DEBALZAC。
Mme。VauquerneedeConflansisanelderlyperson，whoforthepastfortyyearshaskeptalodging-houseintheRueNueve-
Sainte-Genevieve，inthedistrictthatliesbetweentheLatinQuarterandtheFaubourgSaint-Marcel。HerhouseknownintheneighborhoodastheMaisonVauquerreceivesmenandwomen，oldandyoung，andnowordhaseverbeenbreathedagainstherrespectableestablishment；but，atthesametime，itmustbesaidthatasamatteroffactnoyoungwomanhasbeenunderherroofforthirtyyears，andthatifayoungmanstaysthereforanylengthoftimeitisasuresignthathisallowancemustbeoftheslenderest。In1819，however，thetimewhenthisdramaopens，therewasanalmostpennilessyounggirlamongMme。Vauquer’sboarders。
Thatworddramahasbeensomewhatdiscreditedoflate；ithasbeenoverworkedandtwistedtostrangeusesinthesedaysofdolorousliterature；butitmustdoserviceagainhere，notbecausethisstoryisdramaticintherestrictedsenseoftheword，butbecausesometearsmayperhapsbeshedintraetextramurosbeforeitisover。
WillanyonewithoutthewallsofParisunderstandit？Itisopentodoubt。Theonlyaudiencewhocouldappreciatetheresultsofcloseobservation，thecarefulreproductionofminutedetailandlocalcolor，aredwellersbetweentheheightsofMontrougeandMontmartre，inavaleofcrumblingstuccowateredbystreamsofblackmud，avaleofsorrowswhicharerealandjoystoooftenhollow；butthisaudienceissoaccustomedtoterriblesensations，thatonlysomeunimaginableandwell-neighimpossiblewoecouldproduceanylastingimpressionthere。Nowandagaintherearetragediessoawfulandsograndbyreasonofthecomplicationofvirtuesandvicesthatbringthemabout，thategotismandselfishnessareforcedtopauseandaremovedtopity；buttheimpressionthattheyreceiveislikealusciousfruit，soonconsumed。Civilization，likethecarofJuggernaut，isscarcelystayedperceptiblyinitsprogressbyaheartlesseasytobreakthantheothersthatlieinitscourse；thisalsoisbroken，andCivilizationcontinuesonhercoursetriumphant。
Andyou，too，willdothelike；youwhowiththisbookinyourwhitehandwillsinkbackamongthecushionsofyourarmchair，andsaytoyourself，“Perhapsthismayamuseme。”YouwillreadthestoryofFatherGoriot’ssecretwoes，and，diningthereafterwithanunspoiledappetite，willlaytheblameofyourinsensibilityuponthewriter，andaccusehimofexaggeration，ofwritingromances。Ah！onceforall，thisdramaisneitherafictionnoraromance！ALLISTRUE，——sotrue，thateveryonecandiscerntheelementsofthetragedyinhisownhouse，perhapsinhisownheart。
Thelodging-houseisMme。Vauquer’sownproperty。ItisstillstandinginthelowerendoftheRueNueve-Sainte-Genevieve，justwheretheroadslopessosharplydowntotheRuedel’Arbalete，thatwheeledtrafficseldompassesthatway，becauseitissostonyandsteep。ThispositionissufficienttoaccountforthesilenceprevalentinthestreetsshutinbetweenthedomeofthePantheonandthedomeoftheVal-de-Grace，twoconspicuouspublicbuildingswhichgiveayellowishtonetothelandscapeanddarkenthewholedistrictthatliesbeneaththeshadowoftheirleaden-
huedcupolas。
Inthatdistrictthepavementsarecleananddry，thereisneithermudnorwaterinthegutters，grassgrowsinthechinksofthewalls。Themostheedlesspasser-byfeelsthedepressinginfluencesofaplacewherethesoundofwheelscreatesasensation；thereisagrimlookaboutthehouses，asuggestionofajailaboutthosehighgardenwalls。AParisianstrayingintoasuburbapparentlycomposedoflodging-housesandpublicinstitutionswouldseepovertyanddullness，oldagelyingdowntodie，andjoyousyouthcondemnedtodrudgery。ItistheugliestquarterofParis，and，itmaybeadded，theleastknown。But，beforeallthings，theRueNueve-Sainte-Genevieveislikeabronzeframeforapictureforwhichthemindcannotbetoowellpreparedbythecontemplationofsadhuesandsoberimages。Evenso，stepbystepthedaylightdecreases，andthecicerone’sdroningvoicegrowshollowerasthetravelerdescendsintotheCatacombs。Thecomparisonholdsgood！Whoshallsaywhichismoreghastly，thesightofthebleachedskullsorofdried-uphumanhearts？
Thefrontofthelodging-houseisatrightanglestotheroad，andlooksoutuponalittlegarden，sothatyouseethesideofthehouseinsection，asitwere，fromtheRueNueve-Sainte-
Genevieve。Beneaththewallofthehousefrontthereliesachannel，afathomwide，pavedwithcobble-stones，andbesideitrunsagraveledwalkborderedbygeraniumsandoleandersandpomegranatessetingreatblueandwhiteglazedearthenwarepots。
Accessintothegraveledwalkisaffordedbyadoor，abovewhichthewordsMAISONVAUQUERmayberead，andbeneath，inrathersmallerletters，“Lodgingsforbothsexes，etc。”
Duringthedayaglimpseintothegardeniseasilyobtainedthroughawickettowhichabellisattached。Ontheoppositewall，atthefurtherendofthegraveledwalk，agreenmarblearchwaspaintedonceuponatimebyalocalartist，andinthissemblanceofashrineastatuerepresentingCupidisinstalled；aParisianCupid，soblisteredanddisfiguredthathelookslikeacandidateforoneoftheadjacenthospitals，andmightsuggestanallegorytoloversofsymbolism。Thehalf-obliteratedinscriptiononthepedestalbeneathdeterminesthedateofthisworkofart，foritbearswitnesstothewidespreadenthusiasmfeltforVoltaireonhisreturntoParisin1777：
“Whoe’erthouart，thymastersee；
Heis，orwas，oroughttobe。”
Atnightthewicketgateisreplacedbyasoliddoor。Thelittlegardenisnowiderthanthefrontofthehouse；itisshutinbetweenthewallofthestreetandthepartitionwalloftheneighboringhouse。Amantleofivyconcealsthebricksandattractstheeyesofpassers-bytoaneffectwhichispicturesqueinParis，foreachofthewallsiscoveredwithtrellisedvinesthatyieldascantydustycropoffruit，andfurnishbesidesasubjectofconversationforMme。Vauquerandherlodgers；everyyearthewidowtremblesforhervintage。
Astraightpathbeneaththewallsoneithersideofthegardenleadstoaclumpoflime-treesatthefurtherendofit；LINE-
trees，asMme。Vauquerpersistsincallingthem，inspiteofthefactthatshewasadeConflans，andregardlessofrepeatedcorrectionsfromherlodgers。
Thecentralspacebetweenthewallsisfilledwithartichokesandrowsofpyramidfruit-trees，andsurroundedbyaborderoflettuce，pot-herbs，andparsley。Underthelime-treesthereareafewgreen-paintedgardenseatsandawoodentable，andhither，duringthedog-days，suchofthelodgersasarerichenoughtoindulgeinacupofcoffeecometotaketheirpleasure，thoughitishotenoughtoroasteggsevenintheshade。
Thehouseitselfisthreestorieshigh，withoutcountingtheatticsundertheroof。Itisbuiltofroughstone，andcoveredwiththeyellowishstuccothatgivesameanappearancetoalmosteveryhouseinParis。Therearefivewindowsineachstoryinthefrontofthehouse；alltheblindsvisiblethroughthesmallsquarepanesaredrawnupawry，sothatthelinesareallatcrosspurposes。Atthesideofthehousetherearebuttwowindowsoneachfloor，andthelowestofallareadornedwithaheavyirongrating。
Behindthehouseayardextendsforsometwentyfeet，aspaceinhabitedbyahappyfamilyofpigs，poultry，andrabbits；thewood-shedissituatedonthefurtherside，andonthewallbetweenthewood-shedandthekitchenwindowhangsthemeat-safe，justabovetheplacewherethesinkdischargesitsgreasystreams。ThecooksweepsalltherefuseoutthroughalittledoorintotheRueNueve-Sainte-Genevieve，andfrequentlycleansestheyardwithcopioussuppliesofwater，underpainofpestilence。
Thehousemighthavebeenbuiltonpurposeforitspresentuses。
AccessisgivenbyaFrenchwindowtothefirstroomonthegroundfloor，asitting-roomwhichlooksoutuponthestreetthroughthetwobarredwindowsalreadymentioned。Anotherdooropensoutofitintothedining-room，whichisseparatedfromthekitchenbythewellofthestaircase，thestepsbeingconstructedpartlyofwood，partlyoftiles，whicharecoloredandbeeswaxed。
Nothingcanbemoredepressingthanthesightofthatsitting-
