AnastasiedeRestaudwasthewomanforwhomhehadsighed。Hehadcontrivedtowritehisnametwiceuponthelistofpartnersuponherfan，andhadsnatchedafewwordswithherduringthefirstquadrille。
“WhereshallImeetyouagain，Madame？“heaskedabruptly，andthetonesofhisvoicewerefullofthevehementenergythatwomenlikesowell。
“Oh，everywhere！“saidshe，“intheBois，attheBouffons，inmyownhouse。”
Withtheimpetuosityofhisadventuroussoutherntemper，hedidallhecouldtocultivateanacquaintancewiththislovelycountess，makingthebestofhisopportunitiesinthequadrilleandduringawaltzthatshegavehim。WhenhetoldherthathewasacousinofMme。deBeauseant’s，theCountess，whomhetookforagreatlady，askedhimtocallatherhouse，andafterherpartingsmile，Rastignacfeltconvincedthathemustmakethisvisit。Hewassoluckyastolightuponsomeonewhodidnotlaughathisignorance，afataldefectamongthegildedandinsolentyouthofthatperiod；thecoterieofMaulincourts，MaximesdeTrailles，deMarsays，Ronquerolles，Ajuda-Pintos，andVandenesseswhoshonethereinallthegloryofcoxcombryamongthebest-dressedwomenoffashioninParis——LadyBrandon，theDuchessedeLangeais，theComtessedeKergarouet，Mme。deSerizy，theDuchessedeCarigliano，theComtesseFerraud，Mme。deLanty，theMarquised’Aiglemont，Mme。Firmiani，theMarquisedeListomereandtheMarquised’Espard，theDuchessedeMaufrigneuseandtheGrandlieus。Luckily，therefore，forhim，thenovicehappenedupontheMarquisdeMontriveau，theloveroftheDuchessedeLangeais，ageneralassimpleasachild；fromhimRastignaclearnedthattheComtesselivedintheRueduHelder。
Ah，whatitistobeyoung，eagertoseetheworld，greedilyonthewatchforanychancethatbringsyounearerthewomanofyourdreams，andbeholdtwohousesopentheirdoorstoyou！TosetfootintheVicomtessedeBeauseant’shouseintheFaubourgSaint-Germain；tofallonyourkneesbeforeaComtessedeRestaudintheChausseed’Antin；tolookatoneglanceacrossavistaofParisdrawing-rooms，consciousthat，possessingsufficientgoodlooks，youmayhopetofindaidandprotectionthereinafeminineheart！Tofeelambitiousenoughtospurnthetight-ropeonwhichyoumustwalkwiththesteadyheadofanacrobatforwhomafallisimpossible，andtofindinacharmingwomanthebestofallbalancingpoles。
Hesattherewithhisthoughtsforawhile，Lawontheonehand，andPovertyontheother，beholdingaradiantvisionofawomanriseabovethedull，smoulderingfire。WhowouldnothavepausedandquestionedthefutureasEugenewasdoing？whowouldnothavepictureditfullofsuccess？Hiswonderingthoughtstookwings；
hewastransportedoutofthepresentintothatblissfulfuture；
hewassittingbyMme。deRestaud’sside，whenasortofsigh，likethegruntofanoverburdenedSt。Joseph，brokethesilenceofthenight。Itvibratedthroughthestudent，whotookthesoundforadeathgroan。Heopenedhisdoornoiselessly，wentoutuponthelanding，andsawathinstreakoflightunderFatherGoriot’sdoor。Eugenefearedthathisneighborhadbeentakenill；hewentoverandlookedthroughthekeyhole；theoldmanwasbusilyengagedinanoccupationsosingularandsosuspiciousthatRastignacthoughthewasonlydoingapieceofnecessaryservicetosocietytowatchtheself-styledvermicellimaker’snocturnalindustries。
Thetablewasupturned，andGoriothaddoubtlessinsomewaysecuredasilverplateandcuptothebarbeforeknottingathickroperoundthem；hewaspullingatthisropewithsuchenormousforcethattheywerebeingcrushedandtwistedoutofshape；toallappearancehemeanttoconverttherichlywroughtmetalintoingots。
“Peste！whataman！“saidRastignac，ashewatchedGoriot’smusculararms；therewasnotasoundintheroomwhiletheoldman，withtheaidoftherope，waskneadingthesilverlikedough。“Washethen，indeed，athief，orareceiverofstolengoods，whoaffectedimbecilityanddecrepitude，andlivedlikeabeggarthathemightcarryonhispursuitsthemoresecurely？“
Eugenestoodforamomentrevolvingthesequestions，thenhelookedagainthroughthekeyhole。
FatherGoriothadunwoundhiscoilofrope；hehadcoveredthetablewithablanket，andwasnowemployedinrollingtheflattenedmassofsilverintoabar，anoperationwhichheperformedwithmarvelousdexterity。
“Why，hemustbeasstrongasAugustus，KingofPoland！“saidEugenetohimselfwhenthebarwasnearlyfinished。
FatherGoriotlookedsadlyathishandiwork，tearsfellfromhiseyes，heblewoutthedipwhichhadservedhimforalightwhilehemanipulatedthesilver，andEugeneheardhimsighashelaydownagain。
“Heismad。”thoughtthestudent。
“Poorchild！“FatherGoriotsaidaloud。Rastignac，hearingthosewords，concludedtokeepsilence；hewouldnothastilycondemnhisneighbor。Hewasjustinthedoorwayofhisroomwhenastrangesoundfromthestaircasebelowreachedhisears；itmighthavebeenmadebytwomencomingupinlistslippers。Eugenelistened；twomentherecertainlywere，hecouldheartheirbreathing。Yettherehadbeennosoundofopeningthestreetdoor，nofootstepsinthepassage。Suddenly，too，hesawafaintgleamoflightonthesecondstory；itcamefromM。Vautrin’sroom。
“Thereareagoodmanymysterieshereforalodging-house！“hesaidtohimself。
Hewentpartofthewaydownstairsandlistenedagain。Therattleofgoldreachedhisears。Inanothermomentthelightwasputout，andagainhedistinctlyheardthebreathingoftwomen，butnosoundofadoorbeingopenedorshut。Thetwomenwentdownstairs，thefaintsoundsgrowingfainterastheywent。
“Whoisthere？“criedMme。Vauqueroutofherbedroomwindow。
“I，Mme。Vauquer。”answeredVautrin’sdeepbassvoice。“Iamcomingin。”
“Thatisodd！Christophedrewthebolts。”saidEugene，goingbacktohisroom。“Youhavetositupatnight，itseems，ifyoureallymeantoknowallthatisgoingonaboutyouinParis。”
Theseincidentsturnedhisthoughtfromhisambitiousdreams；hebetookhimselftohiswork，buthisthoughtwanderedbacktoFatherGoriot’ssuspiciousoccupation；Mme。deRestaud’sfaceswamagainandagainbeforehiseyeslikeavisionofabrilliantfuture；andatlasthelaydownandsleptwithclenchedfists。
Whenayoungmanmakesuphismindthathewillworkallnight，thechancesarethatseventimesoutoftenhewillsleeptillmorning。Suchvigilsdonotbeginbeforeweareturnedtwenty。
ThenextmorningPariswaswrappedinoneofthedensefogsthatthrowthemostpunctualpeopleoutintheircalculationsastothetime；eventhemostbusiness-likefolkfailtokeeptheirappointmentsinsuchweather，andordinarymortalswakeupatnoonandfancyitiseighto’clock。Onthismorningitwashalf-
