ThestudentdidnotknowthattheBaroness’thoughtshadbeenwandering；thatshewaseventhenexpectingaletterfromdeMarsay，oneofthoselettersthatbringaboutarupturethatrendsthesoul；so，happyinhisdelusion，EugenewentwiththeVicomtessetotheperistyle，wherepeoplewerewaitingtilltheircarriageswereannounced。
“Thatcousinofyoursishardlyrecognizableforthesameman。”
saidthePortugueselaughinglytotheVicomtesse，whenEugenehadtakenleaveofthem。“Hewillbreakthebank。Heisassuppleasaneel；hewillgoalongway，ofthatIamsure。Whoelsecouldhavepickedoutawomanforhim，asyoudid，justwhensheneededconsolation？“
“Butitisnotcertainthatshedoesnotstilllovethefaithlesslover。”saidMme。deBeauseant。
ThestudentmeanwhilewalkedbackfromtheTheatre-ItalientotheRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevieve，makingthemostdelightfulplansashewent。HehadnoticedhowcloselyMme。deRestaudhadscrutinizedhimwhenhesatbesideMme。deNucingen，andinferredthattheCountess’doorswouldnotbeclosedinthefuture。Fourimportanthouseswerenowopentohim——forhemeanttostandwellwiththeMarechale；hehadfoursupportersintheinmostcircleofsocietyinParis。Evennowitwascleartohimthat，onceinvolvedinthisintricatesocialmachinery，hemustattachhimselftoaspokeofthewheelthatwastoturnandraisehisfortunes；hewouldnotexaminehimselftoocuriouslyastothemethods，buthewascertainoftheend，andconsciousofthepowertogainandkeephishold。
“IfMme。deNucingentakesaninterestinme，Iwillteachherhowtomanageherhusband。Thathusbandofhersisagreatspeculator；hemightputmeinthewayofmakingafortunebyasinglestroke。”
Hedidnotsaythisbluntlyinsomanywords；asyet，indeed，hewasnotsufficientofadiplomatisttosumupasituation，toseeitspossibilitiesataglance，andcalculatethechancesinhisfavor。Thesewerenothingbuthazyideasthatfloatedoverhismentalhorizon；theywerelesscynicalthanVautrin’snotions；
butiftheyhadbeentriedinthecrucibleofconscience，noverypureresultwouldhaveissuedfromthetest。Itisbyasuccessionofsuchliketransactionsthatmensinkatlasttotheleveloftherelaxedmoralityofthisepoch，whentherehaveneverbeensofewofthosewhosquaretheircourseswiththeirtheories，sofewofthosenoblecharacterswhodonotyieldtotemptation，forwhomtheslightestdeviationfromthelineofrectitudeisacrime。TothesemagnificenttypesofuncompromisingRightweowetwomasterpieces——theAlcesteofMoliere，and，inourownday，thecharactersofJeanieDeansandherfatherinSirWalterScott’snovel。Perhapsaworkwhichshouldchronicletheoppositecourse，whichshouldtraceoutallthedeviouscoursesthroughwhichamanoftheworld，amanofambitions，dragshisconscience，juststeeringclearofcrimethathemaygainhisendandyetsaveappearances，suchachroniclewouldbenolessedifyingandnolessdramatic。
Rastignacwenthome。HewasfascinatedbyMme。deNucingen；heseemedtoseeherbeforehim，slenderandgracefulasaswallow。
Herecalledtheintoxicatingsweetnessofhereyes，herfairhair，thedelicatesilkentissueoftheskin，beneathwhichitalmostseemedtohimthathecouldseethebloodcoursing；thetonesofhervoicestillexertedaspelloverhim；hehadforgottennothing；hiswalkperhapsheatedhisimaginationbysendingaglowofwarmththroughhisveins。HeknockedunceremoniouslyatGoriot’sdoor。
“IhaveseenMme。Delphine，neighbor。”saidhe。
“Where？“
“AttheItaliens。”
“Didsheenjoyit？……Justcomeinside。”andtheoldmanlefthisbed，unlockedthedoor，andpromptlyreturnedagain。
