，weshallcometoanunderstandingbeforelong。Now，here’sanaxiomwhichIbequeathtothisbureauandtoallbureaus:Wheretheclerkends，thefunctionarybegins；wherethefunctionaryends，thestatesmanrises。Thereareveryfewstatesmenamongtheprefects。Theprefectisthereforeaneutralbeingamongthehigherspecies。Hecomesbetweenthestatesmanandtheclerk，justasthecustom-houseofficerstandsbetweenthecivilandthemilitary。Letuscontinuetoclearuptheseimportantpoints。”[Poiretturnscrimsonwithdistress。]”SupposeweformulatethewholematterinamaximworthyofLarochefoucault:Officialswithsalariesoftwentythousandfrancsarenotclerks。Fromwhichwemaydeducemathematicallythiscorollary:
Thestatesmanfirstloomsupinthesphereofhighersalaries；andalsothissecondandnotlesslogicalandimportantcorollary:
Directors-generalmaybestatesmen。Perhapsitisinthatsensethatmorethanonedeputysaysinhisheart，’Itisafinethingtobeadirector-general。’ButintheinterestsofournobleFrenchlanguageandoftheAcademy——”
Poiret[magnetizedbythefixityofBixiou’seye]。”TheFrenchlanguage！theAcademy！”
Bixiou[twistingoffthesecondbuttonandseizinganother]。”Yes，intheinterestsofournobletongue，itispropertoobservethatalthoughtheheadofabureau，strictlyspeaking，maybecalledaclerk，theheadofadivisionmustbecalledabureaucrat。Thesegentlemen”[turningtotheclerksandprivatelyshowingthemthethirdbuttonoffPoiret’scoat]”willappreciatethisdelicateshadeofmeaning。Andso，papaPoiret，don’tyouseeitisclearthatthegovernmentclerkcomestoafinalendattheheadofadivision？Nowthatquestiononcesettled，thereisnolongeranyuncertainty；thegovernmentclerkwhohashithertoseemedundefinableisdefined。”
Poiret。”Yes，thatappearstomebeyondadoubt。”
Bixiou。”Nevertheless，domethekindnesstoanswerthefollowingquestion:Ajudgebeingirremovable，andconsequentlydebarredfrombeing，accordingtoyoursubtledistinction，afunctionary，andreceivingasalarywhichisnottheequivalentoftheworkhedoes，ishetobeincludedintheclassofclerks？”
Poiret[gazingatthecornice]。”Monsieur，Idon’tfollowyou。”
Bixiou[gettingoffthefourthbutton]。”Iwantedtoprovetoyou，monsieur，thatnothingissimple；butaboveall——andwhatIamgoingtosayisintendedforphilosophers——Iwishifyou’llallowmetomisquoteasayingofLouisXVIII。，——Iwishtomakeyouseethatdefinitionsleadtomuddles。”
Poiret[wipinghisforehead]。”Excuseme，Iamsickatmystomach”
[triestobuttonhiscoat]。”Ah！youhavecutoffallmybuttons！”
Bixiou。”Butthepointis，DOYOUUNDERSTANDME？”
Poiret[angrily]。”Yes，monsieur，Ido；IunderstandthatyouhavebeenplayingmeashamefultrickandtwistingoffmybuttonswhileI
havebeenstandinghereunconsciousofit。”
Bixiou[solemnly]。”Oldman，youaremistaken！Iwishedtostampuponyourbraintheclearestpossibleimageofconstitutionalgovernment”
[alltheclerkslookatBixiou；Poiret，stupefied，gazesathimuneasily]，”andalsotokeepmywordtoyou。InsodoingIemployedtheparabolicalmethodofsavages。Listenandcomprehend:WhiletheministersstartdiscussionsintheChambersthatarejustaboutasusefulandasconclusiveastheoneweareengagedin，theadministrationcutsthebuttonsoffthetax-payers。”
All。”Bravo，Bixiou！”
Poiret[whocomprehends]。”Idon’tregretmybuttons。”
Bixiou。”IshallfollowMinard’sexample；Iwon’tpocketsuchapaltrysalaryasmineanylonger；Ishalldeprivethegovernmentofmyco-operation。”[Departsamidgenerallaughter。]
Anotherscenewastakingplaceintheminister’sreception-room，moreinstructivethantheonewehavejustrelated，becauseitshowshowgreatideasareallowedtoperishinthehigherregionsofStateaffairs，andinwhatwaystatesmenconsolethemselves。
DesLupeaulxwaspresentingthenewdirector，MonsieurBaudoyer，totheminister。Anumberofpersonswereassembledinthesalon，——twoorthreeministerialdeputies，afewmenofinfluence，andMonsieurClergeotwhosedivisionwasnowmergedwithLaBillardiere’sunderBaudoyer’sdirection，towhomtheministerwaspromisinganhonorablepension。Afterafewgeneralremarks，thegreateventofthedaywasbroughtup。