pastnine，andMme。Vauquerstilllayabed。Christophewaslate，Sylviewaslate，butthetwosatcomfortablytakingtheircoffeeasusual。ItwasSylvie’scustomtotakethecreamoffthemilkdestinedfortheboarders’breakfastforherown，andtoboiltheremainderforsometime，sothatmadameshouldnotdiscoverthisillegalexaction。
“Sylvie。”saidChristophe，ashedippedapieceoftoastintothecoffee，“M。Vautrin，whoisnotsuchabadsort，allthesame，hadtwopeoplecometoseehimagainlastnight。Ifmadamesaysanything，mindyousaynothingaboutit。”
“Hashegivenyousomething？“
“Hegavemeafive-francpiecethismonth，whichisasgoodassaying，’Holdyourtongue。’“
“ExcepthimandMme。Couture，whodoesn’tlooktwiceateverypenny，there’snooneinthehousethatdoesn’ttrytogetbackwiththelefthandallthattheygivewiththerightatNewYear。”saidSylvie。
“And，afterall。”saidChristophe，“whatdotheygiveyou？A
miserablefive-francpiece。ThereisFatherGoriot，whohascleanedhisshoeshimselfthesetwoyearspast。ThereisthatoldbeggarPoiret，whogoeswithoutblackingaltogether；hewouldsoonerdrinkitthanputitonhisboots。Thenthereisthatwhipper-snapperofastudent，whogivesmeacoupleoffrancs，Twofrancswillnotpayformybrushes，andhesellshisoldclothes，andgetsmoreforthemthantheyareworth。Oh！they’reashabbylot！“
“Pooh！“saidSylvie，sippinghercoffee，“ourplacesarethebestintheQuarter，thatIknow。ButaboutthatgreatbigchapVautrin，Christophe；hasanyonetoldyouanythingabouthim？“
“Yes。Imetagentlemaninthestreetafewdaysago；hesaidtome，’There’sagentlemaninyourplace，isn’tthere？atallmanthatdyeshiswhiskers？’Itoldhim，’No，sir；theyaren’tdyed。
Agayfellowlikehimhasn’tthetimetodoit。’AndwhenItoldM。Vautrinaboutitafterwards，hesaid，’Quiteright，myboy。
Thatisthewaytoanswerthem。Thereisnothingmoreunpleasantthantohaveyourlittleweaknessesknown；itmightspoilmanyamatch。’“
“Well，andformypart。”saidSylvie，“amantriedtohumbugmeatthemarketwantingtoknowifIhadseenhimputonhisshirt。
Suchbosh！There。”shecried，interruptingherself，“that’saquartertotenstrikingattheVal-de-Grace，andnotasoulstirring！“
“Pooh！theyareallgoneout。Mme。Coutureandthegirlwentoutateighto’clocktotakethewaferatSaint-Etienne。FatherGoriotstartedoffsomewherewithaparcel，andthestudentwon’tbebackfromhislecturetillteno’clock。IsawthemgowhileI
wassweepingthestairs；FatherGoriotknockedupagainstme，andhisparcelwasashardasiron。Whatistheoldfellowupto，I
wonder？Heisasgoodasaplaythingfortherestofthem；theycanneverlethimalone；butheisagoodman，allthesame，andworthmorethanallofthemputtogether。Hedoesn’tgiveyoumuchhimself，buthesometimessendsyouwithamessagetoladieswhoforkoutfamoustips；theyaredressedgrandly，too。”
“Hisdaughters，ashecallsthem，eh？Thereareadozenofthem。”
“Ihaveneverbeentomorethantwo——thetwowhocamehere。”
“Thereismadamemovingoverhead；Ishallhavetogo，orshewillraiseafineracket。Justkeepaneyeonthemilk，Christophe；
don’tletthecatgetatit。”
Sylviewentuptohermistress’room。
“Sylvie！Howisthis？It’snearlyteno’clock，andyouletmesleeplikeadormouse！Suchathinghasneverhappenedbefore。”
“It’sthefog；itisthatthick，youcouldcutitwithaknife。”
“Buthowaboutbreakfast？“
“Bah！theboardersarepossessed，I’msure。Theyallclearedoutbeforetherewasawinkofdaylight。”
“Dospeakproperly，Sylvie。”Mme。Vauquerretorted；“sayablinkofdaylight。”
“Ah，well，madame，whicheveryouplease。Anyhow，youcanhavebreakfastatteno’clock。LaMichonnetteandPoirethaveneitherofthemstirred。Thereareonlythosetwoupstairs，andtheyaresleepinglikethelogstheyare。”
“But，Sylvie，youputtheirnamestogetherasif——“
“Asifwhat？“saidSylvie，burstingintoaguffaw。“Thetwoofthemmakeapair。”
“Itisastrangething，isn’tit，Sylvie，howM。VautringotinlastnightafterChristophehadboltedthedoor？“
“Notatall，madame。ChristopheheardM。Vautrin，andwentdownandundidthedoor。Andhereareyouimaginingthat——？“
“Givememybodice，andbequickandgetbreakfastready。Dishuptherestofthemuttonwiththepotatoes，andyoucanputthestewedpearsonthetable，thoseatfiveapenny。”
AfewmomentslaterMme。Vauquercamedown，justintimetoseethecatknockdownaplatethatcoveredabowlofmilk，andbegintolapinallhaste。
“Mistigris！“shecried。
Thecatfled，butpromptlyreturnedtorubagainstherankles。
“Oh！yes，youcanwheedle，youoldhypocrite！“shesaid。“Sylvie！
Sylvie！“
“Yes，madame；whatisit？“
“Justseewhatthecathasdone！“
“ItisallthatstupidChristophe’sfault。Itoldhimtostopandlaythetable。Whathasbecomeofhim？Don’tyouworry，madame；
FatherGoriotshallhaveit。Iwillfillitupwithwater，andhewon’tknowthedifference；henevernoticesanything，notevenwhatheeats。”
“Iwonderwheretheoldheathencanhavegone？“saidMme。
Vauquer，settingtheplatesroundthetable。
“Whoknows？Heisuptoallsortsoftricks。”
“Ihaveoversleptmyself。”saidMme。Vauquer。
“Butmadamelooksasfreshasarose，allthesame。”
Thedoorbellrangatthatmoment，andVautrincamethroughthesitting-room，singingloudly：
“’Tisthesameoldstoryeverywhere，Arovingheartandarovingglance……
“Oh！MammaVauquer！good-morning！“hecriedatthesightofhishostess，andheputhisarmgailyroundherwaist。
“There！havedone——“
“’Impertinence！’Sayit！“heanswered。“Come，sayit！Now，isn’tthatwhatyoureallymean？Stopabit，Iwillhelpyoutosetthetable。Ah！Iamaniceman，amInot？
“ForthelocksofbrownandthegoldenhairAsighinglover……
“Oh！Ihavejustseensomethingsofunny……ledbychance。”
“What？“askedthewidow。
“FatherGoriotinthegoldsmith’sshopintheRueDauphineathalf-pasteightthismorning。Theybuyoldspoonsandforksandgoldlacethere，andGoriotsoldapieceofsilverplateforagoodroundsum。Ithadbeentwistedoutofshapeveryneatlyforamanthat’snotusedtothetrade。”
“Really？Youdon’tsayso？“
“Yes。Oneofmyfriendsisexpatriatinghimself；IhadbeentoseehimoffonboardtheRoyalMailsteamer，andwascomingbackhere。IwaitedafterthattoseewhatFatherGoriotwoulddo；itisacomicalaffair。Hecamebacktothisquarteroftheworld，totheRuedesGres，andwentintoamoney-lender’shouse；
everybodyknowshim，Gobseck，astuck-uprascal，thatwouldmakedominoesoutofhisfather’sbones，aTurk，aheathen，anoldJew，aGreek；itwouldbeadifficultmattertorobHIM，forheputsallhiscoinintotheBank。”
“ThenwhatwasFatherGoriotdoingthere？“
“Doing？“saidVautrin。“Nothing；hewasbentonhisownundoing。
Heisasimpleton，stupidenoughtoruinhimselfbyrunningafter——“
“Thereheis！“criedSylvie。
“Christophe。”criedFatherGoriot’svoice，“comeupstairswithme。”