room。Thefurnitureiscoveredwithhorsehairwoveninalternatedullandglossystripes。Thereisaroundtableinthemiddle，withapurplish-redmarbletop，onwhichtherestands，bywayofornament，theinevitablewhitechinatea-service，coveredwithahalf-effacedgiltnetwork。Thefloorissufficientlyuneven，thewainscotrisestoelbowheight，andtherestofthewallspaceisdecoratedwithavarnishedpaper，onwhichtheprincipalscenesfromTelemaquearedepicted，thevariousclassicalpersonagesbeingcolored。ThesubjectbetweenthetwowindowsisthebanquetgivenbyCalypsotothesonofUlysses，displayedthereonfortheadmirationoftheboarders，andhasfurnishedjokesthesefortyyearstotheyoungmenwhoshowthemselvessuperiortotheirpositionbymakingfunofthedinnerstowhichpovertycondemnsthem。Thehearthisalwayssocleanandneatthatitisevidentthatafireisonlykindledthereongreatoccasions；thestonechimney-pieceisadornedbyacoupleofvasesfilledwithfadedartificialflowersimprisonedunderglassshades，oneithersideofabluishmarbleclockintheveryworsttaste。
Thefirstroomexhalesanodorforwhichthereisnonameinthelanguage，andwhichshouldbecalledtheodeurdepension。Thedampatmospheresendsachillthroughyouasyoubreatheit；ithasastuffy，musty，andrancidquality；itpermeatesyourclothing；after-dinnerscentsseemtobemingledinitwithsmellsfromthekitchenandsculleryandthereekofahospital。
Itmightbepossibletodescribeitifsomeoneshoulddiscoveraprocessbywhichtodistilfromtheatmosphereallthenauseatingelementswithwhichitischargedbythecatarrhalexhalationsofeveryindividuallodger，youngorold。Yet，inspiteofthesestalehorrors，thesitting-roomisascharmingandasdelicatelyperfumedasaboudoir，whencomparedwiththeadjoiningdining-
room。
Thepaneledwallsofthatapartmentwereoncepaintedsomecolor，nowamatterofconjecture，forthesurfaceisincrustedwithaccumulatedlayersofgrimydeposit，whichcoveritwithfantasticoutlines。Acollectionofdim-ribbedglassdecanters，metaldiscswithasatinsheenonthem，andpilesofblue-edgedearthenwareplatesofTourainewarecoverthestickysurfacesofthesideboardsthatlinetheroom。Inacornerstandsaboxcontainingasetofnumberedpigeon-holes，inwhichthelodgers’
tablenapkins，moreorlesssoiledandstainedwithwine，arekept。Hereyouseethatindestructiblefurniturenevermetwithelsewhere，whichfindsitswayintolodging-housesmuchasthewrecksofourcivilizationdriftintohospitalsforincurables。
Youexpectinsuchplacesasthesetofindtheweather-housewhenceaCapuchinissuesonwetdays；youlooktofindtheexecrableengravingswhichspoilyourappetite，framedeveryoneinablackvarnishedframe，withagiltbeadingroundit；youknowthesortoftortoise-shellclock-case，inlaidwithbrass；
thegreenstove，theArgandlamps，coveredwithoilanddust，havemetyoureyesbefore。Theoilclothwhichcoversthelongtableissogreasythatawaggishexternewillwritehisnameonthesurface，usinghisthumb-nailasastyle。Thechairsarebroken-downinvalids；thewretchedlittlehempenmatsslipawayfromunderyourfeetwithoutslippingawayforgood；andfinally，thefoot-warmersaremiserablewrecks，hingeless，charred，brokenawayabouttheholes。Itwouldbeimpossibletogiveanideaoftheold，rotten，shaky，cranky，worm-eaten，halt，maimed，one-
eyed，rickety，andramshackleconditionofthefurniturewithoutanexhaustivedescription，whichwoulddelaytheprogressofthestorytoanextentthatimpatientpeoplewouldnotpardon。Theredtilesofthefloorarefullofdepressionsbroughtaboutbyscouringandperiodicalrenewingsofcolor。Inshort，thereisnoillusorygracelefttothepovertythatreignshere；itisdire，parsimonious，concentrated，threadbarepoverty；asyetithasnotsunkintothemire，itisonlysplashedbyit，andthoughnotinragsasyet，itsclothingisreadytodroptopieces。
Thisapartmentisinallitsgloryatseveno’clockinthemorning，whenMme。Vauquer’scatappears，announcingthenearapproachofhismistress，andjumpsuponthesideboardstosniffatthemilkinthebowls，eachprotectedbyaplate，whilehepurrshismorninggreetingtotheworld。Amomentlaterthewidowshowsherface；sheistrickedoutinanetcapattachedtoafalsefrontsetonawry，andshufflesintotheroominherslipshodfashion。Sheisanoldishwoman，withabloatedcountenance，andanoselikeaparrot’sbeaksetinthemiddleofit；herfatlittlehandssheisassleekasachurchratandhershapeless，slouchingfigureareinkeepingwiththeroomthatreeksofmisfortune，wherehopeisreducedtospeculateforthemeaneststakes。Mme。Vauqueralonecanbreathethattaintedairwithoutbeingdisheartenedbyit。Herfaceisasfreshasafrostymorninginautumn；therearewrinklesabouttheeyesthatvaryintheirexpressionfromthesetsmileofaballet-dancertothedark，suspiciousscowlofadiscounterofbills；inshort，sheisatoncetheembodimentandinterpretationofherlodging-
house，assurelyasherlodging-houseimpliestheexistenceofitsmistress。Youcannomoreimaginetheonewithouttheother，thanyoucanthinkofajailwithoutaturnkey。Theunwholesomecorpulenceofthelittlewomanisproducedbythelifesheleads，justastyphusfeverisbredinthetaintedairofahospital。
Theveryknittedwoolenpetticoatthatshewearsbeneathaskirtmadeofanoldgown，withthewaddingprotrudingthroughtherentsinthematerial，isasortofepitomeofthesitting-room，thedining-room，andthelittlegarden；itdiscoversthecook，itforeshadowsthelodgers——thepictureofthehouseiscompletedbytheportraitofitsmistress。
Mme。Vauquerattheageoffiftyislikeallwomenwho“haveseenadealoftrouble。”Shehastheglassyeyesandinnocentairofatraffickerinfleshandblood，whowillwaxvirtuouslyindignanttoobtainahigherpriceforherservices，butwhoisquitereadytobetrayaGeorgesoraPichegru，ifaGeorgesoraPichegruwereinhidingandstilltobebetrayed，orforanyotherexpedientthatmayalleviateherlot。Still，“sheisagoodwomanatbottom。”saidthelodgerswhobelievedthatthewidowwaswhollydependentuponthemoneythattheypaidher，andsympathizedwhentheyheardhercoughandgroanlikeoneofthemselves。
WhathadM。Vauquerbeen？Theladywasneververyexplicitonthishead。Howhadshelosthermoney？“Throughtrouble。”washeranswer。Hehadtreatedherbadly，hadlefthernothingbuthereyestocryoverhiscruelty，thehouseshelivedin，andtheprivilegeofpityingnobody，because，soshewaswonttosay，sheherselfhadbeenthrougheverypossiblemisfortune。
Sylvie，thestoutcook，hearinghermistress’shufflingfootsteps，hastenedtoservethelodgers’breakfasts。Besidethosewholivedinthehouse，Mme。Vauquertookboarderswhocamefortheirmeals；buttheseexternesusuallyonlycametodinner，forwhichtheypaidthirtyfrancsamonth。
Atthetimewhenthisstorybegins，thelodging-housecontainedseveninmates。Thebestroomsinthehousewereonthefirststory，Mme。Vauquerherselfoccupyingtheleastimportant，whiletherestwerelettoaMme。Couture，thewidowofacommissary-
generalintheserviceoftheRepublic。WithherlivedVictorineTaillefer，aschoolgirl，towhomshefilledtheplaceofmother。
Thesetwoladiespaideighteenhundredfrancsayear。
ThetwosetsofroomsonthesecondfloorwererespectivelyoccupiedbyanoldmannamedPoiretandamanoffortyorthereabouts，thewearerofablackwiganddyedwhiskers，whogaveoutthathewasaretiredmerchant，andwasaddressedasM。
Vautrin。Twoofthefourroomsonthethirdfloorwerealsolet——
onetoanelderlyspinster，aMlle。Michonneau，andtheothertoaretiredmanufacturerofvermicelli，Italianpasteandstarch，whoallowedtheotherstoaddresshimas“FatherGoriot。”Theremainingroomswereallottedtovariousbirdsofpassage，toimpecuniousstudents，wholike“FatherGoriot“andMlle。
Michonneau，couldonlymusterforty-fivefrancsamonthtopayfortheirboardandlodging。Mme。Vauquerhadlittledesireforlodgersofthissort；theyatetoomuchbread，andsheonlytookthemindefaultofbetter。
Atthattimeoneoftheroomswastenantedbyalawstudent，ayoungmanfromtheneighborhoodofAngouleme，oneofalargefamilywhopinchedandstarvedthemselvestosparetwelvehundredfrancsayearforhim。MisfortunehadaccustomedEugenedeRastignac，forthatwashisname，towork。Hebelongedtothenumberofyoungmenwhoknowaschildrenthattheirparents’