Adeputy。”SoyouloseRabourdin？”
DesLupeaulx。”Hehasresigned。”
Clergeot。”Theysayhewantedtoreformtheadministration。”
TheMinister[lookingatthedeputies]。”Salariesarenotreallyinproportiontotheexigenciesofthecivilservice。”
DelaBriere。”AccordingtoMonsieurRabourdin，onehundredclerkswithasalaryoftwelvethousandfrancswoulddobetterandquickerworkthanathousandclerksattwelvehundred。”
Clergeot。”Perhapsheisright。”
TheMinister。”Butwhatistobedone？Themachineisbuiltinthatway。Mustwetakeittopiecesandremakeit？NoonewouldhavethecouragetoattemptthatinfaceoftheChamber，andthefoolishoutcriesoftheOpposition，andthefiercedenunciationsofthepress。
Itfollowsthattherewillhappen，oneofthesedays，somedamaging’solutionofcontinuity’betweenthegovernmentandtheadministration。”
Adeputy。”Inwhatway？”
TheMinister。”Inmanyways。Aministerwillwanttoservethepublicgood，andwillnotbeallowedtodoso。Youwillcreateinterminabledelaysbetweenthingsandtheirresults。Youmayperhapsrenderthetheftofapennyactuallyimpossible，butyoucannotpreventthebuyingandsellingofinfluence，thecollusionsofself-interest。Thedaywillcomewhennothingwillbeconcededwithoutsecretstipulations，whichmayneverseethelight。Moreover，theclerks，oneandall，fromtheleasttothegreatest，areacquiringopinionsoftheirown；theywillsoonbenolongerthehandsofabrain，thescribesofgovernmentalthought；theOppositionevennowtendstowardsgivingthemarighttojudgethegovernmentandtotalkandvoteagainstit。”
Baudoyer[inalowvoice，butmeaningtobeheard]。”Monseigneurisreallyfine。”
DesLupeaulx。”Ofcoursebureaucracyhasitsdefects。Imyselfthinkitslowandinsolent；ithampersministerialaction，stiflesprojects，andarrestsprogress。But，afterall，Frenchadministrationisamazinglyuseful。”
Baudoyer。”Certainly！”
DesLupeaulx。”Ifonlytomaintainthepaperandstampindustries！
Supposeitisratherfussyandprovoking，likeallgoodhousekeepers，——itcanatanymomentrenderanaccountofitsdisbursements。WhereisthemerchantwhowouldnotgladlygivefivepercentofhisentirecapitalifhecouldinsurehimselfagainstLEAKAGE？”
TheDeputy[amanufacturer]。”Themanufacturinginterestsofallnationswouldjoyfullyuniteagainstthatevilgeniusoftheirscalledleakage。”
DesLupeaulx。”Afterall，thoughstatisticsarethechildishfoibleofmodernstatesmen，whothinkthatfiguresareestimates，wemustciphertoestimate。Figuresare，moreover，theconvincingargumentofsocietiesbasedonself-interestandmoney，andthatisthesortofsocietytheCharterhasgivenus，——inmyopinion，atanyrate。Nothingconvincesthe’intelligentmasses’asmuchasarowoffigures。Allthingsinthelongrun，saythestatesmenoftheLeft，resolvethemselvesintofigures。Wellthen，letusfigure”[theministerheregoesoffintoacornerwithadeputy，towhomhetalksinalowvoice]。”TherearefortythousandgovernmentclerksinFrance。Theaverageoftheirsalariesisfifteenhundredfrancs。Multiplyfortythousandbyfifteenhundredandyouhavesixtymillions。Now，inthefirstplace，apublicistwouldcalltheattentionofRussiaandChinawhereallgovernmentofficialssteal，alsothatofAustria，theAmericanrepublics，andindeedthatofthewholeworld，tothefactthatforthispriceFrancepossessesthemostinquisitorial，fussy，ferreting，scribbling，paper-blotting，fault-findingoldhousekeeperofacivilserviceonGod’searth。Notacopperfarthingofthenation’smoneyisspentorhoardedthatisnotorderedbyanote，provedbyvouchers，producedandre-producedonbalance-sheets，andreceiptedforwhenpaid；ordersandreceiptsareregisteredontherolls，andcheckedandverifiedbyanarmyofmeninspectacles。Ifthereistheslightestmistakeintheformofthesepreciousdocuments，theclerkisterrified，forhelivesonsuchminutiae。Somenationswouldbesatisfiedtogetasfarasthis；butNapoleonwentfurther。Thatgreatorganizerappointedsuprememagistratesofacourtwhichisabsolutelyuniqueintheworld。Theseofficialspasstheirdaysinverifyingmoney-orders，documents，roles，registers，lists，permits，custom-housereceipts，payments，taxesreceived，taxesspent，etc。；allofwhichtheclerkswriteorcopy。Thesesternjudgespushthegiftofexactitude，thegeniusofinquisition，thesharp-