ItwasthefirsttimethatEugenehadbeeninFatherGoriot’sroom，andhecouldnotcontrolhisfeelingofamazementatthecontrastbetweenthedeninwhichthefatherlivedandthecostumeofthedaughterwhomhehadjustbeheld。Thewindowwascurtainless，thewallsweredamp，inplacesthevarnishedwall-
paperhadcomeawayandgaveglimpsesofthegrimyyellowplasterbeneath。Thewretchedbedonwhichtheoldmanlayboastedbutonethinblanket，andawaddedquiltmadeoutoflargepiecesofMme。Vauquer’solddresses。Thefloorwasdampandgritty。
Oppositethewindowstoodachestofdrawersmadeofrosewood，oneoftheold-fashionedkindwithacurvingfrontandbrasshandles，shapedlikeringsoftwistedvinestemscoveredwithflowersandleaves。Onavenerablepieceoffurniturewithawoodenshelfstoodaewerandbasinandshavingapparatus。Apairofshoesstoodinonecorner；anight-tablebythebedhadneitheradoornormarbleslab。Therewasnotatraceofafireintheemptygrate；thesquarewalnuttablewiththecrossbaragainstwhichFatherGoriothadcrushedandtwistedhisposset-
dishstoodnearthehearth。Theoldman’shatwaslyingonabroken-downbureau。Anarmchairstuffedwithstrawandacoupleofchairscompletedthelistoframshacklefurniture。Fromthetesterofthebed，tiedtotheceilingbyapieceofrag，hungastripofsomecheapmaterialinlargeredandblackchecks。NopoordrudgeinagarretcouldbeworselodgedthanFatherGoriotinMme。Vauquer’slodging-house。Themeresightoftheroomsentachillthroughyouandasenseofoppression；itwasliketheworstcellinaprison。Luckily，GoriotcouldnotseetheeffectthathissurroundingsproducedonEugeneasthelatterdepositedhiscandleonthenight-table。Theoldmanturnedround，keepingthebedclotheshuddleduptohischin。
“Well。”hesaid，“andwhichdoyoulikethebest，Mme。deRestaudorMme。deNucingen？“
“IlikeMme。Delphinethebest。”saidthelawstudent，“becauseshelovesyouthebest。”
Atthewordssoheartilyspokentheoldman’shandslippedoutfromunderthebedclothesandgraspedEugene’s。
“Thankyou，thankyou。”hesaid，gratefully。“Thenwhatdidshesayaboutme？“
ThestudentrepeatedtheBaroness’remarkswithsomeembellishmentsofhisown，theoldmanlisteningthewhileasthoughheheardavoicefromHeaven。
“Dearchild！“hesaid。“Yes，yes，sheisveryfondofme。ButyoumustnotbelieveallthatshetellsyouaboutAnastasie。Thetwosistersarejealousofeachother，yousee，anotherproofoftheiraffection。Mme。deRestaudisveryfondofmetoo。Iknowsheis。AfatherseeshischildrenasGodseesallofus；helooksintotheverydepthsoftheirhearts；heknowstheirintentions；andbothofthemaresoloving。Oh！ifIonlyhadgoodsons-in-law，Ishouldbetoohappy，andIdaresaythereisnoperfecthappinessherebelow。IfImightlivewiththem——
simplyheartheirvoices，knowthattheyarethere，seethemgoandcomeasIusedtodoathomewhentheywerestillwithme；
why，myheartboundsatthethought……Weretheynicelydressed？“
“Yes。”saidEugene。“But，M。Goriot，howisitthatyourdaughtershavesuchfinehouses，whileyouliveinsuchadenasthis？“
“Dearme，whyshouldIwantanythingbetter？“hereplied，withseemingcarelessness。“Ican’tquiteexplaintoyouhowitis；I
amnotusedtostringingwordstogetherproperly，butitallliesthere——“hesaid，tappinghisheart。“Myreallifeisinmytwogirls，yousee；andsolongastheyarehappy，andsmartlydressed，andhavesoftcarpetsundertheirfeet，whatdoesitmatterwhatclothesIwearorwhereIliedownofanight？I
shallneverfeelcoldsolongastheyarewarm；Ishallneverfeeldulliftheyarelaughing。Ihavenotroublesbuttheirs。
Whenyou，too，areafather，andyouhearyourchildren’slittlevoices，youwillsaytoyourself，’Thathasallcomefromme。’