hopesarecenteredonthem，anddeliberatelypreparethemselvesforagreatcareer，subordinatingtheirstudiesfromthefirsttothisend，carefullywatchingtheindicationsofthecourseofevents，calculatingtheprobableturnthataffairswilltake，thattheymaybethefirsttoprofitbythem。Butforhisobservantcuriosity，andtheskillwithwhichhemanagedtointroducehimselfintothesalonsofParis，thisstorywouldnothavebeencoloredbythetonesoftruthwhichitcertainlyowestohim，fortheyareentirelyduetohispenetratingsagacityanddesiretofathomthemysteriesofanappallingconditionofthings，whichwasconcealedascarefullybythevictimasbythosewhohadbroughtittopass。
Abovethethirdstorytherewasagarretwherethelinenwashungtodry，andacoupleofattics。Christophe，theman-of-all-work，sleptinone，andSylvie，thestoutcook，intheother。Besidetheseveninmatesthusenumerated，takingoneyearwithanother，someeightlawormedicalstudentsdinedinthehouse，aswellastwoorthreeregularcomerswholivedintheneighborhood。Therewereusuallyeighteenpeopleatdinner，andtherewasroom，ifneedbe，fortwentyatMme。Vauquer’stable；atbreakfast，however，onlythesevenlodgersappeared。Itwasalmostlikeafamilyparty。Everyonecamedownindressing-gownandslippers，andtheconversationusuallyturnedonanythingthathadhappenedtheeveningbefore；commentsonthedressorappearanceofthedinnercontingentwereexchangedinfriendlyconfidence。
ThesesevenlodgerswereMme。Vauquer’sspoiledchildren。Amongthemshedistributed，withastronomicalprecision，theexactproportionofrespectandattentionduetothevaryingamountstheypaidfortheirboard。Onesingleconsiderationinfluencedallthesehumanbeingsthrowntogetherbychance。Thetwosecond-
floorlodgersonlypaidseventy-twofrancsamonth。SuchpricesastheseareconfinedtotheFaubourgSaint-MarcelandthedistrictbetweenLaBourbeandtheSalpetriere；and，asmightbeexpected，poverty，moreorlessapparent，weigheduponthemall，Mme。Couturebeingthesoleexceptiontotherule。
Thedrearysurroundingswerereflectedinthecostumesoftheinmatesofthehouse；allwerealikethreadbare。Thecolorofthemen’scoatswereproblematical；suchshoes，inmorefashionablequarters，areonlytobeseenlyinginthegutter；thecuffsandcollarswerewornandfrayedattheedges；everylimparticleofclothinglookedliketheghostofitsformerself。Thewomen’sdresseswerefaded，old-fashioned，dyedandre-dyed；theyworeglovesthatwereglazedwithhardwear，much-mendedlace，dingyruffles，crumpledmuslinfichus。Somuchfortheirclothing；but，forthemostpart，theirframesweresolidenough；theirconstitutionshadweatheredthestormsoflife；theircold，hardfaceswerewornlikecoinsthathavebeenwithdrawnfromcirculation，butthereweregreedyteethbehindthewitheredlips。Dramasbroughttoacloseorstillinprogressareforeshadowedbythesightofsuchactorsasthese，notthedramasthatareplayedbeforethefootlightsandagainstabackgroundofpaintedcanvas，butdumbdramasoflife，frost-bounddramasthatsereheartslikefire，dramasthatdonotendwiththeactors’
lives。
Mlle。Michonneau，thatelderlyyounglady，screenedherweakeyesfromthedaylightbyasoiledgreensilkshadewitharimofbrass，anobjectfittoscareawaytheAngelofPityhimself。Hershawl，withitsscanty，draggledfringe，mighthavecoveredaskeleton，someagreandangularwastheformbeneathit。Yetshemusthavebeenprettyandshapelyonce。Whatcorrosivehaddestroyedthefeminineoutlines？Wasittrouble，orvice，orgreed？Hadshelovedtoowell？Hadshebeenasecond-handclothesdealer，afrequenterofthebackstairsofgreathouses，orhadshebeenmerelyacourtesan？Wassheexpiatingtheflauntingtriumphsofayouthovercrowdedwithpleasuresbyanoldageinwhichshewasshunnedbyeverypasser-by？Hervacantgazesentachillthroughyou；hershriveledfaceseemedlikeamenace。Hervoicewasliketheshrill，thinnoteofthegrasshoppersoundingfromthethicketwhenwinterisathand。Shesaidthatshehadnursedanoldgentleman，illofcatarrhofthebladder，andlefttodiebyhischildren，whothoughtthathehadnothingleft。Hisbequesttoher，alifeannuityofathousandfrancs，wasperiodicallydisputedbyhisheirs，whomingledslanderwiththeirpersecutions。Inspiteoftheravagesofconflictingpassions，herfaceretainedsometracesofitsformerfairnessandfinenessoftissue，somevestigesofthephysicalcharmsofheryouthstillsurvived。
M。Poiretwasasortofautomaton。HemightbeseenanydaysailinglikeagrayshadowalongthewalksoftheJardindesPlantes，onhisheadashabbycap，acanewithanoldyellowivoryhandleinthetipsofhisthinfingers；theoutspreadskirtsofhisthreadbareovercoatfailedtoconcealhismeagrefigure；hisbreecheshunglooselyonhisshrunkenlimbs；thethin，blue-stockingedlegstrembledlikethoseofadrunkenman；
therewasanotablebreachofcontinuitybetweenthedingywhitewaistcoatandcrumpledshirtfrillsandthecravattwistedaboutathroatlikeaturkeygobbler’s；altogether，hisappearancesetpeoplewonderingwhetherthisoutlandishghostbelongedtotheaudaciousraceofthesonsofJaphetwhoflutteraboutontheBoulevardItalien。Whatdevouringkindoftoilcouldhavesoshriveledhim？Whatdevouringpassionshaddarkenedthatbulbouscountenance，whichwouldhaveseemedoutrageousasacaricature？
Whathadhebeen？Well，perhapshehadbeenpartofthemachineryofjustice，aclerkintheofficetowhichtheexecutionersendsinhisaccounts，——somuchforprovidingblackveilsforparricides，somuchforsawdust，somuchforpulleysandcordfortheknife。Orhemighthavebeenareceiveratthedoorofapublicslaughter-house，orasub-inspectorofnuisances。Indeed，themanappearedtohavebeenoneofthebeastsofburdeninourgreatsocialmill；oneofthoseParisianRatonswhomtheirBertrandsdonotevenknowbysight；apivotintheobscuremachinerythatdisposesofmiseryandthingsunclean；oneofthosemen，inshort，atsightofwhomwearepromptedtoremarkthat，“Afterall，wecannotdowithoutthem。”
StatelyParisignorestheexistenceofthesefacesbleachedbymoralorphysicalsuffering；but，then，Parisisintruthanoceanthatnolinecanplumb。Youmaysurveyitssurfaceanddescribeit；butnomatterhownumerousandpainstakingthetoilersinthissea，therewillalwaysbelonelyandunexploredregionsinitsdepths，cavernsunknown，flowersandpearlsandmonstersofthedeepoverlookedorforgottenbythediversofliterature。TheMaisonVauquerisoneofthesecuriousmonstrosities。
Two，however，ofMme。Vauquer’sboardersformedastrikingcontrasttotherest。Therewasasicklypallor，suchasisoftenseeninanaemicgirls，inMlle。VictorineTaillefer’sface；andherunvaryingexpressionofsadness，likeherembarrassedmannerandpinchedlook，wasinkeepingwiththegeneralwretchednessoftheestablishmentintheRueNueve-Saint-Genevieve，whichformsabackgroundtothispicture；butherfacewasyoung，therewasyouthfulnessinhervoiceandelasticityinhermovements。Thisyoungmisfortunewasnotunlikeashrub，newlyplantedinanuncongenialsoil，whereitsleaveshavealreadybeguntowither。
Theoutlinesofherfigure，revealedbyherdressofthesimplestandcheapestmaterials，werealsoyouthful。Therewasthesamekindofcharmabouthertooslenderform，herfaintlycoloredfaceandlight-brownhair，thatmodernpoetsfindinmediaevalstatuettes；andasweetexpression，alookofChristianresignationinthedarkgrayeyes。Shewasprettybyforceofcontrast；ifshehadbeenhappy，shewouldhavebeencharming。
Happinessisthepoetryofwoman，asthetoiletteishertinsel。
Ifthedelightfulexcitementofaballhadmadethepalefaceglowwithcolor；ifthedelightsofaluxuriouslifehadbroughtthecolortothewancheeksthatwereslightlyhollowedalready；
iflovehadputlightintothesadeyes，thenVictorinemighthaverankedamongthefairest；butshelackedthetwothingswhichcreatewomanasecondtime——prettydressesandlove-
letters。
