Theworldlaybeforehim。Histailorhadbeensummonedandsounded，andhadfinallysurrendered。WhenRastignacmetM。deTrailles，hehadseenatoncehowgreatapartthetailorplaysinayoungman’scareer；atailoriseitheradeadlyenemyorastaunchfriend，withaninvoiceforabondoffriendship；betweenthesetwoextremesthereis，alack！nomiddleterm。InthisrepresentativeofhiscraftEugenediscoveredamanwhounderstoodthathiswasasortofpaternalfunctionforyoungmenattheirentranceintolife，whoregardedhimselfasastepping-
stonebetweenayoungman’spresentandfuture。AndRastignacingratitudemadetheman’sfortunebyanepigramofakindinwhichheexcelledatalaterperiodofhislife。
“Ihavetwiceknownapairoftrousersturnedoutbyhimmakeamatchoftwentythousandlivresayear！“
Fifteenhundredfrancs，andasmanysuitsofclothesashechosetoorder！AtthatmomentthepoorchildoftheSouthfeltnomoredoubtsofanykind。Theyoungmanwentdowntobreakfastwiththeindefinableairwhichtheconsciousnessofthepossessionofmoneygivestoyouth。Nosoonerarethecoinsslippedintoastudent’spocketthanhiswealth，inimaginationatleast，ispiledintoafantasticcolumn，whichaffordshimamoralsupport。
Hebeginstoholduphisheadashewalks；heisconsciousthathehasameansofbringinghispowerstobearonagivenpoint；
helooksyoustraightintheface；hisgesturesarequickanddecided；onlyyesterdayhewasdiffidentandshy，anyonemighthavepushedhimaside；to-morrow，hewilltakethewallofaprimeminister。Amiraclehasbeenwroughtinhim。Nothingisbeyondthereachofhisambition，andhisambitionsoarsatrandom；heislight-hearted，generous，andenthusiastic；inshort，thefledglingbirdhasdiscoveredthathehaswings。A
poorstudentsnatchesateverychancepleasuremuchasadogrunsallsortsofriskstostealabone，crackingitandsuckingthemarrowashefliesfrompursuit；butayoungmanwhocanrattleafewrunawaygoldcoinsinhispocketcantakehispleasuredeliberately，cantastethewholeofthesweetsofsecurepossession；hesoarsfaraboveearth；hehasforgottenwhatthewordPOVERTYmeans；allParisishis。Thosearedayswhenthewholeworldshinesradiantwithlight，wheneverythingglowsandsparklesbeforetheeyesofyouth，daysthatbringjoyousenergythatisneverbroughtintoharness，daysofdebtsandofpainfulfearsthatgohandinhandwitheverydelight。ThosewhodonotknowtheleftbankoftheSeinebetweentheRueSaint-JacquesandtheRuedesSaints-Peresknownothingoflife。
“Ah！ifthewomenofParisbutknew。”saidRastignac，ashedevouredMme。Vauquer’sstewedpearsatfiveforapenny，“theywouldcomehereinsearchofalover。”
JustthenaporterfromtheMessageriesRoyalesappearedatthedooroftheroom；theyhadpreviouslyheardthebellringasthewicketopenedtoadmithim。ThemanaskedforM。EugenedeRastignac，holdingouttwobagsforhimtotake，andaformofreceiptforhissignature。Vautrin’skeenglancecutEugenelikealash。
“Nowyouwillbeabletopayforthosefencinglessonsandgototheshootinggallery。”hesaid。
“Yourshiphascomein。”saidMme。Vauquer，eyeingthebags。
Mlle。Michonneaudidnotdaretolookatthemoney，forfearhereyesshouldbetrayhercupidity。
“Youhaveakindmother。”saidMme。Couture。
“Youhaveakindmother，sir。”echoedPoiret。
“Yes，mammahasbeendraineddry。”saidVautrin，“andnowyoucanhaveyourfling，gointosociety，andfishforheiresses，anddancewithcountesseswhohavepeachblossomintheirhair。Buttakemyadvice，youngman，anddon’tneglectyourpistolpractice。”
Vautrinstruckanattitude，asifhewerefacinganantagonist。
Rastignac，meaningtogivetheporteratip，feltinhispocketsandfoundnothing。Vautrinflungdownafrancpieceonthetable。
“Yourcreditisgood。”heremarked，eyeingthestudent，andRastignacwasforcedtothankhim，though，sincethesharpencounterofwitsatdinnerthatday，afterEugenecameinfromcallingonMme。deBeauseant，hehadmadeuphismindthatVautrinwasinsufferable。Foraweek，infact，theyhadbothkeptsilenceineachother’spresence，andwatchedeachother。Thestudenttriedinvaintoaccounttohimselfforthisattitude。
Anidea，ofcourse，gainsinforcebytheenergywithwhichitisexpressed；itstrikeswherethebrainsendsit，byalawasmathematicallyexactasthelawthatdeterminesthecourseofashellfromamortar。Theamountofimpressionitmakesisnottobedeterminedsoexactly。Sometimes，inanimpressiblenature，theideaworkshavoc，butthereare，noless，naturessorobustlyprotected，thatthissortofprojectilefallsflatandharmlessonskullsoftriplebrass，ascannon-shotagainstsolidmasonry；
thenthereareflaccidandspongy-fibrednaturesintowhichideasfromwithoutsinklikespentbulletsintotheearthworksofaredoubt。Rastignac’sheadwassomethingofthepowder-magazineorder；theleastshocksufficedtobringaboutanexplosion。Hewastooquick，tooyoung，nottobereadilyaccessibletoideas；
andopentothatsubtleinfluenceofthoughtandfeelinginotherswhichcausessomanystrangephenomenathatmakeanimpressionuponusofwhichweareallunconsciousatthetime。
Nothingescapedhismentalvision；hewaslynx-eyed；inhimthementalpowersofperception，whichseemlikeduplicatesofthesenses，hadthemysteriouspowerofswiftprojectionthatastonishesusinintellectsofahighorder——slingerswhoarequicktodetecttheweakspotinanyarmor。
InthepastmonthEugene’sgoodqualitiesanddefectshadrapidlydevelopedwithhischaracter。Intercoursewiththeworldandtheendeavortosatisfyhisgrowingdesireshadbroughtouthisdefects。ButRastignaccamefromtheSouthsideoftheLoire，andhadthegoodqualitiesofhiscountrymen。HehadtheimpetuouscourageoftheSouth，thatrushestotheattackofadifficulty，aswellasthesouthernimpatienceofdelayorsuspense。ThesetraitsareheldtobedefectsintheNorth；theymadethefortuneofMurat，buttheylikewisecutshorthiscareer。ThemoralwouldappeartobethatwhenthedashandboldnessoftheSouthsideoftheLoiremeets，inasoutherntemperament，withtheguileoftheNorth，thecharacteriscomplete，andsuchamanwillgainandkeepthecrownofSweden。
Rastignac，therefore，couldnotstandthefirefromVautrin’sbatteriesforlongwithoutdiscoveringwhetherthiswasafriendorafoe。Hefeltasifthisstrangebeingwasreadinghisinmostsoul，anddissectinghisfeelings，whileVautrinhimselfwassocloseandsecretivethatheseemedtohavesomethingoftheprofoundandunmovedserenityofasphinx，seeingandhearingallthingsandsayingnothing。Eugene，consciousofthatmoneyinhispocket，grewrebellious。
“Besogoodastowaitamoment。”hesaidtoVautrin，asthelatterrose，afterslowlyemptyinghiscoffee-cup，sipbysip。
“Whatfor？“inquiredtheolderman，asheputonhislarge-
brimmedhatandtookupthesword-canethathewaswonttotwirllikeamanwhowillfacethreeorfourfootpadswithoutflinching。
“Iwillrepayyouinaminute。”returnedEugene。Heunsealedoneofthebagsashespoke，countedoutahundredandfortyfrancs，andpushedthemtowardsMme。Vauquer。“Shortreckoningsmakegoodfriends“headded，turningtothewidow；“thatclearsouraccountstilltheendoftheyear。Canyougivemechangeforafive-francpiece？“
“Goodfriendsmakeshortreckonings。”echoedPoiret，withaglanceatVautrin。
“Hereisyourfranc。”saidRastignac，holdingoutthecointothesphinxintheblackwig。
“Anyonemightthinkthatyouwereafraidtoowemeatrifle。”
exclaimedthislatter，withasearchingglancethatseemedtoreadtheyoungman’sinmostthoughts；therewasasatiricalandcynicalsmileonVautrin’sfacesuchasEugenehadseenscoresoftimesalready；everytimehesawit，itexasperatedhimalmostbeyondendurance。