sightednessoflynxes，theperspicacityofaccount-bookstothepointofgoingoveralltheadditionsinsearchofsubtractions。Thesesublimemartyrstofigureshavebeenknowntoreturntoanarmycommissary，afteradelayoftwoyears，someaccountinwhichtherewasanerroroftwofarthings。ThisishowandwhyitisthattheFrenchsystemofadministration，thepurestandbestontheglobehasrenderedrobbery，ashisExcellencyhasjusttoldyou，nexttoimpossible，andasforpeculation，itisamyth。Franceatthispresenttimepossessesarevenueoftwelvehundredmillions，andshespendsit。Thatsumentershertreasury，andthatsumgoesoutofit。
Shehandles，therefore，twothousandfourhundredmillions，andallshepaysforthelaborofthosewhodotheworkissixtymillions，——
twoandahalfpercent；andforthatsheobtainsthecertaintythatthereisnoleakage。Ourpoliticalandadministrativekitchencostsussixtymillions，butthegendarmerie，thecourtsoflaw，thegalleysandthepolicecostjustasmuch，andgivenoreturn。Moreover，weemployabodyofmenwhocoulddonootherwork。Wasteanddisorder，ifsuchtherebe，canonlybelegislative；theChambersleadtothemandrenderthemlegal。Leakagefollowsintheformofpublicworkswhichareneitherurgentnornecessary；troopsre-uniformedandgold-lacedoverandoveragain；vesselssentonuselesscruises；
preparationsforwarwithoutevermakingit；payingthedebtsofaState，andnotrequiringreimbursementorinsistingonsecurity。”
Baudoyer。”Butsuchleakagehasnothingtodowiththesubordinateofficials；thisbadmanagementofnationalaffairsconcernsthestatesmenwhoguidetheship。”
TheMinister[whohasfinishedhisconversation]。”ThereisagreatdealoftruthinwhatdesLupeaulxhasjustsaid；butletmetellyou”
[toBaudoyer]，”Monsieurledirecteur，thatfewmenseefromthestandpointofastatesman。Toorderexpenditureofallkinds，evenuselessones，doesnotconstitutebadmanagement。Suchactscontributetothemovementofmoney，thestagnationofwhichbecomes，especiallyinFrance，dangeroustothepublicwelfare，byreasonofthemiserlyandprofoundlyillogicalhabitsoftheprovinceswhichhoardtheirgold。”
TheDeputy[wholistenedtodesLupeaulx]。”ButitseemstomethatifyourExcellencywasrightjustnow，andifourcleverfriendhere”
[takesLupeaulxbythearm]”wasnotwrong，itwillbedifficulttocometoanyconclusiononthesubject。”
DesLupeaulx[afterlookingattheminister]。”Nodoubtsomethingoughttobedone。”
DelaBriere[timidly]。”MonsieurRabourdinseemstohavejudgedrightly。”
TheMinister。”IwillseeRabourdin。”
DesLupeaulx。”Thepoormanmadetheblunderofconstitutinghimselfsupremejudgeoftheadministrationandofalltheofficialswhocomposeit；hewantstodoawaywiththepresentstateofthings，andhedemandsthattherebeonlythreeministries。”
TheMinister。”Hemustbecrazy。”
TheDeputy。”HowdoyourepresentinthreeministriestheheadsofallthepartiesintheChamber？”
Baudoyer[withanairthatheimaginedtobeshrewd]。”PerhapsMonsieurRabourdindesiredtochangetheConstitution，whichweowetoourlegislativesovereign。”
TheMinister[thoughtful，takesLaBriere’sarmandleadshimintothestudy]。”IwanttoseethatworkofRabourdin’s，andasyouknowaboutit——”
DelaBriere。”Hehasburnedit。Youallowedhimtobedishonoredandhehasresignedfromtheministry。Donotthinkforamoment，Monseigneur，thatRabourdineverhadtheabsurdthoughtasdesLupeaulxtriestomakeitbelievedtochangetheadmirablecentralizationofpower。”
TheMinister[tohimself]。”Ihavemadeamistake”[issilentamoment]。”Nomatter；weshallneverbelackinginplansforreform。”
DelaBriere。”Itisnotideas，butmencapableofexecutingthemthatwelack。”