Christophewentup，andshortlyafterwardscamedownagain。
“Whereareyougoing？“Mme。Vauqueraskedofherservant。
“OutonanerrandforM。Goriot。”
“Whatmaythatbe？“saidVautrin，pouncingonaletterinChristophe’shand。“Mme。laComtesseAnastasiedeRestaud。”heread。“Whereareyougoingwithit？“headded，ashegavetheletterbacktoChristophe。
“TotheRueduHelder。Ihaveorderstogivethisintoherhandsmyself。”
“Whatisthereinsideit？“saidVautrin，holdingtheletteruptothelight。“Abanknote？No。”Hepeeredintotheenvelope。“A
receiptedaccount！“hecried。“Myword！’tisagallantolddotard。Offwithyou，oldchap。”hesaid，bringingdownahandonChristophe’shead，andspinningthemanroundlikeathimble；
“youwillhaveafamoustip。”
Bythistimethetablewasset。Sylviewasboilingthemilk，Mme。
VauquerwaslightingafireinthestovewithsomeassistancefromVautrin，whokepthummingtohimself：
“Thesameoldstoryeverywhere，Arovingheartandarovingglance。”
Wheneverythingwasready，Mme。CoutureandMlle。Taillefercamein。
“Wherehaveyoubeenthismorning，fairlady？“saidMme。Vauquer，turningtoMme。Couture。
“WehavejustbeentosayourprayersatSaint-EtienneduMont。
To-dayisthedaywhenwemustgotoseeM。Taillefer。Poorlittlething！Sheistremblinglikealeaf。”Mme。Couturewenton，assheseatedherselfbeforethefireandheldthesteamingsolesofherbootstotheblaze。
“Warmyourself，Victorine。”saidMme。Vauquer。
“Itisquiterightandproper，mademoiselle，topraytoHeaventosoftenyourfather’sheart。”saidVautrin，ashedrewachairnearertotheorphangirl；“butthatisnotenough。Whatyouwantisafriendwhowillgivethemonsterapieceofhismind；abarbarianthathasthreemillionssotheysay，andwillnotgiveyouadowry；andaprettygirlneedsadowrynowadays。”
“Poorchild！“saidMme。Vauquer。“Nevermind，mypet，yourwretchofafatherisgoingjustthewaytobringtroubleuponhimself。”
Victorine’seyesfilledwithtearsatthewords，andthewidowcheckedherselfatasignfromMme。Couture。
“Ifwecouldonlyseehim！“saidtheCommissary-General’swidow；
“ifIcouldspeaktohimmyselfandgivehimhiswife’slastletter！Ihaveneverdaredtoruntheriskofsendingitbypost；
heknewmyhandwriting——“
“’Ohwoman，persecutedandinjuredinnocent！’“exclaimedVautrin，breakinginuponher。“Sothatishowyouare，isit？Inafewdays’timeIwilllookintoyouraffairs，anditwillbeallright，youshallsee。”
“Oh！sir。”saidVictorine，withatearfulbuteagerglanceatVautrin，whoshowednosignofbeingtouchedbyit，“ifyouknowofanywayofcommunicatingwithmyfather，pleasebesureandtellhimthathisaffectionandmymother’shonoraremoretomethanallthemoneyintheworld。Ifyoucaninducehimtorelentalittletowardsme，IwillpraytoGodforyou。Youmaybesureofmygratitude——“
“Thesameoldstoryeverywhere。”sangVautrin，withasatiricalintonation。Atthisjuncture，Goriot，Mlle。Michonneau，andPoiretcamedownstairstogether；possiblythescentofthegravywhichSylviewasmakingtoservewiththemuttonhadannouncedbreakfast。Thesevenpeoplethusassembledbadeeachothergood-
morning，andtooktheirplacesatthetable；theclockstruckten，andthestudent’sfootstepwasheardoutside。
“Ah！hereyouare，M。Eugene。”saidSylvie；“everyoneisbreakfastingathometo-day。”
Thestudentexchangedgreetingswiththelodgers，andsatdownbesideGoriot。
“Ihavejustmetwithaqueeradventure。”hesaid，ashehelpedhimselfabundantlytothemutton，andcutasliceofbread，whichMme。Vauquer’seyesgaugedasusual。
“Anadventure？“queriedPoiret。
“Well，andwhatistheretoastonishyouinthat，oldboy？“
VautrinaskedofPoiret。“M。Eugeneiscutoutforthatkindofthing。”
Mlle。Tailleferstoleatimidglanceattheyoungstudent。
“Tellusaboutyouradventure！“demandedM。Vautrin。
“YesterdayeveningIwenttoaballgivenbyacousinofmine，theVicomtessedeBeauseant。Shehasamagnificenthouse；theroomsarehungwithsilk——inshort，itwasasplendidaffair，andIwasashappyasaking——“
“Fisher。”putinVautrin，interrupting。
“Whatdoyoumean，sir？“saidEugenesharply。
“Isaid’fisher，’becausekingfishersseeagooddealmorefunthankings。”
“Quitetrue；Iwouldmuchratherbethelittlecarelessbirdthanaking。”saidPoirettheditto-ist，“because——“
“Infact“——thelaw-studentcuthimshort——“Idancedwithoneofthehandsomestwomenintheroom，acharmingcountess，themostexquisitecreatureIhaveeverseen。Therewaspeachblossominherhair，andshehadtheloveliestbouquetofflowers——realflowers，thatscentedtheair——butthere！itisnousetryingtodescribeawomanglowingwiththedance。Yououghttohaveseenher！Well，andthismorningImetthisdivinecountessaboutnineo’clock，onfootintheRuedeGres。Oh！howmyheartbeat！
Ibegantothink——“
“Thatshewascominghere。”saidVautrin，withakeenlookatthestudent。“IexpectthatshewasgoingtocallonoldGobseck，amoney-lender。IfeveryouexploreaParisianwoman’sheart，youwillfindthemoney-lenderfirst，andtheloverafterwards。YourcountessiscalledAnastasiedeRestaud，andshelivesintheRueduHelder。”
ThestudentstaredhardatVautrin。FatherGoriotraisedhisheadatthewords，andgavethetwospeakersaglancesofullofintelligenceanduneasinessthatthelodgersbeheldhimwithastonishment。
“ThenChristophewastoolate，andshemusthavegonetohim！“
criedGoriot，withanguishinhisvoice。
“ItisjustasIguessed。”saidVautrin，leaningovertowhisperinMme。Vauquer’sear。
Goriotwentonwithhisbreakfast，butseemedunconsciousofwhathewasdoing。Hehadneverlookedmorestupidnormoretakenupwithhisownthoughtsthanhedidatthatmoment。
“Whothedevilcouldhavetoldyouhername，M。Vautrin？“askedEugene。
“Aha！thereyouare！“answeredVautrin。“OldFatherGoriotthereknewitquitewell！andwhyshouldInotknowittoo？“
“M。Goriot？“thestudentcried。
“Whatisit？“askedtheoldman。“Soshewasverybeautiful，wasshe，yesterdaynight？“
“Who？“
“Mme。deRestaud。”
“Lookattheoldwretch。”saidMme。Vauquer，speakingtoVautrin；
“howhiseyeslightup！“
“Thendoeshereallykeepher？“saidMlle。Michonneau，inawhispertothestudent。
“Oh！yes，shewastremendouslypretty。”Eugeneanswered。FatherGoriotwatchedhimwitheagereyes。“IfMme。deBeauseanthadnotbeenthere，mydivinecountesswouldhavebeenthequeenoftheball；noneoftheyoungermenhadeyesforanyoneelse。Iwasthetwelfthonherlist，andshedancedeveryquadrille。Theotherwomenwerefurious。Shemusthaveenjoyedherself，ifevercreaturedid！Itisatruesayingthatthereisnomorebeautifulsightthanafrigateinfullsail，agallopinghorse，orawomandancing。”