“Well……soIam。”heanswered。Heheldboththebagsinhishand，andhadrisentogouptohisroom。
Vautrinmadeasifheweregoingoutthroughthesitting-room，andthestudentturnedtogothroughtheseconddoorthatopenedintothesquarelobbyatthefootofthestaircase。
“Doyouknow，MonsieurleMarquisdeRastignacorama，thatwhatyouweresayingjustnowwasnotexactlypolite？“Vautrinremarked，asherattledhissword-caneacrossthepanelsofthesitting-roomdoor，andcameuptothestudent。
RastignaclookedcoollyatVautrin，drewhimtothefootofthestaircase，andshutthedining-roomdoor。Theywerestandinginthelittlesquarelobbybetweenthekitchenandthedining-room；
theplacewaslightedbyaniron-barredfanlightaboveadoorthatgaveaccessintothegarden。Sylviecameoutofherkitchen，andEugenechosethatmomenttosay：
MONSIEURVautrin，Iamnotamarquis，andmynameisnotRastignacorama。”
“Theywillfight。”saidMlle。Michonneau，inanindifferenttone。
“Fight！“echoedPoiret。
“Notthey。”repliedMme。Vauquer，lovinglyfingeringherpileofcoins。
“Buttheretheyareunderthelime-trees。”criedMlle。Victorine，whohadrisensothatshemightseeoutintothegarden。“Pooryoungman！hewasintheright，afterall。”
“Wemustgoupstairs，mypet。”saidMme。Couture；“itisnobusinessofours。”
Atthedoor，however，Mme。CoutureandVictorinefoundtheirprogressbarredbytheportlyformofSylviethecook。
“Whatevercanhavehappened？“shesaid。“M。VautrinsaidtoM。
Eugene，’Letushaveanexplanation！’thenhetookhimbythearm，andtheretheyare，outamongtheartichokes。”
Vautrincameinwhileshewasspeaking。“MammaVauquer。”hesaidsmiling，“don’tfrightenyourselfatall。Iamonlygoingtotrymypistolsunderthelime-trees。”
“Oh！monsieur。”criedVictorine，claspingherhandsasshespoke，“whydoyouwanttokillM。Eugene？“
Vautrinsteppedbackapaceortwo，andgazedatVictorine。
“Oh！thisissomethingfresh！“heexclaimedinabanteringtone，thatbroughtthecolorintothepoorgirl’sface。“Thatyoungfellowyonderisverynice，isn’the？“hewenton。“Youhavegivenmeanotion，myprettychild；Iwillmakeyoubothhappy。”
Mme。Couturelaidherhandonthearmofherward，anddrewthegirlaway，asshesaidinherear：
“Why，Victorine，Icannotimaginewhathascomeoveryouthismorning。”
“Idon’twantanyshotsfiredinmygarden。”saidMme。Vauquer。
“Youwillfrightentheneighborhoodandbringthepoliceuphereallinamoment。”
“Come，keepcool，MammaVauquer。”answeredVautrin。“There，there；it’sallright；wewillgototheshooting-gallery。”
HewentbacktoRastignac，layinghishandfamiliarlyontheyoungman’sarm。
“WhenIhavegivenyouoculardemonstrationofthefactthatI
canputabulletthroughtheaceonacardfivetimesrunningatthirty-fivepaces。”hesaid，“thatwon’ttakeawayyourappetite，Isuppose？Youlooktometobeinclinedtobeatriflequarrelsomethismorning，andasifyouwouldrushonyourdeathlikeablockhead。”
“Doyoudrawback？“askedEugene。
“Don’ttrytoraisemytemperature。”answeredVautrin，“itisnotcoldthismorning。Letusgoandsitoverthere。”headded，pointingtothegreen-paintedgardenseats；“noonecanoverhearus。Iwantalittletalkwithyou。Youarenotabadsortofyoungster，andIhavenoquarrelwithyou。Ilikeyou，takeTrump——confoundit！——takeVautrin’swordforit。Whatmakesmelikeyou？Iwilltellyouby-and-by。Meantime，IcantellyouthatIknowyouaswellasifIhadmadeyoumyself，asIwillprovetoyouinaminute。Putdownyourbags。”hecontinued，pointingtotheroundtable。
Rastignacdepositedhismoneyonthetable，andsatdown。Hewasconsumedwithcuriosity，whichthesuddenchangeinthemannerofthemanbeforehimhadexcitedtothehighestpitch。Herewasastrangebeingwho，amomentago，hadtalkedofkillinghim，andnowposedashisprotector。
“YouwouldliketoknowwhoIreallyam，whatIwas，andwhatI
donow。”Vautrinwenton。“Youwanttoknowtoomuch，youngster。
Come！come！keepcool！Youwillhearmoreastonishingthingsthanthat。Ihavehadmymisfortunes。Justhearmeoutfirst，andyoushallhaveyourturnafterwards。Hereismypastinthreewords。
WhoamI？Vautrin。WhatdoIdo？JustwhatIplease。Letuschangethesubject。Youwanttoknowmycharacter。Iamgood-
naturedtothosewhodomeagoodturn，ortothosewhoseheartsspeaktomine。Theselastmaydoanythingtheylikewithme；theymaybruisemyshins，andIshallnottellthemto’mindwhattheyareabout’；but，nomd’unepipe，thedevilhimselfisnotanugliercustomerthanIcanbeifpeopleannoyme，orifIdon’thappentotaketothem；andyoumayjustaswellknowatoncethatIthinknomoreofkillingamanthanofthat。”andhespatbeforehimashespoke。“Onlywhenitisabsolutelynecessarytodoso，Idomybesttokillhimproperly。Iamwhatyoucallanartist。IhavereadBenvenutoCellini’sMemoirs，suchasyouseeme；and，whatismore，inItalian：Afine-spiritedfellowhewas！
FromhimIlearnedtofollowtheexamplesetusbyProvidence，whostrikesusdownatrandom，andtoadmirethebeautifulwheneverandwhereveritisfound。And，settingotherquestionsaside，isitnotagloriousparttoplay，whenyoupityourselfagainstmankind，andtheluckisonyourside？IhavethoughtagooddealabouttheconstitutionofyourpresentsocialDis-
order。Aduelisdownrightchildish，myboy！utternonsenseandfolly！Whenoneoftwolivingmenmustbegotoutoftheway，nonebutanidiotwouldleavechancetodecidewhichitistobe；
andinaduelitisatoss-up——headsortails——andthereyouare！
NowI，forinstance，canhittheaceinthemiddleofacardfivetimesrunning，sendonebulletafteranotherthroughthesamehole，andatthirty-fivepaces，moreover！Withthatlittleaccomplishmentyoumightthinkyourselfcertainofkillingyourman，mightn’tyou。Well，Ihavefired，attwentypaces，andmissed，andtheroguewhohadneverhandledapistolinhislife——
lookhere！“——heunbuttonedhiswaistcoatandexposedhischest，covered，likeabear’sback，withashaggyfell；thestudentgaveastartledshudder——“hewasarawlad，buthemadehismarkonme。”theextraordinarymanwenton，drawingRastignac’sfingersoveradeepscaronhisbreast。ButthathappenedwhenImyselfwasamereboy；Iwasone-and-twentythenyourage，andIhadsomebeliefsleft——inawoman’slove，andinapackofrubbishthatyouwillbeoverheadandearsindirectly。YouandIweretohavefoughtjustnow，weren’twe？Youmighthavekilledme。
SupposethatIwereputundertheearth，wherewouldyoube？Youwouldhavetoclearoutofthis，gotoSwitzerland，drawonpapa’spurse——andhehasnonetoomuchinitasitis。Imeantoopenyoureyestoyourrealposition，thatiswhatIamgoingtodo：butIshalldoitfromthepointofviewofamanwho，afterstudyingtheworldveryclosely，seesthattherearebuttwoalternatives——stupidobedienceorrevolt。Iobeynobody；isthatclear？Now，doyouknowhowmuchyouwillwantatthepaceyouaregoing？Amillion；andpromptly，too，orthatlittleheadofourswillbeswayingtoandfrointhedrag-netsatSaint-Cloud，whilewearegonetofindoutwhetherornothereisaSupremeBeing。Iwillputyouinthewayofthatmillion。”
HestoppedforamomentandlookedatEugene。
“Aha！youdonotlooksosourlyatpapaVautrinnow！Atthementionofthemillionyoulooklikeayounggirlwhensomebodyhassaid，’Iwillcomeforyouthisevening！’andshebetakesherselftohertoiletteasacatlicksitswhiskersoverasaucerofmilk。Allright。Come，now，letusgointothequestion，youngman；allbetweenourselves，youknow。Wehaveapapaandmammadownyonder，agreat-aunt，twosistersagedeighteenandseventeen，twoyoungbrothersonefifteen，andtheotherten，thatisabouttheroll-callofthecrew。Theauntbringsupthetwosisters；thecurecomesandteachestheboysLatin。Boiledchestnutsareofteneronthetablethanwhitebread。Papamakesasuitofclotheslastalongwhile；ifmammahasadifferentdresswinterandsummer，itisaboutasmuchasshehas；thesistersmanageasbesttheycan。Iknowallaboutit；Ihavelivedinthesouth。