DesLupeaulx，thatadroitadvocateofabusescameintotheminister’sstudyatthismoment。”Monseigneur，Istartatonceformyelection。””Waitamoment，”saidhisExcellency，leavingtheprivatesecretaryandtakingdesLupeaulxbythearmintotherecessofawindow。”Mydearfriend，letmehavethatarrondissement，——ifyouwill，youshallbemadecountandIwillpayyourdebts。Later，ifIremainintheministryafterthenewChamberiselected，Iwillfindawaytosendinyournameinabatchforthepeerage。””Youareamanofhonor，andIaccept。”
ThisishowitcametopassthatClementChardindesLupeaulx，whosefatherwasennobledunderLouisXV。，andwhobearethquarterly，first，argent，awolfravisantcarryingalambgules；second，purpure，threemasclesargent，twoandone；third，palyoftwelve，gulesandargent；
fourth，or，onapaleendorsed，threebatonsfleurdelisesgules；
supportedbyfourgriffon’s-clawsjessantfromthesidesoftheescutcheon，withthemotto”EnLupusinHistoria，”wasabletosurmounttheserathersatiricalarmswithacount’scoronet。
Towardsthecloseoftheyear1830MonsieurRabourdindidsomebusinessonhandwhichrequiredhimtovisittheoldministry，wherethebureaushadallbeeningreatcommotion，owingtoageneralremovalofofficials，fromthehighesttothelowest。Thisrevolutionboreheaviest，inpointoffact，uponthelackeys，whoarenotfondofseeingnewfaces。Rabourdinhadcomeearly，knowingallthewaysoftheplace，andhethuschancedtooverhearadialoguebetweenthetwonephewsofoldAntoine，whohadrecentlyretiredonapension。”Well，Laurent，howisyourchiefofdivisiongoingon？””Oh，don’ttalktomeabouthim；Ican’tdoanythingwithhim。HeringsmeuptoaskifIhaveseenhishandkerchieforhissnuff-box。
Hereceivespeoplewithoutmakingthemwait；inshort，hehasn’tabitofdignity。I’moftenobligedtosaytohim:But，monsieur，monsieurlecomteyourpredecessor，forthecreditofthething，usedtopunchholeswithhispenknifeinthearmsofhischairtomakebelievehewasworking。Andhemakessuchamessofhisroom。Ifindeverythingtopsy-turvy。Hehasaverysmallmind。Howaboutyourman？””Mine？Oh，Ihavesucceededintraininghim。Heknowsexactlywherehisletter-paperandenvelopes，hiswood，andhisboxesandalltherestofhisthingsare。Theothermanusedtoswearatme，butthisoneisasmeekasalamb，——still，hehasn’tthegrandstyle！Moreover，heisn’tdecorated，andIdon’tliketoserveachiefwhoisn’t；hemightbetakenforoneofus，andthat’shumiliating。Hecarriestheofficeletter-paperhome，andaskedmeifIcouldn’tgothereandwaitattablewhentherewascompany。””Hey！whatagovernment，mydearfellow！””Yes，indeed；everybodyplayslowinthesedays。””Ihopetheywon’tcutdownourpoorwages。””I’mafraidtheywill。TheChambersarepryingintoeverything。Why，theyevencountthesticksofwood。””Well，itcan’tlastlongiftheygoonthatway。””Hush，we’recaught！somebodyislistening。””Hey！itisthelateMonsieurRabourdin。Ah，monsieur，Iknewyourstep。IfyouhavebusinesstotransacthereIamafraidyouwillnotfindanyonewhoisawareoftherespectthatoughttobepaidtoyou；
LaurentandIaretheonlypersonsremainingabouttheplacewhowerehereinyourday。MessieursCollevilleandBaudoyerdidn’twearoutthemoroccoofthechairsafteryouleft。Heavens，no！sixmonthslatertheyweremadeCollectorsofParis。”
Note——Anagramscannot，ofcourse，betranslated；thatiswhythreeEnglishoneshavebeensubstitutedforsomeinFrench。[Tr。]
ADDENDUM
ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy。
Baudoyer，IsidoreTheMiddleClassesCousinPonsBianchon，HoraceFatherGoriotTheAtheist’sMassCesarBirotteauTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisABachelor’sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessPierretteAStudyofWomanScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeHonorineTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMagicSkinASecondHomeAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheImaginaryMistressTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyTheCountryParsonInaddition，M。Bianchonnarratedthefollowing:
AnotherStudyofWomanLaGrandeBretecheBidaultknownasGigonnet