Abookmighthavebeenmadeofherstory。Herfatherwaspersuadedthathehadsufficientreasonfordecliningtoacknowledgeher，andallowedherabaresixhundredfrancsayear；hehadfurthertakenmeasurestodisinherithisdaughter，andhadconvertedallhisrealestateintopersonalty，thathemightleaveitundividedtohisson。Victorine’smotherhaddiedbroken-heartedinMme。Couture’shouse；andthelatter，whowasanearrelation，hadtakenchargeofthelittleorphan。Unluckily，thewidowofthecommissary-generaltothearmiesoftheRepublichadnothingintheworldbutherjointureandherwidow’spension，andsomedayshemightbeobligedtoleavethehelpless，inexperiencedgirltothemercyoftheworld。Thegoodsoul，therefore，tookVictorinetomasseverySunday，andtoconfessiononceafortnight，thinkingthat，inanycase，shewouldbringupherwardtobedevout。Shewasright；religionofferedasolutionoftheproblemoftheyounggirl’sfuture。Thepoorchildlovedthefatherwhorefusedtoacknowledgeher。Onceeveryyearshetriedtoseehimtodeliverhermother’smessageofforgiveness，buteveryyearhithertoshehadknockedatthatdoorinvain；herfatherwasinexorable。Herbrother，heronlymeansofcommunication，hadnotcometoseeherforfouryears，andhadsenthernoassistance；yetsheprayedtoGodtounsealherfather’seyesandtosoftenherbrother’sheart，andnoaccusationsmingledwithherprayers。Mme。CoutureandMme。
Vauquerexhaustedthevocabularyofabuse，andfailedtofindwordsthatdidjusticetothebanker’siniquitousconduct；butwhiletheyheapedexecrationsonthemillionaire，Victorine’swordswereasgentleasthemoanofthewoundeddove，andaffectionfoundexpressioneveninthecrydrawnfromherbypain。
EugenedeRastignacwasathoroughlysoutherntype；hehadafaircomplexion，blueeyes，blackhair。Inhisfigure，manner，andhiswholebearingitwaseasytoseethathehadeithercomeofanoblefamily，orthat，fromhisearliestchildhood，hehadbeengentlybred。Ifhewascarefulofhiswardrobe，onlytakinglastyear’sclothesintodailywear，stilluponoccasionhecouldissueforthasayoungmanoffashion。Ordinarilyheworeashabbycoatandwaistcoat，thelimpblackcravat，untidilyknotted，thatstudentsaffect，trousersthatmatchedtherestofhiscostume，andbootsthathadbeenresoled。
Vautrinthemanoffortywiththedyedwhiskersmarkedatransitionstagebetweenthesetwoyoungpeopleandtheothers。
Hewasthekindofmanthatcallsforththeremark：“Helooksajovialsort！“Hehadbroadshoulders，awell-developedchest，musculararms，andstrongsquare-fistedhands；thejointsofhisfingerswerecoveredwithtuftsoffieryredhair。Hisfacewasfurrowedbyprematurewrinkles；therewasacertainhardnessaboutitinspiteofhisblandandinsinuatingmanner。Hisbassvoicewasbynomeansunpleasant，andwasinkeepingwithhisboisterouslaughter。Hewasalwaysobliging，alwaysingoodspirits；ifanythingwentwrongwithoneofthelocks，hewouldsoonunscrewit，takeittopieces，fileit，oilandcleanandsetitinorder，andputitbackinitsplaceagain；“Iamanoldhandatit。”heusedtosay。Notonlyso，heknewallaboutships，thesea，France，foreigncountries，men，business，law，greathousesandprisons，——therewasnothingthathedidnotknow。Ifanyonecomplainedrathermorethanusual，hewouldofferhisservicesatonce。HehadseveraltimeslentmoneytoMme。Vauquer，ortotheboarders；but，somehow，thosewhomheobligedfeltthattheywouldsoonerfacedeaththanfailtorepayhim；acertainresolutelook，sometimesseenonhisface，inspiredfearofhim，forallhisappearanceofeasygood-nature。
Inthewayhespattherewasanimperturbablecoolnesswhichseemedtoindicatethatthiswasamanwhowouldnotstickatacrimetoextricatehimselffromafalseposition。Hiseyes，likethoseofapitilessjudge，seemedtogototheverybottomofallquestions，toreadallnatures，allfeelingsandthoughts。Hishabitoflifewasveryregular；heusuallywentoutafterbreakfast，returningintimefordinner，anddisappearedfortherestoftheevening，lettinghimselfinaboutmidnightwithalatchkey，aprivilegethatMme。Vauqueraccordedtonootherboarder。Butthenhewasonverygoodtermswiththewidow；heusedtocallher“mamma。”andputhisarmroundherwaist，apieceofflatteryperhapsnotappreciatedtothefull！Theworthywomanmightimaginethistobeaneasyfeat；but，asamatteroffact，noarmbutVautrin’swaslongenoughtoencircleher。
Itwasacharacteristictraitofhisgenerouslytopayfifteenfrancsamonthforthecupofcoffeewithadashofbrandyinit，whichhetookafterdinner。LesssuperficialobserversthanyoungmenengulfedbythewhirlpoolofParisianlife，oroldmen，whotooknointerestinanythingthatdidnotdirectlyconcernthem，wouldnothavestoppedshortatthevaguelyunsatisfactoryimpressionthatVautrinmadeuponthem。Hekneworguessedtheconcernsofeveryoneabouthim；butnoneofthemhadbeenabletopenetratehisthoughts，ortodiscoverhisoccupation。Hehaddeliberatelymadehisapparentgood-nature，hisunfailingreadinesstooblige，andhishighspiritsintoabarrierbetweenhimselfandtherestofthem，butnotseldomhegaveglimpsesofappallingdepthsofcharacter。Heseemedtodelightinscourgingtheupperclassesofsocietywiththelashofhistongue，totakepleasureinconvictingitofinconsistency，inmockingatlawandorderwithsomegrimjestworthyofJuvenal，asifsomegrudgeagainstthesocialsystemrankledinhim，asifthereweresomemysterycarefullyhiddenawayinhislife。
Mlle。Tailleferfeltattracted，perhapsunconsciously，bythestrengthoftheoneman，andthegoodlooksoftheother；herstolenglancesandsecretthoughtsweredividedbetweenthem；butneitherofthemseemedtotakeanynoticeofher，althoughsomedayachancemightalterherposition，andshewouldbeawealthyheiress。Forthatmatter，therewasnotasoulinthehousewhotookanytroubletoinvestigatethevariouschroniclesofmisfortunes，realorimaginary，relatedbytherest。Eachoneregardedtheotherswithindifference，temperedbysuspicion；itwasanaturalresultoftheirrelativepositions。Practicalassistancenotonecouldgive，thistheyallknew，andtheyhadlongsinceexhaustedtheirstockofcondolenceoverpreviousdiscussionsoftheirgrievances。Theywereinsomethingthesamepositionasanelderlycouplewhohavenothinglefttosaytoeachother。Theroutineofexistencekeptthemincontact，buttheywerepartsofamechanismwhichwantedoil。Therewasnotoneofthembutwouldhavepassedablindmanbegginginthestreet，notonethatfeltmovedtopitybyataleofmisfortune，notonewhodidnotseeindeaththesolutionoftheall-
absorbingproblemofmiserywhichleftthemcoldtothemostterribleanguishinothers。
ThehappiestofthesehaplessbeingswascertainlyMme。Vauquer，whoreignedsupremeoverthishospitalsupportedbyvoluntarycontributions。Forher，thelittlegarden，whichsilence，andcold，andrain，anddroughtcombinedtomakeasdrearyasanAsiansteppe，wasapleasantshadednook；thegauntyellowhouse，themustyodorsofabackshophadcharmsforher，andforheralone。Thosecellsbelongedtoher。Shefedthoseconvictscondemnedtopenalservitudeforlife，andherauthoritywasrecognizedamongthem。WhereelseinPariswouldtheyhavefoundwholesomefoodinsufficientquantityatthepricesshechargedthem，androomswhichtheywereatlibertytomake，ifnotexactlyelegantorcomfortable，atanyratecleanandhealthy？Ifshehadcommittedsomeflagrantactofinjustice，thevictimwouldhaveborneitinsilence。
Suchagatheringcontained，asmighthavebeenexpected，theelementsoutofwhichacompletesocietymightbeconstructed。
And，asinaschool，asintheworlditself，therewasamongtheeighteenmenandwomenwhometroundthedinnertableapoorcreature，despisedbyalltheothers，condemnedtobethebuttofalltheirjokes。AtthebeginningofEugenedeRastignac’ssecondtwelvemonth，thisfiguresuddenlystartedoutintoboldreliefagainstthebackgroundofhumanformsandfacesamongwhichthelawstudentwasyettoliveforanothertwoyearstocome。Thislaughing-stockwastheretiredvermicelli-merchant，FatherGoriot，uponwhosefaceapainter，likethehistorian，wouldhaveconcentratedallthelightinhispicture。
Howhaditcomeaboutthattheboardersregardedhimwithahalf-