“Sothewheelturns。”saidVautrin；“yesterdaynightataduchess’ball，thismorninginamoney-lender’soffice，onthelowestrungoftheladder——justlikeaParisienne！Iftheirhusbandscannotaffordtopayfortheirfranticextravagance，theywillsellthemselves。Oriftheycannotdothat，theywilltearouttheirmothers’heartstofindsomethingtopayfortheirsplendor。Theywillturntheworldupsidedown。JustaParisiennethroughandthrough！“
FatherGoriot’sface，whichhadshoneatthestudent’swordslikethesunonabrightday，cloudedoverallatonceatthiscruelspeechofVautrin’s。
“Well。”saidMme。Vauquer，“butwhereisyouradventure？Didyouspeaktoher？Didyouaskherifshewantedtostudylaw？“
“Shedidnotseeme。”saidEugene。“ButonlythinkofmeetingoneoftheprettiestwomeninParisintheRuedesGresatnineo’clock！Shecouldnothavereachedhomeaftertheballtilltwoo’clockthismorning。Wasn’titqueer？ThereisnoplacelikeParisforthissortofadventures。”
“Pshaw！muchfunnierthingsthanTHAThappenhere！“exclaimedVautrin。
Mlle。Tailleferhadscarcelyheededthetalk，shewassoabsorbedbythethoughtofthenewattemptthatshewasabouttomake。
Mme。Couturemadeasignthatitwastimetogoupstairsanddress；thetwoladieswentout，andFatherGoriotfollowedtheirexample。
“Well，didyousee？“saidMme。Vauquer，addressingVautrinandtherestofthecircle。“Heisruininghimselfforthosewomen，thatisplain。”
“NothingwillevermakemebelievethatthatbeautifulComtessedeRestaudisanythingtoFatherGoriot。”criedthestudent。
“Well，andifyoudon’t。”brokeinVautrin，“wearenotsetonconvincingyou。YouaretooyoungtoknowParisthoroughlyyet；
lateronyouwillfindoutthattherearewhatwecallmenwithapassion——“
Mlle。MichonneaugaveVautrinaquickglanceatthesewords。Theyseemedtobelikethesoundofatrumpettoatrooper’shorse。
“Aha！“saidVautrin，stoppinginhisspeechtogiveherasearchingglance，“sowehavehadourlittleexperiences，havewe？“
Theoldmaidloweredhereyeslikeanunwhoseesastatue。
“Well。”hewenton，“whenfolkofthatkindgetanotionintotheirheads，theycannotdropit。Theymustdrinkthewaterfromsomeparticularspring——itisstagnantasoftenasnot；buttheywillselltheirwivesandfamilies，theywillselltheirownsoulstothedeviltogetit。Forsomethisspringisplay，orthestock-exchange，ormusic，oracollectionofpicturesorinsects；forothersitissomewomanwhocangivethemthedaintiestheylike。Youmightoffertheselastallthewomenonearth——theywouldturnuptheirnoses；theywillhavetheonlyonewhocangratifytheirpassion。Itoftenhappensthatthewomandoesnotcareforthematall，andtreatsthemcruelly；
theybuytheirmorselsofsatisfactionverydear；butnomatter，thefoolsarenevertiredofit；theywilltaketheirlastblankettothepawnbroker’stogivetheirlastfive-francpiecetoher。FatherGoriothereisoneofthatsort。Heisdiscreet，sotheCountessexploitshim——justthewayofthegayworld。Thepooroldfellowthinksofherandofnothingelse。Inallotherrespectsyouseeheisastupidanimal；butgethimonthatsubject，andhiseyessparklelikediamonds。Thatsecretisnotdifficulttoguess。Hetooksomeplatehimselfthismorningtothemelting-pot，andIsawhimatDaddyGobseck’sintheRuedesGres。Andnow，markwhatfollows——hecamebackhere，andgavealetterfortheComtessedeRestaudtothatnoodleofaChristophe，whoshowedustheaddress；therewasareceiptedbillinsideit。ItisclearthatitwasanurgentmatteriftheCountessalsowentherselftotheoldmoneylender。FatherGoriothasfinancedherhandsomely。Thereisnoneedtotackataletogether；thethingisself-evident。Sothatshowsyou，sirstudent，thatallthetimeyourCountesswassmiling，dancing，flirting，swayingherpeach-flowercrownedhead，withhergowngatheredintoherhand，herslipperswerepinchingher，astheysay；shewasthinkingofherprotestedbills，orherlover’sprotestedbills。”
“Youhavemademewildtoknowthetruth。”criedEugene；“IwillgotocallonMme。deRestaudto-morrow。”
“Yes。”echoedPoiret；“youmustgoandcallonMme。deRestaud。”
“AndperhapsyouwillfindFatherGoriotthere，whowilltakepaymentfortheassistancehepolitelyrendered。”
Eugenelookeddisgusted。“Why，then，thisParisofyoursisaslough。”
“Andanuncommonlyqueerslough，too。”repliedVautrin。“Themudsplashesyouasyoudrivethroughitinyourcarriage——youarearespectableperson；yougoafootandaresplashed——youareascoundrel。Youaresounluckyastowalkoffwithsomethingorotherbelongingtosomebodyelse，andtheyexhibityouasacuriosityinthePlaceduPalais-de-Justice；youstealamillion，andyouarepointedoutineverysalonasamodelofvirtue。Andyoupaythirtymillionsforthepoliceandthecourtsofjustice，forthemaintenanceoflawandorder！Aprettyslateofthingsitis！“
“What。”criedMme。Vauquer，“hasFatherGoriotreallymelteddownhissilverposset-dish？“
“Thereweretwoturtle-dovesonthelid，weretherenot？“askedEugene。
“Yes，thattherewere。”
“Then，washefondofit？“saidEugene。“Hecriedwhilehewasbreakingupthecupandplate。Ihappenedtoseehimbyaccident。”
“Itwasdeartohimashisownlife。”answeredthewidow。
“There！youseehowinfatuatedtheoldfellowis！“criedVautrin。
“Thewomanyondercancoaxthesouloutofhim“
Thestudentwentuptohisroom。Vautrinwentout，andafewmomentslaterMme。CoutureandVictorinedroveawayinacabwhichSylviehadcalledforthem。PoiretgavehisarmtoMlle。
Michonneau，andtheywenttogethertospendthetwosunniesthoursofthedayintheJardindesPlantes。
“Well，thosetwoareasgoodasmarried。”wastheportlySylvie’scomment。“Theyaregoingouttogetherto-dayforthefirsttime。
Theyaresuchacoupleofdrysticksthatiftheyhappentostrikeagainsteachothertheywilldrawsparkslikeflintandsteel。”
“KeepclearofMlle。Michonneau’sshawl，then，saidMme。Vauquer，laughing；“itwouldflareupliketinder。”
Atfouro’clockthatevening，whenGoriotcamein，hesaw，bythelightoftwosmokylamps，thatVictorine’seyeswerered。Mme。
VauquerwaslisteningtothehistoryofthevisitmadethatmorningtoM。Taillefer；ithadbeenmadeinvain。Tailleferwastiredoftheannualapplicationmadebyhisdaughterandherelderlyfriend；hegavethemapersonalinterviewinordertoarriveatanunderstandingwiththem。