“Thatishowthingsareathome。Theysendyoutwelvehundredfrancsayear，andthewholepropertyonlybringsinthreethousandfrancsalltold。Wehaveacookandamanservant；papaisabaron，andwemustkeepupappearances。Thenwehaveourambitions；weareconnectedwiththeBeauseants，andwegoafootthroughthestreets；wewanttoberich，andwehavenotapenny；
weeatMme。Vauquer’smesses，andwelikegranddinnersintheFaubourgSaint-Germain；wesleeponatruckle-bed，anddreamofamansion！Idonotblameyouforwantingthesethings。Whatsortofmendothewomenrunafter？Menofambition。Menofambitionhavestrongerframes，theirbloodisricheriniron，theirheartsarewarmerthanthoseofordinarymen。Womenfeelthatwhentheirpowerisgreatest，theylooktheirbest，andthatthosearetheirhappiesthours；theylikepowerinmen，andpreferthestrongestevenifitisapowerthatmaybetheirowndestruction。Iamgoingtomakeaninventoryofyourdesiresinordertoputthequestionatissuebeforeyou。Hereitis：——
“Weareashungryasawolf，andthosenewly-cutteethofoursaresharp；whatarewetodotokeepthepotboiling？Inthefirstplace，wehavetheCodetobrowseupon；itisnotamusing，andwearenonethewiserforit，butthatcannotbehelped。Sofarsogood。WemeantomakeanadvocateofourselveswithaprospectofonedaybeingmadePresidentofaCourtofAssize，whenweshallsendpoordevils，ourbetters，tothegalleyswithaT。F。*[*Travauxforces。]ontheirshoulders，sothattherichmaybeconvincedthattheycansleepinpeace。Thereisnofuninthat；andyouarealongwhilecomingtoit；for，tobeginwith，therearetwoyearsofnauseousdrudgeryinParis，weseeallthelollipopsthatwelongforoutofourreach。Itistiresometowantthingsandnevertohavethem。Ifyouwereapallidcreatureofthemolluskorder，youwouldhavenothingtofear，butitisdifferentwhenyouhavethehotbloodofalionandarereadytogetintoascoreofscrapeseverydayofyourlife。ThisistheghastliestformoftortureknowninthisinfernoofGod’smaking，andyouwillgiveintoit。Orsupposethatyouareagoodboy，drinknothingstrongerthanmilk，andbemoanyourhardlot；you，withyourgenerousnature，willendurehardshipsthatwoulddriveadogmad，andmakeastart，afterlongwaiting，asdeputytosomerascalorotherinaholeofaplacewheretheGovernmentwillflingyouathousandfrancsayearlikethescrapsthatarethrowntothebutcher’sdog。Barkatthieves，pleadthecauseoftherich，sendmenofhearttotheguillotine，thatisyourwork！
Manythanks！Ifyouhavenoinfluence，youmayrotinyourprovincialtribunal。AtthirtyyouwillbeaJusticewithtwelvehundredfrancsayearifyouhavenotflungoffthegownforgoodbeforethen。Bythetimeyouarefortyyoumaylooktomarryamiller’sdaughter，anheiresswithsomesixthousandlivresayear。Muchobliged！Ifyouhaveinfluence，youmaypossiblybeaPublicProsecutorbythetimeyouarethirty；withasalaryofathousandcrowns，youcouldlooktomarrythemayor’sdaughter。Somepettypieceofpoliticaltrickery，suchasmistakingVilleleforManuelinabulletinthenamesrhyme，andthatquietsyourconscience，andyouwillprobablybeaProcureurGeneralbythetimeyouareforty，withachanceofbecomingadeputy。Pleasetoobserve，mydearboy，thatourconsciencewillhavebeenalittledamagedintheprocess，andthatweshallenduretwentyyearsofdrudgeryandhiddenpoverty，andthatoursistersarewearingDian’slivery。Ihavethehonortocallyourattentiontoanotherfact：towit，thattherearebuttwentyProcureursGenerauxatatimeinallFrance，whiletherearesometwentythousandofyouyoungmenwhoaspiretothatelevatedposition；thattherearesomemountebanksamongyouwhowouldselltheirfamilytoscrewtheirfortunesapeghigher。
Ifthissortofthingsickensyou，tryanothercourse。TheBarondeRastignacthinksofbecominganadvocate，doeshe？There’saniceprospectforyou！Tenyearsofdrudgerystraightaway。Youareobligedtoliveattherateofathousandfrancsamonth；youmusthavealibraryoflawbooks，liveinchambers，gointosociety，godownonyourkneestoaskasolicitorforbriefs，lickthedustoffthefloorofthePalaisdeJustice。Ifthiskindofbusinessledtoanything，Ishouldnotsayno；butjustgivemethenamesoffiveadvocateshereinPariswhobythetimethattheyarefiftyaremakingfiftythousandfrancsayear！Bah！
Iwouldsoonerturnpirateonthehighseasthanhavemysoulshrivelupinsidemelikethat。Howwillyoufindthecapital？
Thereisbutoneway，marryawomanwhohasmoney。Thereisnofuninit。Haveyouamindtomarry？Youhangastonearoundyourneck；forifyoumarryformoney，whatbecomesofourexaltednotionsofhonorandsoforth？Youmightaswellflyinthefaceofsocialconventionsatonce。Isitnothingtocrawllikeaserpentbeforeyourwife，tolickhermother’sfeet，todescendtodirtyactionsthatwouldsickenswine——faugh！——nevermindifyouatleastmakeyourfortune。Butyouwillbeasdolefulasadripstoneifyoumarryformoney。Itisbettertowrestlewithmenthantowrangleathomewithyourwife。Youareatthecrosswayoftheroadsoflife，myboy；chooseyourway。
“Butyouhavechosenalready。YouhavegonetoseeyourcousinofBeauseant，andyouhavehadaninklingofluxury；youhavebeentoMme。deRestaud’shouse，andinFatherGoriot’sdaughteryouhaveseenaglimpseoftheParisienneforthefirsttime。Thatdayyoucamebackwithawordwrittenonyourforehead。Iknewit，Icouldreadit——’SUCCESS！’Yes，successatanyprice。
’Bravo，’saidItomyself，’hereisthesortoffellowforme。’
Youwantedmoney。Wherewasitalltocomefrom？Youhavedrainedyoursisters’littlehoardallbrothersspongemoreorlessontheirsisters。Thosefifteenhundredfrancsofyoursgottogether，Godknowshow！inacountrywheretherearemorechestnutsthanfive-francpieceswillslipawaylikesoldiersafterpillage。And，then，whatwillyoudo？Shallyoubegintowork？Work，orwhatyouunderstandbyworkatthismoment，means，foramanofPoiret’scalibre，anoldageinMammaVauquer’slodging-house。Therearefiftythousandyoungmeninyourpositionatthismoment，allbentasyouareonsolvingoneandthesameproblem——howtoacquireafortunerapidly。Youarebutaunitinthataggregate。Youcanguess，therefore，whateffortsyoumustmake，howdesperatethestruggleis。Therearenotfiftythousandgoodpositionsforyou；youmustfightanddevouroneanotherlikespidersinapot。Doyouknowhowamanmakeshiswayhere？Bybrilliantgeniusorbyskilfulcorruption。Youmusteithercutyourwaythroughthesemassesofmenlikeacannonball，orstealamongthemlikeaplague。Honestyisnothingtothepurpose。Menbowbeforethepowerofgenius；theyhateit，andtrytoslanderit，becausegeniusdoesnotdividethespoil；
butifgeniuspersists，theybowbeforeit。Tosumitallupinaphrase，iftheyfailtosmothergeniusinthemud，theyfallontheirkneesandworshipit。Corruptionisagreatpowerintheworld，andtalentisscarce。Socorruptionistheweaponofsuperfluousmediocrity；youwillbemadetofeelthepointofiteverywhere。Youwillseewomenwhospendmorethantenthousandfrancsayearondress，whiletheirhusband’ssalaryhiswholeincomeissixthousandfrancs。Youwillseeofficialsbuyingestatesontwelvethousandfrancsayear。YouwillseewomenwhosellthemselvesbodyandsoultodriveinacarriagebelongingtothesonofapeerofFrance，whohasarighttodriveinthemiddlerankatLongchamp。YouhaveseenthatpoorsimpletonofaGoriotobligedtomeetabillwithhisdaughter’snameatthebackofit，thoughherhusbandhasfiftythousandfrancsayear。