malignantcontempt？Whydidtheysubjecttheoldestamongtheirnumbertoakindofpersecution，inwhichtherewasmingledsomepity，butnorespectforhismisfortunes？Hadhebroughtitonhimselfbysomeeccentricityorabsurdity，whichislesseasilyforgivenorforgottenthanmoreseriousdefects？Thequestionstrikesattherootofmanyasocialinjustice。Perhapsitisonlyhumannaturetoinflictsufferingonanythingthatwillenduresuffering，whetherbyreasonofitsgenuinehumility，orindifference，orsheerhelplessness。Dowenot，oneandall，liketofeelourstrengthevenattheexpenseofsomeoneorofsomething？Thepoorestsampleofhumanity，thestreetarab，willpullthebellhandleateverystreetdoorinbitterweather，andscrambleuptowritehisnameontheunsulliedmarbleofamonument。
Intheyear1813，attheageofsixty-nineorthereabouts，“FatherGoriot“hadsoldhisbusinessandretired——toMme。
Vauquer’sboardinghouse。WhenhefirstcametherehehadtakentheroomsnowoccupiedbyMme。Couture；hehadpaidtwelvehundredfrancsayearlikeamantowhomfivelouismoreorlesswasameretrifle。ForhimMme。Vauquerhadmadevariousimprovementsinthethreeroomsdestinedforhisuse，inconsiderationofacertainsumpaidinadvance，soitwassaid，forthemiserablefurniture，thatistosay，forsomeyellowcottoncurtains，afewchairsofstainedwoodcoveredwithUtrechtvelvet，severalwretchedcoloredprintsinframes，andwallpapersthatalittlesuburbantavernwouldhavedisdained。
PossiblyitwasthecarelessgenerositywithwhichFatherGoriotallowedhimselftobeoverreachedatthisperiodofhislifetheycalledhimMonsieurGoriotveryrespectfullythenthatgaveMme。Vauquerthemeanestopinionofhisbusinessabilities；
shelookedonhimasanimbecilewheremoneywasconcerned。
Goriothadbroughtwithhimaconsiderablewardrobe，thegorgeousoutfitofaretiredtradesmanwhodenieshimselfnothing。Mme。
Vauquer’sastonishedeyesbeheldnolessthaneighteencambric-
frontedshirts，thesplendoroftheirfinenessbeingenhancedbyapairofpinseachbearingalargediamond，andconnectedbyashortchain，anornamentwhichadornedthevermicelli-maker’sshirtfront。Heusuallyworeacoatofcorn-flowerblue；hisrotundandportlypersonwasstillfurthersetoffbyacleanwhitewaistcoat，andagoldchainandsealswhichdangledoverthatbroadexpanse。Whenhishostessaccusedhimofbeing“abitofabeau。”hesmiledwiththevanityofacitizenwhosefoibleisgratified。Hiscupboardsormoires，ashecalledtheminthepopulardialectwerefilledwithaquantityofplatethathebroughtwithhim。Thewidow’seyesgleamedassheobliginglyhelpedhimtounpackthesoupladles，table-spoons，forks，cruet-
stands，tureens，dishes，andbreakfastservices——allofsilver，whichweredulyarrangeduponshelves，besidesafewmoreorlesshandsomepiecesofplate，allweighingnoinconsiderablenumberofounces；hecouldnotbringhimselftopartwiththesegiftsthatremindedhimofpastdomesticfestivals。
“Thiswasmywife’spresenttomeonthefirstanniversaryofourweddingday。”hesaidtoMme。Vauquer，asheputawayalittlesilverpossetdish，withtwoturtle-dovesbillingonthecover。
“Poordear！shespentonitallthemoneyshehadsavedbeforeweweremarried。Doyouknow，Iwouldsoonerscratchtheearthwithmynailsforaliving，madame，thanpartwiththat。ButIshallbeabletotakemycoffeeoutofiteverymorningfortherestofmydays，thanktheLord！Iamnottobepitied。There’snotmuchfearofmystarvingforsometimetocome。”
Finally，Mme。Vauquer’smagpie’seyehaddiscoveredandreadcertainentriesinthelistofshareholdersinthefunds，and，afteraroughcalculation，wasdisposedtocreditGoriotworthymanwithsomethingliketenthousandfrancsayear。FromthatdayforwardMme。VauquerneedeConflans，who，asamatteroffact，hadseenforty-eightsummers，thoughshewouldonlyowntothirty-nineofthem——Mme。Vauquerhadherownideas。ThoughGoriot’seyesseemedtohaveshrunkintheirsockets，thoughtheywereweakandwatery，owingtosomeglandularaffectionwhichcompelledhimtowipethemcontinually，sheconsideredhimtobeaverygentlemanlyandpleasant-lookingman。Moreover，thewidowsawfavorableindicationsofcharacterinthewell-developedcalvesofhislegsandinhissquare-shapednose，indicationsstillfurtherborneoutbytheworthyman’sfull-mooncountenanceandlookofstupidgood-nature。This，inallprobability，wasastrongly-buildanimal，whosebrainsmostlyconsistedinacapacityforaffection。Hishair，worninailesdepigeon，anddulypowderedeverymorningbythebarberfromtheEcolePolytechnique，describedfivepointsonhislowforehead，andmadeanelegantsettingtohisface。Thoughhismannersweresomewhatboorish，hewasalwaysasneatasanewpinandhetookhissnuffinalordlyway，likeamanwhoknowsthathissnuff-
boxisalwayslikelytobefilledwithmaccaboy，sothatwhenMme。VauquerlaydowntorestonthedayofM。Goriot’sinstallation，herheart，likealardedpartridge，swelteredbeforethefireofaburningdesiretoshakeofftheshroudofVauquerandriseagainasGoriot。Shewouldmarryagain，sellherboarding-house，giveherhandtothisfineflowerofcitizenship，becomealadyofconsequenceinthequarter，andaskforsubscriptionsforcharitablepurposes；shewouldmakelittleSundayexcursionstoChoisy，Soissy，Gentilly；shewouldhaveaboxatthetheatrewhensheliked，insteadofwaitingfortheauthor’sticketsthatoneofherboarderssometimesgaveher，inJuly；thewholeEldoradoofalittleParisianhouseholdroseupbeforeMme。Vauquerinherdreams。Nobodyknewthatsheherselfpossessedfortythousandfrancs，accumulatedsoubysou，thatwashersecret；surelyasfarasmoneywasconcernedshewasaverytolerablematch。“Andinotherrespects，Iamquitehisequal。”
shesaidtoherself，turningasiftoassureherselfofthecharmsofaformthattheportlySylviefoundmouldedindownfeatherseverymorning。
ForthreemonthsfromthatdayMme。VeuveVauqueravailedherselfoftheservicesofM。Goriot’scoiffeur，andwenttosomeexpenseoverhertoilette，expensejustifiableonthegroundthatsheowedittoherselfandherestablishmenttopaysomeattentiontoappearanceswhensuchhighly-respectablepersonshonoredherhousewiththeirpresence。Sheexpendednosmallamountofingenuityinasortofweedingprocessofherlodgers，announcingherintentionofreceivinghenceforwardnonebutpeoplewhowereineverywayselect。Ifastrangerpresentedhimself，shelethimknowthatM。Goriot，oneofthebestknownandmosthighly-
respectedmerchantsinParis，hadsingledoutherboarding-houseforaresidence。ShedrewupaprospectusheadedMAISONVAUQUER，inwhichitwasassertedthatherswas“oneoftheoldestandmosthighlyrecommendedboarding-housesintheLatinQuarter。”
“Fromthewindowsofthehouse。”thusrantheprospectus，“thereisacharmingviewoftheValleedesGobelinssothereis——fromthethirdfloor，andaBEAUTIFULgarden，EXTENDINGdowntoAN
AVENUEOFLINDENSatthefurtherend。”Mentionwasmadeofthebracingairoftheplaceanditsquietsituation。
ItwasthisprospectusthatattractedMme。laComtessedel’Ambermesnil，awidowofsixandthirty，whowasawaitingthefinalsettlementofherhusband’saffairs，andofanothermatterregardingapensionduetoherasthewifeofageneralwhohaddied“onthefieldofbattle。”OnthisMme。Vauquersawtohertable，lightedafiredailyinthesitting-roomfornearlysixmonths，andkeptthepromiseofherprospectus，evengoingtosomeexpensetodoso。AndtheCountess，onherside，addressedMme。Vauqueras“mydear。”andpromisedhertwomoreboarders，theBaronnedeVaumerlandandthewidowofacolonel，thelateComtedePicquoisie，whowereabouttoleaveaboarding-houseintheMarais，wherethetermswerehigherthanattheMaisonVauquer。Boththeseladies，moreover，wouldbeverywelltodowhenthepeopleattheWarOfficehadcometoanendoftheirformalities。“ButGovernmentdepartmentsarealwayssodilatory。”
theladyadded。
AfterdinnerthetwowidowswenttogetheruptoMme。Vauquer’sroom，andhadasnuglittlechatoversomecordialandvariousdelicaciesreservedforthemistressofthehouse。Mme。Vauquer’sideasastoGoriotwerecordiallyapprovedbyMme。del’Ambermesnil；itwasacapitalnotion，whichforthatmattershehadguessedfromtheveryfirst；inheropinionthevermicellimakerwasanexcellentman。
“Ah！mydearlady，suchawell-preservedmanofhisage，assoundasmyeyesight——amanwhomightmakeawomanhappy！“saidthewidow。
Thegood-naturedCountessturnedtothesubjectofMme。Vauquer’sdress，whichwasnotinharmonywithherprojects。“Youmustputyourselfonawarfooting。”saidshe。