Youwillfeelthatthoselittleonesareakintoeverydropinyourveins，thattheyaretheveryflowerofyourlifeandwhatelsearethey？；youwillcleavesocloselytothemthatyouseemtofeeleverymovementthattheymake。EverywhereIheartheirvoicessoundinginmyears。Iftheyaresad，thelookintheireyesfreezesmyblood。Somedayyouwillfindoutthatthereisfarmorehappinessinanother’shappinessthaninyourown。ItissomethingthatIcannotexplain，somethingwithinthatsendsaglowofwarmthallthroughyou。Inshort，Ilivemylifethreetimesover。ShallItellyousomethingfunny？Well，then，sinceI
havebeenafather，IhavecometounderstandGod。Heiseverywhereintheworld，becausethewholeworldcomesfromHim。
Anditisjustthesamewithmychildren，monsieur。Only，IlovemydaughtersbetterthanGodlovestheworld，fortheworldisnotsobeautifulasGodHimselfis，butmychildrenaremorebeautifulthanIam。TheirlivesaresoboundupwithminethatI
feltsomehowthatyouwouldseethemthisevening。GreatHeaven！
IfanymanwouldmakemylittleDelphineashappyasawifeiswhensheisloved，Iwouldblackhisbootsandrunonhiserrands。ThatmiserableM。deMarsayisacur；Iknowallabouthimfromhermaid。Alongingtowringhisneckcomesovermenowandthen。Hedoesnotloveher！doesnotloveapearlofawoman，withavoicelikeanightingaleandshapedlikeamodel。WherecanhereyeshavebeenwhenshemarriedthatgreatlumpofanAlsatian？Theyoughtbothofthemtohavemarriedyoungmen，good-lookingandgood-tempered——but，afterall，theyhadtheirownway。”
FatherGoriotwassublime。Eugenehadneveryetseenhisfacelightupasitdidnowwiththepassionatefervorofafather’slove。Itisworthyofremarkthatstrongfeelinghasaverysubtleandpervasivepower；theroughestnature，intheendeavortoexpressadeepandsincereaffection，communicatestootherstheinfluencethathasputresonanceintothevoice，andeloquenceintoeverygesture，wroughtachangeintheveryfeaturesofthespeaker；forundertheinspirationofpassionthestupidesthumanbeingattainstothehighesteloquenceofideas，ifnotoflanguage，andseemstomoveinsomesphereoflight。Intheoldman’stonesandgesturetherewassomethingjustthenofthesamespellthatagreatactorexertsoverhisaudience。Butdoesnotthepoetinusfindexpressioninouraffections？
“Well。”saidEugene，“perhapsyouwillnotbesorrytohearthatsheisprettysuretobreakwithdeMarsaybeforelong。ThatsprigoffashionhasleftherforthePrincesseGalathionne。Formypart，IfellinlovewithMme。Delphinethisevening。”
“Stuff！“saidFatherGoriot。
“Ididindeed，andshedidnotregardmewithaversion。Forawholehourwetalkedoflove，andIamtogotocallonheronSaturday，thedayafterto-morrow。”
“Oh！howIshouldloveyou，ifsheshouldlikeyou。Youarekind-
hearted；youwouldnevermakehermiserable。Ifyouweretoforsakeher，Iwouldcutyourthroatatonce。Awomandoesnotlovetwice，yousee！Goodheavens！whatnonsenseIamtalking，M。
Eugene！Itiscold；yououghtnottostayhere。MONDIEU！soyouhaveheardherspeak？Whatmessagedidshegiveyouforme？“
“Noneatall。”saidEugenetohimself；aloudheanswered，“Shetoldmetotellyouthatyourdaughtersendsyouagoodkiss。”
“Good-night，neighbor！Sleepwell，andpleasantdreamstoyou！I
haveminealreadymadeformebythatmessagefromher。MayGodgrantyouallyourdesires！Youhavecomeinlikeagoodangelonmeto-night，andbroughtwithyoutheairthatmydaughterbreathes。”
“Pooroldfellow！“saidEugeneashelaydown。“Itisenoughtomeltaheartofstone。HisdaughternomorethoughtofhimthanoftheGrandTurk。”