IdefyyoutowalkacoupleofyardsanywhereinPariswithoutstumblingonsomeinfernalcomplication。I’llbetmyheadtoaheadofthatsaladthatyouwillstirupahornet’snestbytakingafancytothefirstyoung，rich，andprettywomanyoumeet。Theyarealldodgingthelaw，allatloggerheadswiththeirhusbands。IfIweretobegintotellyouallthatvanityornecessityvirtueisnotoftenmixedupinit，youmaybesure，allthatvanityandnecessitydrivethemtodoforlovers，finery，housekeeping，orchildren，Ishouldnevercometoanend。
Soanhonestmanisthecommonenemy。
“Butdoyouknowwhatanhonestmanis？Here，inParis，anhonestmanisthemanwhokeepshisowncounsel，andwillnotdividetheplunder。Iamnotspeakingnowofthosepoorbond-slaveswhodotheworkoftheworldwithoutarewardfortheirtoil——GodAlmighty’soutcasts，Icallthem。Amongthem，Igrantyou，isvirtueinalltheflowerofitsstupidity，butpovertyisnolesstheirportion。Atthismoment，IthinkIseethelongfacesthosegoodfolkwouldpullifGodplayedapracticaljokeonthemandstayedawayattheLastJudgment。
“Well，then，ifyoumeantomakeafortunequickly，youmusteitherberichtobeginwith，ormakepeoplebelievethatyouarerich。Itisnouseplayinghereexceptforhighstakes；oncetaketolowplay，itisallupwithyou。Ifinthescoresofprofessionsthatareopentoyou，therearetenmenwhoriseveryrapidly，peoplearesuretocallthemthieves。Youcandrawyourownconclusions。Suchislife。Itisnocleanerthanakitchen；
itreekslikeakitchen；andifyoumeantocookyourdinner，youmustexpecttosoilyourhands；therealartisingettingthemcleanagain，andthereinliesthewholemoralityofourepoch。IfItakethistoneinspeakingoftheworldtoyou，Ihavetherighttodoso；Iknowitwell。DoyouthinkthatIamblamingit？Farfromit；theworldhasalwaysbeenasitisnow。
Moralists’strictureswillneverchangeit。Mankindarenotperfect，butoneageismoreorlesshypocriticalthananother，andthensimpletonssaythatitsmoralityishighorlow。Idonotthinkthattherichareanyworsethanthepoor；manismuchthesame，highorlow，orwhereverheis。Inamillionofthesehumancattletheremaybehalfascoreofboldspiritswhoriseabovetherest，abovethelaws；Iamoneofthem。Andyou，ifyouareclevererthanyourfellows，makestraighttoyourend，andholdyourheadhigh。Butyoumustlayyouraccountwithenvyandslanderandmediocrity，andeveryman’shandwillbeagainstyou。
NapoleonmetwithaMinisterofWar，Aubrybyname，whoallbutsenthimtothecolonies。
“Feelyourpulse。Thinkwhetheryoucangetupmorningaftermorning，strengthenedinyesterday’spurpose。InthatcaseIwillmakeyouanofferthatnoonewoulddecline。Listenattentively。
Yousee，Ihaveanideaofmyown。Myideaistoliveapatriarchallifeonavastestate，sayahundredthousandacres，somewhereintheSouthernStatesofAmerica。Imeantobeaplanter，tohaveslaves，tomakeafewsnugmillionsbysellingmycattle，timber，andtobacco；Iwanttoliveanabsolutemonarch，andtodojustasIplease；toleadsuchalifeasnoonehereinthesesqualiddensoflathandplastereverimagines。
Iamagreatpoet；Idonotwritemypoems，Ifeelthem，andactthem。AtthismomentIhavefiftythousandfrancs，whichmightpossiblybuyfortynegroes。Iwanttwohundredthousandfrancs，becauseIwanttohavetwohundrednegroestocarryoutmynotionsofthepatriarachallifeproperly。Negroes，yousee，arelikeasortoffamilyreadygrown，andtherearenoinquisitivepublicprosecutorsouttheretointerferewithyou。Thatinvestmentinebonyoughttomeanthreeorfourmillionfrancsintenyears’time。IfIamsuccessful，noonewillaskmewhoI
am。IshallbeMr。FourMillions，anAmericancitizen。Ishallbefiftyyearsoldbythen，andsoundandheartystill；Ishallenjoylifeaftermyownfashion。Intwowords，ifIfindyouanheiresswithamillion，willyougivemetwohundredthousandfrancs？Twentypercentcommission，eh？Isthattoomuch？Yourlittlewifewillbeverymuchinlovewithyou。Oncemarried，youwillshowsignsofuneasinessandremorse；foracoupleofweeksyouwillbedepressed。Then，somenightaftersundrygrimacings，comestheconfession，betweentwokisses，’Twohundredthousandfrancsofdebts，mydarling！’ThissortoffarceisplayedeverydayinParis，andbyyoungmenofthehighestfashion。Whenayoungwifehasgivenherheart，shewillnotrefuseherpurse。
Perhapsyouarethinkingthatyouwilllosethemoneyforgood？
Notyou。Youwillmaketwohundredthousandfrancsagainbysomestrokeofbusiness。Withyourcapitalandyourbrainsyoushouldbeabletoaccumulateaslargeafortuneasyoucouldwish。ERGO，insixmonthsyouwillhavemadeyourownfortune，andouroldfriendVautrin’s，andmadeanamiablewomanveryhappy，tosaynothingofyourpeopleathome，whomustblowontheirfingerstowarmthem，inthewinter，forlackoffirewood。Youneednotbesurprisedatmyproposal，noratthedemandImake。Forty-sevenoutofeverysixtygreatmatcheshereinParisaremadeafterjustsuchabargainasthis。TheChamberofNotariescompelsmygentlemanto——“
“WhatmustIdo？“saidRastignac，eagerlyinterruptingVautrin’sspeech。
“Nexttonothing。”returnedtheother，withaslightinvoluntarymovement，thesuppressedexultationoftheanglerwhenhefeelsabiteattheendofhisline。“Followmecarefully！Theheartofagirlwhoselifeiswretchedandunhappyisaspongethatwillthirstilyabsorblove；adryspongethatswellsatthefirstdropofsentiment。Ifyoupaycourttoayounggirlwhoseexistenceisacompoundofloneliness，despair，andpoverty，andwhohasnosuspicionthatshewillcomeintoafortune，goodLord！itisquintandquatorzeatpiquet；itisknowingthenumbersofthelotterybefore-hand；itisspeculatinginthefundswhenyouhavenewsfromasuresource；itisbuildingupamarriageonanindestructiblefoundation。Thegirlmaycomeinformillions，andshewillflingthem，asiftheyweresomanypebbles，atyourfeet。’Takeit，mybeloved！Takeit，Alfred，Adolphe，Eugene！’orwhoeveritwasthatshowedhissensebysacrificinghimselfforher。Andasforsacrificinghimself，thisishowIunderstandit。
Yousellacoatthatisgettingshabby，sothatyoucantakehertotheCadranbleu，treathertomushroomsontoast，andthengototheAmbigu-Comiqueintheevening；youpawnyourwatchtobuyherashawl。Ineednotremindyouofthefiddle-faddlesentimentalitythatgoesdownsowellwithallwomen；youspillafewdropsofwateronyourstationery，forinstance；thosearethetearsyoushedwhilefarawayfromher。Youlooktomeasifyouwereperfectlyacquaintedwiththeargotoftheheart。Paris，yousee，islikeaforestintheNewWorld，whereyouhavetodealwithascoreofvarietiesofsavages——IllinoisandHurons，wholiveontheproceedoftheirsocialhunting。Youareahunterofmillions；yousetyoursnares；youuseluresandnets；therearemanywaysofhunting。Somehuntheiresses，othersalegacy；
somefishforsouls，yetothersselltheirclients，boundhandandfoot。Everyonewhocomesbackfromthechasewithhisgame-
bagwellfilledmeetswithawarmwelcomeingoodsociety。Injusticetothishospitablepartoftheworld，itmustbesaidthatyouhavetodowiththemosteasyandgood-naturedofgreatcities。IftheproudaristocraciesoftherestofEuroperefuseadmittanceamongtheirrankstoadisreputablemillionaire，Parisstretchesoutahandtohim，goestohisbanquets，eatshisdinners，andhobnobswithhisinfamy。”
“Butwhereissuchagirltobefound？“askedEugene。
“Underyoureyes；sheisyoursalready。”
“Mlle。Victorine？“
“Precisely。”
“Andwhatwasthatyousaid？“
“Sheisinlovewithyoualready，yourlittleBaronnedeRastignac！“
“Shehasnotapenny。”Eugenecontinued，muchmystified。