GobseckTheVendettaCesarBirotteauTheFirmofNucingenADaughterofEveBixiou，Jean-JacquesThePurseABachelor’sEstablishmentModesteMignonScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheFirmofNucingenTheMuseoftheDepartmentCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisBeatrixAManofBusinessGaudissartII。
TheUnconsciousHumoristsCousinPonsBrezacsThe
TheCountryParsonBruel，JeanFrancoisduABachelor’sEstablishmentAStartinLifeAPrinceofBohemiaTheMiddleClassesADistinguishedProvincialatParisADaughterofEveCamps，MadameOctavedeMadameFirmianiAWomanofThirtyADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisChaboisseauADistinguishedProvincialatParisAManofBusinessChatelet，Marie-Louise-AnaisdeNegrepelisse，BaronneduLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisChessel，MadamedeTheLilyoftheValleyCochin，Emile-Louis-Lucien-EmmanuelCesarBirotteauTheFirmofNucingenTheMiddleClassesCollevilleTheMiddleClassesColleville，FlavieMinoret，MadameCousinBettyTheMiddleClassesDespleinTheAtheist’sMassCousinPonsLostIllusionsTheThirteenPierretteABachelor’sEstablishmentTheSeamySideofHistoryModestMignonScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeHonorineDesrochesson
ABachelor’sEstablishmentColonelChabertAStartinLifeAWomanofThirtyTheCommissioninLunacyADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheFirmofNucingenAManofBusinessTheMiddleClassesDutocqTheMiddleClassesFalleix，MartinTheFirmofNucingenFalleix，JacquesTheThirteenScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeFerraud，ComtesseColonelChabertFinot，AndocheCesarBirotteauABachelor’sEstablishmentADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeAStartinLifeGaudissarttheGreatTheFirmofNucingenFleuryTheMiddleClassesFontaine，ComtedeTheChouansModesteMignonTheBallatSceauxCesarBirotteauFontanon，AbbeASecondHomeHonorineTheMemberforArcisGaudron，AbbeHonorineAStartinLifeGobseck，Jean-EstherVanGobseckFatherGoriotCesarBirotteauTheUnconsciousHumoriistsGodard，JosephTheMiddleClassesGranson，AthanaseJealousiesofaCountryTownGruget，MadameEtienneTheThirteenABachelor’sEstablishmentKeller，FrancoisDomesticPeaceCesarBirotteauEugenieGrandetTheMemberforArcisLaBastielaBriere，ErnestdeModesteMignonLaBillardiere，Athanase-Jean-Francois-Michel，BaronFlametdeTheChouansCesarBirotteauLaudigeoisTheMiddleClassesLouisXVIII。，Louis-Stanislas-XavierTheChouansTheSeamySideofHistoryTheGondrevilleMysteryScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheBallatSceauxTheLilyoftheValleyColonelChabertLupeaulx，ClementChardindesTheMuseoftheDepartmentEugenieGrandetABachelor’sEstablishmentADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeUrsuleMirouetMetivierLostIllusionsTheMiddleClassesMinard，Auguste-Jean-FrancoisTheFirmofNucingenTheMiddleClassesMinard，MadameTheMiddleClassesMinorets，TheThePeasantryMitralCesarBirotteauNathan，MadameRaoulTheMuseoftheDepartmentLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeABachelor’sEstablishmentUrsuleMirouetEugenieGrandetTheImaginaryMistressAPrinceofBohemiaADaughterofEveTheUnconsciousHumoristsPhellionTheMiddleClassesPoiret，theelderFatherGoriotAStartinLifeScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheMiddleClassesRabourdin，XavierAttheSignoftheCatandRacketCesarBirotteauTheMiddleClassesRabourdin，MadameTheCommissioninLunacyRubempre，Lucien-ChardondeLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisUrsuleMirouetScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeSaillardTheMiddleClassesSamanonADistinguishedProvincialatParisAManofBusinessCousinBettySchinner，HippolyteThePurseABachelor’sEstablishmentPierreGrassouAStartinLifeAlbertSavarusModesteMignonTheImaginaryMistressTheUnconsciousHumoristsSommervieux，TheodoredeAttheSignoftheCatandRacketModesteMignonThuillierTheMiddleClassesThuillier，Marie-Jeanne-BrigitteTheMiddleClassesThuillier，Louis-JeromeTheMiddleClasses
End