EverafterthisconferenceGoriotlookeduponhisneighborasafriend，aconfidantsuchashehadneverhopedtofind；andtherewasestablishedbetweenthetwotheonlyrelationshipthatcouldattachthisoldmantoanotherman。Thepassionsnevermiscalculate。FatherGoriotfeltthatthisfriendshipbroughthimclosertohisdaughterDelphine；hethoughtthatheshouldfindawarmerwelcomeforhimselfiftheBaronessshouldcareforEugene。Moreover，hehadconfidedoneofhistroublestotheyoungerman。Mme。deNucingen，forwhosehappinessheprayedathousandtimesdaily，hadneverknownthejoysoflove。Eugenewascertainlytomakeuseofhisownexpressiononeofthenicestyoungmenthathehadeverseen，andsomepropheticinstinctseemedtotellhimthatEugenewastogiveherthehappinesswhichhadnotbeenhers。Thesewerethebeginningsofafriendshipthatgrewupbetweentheoldmanandhisneighbor；butforthisfriendshipthecatastropheofthedramamusthaveremainedamystery。
TheaffectionwithwhichFatherGoriotregardedEugene，bywhomheseatedhimselfatbreakfast，thechangeinGoriot’sface，whichasarule，lookedasexpressionlessasaplastercast，andafewwordsthatpassedbetweenthetwo，surprisedtheotherlodgers。Vautrin，whosawEugeneforthefirsttimesincetheirinterview，seemedasifhewouldfainreadthestudent’sverysoul。DuringthenightEugenehadhadsometimeinwhichtoscanthevastfieldwhichlaybeforehim；andnow，asherememberedyesterday’sproposal，thethoughtofMlle。Taillefer’sdowrycame，ofcourse，tohismind，andhecouldnothelpthinkingofVictorineasthemostexemplaryyouthmaythinkofanheiress。Itchancedthattheireyesmet。ThepoorgirldidnotfailtoseethatEugenelookedveryhandsomeinhisnewclothes。Somuchwassaidintheglance，thusexchanged，thatEugenecouldnotdoubtbutthathewasassociatedinhermindwiththevaguehopesthatliedormantinagirl’sheartandgatherroundthefirstattractivenewcomer。“Eighthundredthousandfrancs！“avoicecriedinhisears，butsuddenlyhetookrefugeinthememoriesofyesterdayevening，thinkingthathisextemporizedpassionforMme。deNucingenwasatalismanthatwouldpreservehimfromthistemptation。
“TheygaveRossini’sBarberofSevilleattheItaliensyesterdayevening。”heremarked。“Ineverheardsuchdeliciousmusic。Goodgracious！howluckypeoplearetohaveaboxattheItaliens！“
FatherGoriotdrankineverywordthatEugeneletfall，andwatchedhimasadogwatcheshismaster’sslightestmovement。
“Youmenarelikefightingcocks。”saidMme。Vauquer；“youdowhatyoulike。”
“Howdidyougetback？“inquiredVautrin。
“Iwalked。”answeredEugene。
“Formyownpart。”remarkedthetempter，“Idonotcareaboutdoingthingsbyhalves。IfIwanttoenjoymyselfthatway，I
shouldprefertogoinmycarriage，sitinmyownbox，anddothethingcomfortably。Everythingornothing；thatismymotto。”
“Andagoodone，too。”commentedMme。Vauquer。
“PerhapsyouwillseeMme。deNucingento-day。”saidEugene，addressingGoriotinanundertone。“Shewillwelcomeyouwithopenarms，Iamsure；shewouldwanttoaskyouforallsortsoflittledetailsaboutme。IhavefoundoutthatshewilldoanythingintheworldtobeknownbymycousinMme。deBeauseant；
don’tforgettotellherthatIlovehertoowellnottothinkoftryingtoarrangethis。”
RastignacwentatoncetotheEcoledeDroit。Hehadnomindtostayamomentlongerthanwasnecessaryinthatodioushouse。Hewastedhistimethatday；hehadfallenavictimtothatfeverofthebrainthataccompaniesthetoovividhopesofyouth。
Vautrin’sargumentshadsethimmeditatingonsociallife，andhewasdeepinthesereflectionswhenhehappenedonhisfriendBianchonintheJardinduLuxembourg。
“Whatmakesyoulooksosolemn？“saidthemedicalstudent，puttinganarmthroughEugene’sastheywenttowardsthePalais。
“Iamtormentedbytemptations。”
“Whatkind？Thereisacurefortemptation。”
“What？“
“Yieldingtoit。”