“Ah！nowwearecomingtoit！Justanotherwordortwo，anditwillallbeclearenough。Herfather，Taillefer，isanoldscoundrel；itissaidthathemurderedoneofhisfriendsatthetimeoftheRevolution。Heisoneofyourcomediansthatsetsuptohaveopinionsofhisown。Heisabanker——seniorpartnerinthehouseofFredericTailleferandCompany。Hehasoneson，andmeanstoleaveallhehastotheboy，totheprejudiceofVictorine。Formypart，Idon’tliketoseeinjusticeofthissort。IamlikeDonQuixote，Ihaveafancyfordefendingtheweakagainstthestrong。IfitshouldpleaseGodtotakethatyouthawayfromhim，Tailleferwouldhaveonlyhisdaughterleft；
hewouldwanttoleavehismoneytosomeoneorother；anabsurdnotion，butitisonlyhumannature，andheisnotlikelytohaveanymorechildren，asIknow。Victorineisgentleandamiable；
shewillsoontwistherfatherroundherfingers，andsethisheadspinninglikeaGermantopbyplyinghimwithsentiment！Shewillbetoomuchtouchedbyyourdevotiontoforgetyou；youwillmarryher。ImeantoplayProvidenceforyou，andProvidenceistodomywill。IhaveafriendwhomIhaveattachedcloselytomyself，acolonelintheArmyoftheLoire，whohasjustbeentransferredintothegarderoyale。Hehastakenmyadviceandturnedultra-royalist；heisnotoneofthosefoolswhoneverchangetheiropinions。Ofallpiecesofadvice，mycherub，I
wouldgiveyouthis——don’tsticktoyouropinionsanymorethantoyourwords。Ifanyoneasksyouforthem，lethimhavethem——
ataprice。Amanwhoprideshimselfongoinginastraightlinethroughlifeisanidiotwhobelievesininfallibility。Therearenosuchthingsasprinciples；thereareonlyevents，andtherearenolawsbutthoseofexpediency：amanoftalentacceptseventsandthecircumstancesinwhichhefindshimself，andturnseverythingtohisownends。Iflawsandprincipleswerefixedandinvariable，nationswouldnotchangethemasreadilyaswechangeourshirts。Theindividualisnotobligedtobemoreparticularthanthenation。AmanwhoseservicestoFrancehavebeenoftheveryslightestisafetichlookedonwithsuperstitiousawebecausehehasalwaysseeneverythinginred；butheisgood，atthemost，tobeputintotheMuseumofArtsandCrafts，amongtheautomaticmachines，andlabeledLaFayette；whiletheprinceatwhomeverybodyflingsastone，themanwhodespiseshumanitysomuchthathespitsasmanyoathsasheisaskedforinthefaceofhumanity，savedFrancefrombeingtorninpiecesattheCongressofVienna；andtheywhoshouldhavegivenhimlaurelsflingmudathim。Oh！Iknowsomethingofaffairs，Icantellyou；Ihavethesecretsofmanymen！Enough。WhenIfindthreemindsinagreementastotheapplicationofaprinciple，Ishallhaveafixedandimmovableopinion——Ishallhavetowaitalongwhilefirst。IntheTribunalsyouwillnotfindthreejudgesofthesameopiniononasinglepointoflaw。ToreturntothemanI
wastellingyouof。HewouldcrucifyJesusChristagain，ifI
badehim。AtawordfromhisoldchumVautrinhewillpickaquarrelwithascampthatwillnotsendsomuchasfivefrancstohissister，poorgirl，and“hereVautrinrosetohisfeetandstoodlikeafencing-masterabouttolunge——“turnhimoffintothedark！“headded。
“Howfrightful！“saidEugene。“Youdonotreallymeanit？M。
Vautrin，youarejoking！“
“There！there！Keepcool！“saidtheother。“Don’tbehavelikeababy。Butifyoufindanyamusementinit，beindignant，flareup！SaythatIamascoundrel，arascal，arogue，abandit；butdonotcallmeablacklegnoraspy！There，outwithit，fireaway！Iforgiveyou；itisquitenaturalatyourage。Iwaslikethatmyselfonce。Onlyrememberthis，youwilldoworsethingsyourselfsomeday。Youwillflirtwithsomeprettywomanandtakehermoney。Youhavethoughtofthat，ofcourse。”saidVautrin，“forhowareyoutosucceedunlessloveislaidundercontribution？Therearenotwowaysaboutvirtue，mydearstudent；iteitheris，oritisnot。Talkofdoingpenanceforyoursins！Itisanicesystemofbusiness，whenyoupayforyourcrimebyanactofcontrition！Youseduceawomanthatyoumaysetyourfootonsuchandsucharungofthesocialladder；yousowdissensionamongthechildrenofafamily；youdescend，inshort，toeverybaseactionthatcanbecommittedathomeorabroad，togainyourownendsforyourownpleasureoryourprofit；andcanyouimaginethattheseareactsoffaith，hope，orcharity？Howisitthatadandy，whoinanighthasrobbedaboyofhalfhisfortune，getsonlyacoupleofmonthsinprison；
whileapoordevilwhostealsabanknoteforathousandfrancs，withaggravatingcircumstances，iscondemnedtopenalservitude？
Thoseareyourlaws。Notasingleprovisionbutlandsyouinsomeabsurdity。Thatmanwithyellowglovesandagoldentonguecommitsmanyamurder；heshedsnoblood，buthedrainshisvictim’sveinsassurely；adesperadoforcesopenadoorwithacrowbar，darkdeedsbothofthem！YouyourselfwilldoeveryoneofthosethingsthatIsuggesttoyouto-day，barthebloodshed。
Doyoubelievethatthereisanyabsolutestandardinthisworld？
DespisemankindandfindoutthemeshesthatyoucanslipthroughinthenetoftheCode。Thesecretofagreatsuccessforwhichyouareatalosstoaccountisacrimethathasneverbeenfoundout，becauseitwasproperlyexecuted。”
“Silence，sir！Iwillnothearanymore；youmakemedoubtmyself。Atthismomentmysentimentsareallmyscience。”
“Justasyouplease，myfinefellow；Ididthinkyouweresoweak-minded。”saidVautrin，“Ishallsaynomoreaboutit。Onelastword，however。”andhelookedhardatthestudent——“youhavemysecret。”hesaid。
“Ayoungmanwhorefusesyourofferknowsthathemustforgetit。”
“Quiteright，quiteright；Iamgladtohearyousayso。Somebodyelsemightnotbesoscrupulous，yousee。KeepinmindwhatI
wanttodoforyou。Iwillgiveyouafortnight。Theofferisstillopen。”
“Whataheadofironthemanhas！“saidEugenetohimself，ashewatchedVautrinwalkunconcernedlyawaywithhiscaneunderhisarm。“YetMme。deBeauseantsaidasmuchmoregracefully；hehasonlystatedthecaseincruderlanguage。Hewouldtearmyheartwithclawsofsteel。WhatmademethinkofgoingtoMme。deNucingen？HeguessedmymotivesbeforeIknewthemmyself。Tosumitup，thatoutlawhastoldmemoreaboutvirtuethanallIhavelearnedfrommenandbooks。Ifvirtueadmitsofnocompromises，I
havecertainlyrobbedmysisters。”hesaid，throwingdownthebagsonthetable。
Hesatdownagainandfell，unconsciousofhissurroundings，intodeepthought。
“Tobefaithfultoanidealofvirtue！Aheroicmartyrdom！Pshaw！
everyonebelievesinvirtue，butwhoisvirtuous？NationshavemadeanidolofLiberty，butwhatnationonthefaceoftheearthisfree？Myyouthisstilllikeablueandcloudlesssky。IfI
setmyselftoobtainwealthorpower，doesitmeanthatImustmakeupmymindtolie，andfawn，andcringe，andswagger，andflatter，anddissemble？Toconsenttobetheservantofotherswhohavelikewisefawned，andlied，andflattered？MustIcringetothembeforeIcanhopetobetheiraccomplice？Well，then，I
decline。Imeantoworknoblyandwithasingleheart。Iwillworkdayandnight；Iwillowemyfortunetonothingbutmyownexertions。Itmaybetheslowestofallroadstosuccess，butI
shalllaymyheadonthepillowatnightuntroubledbyevilthoughts。Isthereagreaterthingthanthis——tolookbackoveryourlifeandknowthatitisstainlessasalily？Iandmylifearelikeayoungmanandhisbetrothed。Vautrinhasputbeforemeallthatcomesaftertenyearsofmarriage。Thedevil！myheadisswimming。Idonotwanttothinkatall；theheartisasureguide。”
EugenewasrousedfromhismusingsbythevoiceofthestoutSylvie，whoannouncedthatthetailorhadcome，andEugenethereforemadehisappearancebeforethemanwiththetwomoneybags，andwasnotillpleasedthatitshouldbeso。Whenhehadtriedonhisdresssuit，heputonhisnewmorningcostume，whichcompletelymetamorphosedhim。
“IamquiteequaltoM。deTrailles。”hesaidtohimself。“Inshort，Ilooklikeagentleman。”