“Mydearlady。”saidMme。Couture，addressingMme。Vauquer，“justimagineit；hedidnotevenaskVictorinetositdown，shewasstandingthewholetime。Hesaidtomequitecoolly，withoutputtinghimselfinapassion，thatwemightspareourselvesthetroubleofgoingthere；thattheyoungladyhewouldnotcallherhisdaughterwasinjuringhercausebyimportuninghimIMPORTUNING！onceayear，thewretch！；thatasVictorine’smotherhadnothingwhenhemarriedher，Victorineoughtnottoexpectanythingfromhim；infact，hesaidthemostcruelthings，thatmadethepoorchildburstoutcrying。Thelittlethingthrewherselfatherfather’sfeetandspokeupbravely；shesaidthatsheonlyperseveredinhervisitsforhermother’ssake；thatshewouldobeyhimwithoutamurmur，butthatshebeggedhimtoreadherpoordeadmother’sfarewellletter。Shetookitupandgaveittohim，sayingthemostbeautifulthingsintheworld，mostbeautifullyexpressed；Idonotknowwhereshelearnedthem；Godmusthaveputthemintoherhead，forthepoorchildwasinspiredtospeaksonicelythatitmademecrylikeafooltohearhertalk。Andwhatdoyouthinkthemonsterwasdoingallthetime？
Cuttinghisnails！HetooktheletterthatpoorMme。Tailleferhadsoakedwithtears，andflungitontothechimney-piece。
’Thatisallright，’hesaid。Heheldouthishandstoraisehisdaughter，butshecoveredthemwithkisses，andhedrewthemawayagain。Scandalous，isn’tit？Andhisgreatboobyofasoncameinandtooknonoticeofhissister。”
“Whatinhumanwretchestheymustbe！“saidFatherGoriot。
“Andthentheybothwentoutoftheroom。”Mme。Couturewenton，withoutheedingtheworthyvermicellimaker’sexclamation；
“fatherandsonbowedtome，andaskedmetoexcusethemonaccountofurgentbusiness！Thatisthehistoryofourcall。
Well，hehasseenhisdaughteratanyrate。HowhecanrefusetoacknowledgeherIcannotthink，fortheyareasalikeastwopeas。”
Theboardersdroppedinoneafteranother，interchanginggreetingsandemptyjokesthatcertainclassesofParisiansregardashumorousandwitty。Dulnessistheirprevailingingredient，andthewholepointconsistsinmispronouncingawordoragesture。Thiskindofargotisalwayschanging。Theessenceofthejestconsistsinsomecatchwordsuggestedbyapoliticalevent，anincidentinthepolicecourts，astreetsong，orabitofburlesqueatsometheatre，andforgotteninamonth。Anythingandeverythingservestokeepupagameofbattledoreandshuttlecockwithwordsandideas。Thediorama，arecentinvention，whichcarriedanopticalillusionadegreefurtherthanpanoramas，hadgivenrisetoamaniaamongartstudentsforendingeverywordwithRAMA。TheMaisonVauquerhadcaughttheinfectionfromayoungartistamongtheboarders。
“Well，Monsieur-r-rPoiret。”saidtheemployefromtheMuseum，“howisyourhealth-orama？“Then，withoutwaitingforananswer，heturnedtoMme。CoutureandVictorinewitha“Ladies，youseemmelancholy。”
“Isdinnerready？“criedHoraceBianchon，amedicalstudent，andafriendofRastignac’s；“mystomachissinkingusqueadtalones。”
“Thereisanuncommonfrozeramaoutside。”saidVautrin。“Makeroomthere，FatherGoriot！Confoundit，yourfootcoversthewholefrontofthestove。”
“IllustriousM。Vautrin。”putinBianchon，“whydoyousayfrozerama？Itisincorrect；itshouldbefrozenrama。”
“No，itshouldn’t。”saidtheofficialfromtheMuseum；“frozeramaisrightbythesamerulethatyousay’Myfeetarefroze。’“
“Ah！ah！“
“HereishisExcellencytheMarquisdeRastignac，DoctoroftheLawofContraries。”criedBianchon，seizingEugenebythethroat，andalmostthrottlinghim。
“Hallothere！hallo！“
Mlle。Michonneaucamenoiselesslyin，bowedtotherestoftheparty，andtookherplacebesidethethreewomenwithoutsayingaword。
“Thatoldbatalwaysmakesmeshudder。”saidBianchoninalowvoice，indicatingMlle。MichonneautoVautrin。“IhavestudiedGall’ssystem，andIamsureshehasthebumpofJudas。”
“Thenyouhaveseenacasebefore？“saidVautrin。
“Whohasnot？“answeredBianchon。“Uponmyword，thatghastlyoldmaidlooksjustlikeoneofthelongwormsthatwillgnawabeamthrough，givethemtimeenough。”
“Thatistheway，youngman。”returnedheofthefortyyearsandthedyedwhiskers：
“Therosehaslivedthelifeofarose——
Amorning’sspace。”
“Aha！hereisamagnificentsoupe-au-rama。”criedPoiretasChristophecameinbearingthesoupwithcautiousheed。
“Ibegyourpardon，sir。”saidMme。Vauquer；“itissoupeauxchoux。”
Alltheyoungmenroaredwithlaughter。
“Hadyouthere，Poiret！“
“Poir-r-r-rette！shehadyouthere！“
“ScoretwopointstoMammaVauquer。”saidVautrin。
“Didanyofyounoticethefogthismorning？“askedtheofficial。
“Itwasafranticfog。”saidBianchon，“afogunparalleled，doleful，melancholy，sea-green，asthmatical——aGoriotofafog！“
“AGoriorama。”saidtheartstudent，“becauseyoucouldn’tseeathinginit。”
“Hey！MilordGaoriotte，theyairtalkingaboutyoo-o-ou！“
FatherGoriot，seatedatthelowerendofthetable，closetothedoorthroughwhichtheservantentered，raisedhisface；hehadsmeltatascrapofbreadthatlayunderhistablenapkin，anoldtrickacquiredinhiscommercialcapacity，thatstillshoweditselfattimes。
“Well。”MadameVauquercriedinsharptones，thatrangabovetherattleofspoonsandplatesandthesoundofothervoices，“andisthereanythingthematterwiththebread？“
“Nothingwhatever，madame。”heanswered；“onthecontrary，itismadeofthebestqualityofcorn；flourfromEtampes。”
“Howcouldyoutell？“askedEugene。
“Bythecolor，bytheflavor。”
“Youknewtheflavorbythesmell，Isuppose。”saidMme。Vauquer。
“Youhavegrownsoeconomical，youwillfindouthowtoliveonthesmellofcookingatlast。”
“Takeoutapatentforit，then。”criedtheMuseumofficial；“youwouldmakeahandsomefortune。”
“Nevermindhim。”saidtheartist；“hedoesthatsortofthingtodeludeusintothinkingthathewasavermicellimaker。”
“Yournoseisacorn-sampler，itappears？“inquiredtheofficial。
“CornWHAT？“askedBianchon。
“Corn-el。”
“Corn-et。”
“Corn-elian。”
“Corn-ice。”
“Corn-ucopia。”
“Corn-crake。”
“Corn-cockle。”
“Corn-orama。”
Theeightresponsescamelikearollingfirefromeverypartoftheroom，andthelaughterthatfollowedwasthemoreuproariousbecausepoorFatherGoriotstaredattheotherswithapuzzledlook，likeaforeignertryingtocatchthemeaningofwordsinalanguagewhichhedoesnotunderstand。
“Corn？……”hesaid，turningtoVautrin，hisnextneighbor。
“Cornonyourfoot，oldman！“saidVautrin，andhedroveFatherGoriot’scapdownoverhiseyesbyablowonthecrown。
Thepooroldmanthussuddenlyattackedwasforamomenttoobewilderedtodoanything。Christophecarriedoffhisplate，thinkingthathehadfinishedhissoup，sothatwhenGoriothadpushedbackhiscapfromhiseyeshisspoonencounteredthetable。Everyoneburstoutlaughing。“Youareadisagreeablejoker，sir。”saidtheoldman，“andifyoutakeanyfurtherlibertieswithme——“
“Well，whatthen，oldboy？“Vautrininterrupted。
“Well，then，youshallpaydearlyforitsomeday——“
“Downbelow，eh？“saidtheartist，“inthelittledarkcornerwheretheyputnaughtyboys。”