Aftermuchseriousconsiderationthetwowidowswentshoppingtogether——theypurchasedahatadornedwithostrichfeathersandacapatthePalaisRoyal，andtheCountesstookherfriendtotheMagasindelaPetiteJeannette，wheretheychoseadressandascarf。Thusequippedforthecampaign，thewidowlookedexactlyliketheprizeanimalhungoutforasignaboveanalamodebeefshop；butsheherselfwassomuchpleasedwiththeimprovement，assheconsideredit，inherappearance，thatshefeltthatshelayundersomeobligationtotheCountess；and，thoughbynomeansopen-handed，shebeggedthatladytoacceptahatthatcosttwentyfrancs。ThefactwasthatsheneededtheCountess’
servicesonthedelicatemissionofsoundingGoriot；thecountessmustsingherpraisesinhisears。Mme。del’Ambermesnillentherselfverygood-naturedlytothismanoeuvre，beganheroperations，andsucceededinobtainingaprivateinterview；buttheoverturesthatshemade，withaviewtosecuringhimforherself，werereceivedwithembarrassment，nottosayarepulse。
Shelefthim，revoltedbyhiscoarseness。
“Myangel。”saidshetoherdearfriend，“youwillmakenothingofthatmanyonder。Heisabsurdlysuspicious，andheisameancurmudgeon，anidiot，afool；youwouldneverbehappywithhim。”
AfterwhathadpassedbetweenM。GoriotandMme。del’Ambermesnil，theCountesswouldnolongerliveunderthesameroof。Sheleftthenextday，forgottopayforsixmonths’board，andleftbehindherwardrobe，cast-offclothingtothevalueoffivefrancs。EagerlyandpersistentlyasMme。Vauquersoughtherquondamlodger，theComtessedel’AmbermesnilwasneverheardofagaininParis。Thewidowoftentalkedofthisdeplorablebusiness，andregrettedherowntooconfidingdisposition。Asamatteroffact，shewasassuspiciousasacat；butshewaslikemanyotherpeople，whocannottrusttheirownkinandputthemselvesatthemercyofthenextchancecomer——anoddbutcommonphenomenon，whosecausesmayreadilybetracedtothedepthsofthehumanheart。
Perhapstherearepeoplewhoknowthattheyhavenothingmoretolookforfromthosewithwhomtheylive；theyhaveshowntheemptinessoftheirheartstotheirhousemates，andintheirsecretselvestheyareconsciousthattheyareseverelyjudged，andthattheydeservetobejudgedseverely；butstilltheyfeelanunconquerablecravingforpraisesthattheydonothear，ortheyareconsumedbyadesiretoappeartopossess，intheeyesofanewaudience，thequalitieswhichtheyhavenot，hopingtowintheadmirationoraffectionofstrangersattheriskofforfeitingitagainsomeday。Or，oncemore，thereareothermercenarynatureswhoneverdoakindnesstoafriendorarelationsimplybecausethesehaveaclaimuponthem，whileaservicedonetoastrangerbringsitsrewardtoself-love。Suchnaturesfeelbutlittleaffectionforthosewhoarenearesttothem；theykeeptheirkindnessforremotercirclesofacquaintance，andshowmosttothosewhodwellonitsutmostlimits。Mme。Vauquerbelongedtoboththeseessentiallymean，false，andexecrableclasses。
“IfIhadbeenthereatthetime。”Vautrinwouldsayattheendofthestory，Iwouldhaveshownherup，andthatmisfortunewouldnothavebefallenyou。Iknowthatkindofphiz！“
Likeallnarrownatures，Mme。Vauquerwaswonttoconfineherattentiontoevents，anddidnotgoverydeeplyintothecausesthatbroughtthemabout；shelikewisepreferredtothrowtheblameofherownmistakesonotherpeople，soshechosetoconsiderthatthehonestvermicellimakerwasresponsibleforhermisfortune。Ithadopenedhereyes，soshesaid，withregardtohim。Assoonasshesawthatherblandishmentswereinvain，andthatheroutlayonhertoilettewasmoneythrownaway，shewasnotslowtodiscoverthereasonofhisindifference。ItbecameplaintoheratoncethattherewasSOMEOTHERATTRACTION，touseherownexpression。Inshort，itwasevidentthatthehopeshehadsofondlycherishedwasabaselessdelusion，andthatshewould“nevermakeanythingoutofthatmanyonder。”intheCountess’forciblephrase。TheCountessseemedtohavebeenajudgeofcharacter。Mme。Vauquer’saversionwasnaturallymoreenergeticthanherfriendship，forherhatredwasnotinproportiontoherlove，buttoherdisappointedexpectations。Thehumanheartmayfindhereandtherearesting-placeshortofthehighestheightofaffection，butweseldomstopinthesteep，downwardslopeofhatred。Still，M。Goriotwasalodger，andthewidow’swoundedself-lovecouldnotventitselfinanexplosionofwrath；likeamonkharassedbythepriorofhisconvent，shewasforcedtostiflehersighsofdisappointment，andtogulpdownhercravingforrevenge。Littlemindsfindgratificationfortheirfeelings，benevolentorotherwise，byaconstantexerciseofpettyingenuity。Thewidowemployedherwoman’smalicetodeviseasystemofcovertpersecution。Shebeganbyacourseofretrenchment——variousluxurieswhichhadfoundtheirwaytothetableappearedtherenomore。
“Nomoregherkins，nomoreanchovies；theyhavemadeafoolofme！“shesaidtoSylvieonemorning，andtheyreturnedtotheoldbilloffare。
ThethriftyfrugalitynecessarytothosewhomeantomaketheirwayintheworldhadbecomeaninveteratehabitoflifewithM。
Goriot。Soup，boiledbeef，andadishofvegetableshadbeen，andalwayswouldbe，thedinnerhelikedbest，soMme。Vauquerfounditverydifficulttoannoyaboarderwhosetastesweresosimple。
Hewasproofagainsthermalice，andindesperationshespoketohimandofhimslightinglybeforetheotherlodgers，whobegantoamusethemselvesathisexpense，andsogratifiedherdesireforrevenge。
Towardstheendofthefirstyearthewidow’ssuspicionshadreachedsuchapitchthatshebegantowonderhowitwasthataretiredmerchantwithasecureincomeofsevenoreightthousandlivres，theownerofsuchmagnificentplateandjewelryhandsomeenoughforakeptmistress，shouldbelivinginherhouse。Whyshouldhedevotesosmallaproportionofhismoneytohisexpenses？Untilthefirstyearwasnearlyatanend，Goriothaddinedoutonceortwiceeveryweek，buttheseoccasionscamelessfrequently，andatlasthewasscarcelyabsentfromthedinner-
tabletwiceamonth。ItwashardlyexpectedthatMme。Vauquershouldregardtheincreasedregularityofherboarder’shabitswithcomplacency，whenthoselittleexcursionsofhishadbeensomuchtoherinterest。Sheattributedthechangenotsomuchtoagradualdiminutionoffortuneastoaspitefulwishtoannoyhishostess。ItisoneofthemostdetestablehabitsofaLiliputianmindtocreditotherpeoplewithitsownmalignantpettiness。
Unluckily，towardstheendofthesecondyear，M。Goriot’sconductgavesomecolortotheidletalkabouthim。HeaskedMme。
Vauquertogivehimaroomonthesecondfloor，andtomakeacorrespondingreductioninhercharges。Apparently，suchstricteconomywascalledfor，thathedidwithoutafireallthroughthewinter。Mme。Vauqueraskedtobepaidinadvance，anarrangementtowhichM。Goriotconsented，andthenceforwardshespokeofhimas“FatherGoriot。”
Whathadbroughtaboutthisdeclineandfall？Conjecturewaskeen，butinvestigationwasdifficult。FatherGoriotwasnotcommunicative；intheshamcountess’phrasehewas“acurmudgeon。”Empty-headedpeoplewhobabbleabouttheirownaffairsbecausetheyhavenothingelsetooccupythem，naturallyconcludethatifpeoplesaynothingoftheirdoingsitisbecausetheirdoingswillnotbearbeingtalkedabout；sothehighlyrespectablemerchantbecameascoundrel，andthelatebeauwasanoldrogue。Opinionfluctuated。Sometimes，accordingtoVautrin，whocameaboutthistimetoliveintheMaisonVauquer，FatherGoriotwasamanwhowenton’ChangeandDABBLEDtousethesufficientlyexpressivelanguageoftheStockExchangeinstocksandsharesafterhehadruinedhimselfbyheavyspeculation。
Sometimesitwasheldthathewasoneofthosepettygamblerswhonightlyplayforsmallstakesuntiltheywinafewfrancs。A
theorythathewasadetectiveintheemployoftheHomeOfficefoundfavoratonetime，butVautrinurgedthat“Goriotwasnotsharpenoughforoneofthatsort。”Therewereyetothersolutions；FatherGoriotwasaskinflint，asharkofamoney-
lender，amanwholivedbysellinglotterytickets。Hewasbyturnsallthemostmysteriousbroodofviceandshameandmisery；