“Youlaugh，butyoudon’tknowwhatitisallabout。HaveyoureadRousseau？“
“Yes。”
“DoyourememberthatheasksthereadersomewherewhathewoulddoifhecouldmakeafortunebykillinganoldmandarinsomewhereinChinabymereforceofwishingit，andwithoutstirringfromParis？“
“Yes。”
“Well，then？“
“Pshaw！Iamatmythirty-thirdmandarin。”
“Seriously，though。Lookhere，supposeyouweresurethatyoucoulddoit，andhadonlytogiveanod。Wouldyoudoit？“
“Ishewellstrickeninyears，thismandarinofyours？Pshaw！
afterall，youngorold，paralytic，orwellandsound，mywordforit……Well，then。Hangit，no！“
“Youareagoodfellow，Bianchon。Butsupposeyoulovedawomanwellenoughtoloseyoursoulinhellforher，andthatshewantedmoneyfordressesandacarriage，andallherwhims，infact？“
“Why，hereyouaretakingawaymyreason，andwantmetoreason！“
“Well，then，Bianchon，Iammad；bringmetomysenses。Ihavetwosistersasbeautifulandinnocentasangels，andIwantthemtobehappy。HowamItofindtwohundredthousandfrancsapiecefortheminthenextfiveyears？Nowandtheninlife，yousee，youmustplayforheavystakes，anditisnousewastingyourluckonlowplay。”
“Butyouareonlystatingtheproblemthatliesbeforeeveryoneattheoutsetofhislife，andyouwanttocuttheGordianknotwithasword。Ifthatisthewayofit，dearboy，youmustbeanAlexander，ortothehulksyougo。Formyownpart，IamquitecontentedwiththelittlelotImeantomakeformyselfsomewhereinthecountry，whenImeantostepintomyfather’sshoesandplodalong。Aman’saffectionsarejustasfullysatisfiedbythesmallestcircleastheycanbebyavastcircumference。Napoleonhimselfcouldonlydineonce，andhecouldnothavemoremistressesthanahousestudentattheCapuchins。Happiness，oldman，dependsonwhatliesbetweenthesoleofyourfootandthecrownofyourhead；andwhetheritcostsamillionorahundredlouis，theactualamountofpleasurethatyoureceiverestsentirelywithyou，andisjustexactlythesameinanycase。IamforlettingthatChinamanlive。”
“Thankyou，Bianchon；youhavedonemegood。Wewillalwaysbefriends。”
“Isay。”remarkedthemedicalstudent，astheycametotheendofabroadwalkintheJardindesPlantes，“IsawtheMichonneauandPoiretafewminutesagoonabenchchattingwithagentlemanwhomIusedtoseeinlastyear’stroubleshangingabouttheChamberofDeputies；heseemstome，infact，tobeadetectivedresseduplikeadecentretiredtradesman。Letuskeepaneyeonthatcouple；Iwilltellyouwhysometime。Good-bye；itisnearlyfouro’clock，andImustbeintoanswertomyname。”
WhenEugenereachedthelodging-house，hefoundFatherGoriotwaitingforhim。
“Here。”criedtheoldman，“hereisaletterfromher。Prettyhandwriting，eh？“
Eugenebrokethesealandread：——
“Sir，——IhaveheardfrommyfatherthatyouarefondofItalianmusic。Ishallbedelightedifyouwilldomethepleasureofacceptingaseatinmybox。LaFodorandPellegriniwillsingonSaturday，soIamsurethatyouwillnotrefuseme。M。deNucingenandIshallbepleasedifyouwilldinewithus；weshallbequitebyourselves。Ifyouwillcomeandbemyescort，myhusbandwillbegladtoberelievedfromhisconjugalduties。
Donotanswer，butsimplycome——Yourssincerely，D。DEN。”
“Letmeseeit。”saidFatherGoriot，whenEugenehadreadtheletter。“Youaregoing，aren’tyou？“headded，whenhehadsmelledthewriting-paper。“Howniceitsmells！Herfingershavetouchedit，thatiscertain。”
“Awomandoesnotflingherselfataman’sheadinthisway。”thestudentwasthinking。“ShewantstousemetobringbackdeMarsay；nothingbutpiquemakesawomandoathinglikethis。”
“Well。”saidFatherGoriot，“whatareyouthinkingabout？“