“Well，mademoiselle。”Vautrinsaid，turningtoVictorine，“youareeatingnothing。Sopapawasrefractory，washe？“
“Amonster！“saidMme。Couture。
“Mademoisellemightmakeapplicationforalimentpendinghersuit；sheisnoteatinganything。Eh！eh！justseehowFatherGoriotisstaringatMlle。Victorine。”
Theoldmanhadforgottenhisdinner，hewassoabsorbedingazingatthepoorgirl；thesorrowinherfacewasunmistakable，——theslightedloveofachildwhosefatherwouldnotrecognizeher。
“WearemistakenaboutFatherGoriot，mydearboy。”saidEugeneinalowvoice。“Heisnotanidiot，norwantinginenergy。TryyourGallsystemonhim，andletmeknowwhatyouthink。Isawhimcrushasilverdishlastnightasifithadbeenmadeofwax；
thereseemstobesomethingextra-ordinarygoingoninhismindjustnow，tojudgebyhisface。Hislifeissomysteriousthatitmustbeworthstudying。Oh！youmaylaugh，Bianchon；Iamnotjoking。”
“Themanisasubject，ishe？“saidBianchon；“allright！Iwilldissecthim，ifhewillgivemethechance。”
“No；feelhisbumps。”
“Hm！——hisstupiditymightperhapsbecontagious。”
ThenextdayRastignacdressedhimselfveryelegantly，andaboutthreeo’clockintheafternoonwenttocallonMme。deRestaud。
Onthewaythitherheindulgedinthewildintoxicatingdreamswhichfillayoungheadsofullofdeliciousexcitement。Youngmenathisagetakenoaccountofobstaclesnorofdangers；theyseesuccessineverydirection；imaginationhasfreeplay，andturnstheirlivesintoaromance；theyaresaddenedordiscouragedbythecollapseofoneofthevisionaryschemesthathavenoexistencesaveintheirheatedfancy。Ifyouthwerenotignorantandtimid，civilizationwouldbeimpossible。
Eugenetookunheard-ofpainstokeephimselfinaspotlesscondition，butonhiswaythroughthestreetshebegantothinkaboutMme。deRestaudandwhatheshouldsaytoher。Heequippedhimselfwithwit，rehearsedreparteesinthecourseofanimaginaryconversation，andpreparedcertainneatspeechesalaTalleyrand，conjuringupaseriesofsmalleventswhichshouldpreparethewayforthedeclarationonwhichhehadbasedhisfuture；andduringthesemusingsthelawstudentwasbespatteredwithmud，andbythetimehereachedthePalaisRoyalhewasobligedtohavehisbootsblackedandhistrousersbrushed。
“IfIwererich。”hesaid，ashechangedthefive-francpiecehehadbroughtwithhimincaseanythingmighthappen，“Iwouldtakeacab，thenIcouldthinkatmyease。”
AtlasthereachedtheRueduHelder，andaskedfortheComtessedeRestaud。Heborethecontemptuousglancesoftheservants，whohadseenhimcrossthecourtonfoot，withthecoldfuryofamanwhoknowsthathewillsucceedsomeday。Heunderstoodthemeaningoftheirglancesatonce，forhehadfelthisinferiorityassoonasheenteredthecourt，whereasmartcabwaswaiting。
AllthedelightsoflifeinParisseemedtobeimpliedbythisvisibleandmanifestsignofluxuryandextravagance。Afinehorse，inmagnificentharness，waspawingtheground，andallatoncethelawstudentfeltoutofhumorwithhimself。Everycompartmentinhisbrainwhichhehadthoughttofindsofullofwitwasboltedfast；hegrewpositivelystupid。HesentuphisnametotheCountess，andwaitedintheante-chamber，standingononefootbeforeawindowthatlookedoutuponthecourt；
mechanicallyheleanedhiselbowagainstthesash，andstaredbeforehim。Thetimeseemedlong；hewouldhaveleftthehousebutforthesoutherntenacityofpurposewhichworksmiracleswhenitissingle-minded。
“Madameisinherboudoir，andcannotseeanyoneatpresent，sir。”saidtheservant。“Shegavemenoanswer；butifyouwillgointothedining-room，thereissomeonealreadythere。”
Rastignacwasimpressedwithasenseoftheformidablepowerofthelackeywhocanaccuseorcondemnhismastersbyaword；hecoollyopenedthedoorbywhichthemanhadjustenteredtheante-chamber，meaning，nodoubt，toshowtheseinsolentflunkeysthathewasfamiliarwiththehouse；buthefoundthathehadthoughtlesslyprecipitatedhimselfintoasmallroomfullofdressers，wherelampswerestanding，andhot-waterpipes，onwhichtowelswerebeingdried；adarkpassageandabackstaircaselaybeyondit。Stifledlaughterfromtheante-chamberaddedtohisconfusion。
“Thiswaytothedrawing-room，sir。”saidtheservant，withtheexaggeratedrespectwhichseemedtobeonemorejestathisexpense。
Eugeneturnedsoquicklythathestumbledagainstabath。Bygoodluck，hemanagedtokeephishatonhishead，andsaveditfromimmersioninthewater；butjustasheturned，adooropenedatthefurtherendofthedarkpassage，dimlylightedbyasmalllamp。Rastignacheardvoicesandthesoundofakiss；oneofthespeakerswasMme。deRestaud，theotherwasFatherGoriot。Eugenefollowedtheservantthroughthedining-roomintothedrawing-
room；hewenttoawindowthatlookedoutintothecourtyard，andstoodthereforawhile。HemeanttoknowwhetherthisGoriotwasreallytheGoriotthatheknew。Hisheartbeatunwontedlyfast；
herememberedVautrin’shideousinsinuations。Awell-dressedyoungmansuddenlyemergedfromtheroomalmostasEugeneenteredit，sayingimpatientlytotheservantwhostoodatthedoor：“I
amgoing，Maurice。TellMadamelaComtessethatIwaitedmorethanhalfanhourforher。”
Whereuponthisinsolentbeing，who，doubtless，hadarighttobeinsolent，sanganItaliantrill，andwenttowardsthewindowwhereEugenewasstanding，movedtheretoquiteasmuchbyadesiretoseethestudent’sfaceasbyawishtolookoutintothecourtyard。
“ButM。leComtehadbetterwaitamomentlonger；madameisdisengaged。”saidMaurice，ashereturnedtotheante-chamber。
JustatthatmomentFatherGoriotappearedclosetothegate；hehademergedfromadooratthefootofthebackstaircase。Theworthysoulwaspreparingtoopenhisumbrellaregardlessofthefactthatthegreatgatehadopenedtoadmitatilbury，inwhichayoungmanwitharibbonathisbutton-holewasseated。FatherGoriothadscarcelytimetostartbackandsavehimself。Thehorsetookfrightattheumbrella，swerved，anddashedforwardtowardstheflightofsteps。Theyoungmanlookedroundinannoyance，sawFatherGoriot，andgreetedhimashewentoutwithconstrainedcourtesy，suchaspeopleusuallyshowtoamoney-
lendersolongastheyrequirehisservices，orthesortofrespecttheyfeelitnecessarytoshowforsomeonewhosereputationhasbeenblownupon，sothattheyblushtoacknowledgehisacquaintance。FatherGoriotgavehimalittlefriendlynodandagood-naturedsmile。Allthishappenedwithlightningspeed。
EugenewassodeeplyinterestedthatheforgotthathewasnotalonetillhesuddenlyheardtheCountess’voice。