yet，howevervilehislifemightbe，thefeelingofrepulsionwhichhearousedinotherswasnotsostrongthathemustbebanishedfromtheirsociety——hepaidhisway。Besides，Goriothadhisuses，everyoneventedhisspleenorsharpenedhiswitonhim；hewaspeltedwithjokesandbelaboredwithhardwords。Thegeneralconsensusofopinionwasinfavorofatheorywhichseemedthemostlikely；thiswasMme。Vauquer’sview。Accordingtoher，themansowellpreservedathistimeoflife，assoundashereyesight，withwhomawomanmightbeveryhappy，wasalibertinewhohadstrangetastes。ThesearethefactsuponwhichMme。Vauquer’sslanderswerebased。
Earlyonemorning，somefewmonthsafterthedepartureoftheunluckyCountesswhohadmanagedtoliveforsixmonthsatthewidow’sexpense，Mme。Vauquernotyetdressedheardtherustleofasilkdressandayoungwoman’slightfootsteponthestair；
someonewasgoingtoGoriot’sroom。Heseemedtoexpectthevisit，forhisdoorstoodajar。TheportlySylviepresentlycameuptotellhermistressthatagirltooprettytobehonest，“dressedlikeagoddess。”andnotaspeckofmudonherlacedcashmereboots，hadglidedinfromthestreetlikeasnake，hadfoundthekitchen，andaskedforM。Goriot’sroom。Mme。Vauquerandthecook，listening，overheardseveralwordsaffectionatelyspokenduringthevisit，whichlastedforsometime。WhenM。
Goriotwentdownstairswiththelady，thestoutSylvieforthwithtookherbasketandfollowedthelover-likecouple，underpretextofgoingtodohermarketing。
“M。Goriotmustbeawfullyrich，allthesame，madame。”shereportedonherreturn，“tokeepherinsuchstyle。Justimagineit！TherewasasplendidcarriagewaitingatthecornerofthePlacedel’Estrapade，andSHEgotintoit。”
Whiletheywereatdinnerthatevening，Mme。Vauquerwenttothewindowanddrewthecurtain，asthesunwasshiningintoGoriot’seyes。
“Youarebelovedoffairladies，M。Goriot——thesunseeksyouout。”shesaid，alludingtohisvisitor。“Peste！youhavegoodtaste；shewasverypretty。”
“Thatwasmydaughter。”hesaid，withakindofprideinhisvoice，andtherestchosetoconsiderthisasthefatuityofanoldmanwhowishestosaveappearances。
AmonthafterthisvisitM。Goriotreceivedanother。Thesamedaughterwhohadcometoseehimthatmorningcameagainafterdinner，thistimeineveningdress。Theboarders，indeepdiscussioninthedining-room，caughtaglimpseofalovely，fair-hairedwoman，slender，graceful，andmuchtoodistinguished-
lookingtobeadaughterofFatherGoriot’s。
“Twoofthem！“criedtheportlySylvie，whodidnotrecognizetheladyofthefirstvisit。
Afewdayslater，andanotheryounglady——atall，well-mouldedbrunette，withdarkhairandbrighteyes——cametoaskforM。
Goriot。
“Threeofthem！“saidSylvie。
Thentheseconddaughter，whohadfirstcomeinthemorningtoseeherfather，cameshortlyafterwardsintheevening。Sheworeaballdress，andcameinacarriage。
“Fourofthem！“commentedMme。Vauquerandherplumphandmaid。
Sylviesawnotatraceofresemblancebetweenthisgreatladyandthegirlinhersimplemorningdresswhohadenteredherkitchenontheoccasionofherfirstvisit。
AtthattimeGoriotwaspayingtwelvehundredfrancsayeartohislandlady，andMme。Vauquersawnothingoutofthecommoninthefactthatarichmanhadfourorfivemistresses；nay，shethoughtitveryknowingofhimtopassthemoffashisdaughters。
Shewasnotatallinclinedtodrawahard-and-fastline，ortotakeumbrageathissendingforthemtotheMaisonVauquer；yet，inasmuchasthesevisitsexplainedherboarder’sindifferencetoher，shewentsofarattheendofthesecondyearastospeakofhimasan“uglyoldwretch。”Whenatlengthherboarderdeclinedtoninehundredfrancsayear，sheaskedhimveryinsolentlywhathetookherhousetobe，aftermeetingoneoftheseladiesonhestairs。FatherGoriotansweredthattheladywashiseldestdaughter。
“Soyouhavetwoorthreedozendaughters，haveyou？“saidMme。
Vauquersharply。
“Ihaveonlytwo。”herboarderansweredmeekly，likearuinedmanwhoisbrokenintoallthecruelusageofmisfortune。
TowardstheendofthethirdyearFatherGoriotreducedhisexpensesstillfurther；hewentuptothethirdstory，andnowpaidforty-fivefrancsamonth。Hedidwithoutsnuff，toldhishairdresserthathenolongerrequiredhisservices，andgaveupwearingpowder。WhenGoriotappearedforthefirsttimeinthiscondition，anexclamationofastonishmentbrokefromhishostessatthecolorofhishair——adingyolivegray。Hehadgrownsadderdaybydayundertheinfluenceofsomehiddentrouble；amongallthefacesroundthetable，hiswasthemostwoe-begone。Therewasnolongeranydoubt。Goriotwasanelderlylibertine，whoseeyeshadonlybeenpreservedbytheskillofthephysicianfromthemaligninfluenceoftheremediesnecessitatedbythestateofhishealth。Thedisgustingcolorofhishairwasaresultofhisexcessesandofthedrugswhichhehadtakenthathemightcontinuehiscareer。Thepooroldman’smentalandphysicalconditionaffordedsomegroundsfortheabsurdrubbishtalkedabouthim。Whenhisoutfitwaswornout，hereplacedthefinelinenbycalicoatfourteensoustheell。Hisdiamonds，hisgoldsnuff-box，watch-chainandtrinkets，disappearedonebyone。Hehadleftoffwearingthecorn-flowerbluecoat，andwassumptuouslyarrayed，summeraswellaswinter，inacoarsechestnut-browncoat，aplushwaistcoat，anddoeskinbreeches。Hegrewthinnerandthinner；hislegswereshrunken，hischeeks，oncesopuffedoutbycontentedbourgeoisprosperity，werecoveredwithwrinkles，andtheoutlinesofthejawbonesweredistinctlyvisible；thereweredeepfurrowsinhisforehead。InthefourthyearofhisresidenceintheRueNeuve-Sainte-
Genevievehewasnolongerlikehisformerself。Thehalevermicellimanufacturer，sixty-twoyearsofage，whohadlookedscarceforty，thestout，comfortable，prosperoustradesman，withanalmostbucolicair，andsuchabriskdemeanorthatitdidyougoodtolookathim；themanwithsomethingboyishinhissmile，hadsuddenlysunkintohisdotage，andhadbecomeafeeble，vacillatingseptuagenarian。
Thekeen，brightblueeyeshadgrowndull，andfadedtoasteel-
graycolor；theredinflamedrimslookedasthoughtheyhadshedtearsofblood。Heexcitedfeelingsofrepulsioninsome，andofpityinothers。Theyoungmedicalstudentswhocametothehousenoticedthedroopingofhislowerlipandtheconformationofthefacialangle；and，afterteasinghimforsometimetonopurpose，theydeclaredthatcretinismwassettingin。
OneeveningafterdinnerMme。Vauquersaidhalfbanteringlytohim，“Sothosedaughtersofyoursdon’tcometoseeyouanymore，eh？“meaningtoimplyherdoubtsastohispaternity；butFatherGoriotshrankasifhishostesshadtouchedhimwithasword-
point。
“Theycomesometimes。”hesaidinatremulousvoice。
“Aha！youstillseethemsometimes？“criedthestudents。“Bravo，FatherGoriot！“
Theoldmanscarcelyseemedtohearthewitticismsathisexpensethatfollowedonthewords；hehadrelapsedintothedreamystateofmindthatthesesuperficialobserverstookforseniletorpor，duetohislackofintelligence。Iftheyhadonlyknown，theymighthavebeendeeplyinterestedbytheproblemofhiscondition；butfewproblemsweremoreobscure。Itwaseasy，ofcourse，tofindoutwhetherGoriothadreallybeenavermicellimanufacturer；theamountofhisfortunewasreadilydiscoverable；
buttheoldpeople，whoweremostinquisitiveastohisconcerns，neverwentbeyondthelimitsoftheQuarter，andlivedinthelodging-housemuchasoystersclingtoarock。Asfortherest，thecurrentoflifeinParisdailyawaitedthem，andsweptthemawaywithit；sosoonastheylefttheRueNeuve-Sainte-
Genevieve，theyforgottheexistenceoftheoldman，theirbuttatdinner。Forthosenarrowsouls，orforcarelessyouth，themiseryinFatherGoriot’switheredfaceanditsdullapathywerequiteincompatiblewithwealthoranysortofintelligence。Asforthecreatureswhomhecalledhisdaughters，allMme。
Vauquer’sboarderswereofheropinion。Withthefacultyforseverelogicsedulouslycultivatedbyelderlywomenduringlongeveningsofgossiptilltheycanalwaysfindanhypothesistofitallcircumstances，shewaswonttoreasonthus：
“IfFatherGoriothaddaughtersofhisownasrichasthoseladieswhocamehereseemedtobe，hewouldnotbelodginginmyhouse，onthethirdfloor，atforty-fivefrancsamonth；andhewouldnotgoaboutdressedlikeapoorman。”