Eugenedidnotknowthefeverorvanitythatpossessedsomewomeninthosedays；howshouldheimaginethattoopenadoorintheFaubourgSaint-Germainabanker’swifewouldgotoalmostanylength。ForthecoterieoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainwasacharmedcircle，andthewomenwhomovedinitwereatthattimethequeensofsociety；andamongthegreatestoftheseDamesduPetit-Chateau，astheywerecalled，wereMme。deBeauseantandherfriendstheDuchessedeLangeaisandtheDuchessedeMaufrigneause。RastignacwasaloneinhisignoranceofthefranticeffortsmadebywomenwholivedintheChausee-d’Antintoenterthisseventhheavenandshineamongthebrightestconstellationsoftheirsex。Buthiscautiousdispositionstoodhimingoodstead，andkepthisjudgmentcool，andthenotaltogetherenviablepowerofimposinginsteadofacceptingconditions。
“Yes，Iamgoing。”hereplied。
SoitwascuriositythatdrewhimtoMme。deNucingen；while，ifshehadtreatedhimdisdainfully，passionperhapsmighthavebroughthimtoherfeet。Stillhewaitedalmostimpatientlyforto-morrow，andthehourwhenhecouldgotoher。Thereisalmostasmuchcharmforayoungmaninafirstflirtationasthereisinfirstlove。Thecertaintyofsuccessisasourceofhappinesstowhichmendonotconfess，andallthecharmofcertainwomenliesinthis。Thedesireofconquestspringsnolessfromtheeasinessthanfromthedifficultyoftriumph，andeverypassionisexcitedorsustainedbyoneortheotherofthesetwomotiveswhichdividetheempireoflove。Perhapsthisdivisionisoneresultofthegreatquestionoftemperaments；which，afterall，dominatessociallife。Themelancholictemperamentmaystandinneedofthetonicofcoquetry，whilethoseofnervousorsanguinecomplexionwithdrawiftheymeetwithatoostubbornresistance。
Inotherwords，thelymphatictemperamentisessentiallydespondent，andtherhapsodicisbilious。
Eugenelingeredoverhistoilettewithanenjoymentofallitslittledetailsthatisgratefultoayoungman’sself-love，thoughhewillnotowntoitforfearofbeinglaughedat。Hethought，ashearrangedhishair，thataprettywoman’sglanceswouldwanderthroughthedarkcurls。Heindulgedinchildishtrickslikeanyyounggirldressingforadance，andgazedcomplacentlyathisgracefulfigurewhilehesmoothedoutthecreasesofhiscoat。
“Thereareworsefigures，thatiscertain。”hesaidtohimself。
Thenhewentdownstairs，justastherestofthehouseholdweresittingdowntodinner，andtookwithgoodhumortheboisterousapplauseexcitedbyhiselegantappearance。Theamazementwithwhichanyattentiontodressisregardedinalodging-houseisaverycharacteristictrait。Noonecanputonanewcoatbuteveryoneelsemustsayhissayaboutit。
“Clk！clk！clk！“criedBianchon，makingthesoundwithhistongueagainsttheroofofhismouth，likeadriverurgingonahorse。
“HeholdshimselflikeadukeandapeerofFrance。”saidMme。
Vauquer。
“Areyougoinga-courting？“inquiredMlle。Michonneau。
“Cock-a-doodle-doo！“criedtheartist。
“Mycomplimentstomyladyyourwife。”fromtheemployeattheMuseum。
“Yourwife；haveyouawife？“askedPoiret。
“Yes，incompartments，water-tightandfloats，guaranteedfastcolor，allpricesfromtwenty-fivetofortysous，neatcheckpatternsinthelatestfashionandbesttaste，willwash，half-
linen，half-cotton，half-wool；acertaincurefortoothacheandothercomplaintsunderthepatronageoftheRoyalCollegeofPhysicians！childrenlikeit！aremedyforheadache，indigestion，andallotherdiseasesaffectingthethroat，eyes，andears！“