“Youaskedme，sir，ifIknewthehouseswhereMme。deNucingengoes。”FatherGoriot’svoicespokefromthedoorwayofEugene’sroom。”
“Yes。”
“Verywellthen，sheisgoingtotheMarechaleCarigliano’sballonMonday。Ifyoucanmanagetobethere，Ishallhearfromyouwhethermytwogirlsenjoyedthemselves，andhowtheyweredressed，andallaboutitinfact。”
“Howdidyoufindthatout，mygoodGoriot？“saidEugene，puttingachairbythefireforhisvisitor。
“Hermaidtoldme。IhearallabouttheirdoingsfromThereseandConstance。”headdedgleefully。
Theoldmanlookedlikealoverwhoisstillyoungenoughtobemadehappybythediscoveryofsomelittlestratagemwhichbringshiminformationofhislady-lovewithoutherknowledge。
“YOUwillseethemboth！“hesaid，givingartlessexpressiontoapangofjealousy。
“Idonotknow。”answeredEugene。“IwillgotoMme。deBeauseantandaskherforanintroductiontotheMarechale。”
EugenefeltathrillofpleasureatthethoughtofappearingbeforetheVicomtesse，dressedashenceforwardhealwaysmeanttobe。The“abyssesofthehumanheart。”inthemoralists’phrase，areonlyinsidiousthoughts，involuntarypromptingsofpersonalinterest。Theinstinctofenjoymentturnsthescale；thoserapidchangesofpurposewhichhavefurnishedthetextforsomuchrhetoricarecalculationspromptedbythehopeofpleasure。
Rastignacbeholdinghimselfwelldressedandimpeccableastoglovesandboots，forgothisvirtuousresolutions。Youth，moreover，whenbentuponwrongdoingdoesnotdaretobeholdhimselfinthemirrorofconsciousness；matureagehasseenitself；andthereinliesthewholedifferencebetweenthesetwophasesoflife。
AfriendshipbetweenEugeneandhisneighbor，FatherGoriot，hadbeengrowingupforseveraldayspast。ThissecretfriendshipandtheantipathythatthestudenthadbeguntoentertainforVautrinarosefromthesamepsychologicalcauses。Theboldphilosopherwhoshallinvestigatetheeffectsofmentalactionuponthephysicalworldwilldoubtlessfindmorethanoneproofofthematerialnatureofoursentimentsinotheranimals。Whatphysiognomistisasquicktodiscerncharacterasadogistodiscoverfromastranger’sfacewhetherthisisafriendorno？
Thoseby-words——“atoms。”“affinities“——arefactssurvivinginmodernlanguagesfortheconfusionofphilosophicwiseacreswhoamusethemselvesbywinnowingthechaffoflanguagetofinditsgrammaticalroots。WeFEELthatweareloved。Oursentimentsmakethemselvesfeltineverything，evenatagreatdistance。Aletterisalivingsoul，andsofaithfulanechoofthevoicethatspeaksinit，thatfinernatureslookuponaletterasoneoflove’smostprecioustreasures。FatherGoriot’saffectionwasoftheinstinctiveorder，acanineaffectionraisedtoasublimepitch；hehadscentedcompassionintheair，andthekindlyrespectandyouthfulsympathyinthestudent’sheart。Thisfriendshiphad，however，scarcelyreachedthestageatwhichconfidencesaremade。ThoughEugenehadspokenofhiswishtomeetMme。deNucingen，itwasnotbecausehecountedontheoldmantointroducehimtoherhouse，forhehopedthathisownaudacitymightstandhimingoodstead。AllthatFatherGoriothadsaidasyetabouthisdaughtershadreferredtotheremarksthatthestudenthadmadesofreelyinpubliconthatdayofthetwovisits。
“HowcouldyouthinkthatMme。deRestaudboreyouagrudgeformentioningmyname？“hehadsaidonthedayfollowingthatsceneatdinner。“Mydaughtersareveryfondofme；Iamahappyfather；butmysons-in-lawhavebehavedbadlytome，andratherthanmaketroublebetweenmydarlingsandtheirhusbands，I
choosetoseemydaughterssecretly。Fatherswhocanseetheirdaughtersatanytimehavenoideaofallthepleasurethatallthismysterygivesme；IcannotalwaysseeminewhenIwish，doyouunderstand？SowhenitisfineIwalkoutintheChamps-
Elysees，afterfindingoutfromtheirwaiting-maidswhethermydaughtersmeantogoout。Iwaitneartheentrance；myheartbeatsfastwhenthecarriagesbegintocome；Iadmirethemintheirdresses，andastheypasstheygivemealittlesmile，anditseemsasifeverythingwaslightedupformebyarayofbrightsunlight。Iwait，fortheyalwaysgobackthesameway，andthenIseethemagain；thefreshairhasdonethemgoodandbroughtcolorintotheircheeks；allaboutmepeoplesay，’Whatabeautifulwomanthatis！’anditdoesmyheartgoodtohearthem。
“Aretheynotmyownfleshandblood？Ilovetheveryhorsesthatdrawthem；Ienvythelittlelap-dogontheirknees。Theirhappinessismylife。Everyonelovesafterhisownfashion，andminedoesnooneanyharm；whyshouldpeopletroubletheirheadsaboutme？Iamhappyinmyownway。Isthereanylawagainstgoingtoseemygirlsintheeveningwhentheyaregoingouttoaball？AndwhatadisappointmentitiswhenIgettheretoolate，andamtoldthat’Madamehasgoneout！’OnceIwaitedtillthreeo’clockinthemorningforNasie；Ihadnotseenherfortwowholedays。Iwassopleased，thatitwasalmosttoomuchforme！
Pleasedonotspeakofmeunlessitistosayhowgoodmydaughtersaretome。Theyarealwayswantingtoheappresentsuponme，butIwillnothaveit。’Justkeepyourmoney，’Itellthem。’WhatshouldIdowithit？Iwantnothing。’AndwhatamI，sir，afterall？Anoldcarcase，whosesoulisalwayswheremydaughtersare。WhenyouhaveseenMme。deNucingen，tellmewhichyoulikethemost。”saidtheoldmanafteramoment’spause，whileEugeneputthelasttouchestohistoilette。ThestudentwasabouttogoouttowalkintheGardenoftheTuileriesuntilthehourwhenhecouldventuretoappearinMme。deBeauseant’sdrawing-room。
Thatwalkwasaturning-pointinEugene’scareer。Severalwomennoticedhim；helookedsohandsome，soyoung，andsowelldressed。Thisalmostadmiringattentiongaveanewturntohisthoughts。Heforgothissistersandtheauntwhohadrobbedherselfforhim；henolongerrememberedhisownvirtuousscruples。Hehadseenhoveringabovehisheadthefiendsoeasytomistakeforanangel，theDevilwithrainbowwings，whoscattersrubies，andaimshisgoldenshaftsatpalacefronts，whoinvestswomenwithpurple，andthroneswithaglorythatdazzlestheeyesoffoolstilltheyforgetthesimpleoriginsofroyaldominion；hehadheardtherustleofthatVanitywhosetinselseemstoustobethesymbolofpower。HowevercynicalVautrin’swordshadbeen，theyhadmadeanimpressiononhismind，asthesordidfeaturesoftheoldcronewhowhispers，“Alover，andgoldintorrents。”remainengravenonayounggirl’smemory。
Eugeneloungedaboutthewalkstillitwasnearlyfiveo’clock，thenhewenttoMme。deBeauseant，andreceivedoneoftheterribleblowsagainstwhichyoungheartsaredefenceless。
HithertotheVicomtessehadreceivedhimwiththekindlyurbanity，theblandgraceofmannerthatistheresultoffinebreeding，butisonlycompletewhenitcomesfromtheheart。
TodayMme。deBeauseantbowedconstrainedly，andspokecurtly：
“M。deRastignac，Icannotpossiblyseeyou，atleastnotatthismoment。Iamengaged……”
Anobserver，andRastignacinstantlybecameanobserver，couldreadthewholehistory，thecharacterandcustomsofcaste，inthephrase，inthetonesofhervoice，inherglanceandbearing。
Hecaughtaglimpseoftheironhandbeneaththevelvetglove——
thepersonality，theegoismbeneaththemanner，thewoodbeneaththevarnish。Inshort，heheardthatunmistakableITHEKINGthatissuesfromtheplumedcanopyofthethrone，andfindsitslastechounderthecrestofthesimplestgentleman。
Eugenehadtrustedtooimplicitlytothegenerosityofawoman；