“Oh！Maxime，wereyougoingaway？“shesaidreproachfully，withashadeofpiqueinhermanner。TheCountesshadnotseentheincidentnortheentranceofthetilbury。Rastignacturnedabruptlyandsawherstandingbeforehim，coquettishlydressedinaloosewhitecashmeregownwithknotsofrose-coloredribbonhereandthere；herhairwascarelesslycoiledaboutherhead，asisthewontofParisianwomeninthemorning；therewasasoftfragranceabouther——doubtlessshewasfreshfromabath；——hergracefulformseemedmoreflexible，herbeautymoreluxuriant。
Hereyesglistened。Ayoungmancanseeeverythingataglance；
hefeelstheradiantinfluenceofwomanasaplantdiscernsandabsorbsitsnutrimentfromtheair；hedidnotneedtotouchherhandstofeeltheircoolfreshness。Hesawfaintrosetintsthroughthecashmereofthedressinggown；ithadfallenslightlyopen，givingglimpsesofabarethroat，onwhichthestudent’seyesrested。TheCountesshadnoneedoftheadventitiousaidofcorsets；hergirdledefinedtheoutlinesofherslenderwaist；
herthroatwasachallengetolove；herfeet，thrustintoslippers，weredaintilysmall。AsMaximetookherhandandkissedit，EugenebecameawareofMaxime’sexistence，andtheCountesssawEugene。
“Oh！isthatyouM。deRastignac？Iamverygladtoseeyou。”shesaid，buttherewassomethinginhermannerthatashrewdobserverwouldhavetakenasahinttodepart。
Maxime，astheCountessAnastasiehadcalledtheyoungmanwiththehaughtyinsolenceofbearing，lookedfromEugenetothelady，andfromtheladytoEugene；itwassufficientlyevidentthathewishedtoberidofthelatter。Anexactandfaithfulrenderingoftheglancemightbegiveninthewords：“Lookhere，mydear；I
hopeyouintendtosendthislittlewhipper-snapperabouthisbusiness。”
TheCountessconsultedtheyoungman’sfacewithanintentsubmissivenessthatbetraysallthesecretsofawoman’sheart，andRastignacallatoncebegantohatehimviolently。Tobeginwith，thesightofthefaircarefullyarrangedcurlsontheother’scomelyheadhadconvincedhimthathisowncropwashideous；Maxime’sboots，moreover，wereelegantandspotless，whilehisown，inspiteofallhiscare，boresometracesofhisrecentwalk；and，finally，Maxime’sovercoatfittedtheoutlineofhisfiguregracefully，helookedlikeaprettywoman，whileEugenewaswearingablackcoatathalf-pasttwo。Thequick-
wittedchildoftheCharentefeltthedisadvantageatwhichhewasplacedbesidethistall，slenderdandy，withthecleargazeandthepaleface，oneofthosemenwhowouldruinorphanchildrenwithoutscruple。Mme。deRestaudfledintothenextroomwithoutwaitingforEugenetospeak；shakingouttheskirtsofherdressing-gowninherflight，sothatshelookedlikeawhitebutterfly，andMaximehurriedafterher。Eugene，inafury，followedMaximeandtheCountess，andthethreestoodoncemorefacetofacebythehearthinthelargedrawing-room。ThelawstudentfeltquitesurethattheodiousMaximefoundhimintheway，andevenattheriskofdispleasingMme。deRestaud，hemeanttoannoythedandy。IthadstruckhimallatoncethathehadseentheyoungmanbeforeatMme。deBeauseant’sball；heguessedtherelationbetweenMaximeandMme。deRestaud；andwiththeyouthfulaudacitythatcommitsprodigiousblundersorachievessignalsuccess，hesaidtohimself，“Thisismyrival；I
meantocuthimout。”
Rashresolve！HedidnotknowthatM。leComteMaximedeTrailleswouldwaittillhewasinsulted，soastofirefirstandkillhisman。Eugenewasasportsmanandagoodshot，buthehadnotyethitthebulls’seyetwentytimesoutoftwenty-two。TheyoungCountdroppedintoalowchairbythehearth，tookupthetongs，andmadeupthefiresoviolentlyandsosulkily，thatAnastasie’sfairfacesuddenlycloudedover。SheturnedtoEugene，withacool，questioningglancethataskedplainly，“Whydoyounotgo？“aglancewhichwell-bredpeopleregardasacuetomaketheirexit。
Eugeneassumedanamiableexpression。
“Madame。”hebegan，“Ihastenedtocalluponyou——“
Hestoppedshort。Thedooropened，andtheownerofthetilburysuddenlyappeared。Hehadlefthishatoutside，anddidnotgreettheCountess；helookedmeditativelyatRastignac，andheldouthishandtoMaximewithacordial“Goodmorning。”thatastonishedEugenenotalittle。Theyoungprovincialdidnotunderstandtheamenitiesofatriplealliance。
“M。deRestaud。”saidtheCountess，introducingherhusbandtothelawstudent。
Eugenebowedprofoundly。
“Thisgentleman。”shecontinued，presentingEugenetoherhusband，“isM。deRastignac；heisrelatedtoMme。laVicomtessedeBeauseantthroughtheMarcillacs；Ihadthepleasureofmeetinghimatherlastball。”
RelatedtoMme。laVicomtessedeBeauseantthroughtheMarcillacs！Thesewords，onwhichthecountessthreweversoslightanemphasis，byreasonofthepridethatthemistressofahousetakesinshowingthatsheonlyreceivespeopleofdistinctionasvisitorsinherhouse，producedamagicaleffect。
TheCount’sstiffmannerrelaxedatonceashereturnedthestudent’sbow。
“Delightedtohaveanopportunityofmakingyouracquaintance。”
hesaid。
MaximedeTrailleshimselfgaveEugeneanuneasyglance，andsuddenlydroppedhisinsolentmanner。Themightynamehadallthepowerofafairy’swand；thoseclosedcompartmentsinthesouthernbrainflewopenagain；Rastignac’scarefullydrilledfacultiesreturned。ItwasasifasuddenlighthadpiercedtheobscurityofthisupperworldofParis，andhebegantosee，thougheverythingwasindistinctasyet。Mme。Vauquer’slodging-
houseandFatherGoriotwereveryfarremotefromhisthoughts。
“IthoughtthattheMarcillacswereextinct。”theComtedeRestaudsaid，addressingEugene。
“Yes，theyareextinct。”answeredthelawstudent。“Mygreat-
uncle，theChevalierdeRastignac，marriedtheheiressoftheMarcillacfamily。Theyhadonlyonedaughter，whomarriedtheMarechaldeClarimbault，Mme。deBeauseant’sgrandfatheronthemother’sside。Wearetheyoungerbranchofthefamily，andtheyoungerbranchisallthepoorerbecausemygreat-uncle，theVice-Admiral，lostallthathehadintheKing’sservice。TheGovernmentduringtheRevolutionrefusedtoadmitourclaimswhentheCompagniedesIndeswasliquidated。”
“Wasnotyourgreat-uncleincommandoftheVengeurbefore1789？“
“Yes。”
“Thenhewouldbeacquaintedwithmygrandfather，whocommandedtheWarwick。”
MaximelookedatMme。deRestaudandshruggedhisshoulders，aswhoshouldsay，“Ifheisgoingtodiscussnauticalmatterswiththatfellow，itisalloverwithus。”AnastasieunderstoodtheglancethatM。deTraillesgaveher。Withawoman’sadmirabletact，shebegantosmileandsaid：
“Comewithme，Maxime；Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。WewillleaveyoutwogentlementosailincompanyonboardtheWarwickandtheVengeur。”