criedVautrin，withacomicalimitationofthevolubilityofaquackatafair。“Andhowmuchshallwesayforthismarvel，gentlemen？Twopence？No。Nothingofthesort。AllthatisleftinstockaftersupplyingtheGreatMogul。AllthecrownedheadsofEurope，includingtheGr-r-randDukeofBaden，havebeenanxioustogetasightofit。Walkup！walkup！gentlemen！Payatthedeskasyougoin！Strikeupthemusicthere！Brooum，la，la，trinn！la，la，boum！boum！MisterClarinette，thereyouareoutoftune！“headdedgruffly；“Iwillrapyourknucklesforyou！“
“Goodness！whatanamusingman！“saidMme。VauquertoMme。
Couture；“Ishouldneverfeeldullwithhiminthehouse。”
ThisburlesqueofVautrin’swasthesignalforanoutburstofmerriment，andundercoverofjokesandlaughterEugenecaughtaglancefromMlle。Taillefer；shehadleanedovertosayafewwordsinMme。Couture’sear。
“Thecabisatthedoor。”announcedSylvie。
“Butwhereishegoingtodine？“askedBianchon。
“WithMadamelaBaronnedeNucingen。”
“M。Goriot’sdaughter。”saidthelawstudent。
Atthis，alleyesturnedtotheoldvermicellimaker；hewasgazingatEugenewithsomethinglikeenvyinhiseyes。
RastignacreachedthehouseintheRueSaint-Lazare，oneofthosemany-windowedhouseswithamean-lookingporticoandslendercolumns，whichareconsideredthethinginParis，atypicalbanker’shouse，decoratedinthemostostentatiousfashion；thewallslinedwithstucco，thelandingsofmarblemosaic。Mme。deNucingenwassittinginalittledrawing-room；theroomwaspaintedintheItalianfashion，anddecoratedlikearestaurant。
TheBaronessseemeddepressed。TheeffortthatshemadetohideherfeelingsarousedEugene’sinterest；itwasplainthatshewasnotplayingapart。Hehadexpectedalittleflutterofexcitementathiscoming，andhefoundherdispiritedandsad。
Thedisappointmentpiquedhisvanity。
“Myclaimtoyourconfidenceisverysmall，madame。”hesaid，afterrallyingheronherabstractedmood；“butifIamintheway，pleasetellmesofrankly；Icountonyourgoodfaith。”
“No，staywithme。”shesaid；“Ishallbeallaloneifyougo。
Nucingenisdiningintown，andIdonotwanttobealone；Iwanttobetakenoutofmyself。”
“Butwhatisthematter？“
“YouaretheverylastpersonwhomIshouldtell。”sheexclaimed。
“ThenIamconnectedinsomewayinthissecret。Iwonderwhatitis？“
“Perhaps。Yet，no。”shewenton；“itisadomesticquarrel，whichoughttobeburiedinthedepthsoftheheart。Iamveryunhappy；
didInottellyousothedaybeforeyesterday？Goldenchainsaretheheaviestofallfetters。”
Whenawomantellsayoungmanthatsheisveryunhappy，andwhentheyoungmanisclever，andwelldressed，andhasfifteenhundredfrancslyingidleinhispocket，heissuretothinkasEugenesaid，andhebecomesacoxcomb。
“Whatcanyouhavelefttowishfor？“heanswered。“Youareyoung，beautiful，beloved，andrich。”
“Donotletustalkofmyaffairs。”shesaidshakingherheadmournfully。“Wewilldinetogethertete-a-tete，andafterwardswewillgotohearthemostexquisitemusic。AmItoyourtaste？“
shewenton，risinganddisplayinghergownofwhitecashmere，coveredwithPersiandesignsinthemostsuperbtaste。
“Iwishthatyouwerealtogethermine。”saidEugene；“youarecharming。”
“Youwouldhaveaforlornpieceofproperty。”shesaid，smilingbitterly。“Thereisnothingaboutmethatbetraysmywretchedness；andyet，inspiteofappearances，Iamindespair。
Icannotsleep；mytroubleshavebrokenmynight’srest；Ishallgrowugly。”
“Oh！thatisimpossible。”criedthelawstudent；“butIamcurioustoknowwhatthesetroublescanbethatadevotedlovecannotefface。”
“Ah！ifIweretotellyouaboutthem，youwouldshunme。”shesaid。“Yourloveformeisasyetonlytheconventionalgallantrythatmenusetomasqueradein；and，ifyoureallylovedme，youwouldbedriventodespair。Imustkeepsilence，yousee。Letustalkofsomethingelse，forpity’ssake。”sheadded。“Letmeshowyoumyrooms。”