Noobjectioncouldberaisedtotheseinferences。SobytheendofthemonthofNovember1819，atthetimewhenthecurtainrisesonthisdrama，everyoneinthehousehadcometohaveaverydecidedopinionastothepooroldman。Hehadneverhadeitherwifeordaughter；excesseshadreducedhimtothissluggishcondition；hewasasortofhumanmolluskwhoshouldbeclassedamongthecapulidoe，sooneofthedinnercontingent，anemployeattheMuseum，whohadaprettywitofhisown。Poiretwasaneagle，agentleman，comparedwithGoriot。Poiretwouldjointhetalk，argue，answerwhenhewasspokento；asamatteroffact，histalk，arguments，andresponsescontributednothingtotheconversation，forPoirethadahabitofrepeatingwhattheotherssaidindifferentwords；still，hedidjoininthetalk；hewasalive，andseemedcapableoffeeling；whileFatherGoriottoquotetheMuseumofficialagainwasinvariablyatzero——Reaumur。
EugenedeRastignachadjustreturnedtoParisinastateofmindnotunknowntoyoungmenwhoareconsciousofunusualpowers，andtothosewhosefacultiesaresostimulatedbyadifficultposition，thatforthetimebeingtheyriseabovetheordinarylevel。
Rastignac’sfirstyearofstudyforthepreliminaryexaminationsinlawhadlefthimfreetoseethesightsofParisandtoenjoysomeofitsamusements。Astudenthasnotmuchtimeonhishandsifhesetshimselftolearntherepertoryofeverytheatre，andtostudytheinsandoutsofthelabyrinthofParis。Toknowitscustoms；tolearnthelanguage，andbecomefamiliarwiththeamusementsofthecapital，hemustexploreitsrecesses，goodandbad，followthestudiesthatpleasehimbest，andformsomeideaofthetreasurescontainedingalleriesandmuseums。
Atthisstageofhiscareerastudentgrowseagerandexcitedaboutallsortsoffolliesthatseemtohimtobeofimmenseimportance。Hehashishero，hisgreatman，aprofessorattheCollegedeFrance，paidtotalkdowntothelevelofhisaudience。Headjustshiscravat，andstrikesvariousattitudesforthebenefitofthewomeninthefirstgalleriesattheOpera-
Comique。Ashepassesthroughallthesesuccessiveinitiations，andbreaksoutofhissheath，thehorizonsoflifewidenaroundhim，andatlengthhegraspstheplanofsocietywiththedifferenthumanstrataofwhichitiscomposed。
IfhebeginsbyadmiringtheprocessionofcarriagesonsunnyafternoonsintheChamps-Elysees，hesoonreachesthefurtherstageofenvyingtheirowners。Unconsciously，EugenehadservedhisapprenticeshipbeforehewentbacktoAngoulemeforthelongvacationaftertakinghisdegreesasbachelorofartsandbacheloroflaw。Theillusionsofchildhoodhadvanished，soalsohadtheideashebroughtwithhimfromtheprovinces；hehadreturnedthitherwithanintelligencedeveloped，withloftierambitions，andsawthingsastheywereathomeintheoldmanorhouse。Hisfatherandmother，histwobrothersandtwosisters，withanagedaunt，whosewholefortuneconsistedinannuities，livedonthelittleestateofRastignac。Thewholepropertybroughtinaboutthreethousandfrancs；andthoughtheamountvariedwiththeseasonasmustalwaysbethecaseinavine-
growingdistrict，theywereobligedtospareanunvaryingtwelvehundredfrancsoutoftheirincomeforhim。Hesawhowconstantlythepoverty，whichtheyhadgenerouslyhiddenfromhim，weigheduponthem；hecouldnothelpcomparingthesisters，whohadseemedsobeautifultohisboyisheyes，withwomeninParis，whohadrealizedthebeautyofhisdreams。Theuncertainfutureofthewholefamilydependeduponhim。Itdidnotescapehiseyesthatnotacrumbwaswastedinthehouse，northatthewinetheydrankwasmadefromthesecondpressing；amultitudeofsmallthings，whichitisuselesstospeakofindetailhere，madehimburntodistinguishhimself，andhisambitiontosucceedincreasedtenfold。
Hemeant，likeallgreatsouls，thathissuccessshouldbeowingentirelytohismerits；buthiswaspre-eminentlyasoutherntemperament，theexecutionofhisplanswassuretobemarredbythevertigothatseizesonyouthwhenyouthseesitselfaloneinawidesea，uncertainhowtospenditsenergies，whithertosteeritscourse，howtoadaptitssailstothewinds。Atfirsthedeterminedtoflinghimselfheartandsoulintohiswork，buthewasdivertedfromthispurposebytheneedofsocietyandconnections；thenhesawhowgreataninfluencewomenexertinsociallife，andsuddenlymadeuphismindtogooutintothisworldtoseekaprotectressthere。Surelyacleverandhigh-
spiritedyoungman，whosewitandcourageweresetofftoadvantagebyagracefulfigureandthevigorouskindofbeautythatreadilystrikesawoman’simagination，neednotdespairoffindingaprotectress。Theseideasoccurredtohiminhiscountrywalkswithhissisters，whomhehadoncejoinedsogaily。Thegirlsthoughthimverymuchchanged。
Hisaunt，Mme。deMarcillac，hadbeenpresentedatcourt，andhadmovedamongthebrightestheightsofthatloftyregion。Suddenlytheyoungman’sambitiondiscernedinthoserecollectionsofhers，whichhadbeenlikenurseryfairytalestohernephewsandnieces，theelementsofasocialsuccessatleastasimportantasthesuccesswhichhehadachievedattheEcoledeDroit。Hebegantoaskhisauntaboutthoserelations；someoftheoldtiesmightstillholdgood。Aftermuchshakingofthebranchesofthefamilytree，theoldladycametotheconclusionthatofallpersonswhocouldbeusefultohernephewamongtheselfishgenusofrichrelations，theVicomtessedeBeauseantwastheleastlikelytorefuse。Tothislady，therefore，shewroteintheold-fashionedstyle，recommendingEugenetoher；pointingouttohernephewthatifhesucceededinpleasingMme。deBeauseant，theVicomtessewouldintroducehimtootherrelations。AfewdaysafterhisreturntoParis，therefore，Rastignacsenthisaunt’slettertoMme。deBeauseant。TheVicomtesserepliedbyaninvitationtoaballforthefollowingevening。ThiswasthepositionofaffairsattheMaisonVauquerattheendofNovember1819。
Afewdayslater，afterMme。deBeauseant’sball，Eugenecameinattwoo’clockinthemorning。Theperseveringstudentmeanttomakeupforthelosttimebyworkinguntildaylight。Itwasthefirsttimethathehadattemptedtospendthenightinthiswayinthatsilentquarter。Thespellofafactitiousenergywasuponhim；hehadbeheldthepompandsplendoroftheworld。HehadnotdinedattheMaisonVauquer；theboardersprobablywouldthinkthathewouldwalkhomeatdaybreakfromthedance，ashehaddonesometimesonformeroccasions，afterafeteatthePrado，oraballattheOdeon，splashinghissilkstockingsthereby，andruininghispumps。
ItsohappenedthatChristophetookalookintothestreetbeforedrawingtheboltsofthedoor；andRastignac，cominginatthatmoment，couldgouptohisroomwithoutmakinganynoise，followedbyChristophe，whomadeagreatdeal。Eugeneexchangedhisdresssuitforashabbyovercoatandslippers，kindledafirewithsomeblocksofpatentfuel，andpreparedforhisnight’sworkinsuchasortthatthefaintsoundshemadeweredrownedbyChristophe’sheavytramponthestairs。
Eugenesatabsorbedinthoughtforafewmomentsbeforeplungingintohislawbooks。HehadjustbecomeawareofthefactthattheVicomtessedeBeauseantwasoneofthequeensoffashion，thatherhousewasthoughttobethepleasantestintheFaubourgSaint-Germain。Andnotonlyso，shewas，byrightofherfortune，andthenameshebore，oneofthemostconspicuousfiguresinthataristocraticworld。Thankstotheaunt，thankstoMme。deMarcillac’sletterofintroduction，thepoorstudenthadbeenkindlyreceivedinthathousebeforeheknewtheextentofthefavorthusshowntohim。Itwasalmostlikeapatentofnobilitytobeadmittedtothosegildedsalons；hehadappearedinthemostexclusivecircleinParis，andnowalldoorswereopenforhim。Eugenehadbeendazzledatfirstbythebrilliantassembly，andhadscarcelyexchangedafewwordswiththeVicomtesse；hehadbeencontenttosingleoutagoddessamongthisthrongofParisiandivinities，oneofthosewomenwhoaresuretoattractayoungman’sfancy。
TheComtesseAnastasiedeRestaudwastallandgracefullymade；
shehadoneoftheprettiestfiguresinParis。Imagineapairofgreatdarkeyes，amagnificentlymouldedhand，ashapelyfoot。
Therewasafieryenergyinhermovements；theMarquisdeRonquerolleshadcalledher“athoroughbred。”“apurepedigree。”
thesefiguresofspeechhavereplacedthe“heavenlyangel“andOssianicnomenclature；theoldmythologyofloveisextinct，doomedtoperishbymoderndandyism。ButforRastignac，Mme。