SherosetoherfeetandsignedtoMaximetofollowher，mirthandmischiefinherwholeattitude，andthetwowentinthedirectionoftheboudoir。ThemorganaticcoupletouseaconvenientGermanexpressionwhichhasnoexactequivalenthadreachedthedoor，whentheCountinterruptedhimselfinhistalkwithEugene。
“Anastasie！“hecriedpettishly，“juststayamoment，dear；youknowverywellthat——“
“Iamcomingbackinaminute。”sheinterrupted；“IhaveacommissionforMaximetoexecute，andIwanttotellhimaboutit。”
Shecamebackalmostimmediately。Shehadnoticedtheinflectioninherhusband’svoice，andknewthatitwouldnotbesafetoretiretotheboudoir；likeallwomenwhoarecompelledtostudytheirhusbands’charactersinordertohavetheirownway，andwhosebusinessitistoknowexactlyhowfartheycangowithoutendangeringagoodunderstanding，shewasverycarefultoavoidpettycollisionsindomesticlife。ItwasEugenewhohadbroughtaboutthisuntowardincident；sotheCountesslookedatMaximeandindicatedthelawstudentwithanairofexasperation。M。deTraillesaddressedtheCount，theCountess，andEugenewiththepointedremark，“Youarebusy，Idonotwanttointerruptyou；
good-day。”andhewent。
“Justwaitamoment，Maxime！“theCountcalledafterhim。
“Comeanddinewithus。”saidtheCountess，leavingEugeneandherhusbandtogetheroncemore。ShefollowedMaximeintothelittledrawing-room，wheretheysattogethersufficientlylongtofeelsurethatRastignachadtakenhisleave。
Thelawstudentheardtheirlaughter，andtheirvoices，andthepausesintheirtalk；hegrewmalicious，exertedhisconversationalpowersforM。deRestaud，flatteredhim，anddrewhimintodiscussions，totheendthathemightseetheCountessagainanddiscoverthenatureofherrelationswithFatherGoriot。ThisCountesswithahusbandandalover，forMaximeclearlywasherlover，wasamystery。Whatwasthesecrettiethatboundhertotheoldtradesman？Thismysteryhemeanttopenetrate，hopingbyitsmeanstogainasovereignascendencyoverthisfairtypicalParisian。
“Anastasie！“theCountcalledagaintohiswife。
“PoorMaxime！“shesaid，addressingtheyoungman。“Come，wemustresignourselves。Thisevening——“
“Ihope，Nasie。”hesaidinherear，“thatyouwillgiveordersnottoadmitthatyoungster，whoseeyeslightuplikelivecoalswhenhelooksatyou。Hewillmakeyouadeclaration，andcompromiseyou，andthenyouwillcompelmetokillhim。”
“Areyoumad，Maxime？“shesaid。“Ayoungladofastudentis，onthecontrary，acapitallightning-conductor；isnotthatso？Ofcourse，ImeantomakeRestaudfuriouslyjealousofhim。”
Maximeburstoutlaughing，andwentout，followedbytheCountess，whostoodatthewindowtowatchhimintohiscarriage；
heshookhiswhip，andmadehishorseprance。Sheonlyreturnedwhenthegreatgatehadbeenclosedafterhim。
“Whatdoyouthink，dear？“criedtheCount，herhusband，“thisgentleman’sfamilyestateisnotfarfromVerteuil，ontheCharente；hisgreat-uncleandmygrandfatherwereacquainted。”
“Delightedtofindthatwehaveacquaintancesincommon。”saidtheCountess，withapreoccupiedmanner。
“Morethanyouthink。”saidEugene，inalowvoice。
“Whatdoyoumean？“sheaskedquickly。
“Why，onlyjustnow。”saidthestudent，“Isawagentlemangooutatthegate，FatherGoriot，mynextdoorneighborinthehousewhereIamlodging。”
Atthesoundofthisname，andtheprefixthatembellishedit，theCount，whowasstirringthefire，letthetongsfallasthoughtheyhadburnedhisfingers，androsetohisfeet。
“Sir。”hecried，“youmighthavecalledhim’MonsieurGoriot’！“
TheCountessturnedpaleatfirstatthesightofherhusband’svexation，thenshereddened；clearlyshewasembarrassed，heranswerwasmadeinatonethatshetriedtomakenatural，andwithanairofassumedcarelessness：
“Youcouldnotknowanyonewhoisdearertousboth……”
Shebrokeoff，glancedatthepianoasifsomefancyhadcrossedhermind，andasked，“Areyoufondofmusic，M。deRastignac？“
“Exceedingly。”answeredEugene，flushing，anddisconcertedbyadimsuspicionthathehadsomehowbeenguiltyofaclumsypieceoffolly。
“Doyousing？“shecried，goingtothepiano，and，sittingdownbeforeit，shesweptherfingersoverthekeyboardfromendtoend。R-r-r-rah！
“No，madame。”
TheComtedeRestaudwalkedtoandfro。
“Thatisapity；youarewithoutonegreatmeansofsuccess——Ca-
ro，ca-a-ro，ca-a-a-ro，nondu-bi-ta-re。”sangtheCountess。
EugenehadasecondtimewavedamagicwandwhenheutteredGoriot’sname，buttheeffectseemedtobeentirelyoppositetothatproducedbytheformula“relatedtoMme。deBeauseant。”Hispositionwasnotunlikethatofsomevisitorpermittedasafavortoinspectaprivatecollectionofcuriosities，whenbyinadvertencehecomesintocollisionwithaglasscasefullofsculpturedfigures，andthreeorfourheads，imperfectlysecured，fallattheshock。Hewishedtheearthwouldopenandswallowhim。Mme。deRestaud’sexpressionwasreservedandchilly，hereyeshadgrownindifferent，andsedulouslyavoidedmeetingthoseoftheunluckystudentoflaw。
“Madame。”hesaid，“youwishtotalkwithM。deRestaud；permitmetowishyougood-day——“
TheCountessinterruptedhimbyagesture，sayinghastily，“Wheneveryoucometoseeus，bothM。deRestaudandIshallbedelightedtoseeyou。”
Eugenemadeaprofoundbowandtookhisleave，followedbyM。deRestaud，whoinsisted，inspiteofhisremonstrances，onaccompanyinghimintothehall。
“NeitheryourmistressnorIareathometothatgentlemanwhenhecalls。”theCountsaidtoMaurice。
AsEugenesetfootonthesteps，hesawthatitwasraining。
“Come。”saidhetohimself，“somehowIhavejustmadeamessofit，Idonotknowhow。AndnowIamgoingtospoilmyhatandcoatintothebargain。Ioughttostopinmycorner，grindawayatlaw，andneverlooktobeanythingbutaboorishcountrymagistrate。HowcanIgointosociety，whentomanageproperlyyouwantalotofcabs，varnishedboots，goldwatchchains，andallsortsofthings；youhavetowearwhitedoeskinglovesthatcostsixfrancsinthemorning，andprimrosekidgloveseveryevening？AfigforthatoldhumbugofaGoriot！“
Whenhereachedthestreetdoor，thedriverofahackneycoach，whohadprobablyjustdepositedaweddingpartyattheirdoor，andaskednothingbetterthanachanceofmakingalittlemoneyforhimselfwithouthisemployer’sknowledge，sawthatEugenehadnoumbrella，remarkedhisblackcoat，whitewaistcoat，yellowgloves，andvarnishedboots，andstoppedandlookedathiminquiringly。Eugene，intheblinddesperationthatdrivesayoungmantoplungedeeperanddeeperintoanabyss，asifhemighthopetofindafortunateissueinitslowestdepths，noddedinreplytothedriver’ssignal，andsteppedintothecab；afewstraypetalsoforangeblossomandscrapsofwireborewitnesstoitsrecentoccupationbyaweddingparty。