hecouldnotbelieveinherhaughtiness。Likealltheunfortunate，hehadsubscribed，inallgoodfaith，thegenerouscompactwhichshouldbindthebenefactortotherecipient，andthefirstarticleinthatbond，betweentwolarge-heartednatures，isaperfectequality。Thekindnesswhichknitstwosoulstogetherisasrare，asdivine，andaslittleunderstoodasthepassionoflove，forbothloveandkindnessarethelavishgenerosityofnoblenatures。RastignacwassetupongoingtotheDuchessedeCarigliano’sball，soheswalloweddownthisrebuff。
“Madame。”hefalteredout，“Iwouldnothavecometotroubleyouaboutatriflingmatter；besokindastopermitmetoseeyoulater，Icanwait。”
“Verywell，comeanddinewithme。”shesaid，alittleconfusedbytheharshwayinwhichshehadspoken，forthisladywasasgenuinelykind-heartedasshewashigh-born。
Eugenewastouchedbythissuddenrelenting，butnonethelesshesaidtohimselfashewentaway，“Crawlinthedust，putupwitheverykindoftreatment。Whatmusttherestoftheworldbelikewhenoneofthekindestofwomenforgetsallherpromisesofbefriendingmeinamoment，andtossesmeasidelikeanoldshoe？
Soitiseveryoneforhimself？Itistruethatherhouseisnotashop，andIhaveputmyselfinthewrongbyneedingherhelp。
Youshouldcutyourwaythroughtheworldlikeacannonball，asVautrinsaid。”
Butthestudent’sbitterthoughtsweresoondissipatedbythepleasurewhichhepromisedhimselfinthisdinnerwiththeVicomtesse。Fateseemedtodeterminethatthesmallestaccidentsinhislifeshouldcombinetourgehimintoacareer，whichtheterriblesphinxoftheMaisonVauquerhaddescribedasafieldofbattlewhereyoumusteitherslayorbeslain，andcheattoavoidbeingcheated。Youleaveyourconscienceandyourheartatthebarriers，andwearamaskonenteringintothisgameofgrimearnest，where，asinancientSparta，youmustsnatchyourprizewithoutbeingdetectedifyouwoulddeservethecrown。
OnhisreturnhefoundtheVicomtessegraciousandkindly，asshehadalwaysbeentohim。Theywenttogethertothedining-room，wheretheVicomtewaswaitingforhiswife。InthetimeoftheRestorationtheluxuryofthetablewascarried，asiswellknown，tothehighestdegree，andM。deBeauseant，likemanyjadedmenoftheworld，hadfewpleasuresleftbutthoseofgoodcheer；inthismatter，infact，hewasagourmandoftheschoolsofLouisXVIII。andoftheDucd’Escars，andluxurywassupplementedbysplendor。Eugene，diningforthefirsttimeinahousewherethetraditionsofgrandeurhaddescendedthroughmanygenerations，hadneverseenanyspectaclelikethisthatnowmethiseyes。InthetimeoftheEmpire，ballshadalwaysendedwithasupper，becausetheofficerswhotookpartinthemmustbefortifiedforimmediateservice，andeveninParismightbecalledupontoleavetheballroomforthebattlefield。ThisarrangementhadgoneoutoffashionundertheMonarchy，andEugenehadsofaronlybeenaskedtodances。Theself-possessionwhichpre-eminentlydistinguishedhiminlaterlifealreadystoodhimingoodstead，andhedidnotbetrayhisamazement。Yetashesawforthefirsttimethefinelywroughtsilverplate，thecompletenessofeverydetail，thesumptuousdinner，noiselesslyserved，itwasdifficultforsuchanardentimaginationnottopreferthislifeofstudiedandrefinedluxurytothehardshipsofthelifewhichhehadchosenonlythatmorning。
Histhoughtswentbackforamomenttothelodging-house，andwithafeelingofprofoundloathing，hevowedtohimselfthatatNewYearhewouldgo；promptedatleastasmuchbyadesiretoliveamongcleanersurroundingsasbyawishtoshakeoffVautrin，whosehugehandheseemedtofeelonhisshoulderatthatmoment。Whenyouconsiderthenumberlessforms，clamorousormute，thatcorruptiontakesinParis，common-sensebeginstowonderwhatmentalaberrationpromptedtheStatetoestablishgreatcollegesandschoolsthere，andassembleyoungmeninthecapital；howitisthatprettywomenarerespected，orthatthegoldcoindisplayedinthemoney-changer’swoodensaucersdoesnottaketoitselfwingsinthetwinklingofaneye；andwhenyoucometothinkfurther，howcomparativelyfewcasesofcrimethereare，andtocountupthemisdemeanorscommittedbyyouth，istherenotacertainamountofrespectduetothesepatientTantaluseswhowrestlewiththemselvesandnearlyalwayscomeoffvictorious？ThestrugglesofthepoorstudentinParis，ifskilfullydrawn，wouldfurnishamostdramaticpictureofmoderncivilization。
InvainMme。deBeauseantlookedatEugeneasifaskinghimtospeak；thestudentwastongue-tiedintheVicomte’spresence。
“AreyougoingtotakemetotheItaliensthisevening？“theVicomtesseaskedherhusband。
“YoucannotdoubtthatIshouldobeyyouwithpleasure。”heanswered，andtherewasasarcastictingeinhispolitenesswhichEugenedidnotdetect，“butIoughttogotomeetsomeoneattheVarietes。”
“Hismistress。”saidshetoherself。
“Then，isnotAjudacomingforyouthisevening？“inquiredtheVicomte。
“No。”sheanswered，petulantly。
“Verywell，then，ifyoureallymusthaveanarm，takethatofM。
deRastignac。”
TheVicomtessturnedtoEugenewithasmile。
“Thatwouldbeaverycompromisingstepforyou。”shesaid。
“’AFrenchmanlovesdanger，becauseindangerthereisglory，’
toquoteM。deChateaubriand。”saidRastignac，withabow。
AfewmomentslaterhewassittingbesideMme。deBeauseantinabrougham，thatwhirledthemthroughthestreetsofParistoafashionabletheatre。Itseemedtohimthatsomefairymagichadsuddenlytransportedhimintoaboxfacingthestage。Allthelorgnettesofthehousewerepointedathimasheentered，andattheVicomtesseinhercharmingtoilette。Hewentfromenchantmenttoenchantment。
“Youmusttalktome，youknow。”saidMme。deBeauseant。“Ah！
look！ThereisMme。deNucingeninthethirdboxfromours。HersisterandM。deTraillesareontheotherside。”
TheVicomtesseglancedasshespokeattheboxwhereMlle。deRochefideshouldhavebeen；M。d’Ajudawasnotthere，andMme。deBeauseant’sfacelightedupinamarvelousway。
“Sheischarming。”saidEugene，afterlookingatMme。deNucingen。
“Shehaswhiteeyelashes。”
“Yes，butshehassuchaprettyslenderfigure！“
“Herhandsarelarge。”
“Suchbeautifuleyes！“
“Herfaceislong。”
“Yes，butlengthgivesdistinction。”
“Itisluckyforherthatshehassomedistinctioninherface。
Justseehowshefidgetswithheropera-glass！TheGoriotbloodshowsitselfineverymovement。”saidtheVicomtesse，muchtoEugene’sastonishment。
Indeed，Mme。deBeauseantseemedtobeengagedinmakingasurveyofthehouse，andtobeunconsciousofMme。Nucingen’sexistence；
butnomovementmadebythelatterwaslostupontheVicomtesse。
ThehousewasfulloftheloveliestwomeninParis，sothatDelphinedeNucingenwasnotalittleflatteredtoreceivetheundividedattentionofMme。deBeauseant’syoung，handsome，andwell-dressedcousin，whoseemedtohavenoeyesforanyoneelse。
“Ifyoulookathersopersistently，youwillmakepeopletalk，M。deRastignac。Youwillneversucceedifyouflingyourselfatanyone’sheadlikethat。”
“Mydearcousin。”saidEugene，“youhaveprotectedmeindeedsofar，andnowifyouwouldcompleteyourwork，Ionlyaskofyouafavorwhichwillcostyoubutlittle，andbeofverygreatservicetome。Ihavelostmyheart。”
“Already！“
“Yes。”
“Andtothatwoman！“
“HowcouldIaspiretofindanyoneelsetolistentome？“heasked，withakeenglanceathiscousin。“HerGracetheDuchessedeCariglianoisafriendoftheDuchessedeBerri。”hewenton，afterapause；“youaresuretoseeher，willyoubesokindastopresentmetoher，andtotakemetoherballonMonday？I
shallmeetMme。deNucingenthere，andenterintomyfirstskirmish。”
“Willingly。”shesaid。“Ifyouhavealikingforheralready，youraffairsoftheheartareliketoprosper。ThatisdeMarsayoverthereinthePrincesseGalathionne’sbox。Mme。deNucingenisrackedwithjealousy。Thereisnobettertimeforapproachingawoman，especiallyifshehappenstobeabanker’swife。AllthoseladiesoftheChaussee-d’Antinloverevenge。”
“Then，whatwouldyoudoyourselfinsuchacase？“
“Ishouldsufferinsilence。”
AtthispointtheMarquisd’AjudaappearedinMme。deBeauseant’sbox。
“Ihavemadeamuddleofmyaffairstocometoyou。”hesaid，“andIamtellingyouaboutit，sothatitmaynotbeasacrifice。”
EugenesawtheglowofjoyontheVicomtesse’sface，andknewthatthiswaslove，andlearnedthedifferencebetweenloveandtheaffectationsofParisiancoquetry。Headmiredhiscousin，grewmute，andyieldedhisplacetoM。d’Ajudawithasigh。
“Hownoble，howsublimeawomaniswhensheloveslikethat！“hesaidtohimself。“AndHEcouldforsakeherforadoll！Oh！howcouldanyoneforsakeher？“
Therewasaboy’spassionateindignationinhisheart。HecouldhaveflunghimselfatMme。deBeauseant’sfeet；helongedforthepowerofthedevilifhecouldsnatchherawayandhideherinhisheart，asaneaglesnatchesupsomewhiteyeanlingfromtheplainsandbearsittoitseyrie。Itwashumiliatingtohimtothinkthatinallthisgalleryoffairpictureshehadnotonepictureofhisown。“Tohaveamistressandanalmostroyalpositionisasignofpower。”hesaidtohimself。AndhelookedatMme。deNucingenasamanmeasuresanotherwhohasinsultedhim。
TheVicomtesseturnedtohim，andtheexpressionofhereyesthankedhimathousandtimesforhisdiscretion。Thefirstactcametoanendjustthen。
“DoyouknowMme。deNucingenwellenoughtopresentM。deRastignactoher？“sheaskedoftheMarquisd’Ajuda。
“Shewillbedelighted。”saidtheMarquis。ThehandsomePortugueseroseashespokeandtookthestudent’sarm，andinanothermomentEugenefoundhimselfinMme。deNucingen’sbox。
“Madame。”saidtheMarquis，“IhavethehonorofpresentingtoyoutheChevalierEugenedeRastignac；heisacousinofMme。deBeauseant’s。Youhavemadesodeepanimpressionuponhim，thatI
thoughtIwouldfillupthemeasureofhishappinessbybringinghimnearertohisdivinity。”
Wordsspokenhalfjestinglytocovertheirsomewhatdisrespectfulimport；butsuchanimplication，ifcarefullydisguised，nevergivesoffencetoawoman。Mme。deNucingensmiled，andofferedEugenetheplacewhichherhusbandhadjustleft。
“Idonotventuretosuggestthatyoushouldstaywithme，monsieur。”shesaid。“ThosewhoaresofortunateastobeinMme。
deBeauseant’scompanydonotdesiretoleaveit。”
“Madame。”Eugenesaid，loweringhisvoice，“IthinkthattopleasemycousinIshouldremainwithyou。BeforemylordMarquiscamewewerespeakingofyouandofyourexceedinglydistinguishedappearance。”headdedaloud。
M。d’Ajudaturnedandleftthem。
“Areyoureallygoingtostaywithme，monsieur？“askedtheBaroness。“Thenweshallmakeeachother’sacquaintance。Mme。deRestaudtoldmeaboutyou，andhasmademeanxioustomeetyou。”
“Shemustbeveryinsincere，then，forshehasshutherdooronme。”
“What？“
“Madame，Iwilltellyouhonestlythereasonwhy；butImustcraveyourindulgencebeforeconfidingsuchasecrettoyou。Iamyourfather’sneighbor；IhadnoideathatMme。deRestaudwashisdaughter。Iwasrashenoughtomentionhisname；Imeantnoharm，butIannoyedyoursisterandherhusbandverymuch。YoucannotthinkhowseverelytheDuchessedeLangeaisandmycousinblamedthisapostasyonadaughter’spart，asapieceofbadtaste。Itoldthemallaboutit，andtheybothburstoutlaughing。ThenMme。deBeauseantmadesomecomparisonbetweenyouandyoursister，speakinginhightermsofyou，andsayinghowveryfondyouwereofmyneighbor，M。Goriot。And，indeed，howcouldyouhelplovinghim？HeadoresyousopassionatelythatI
amjealousalready。Wetalkedaboutyouthismorningfortwohours。SothiseveningIwasquitefullofallthatyourfatherhadtoldme，andwhileIwasdiningwithmycousinIsaidthatyoucouldnotbeasbeautifulasaffectionate。Mme。deBeauseantmeanttogratifysuchwarmadmiration，Ithink，whenshebroughtmehere，tellingme，inhergraciousway，thatIshouldseeyou。”
“Then，evennow，Ioweyouadebtofgratitude，monsieur。”saidthebanker’swife。“Weshallbequiteoldfriendsinalittlewhile。”
“Althoughafriendshipwithyoucouldnotbelikeanordinaryfriendship。”saidRastignac；“Ishouldneverwishtobeyourfriend。”
Suchstereotypedphrasesasthese，inthemouthsofbeginners，possessanunfailingcharmforwomen，andareinsipidonlywhenreadcoldly；forayoungman’stone，glanceandattitudegiveasurpassingeloquencetothebanalphrases。Mme。deNucingenthoughtthatRastignacwasadorable。Then，woman-like，beingatalosshowtoreplytothestudent’soutspokenadmiration，sheansweredapreviousremark。
“Yes，itisverywrongofmysistertotreatourpoorfatherasshedoes。”shesaid；“hehasbeenaProvidencetous。ItwasnotuntilM。deNucingenpositivelyorderedmeonlytoreceivehiminthemorningsthatIyieldedthepoint。ButIhavebeenunhappyaboutitforalongwhile；Ihaveshedmanytearsoverit。Thisviolencetomyfeelings，withmyhusband’sbrutaltreatment，havebeentwocausesofmyunhappymarriedlife。ThereiscertainlynowomaninPariswhoselotseemsmoreenviablethanmine，andyet，inreality，thereisnotonesomuchtobepitied。YouwillthinkImustbeoutofmysensestotalktoyoulikethis；butyouknowmyfather，andIcannotregardyouasastranger。”
“Youwillfindnoone。”saidEugene，“wholongsaseagerlyasI
dotobeyours。Whatdoallwomenseek？Happiness。”Heansweredhisownquestioninlow，vibratingtones。“Andifhappinessforawomanmeansthatsheistobelovedandadored，tohaveafriendtowhomshecanpouroutherwishes，herfancies，hersorrowsandjoys；towhomshecanlaybareherheartandsoul，andallherfairdefectsandhergraciousvirtues，withoutfearofabetrayal；believeme，thedevotionandthewarmththatneverfailscanonlybefoundintheheartofayoungmanwho，atabaresignfromyou，wouldgotohisdeath，whoneitherknowsnorcarestoknowanythingasyetoftheworld，becauseyouwillbealltheworldtohim。Imyself，youseeyouwilllaughatmysimplicity，havejustcomefromaremotecountrydistrict；IamquitenewtothisworldofParis；Ihaveonlyknowntrueandlovinghearts；andImadeupmymindthathereIshouldfindnolove。ThenIchancedtomeetmycousin，andtoseemycousin’sheartfromverynear；Ihavedivinedtheinexhaustibletreasuresofpassion，and，likeCherubino，Iamtheloverofallwomen，untilthedaycomeswhenIfindTHEwomantowhomImaydevotemyself。AssoonasIsawyou，assoonasIcameintothetheatrethisevening，Ifeltmyselfbornetowardsyouasifbythecurrentofastream。Ihadsooftenthoughtofyoualready，butI
hadneverdreamedthatyouwouldbesobeautiful！Mme。deBeauseanttoldmethatImustnotlooksomuchatyou。Shedoesnotknowthecharmofyourredlips，yourfairface，norseehowsoftyoureyesare……Ialsoambeginningtotalknonsense；
butletmetalk。”
Nothingpleasesawomanbetterthantolistentosuchwhisperedwordsasthese；themostpuritanicalamongthemlistensevenwhensheoughtnottoreplytothem；andRastignac，havingoncebegun，continuedtopourouthisstory，droppinghisvoice，thatshemightleanandlisten；andMme。deNucingen，smiling，glancedfromtimetotimeatdeMarsay，whostillsatinthePrincesseGalathionne’sbox。
RastignacdidnotleaveMme。deNucingentillherhusbandcametotakeherhome。
“Madame。”Eugenesaid，“IshallhavethepleasureofcallinguponyoubeforetheDuchessedeCarigliano’sball。”
“IfMatameinfitesyoutocome。”saidtheBaron，athicksetAlsatian，withindicationsofasinistercunninginhisfull-mooncountenance，“youarequidesureofbeingwellreceifed。”
“Myaffairsseemtobeinapromisingway。”saidEugenetohimself——“’Canyouloveme？’Iaskedher，andshedidnotresentit。Thebitisinthehorse’smouth，andIhaveonlytomountandride；“andwiththathewenttopayhisrespectstoMme。deBeauseant，whowasleavingthetheatreond’Ajuda’sarm。