“No；letusstayhere。”answeredEugene；hesatdownonthesofabeforethefire，andboldlytookMme。deNucingen’shandinhis。
Shesurrenderedittohim；heevenfeltthepressureofherfingersinoneofthespasmodicclutchesthatbetrayterribleagitation。
“Listen。”saidRastignac；“ifyouareintrouble，yououghttotellmeaboutit。IwanttoprovetoyouthatIloveyouforyourselfalone。Youmustspeaktomefranklyaboutyourtroubles，sothatIcanputanendtothem，evenifIhavetokillhalf-a-
dozenmen；orIshallgo，nevertoreturn。”
“Verywell。”shecried，puttingherhandtoherforeheadinanagonyofdespair，“Iwillputyoutotheproof，andthisverymoment。Yes。”shesaidtoherself，“Ihavenootherresourceleft。”
Sherangthebell。
“Arethehorsesputinforthemaster？“sheaskedoftheservant。
“Yes，madame。”
“Ishalltakehiscarriagemyself。Hecanhavemineandmyhorses。Servedinneratseveno’clock。”
“Now，comewithme。”shesaidtoEugene，whothoughtashesatinthebanker’scarriagebesideMme。deNucingenthathemustsurelybedreaming。
“TothePalais-Royal。”shesaidtothecoachman；“stopneartheTheatre-Francais。”
SheseemedtobetootroubledandexcitedtoanswertheinnumerablequestionsthatEugeneputtoher。Hewasatalosswhattothinkofhermuteresistance，herobstinatesilence。
“Anothermomentandshewillescapeme。”hesaidtohimself。
Whenthecarriagestoppedatlast，theBaronessgavethelawstudentaglancethatsilencedhiswildwords，forhewasalmostbesidehimself。
“Isittruethatyouloveme？“sheasked。
“Yes。”heanswered，andinhismannerandtonetherewasnotraceoftheuneasinessthathefelt。
“Youwillnotthinkillofme，willyou，whateverImayaskofyou？“
“No。”
“Areyoureadytodomybidding？“
“Blindly。”
“Haveyoueverbeentoagaming-house？“sheaskedinatremulousvoice。
“Never。”
“Ah！nowIcanbreathe。Youwillhaveluck。Hereismypurse。”
shesaid。“Takeit！thereareahundredfrancsinit，allthatsuchafortunatewomanasIcancallherown。Goupintooneofthegaming-houses——Idonotknowwheretheyare，buttherearesomenearthePalais-Royal。Tryyourluckwiththehundredfrancsatagametheycallroulette；loseitallorbringmebacksixthousandfrancs。Iwilltellyouaboutmytroubleswhenyoucomeback。”
“Deviltakeme，I’msure，ifIhaveaglimmerofanotionofwhatIamabout，butIwillobeyyou。”headded，withinwardexultation，ashethought，“Shehasgonetoofartodrawback——
shecanrefusemenothingnow！“
Eugenetookthedaintylittlepurse，inquiredthewayofasecond-handclothes-dealer，andhurriedtonumber9，whichhappenedtobethenearestgaming-house。Hemountedthestaircase，surrenderedhishat，andaskedthewaytotheroulette-table，whithertheattendanttookhim，notalittletotheastonishmentoftheregularcomers。AlleyeswerefixedonEugeneasheasked，withoutbashfulness，wherehewastodeposithisstakes。
“Ifyouputalouisononeonlyofthosethirty-sixnumbers，anditturnsup，youwillwinthirty-sixlouis。”saidarespectable-
looking，white-hairedoldmaninanswertohisinquiry。
Eugenestakedthewholeofhismoneyonthenumber21hisownage。Therewasacryofsurprise；beforeheknewwhathehaddone，hehadwon。
“Takeyourmoneyoff，sir。”saidtheoldgentleman；“youdon’toftenwintwicerunningbythatsystem。”
Eugenetooktherakethattheoldmanhandedtohim，anddrewinhisthreethousandsixhundredfrancs，and，stillperfectlyignorantofwhathewasabout，stakedagainonthered。Thebystanderswatchedhimenviouslyastheysawhimcontinuetoplay。Thediscturned，andagainhewon；thebankerthrewhimthreethousandsixhundredfrancsoncemore。
“Youhaveseventhousand，twohundredfrancsofyourown。”theoldgentlemansaidinhisear。“Takemyadviceandgoawaywithyourwinnings；redhasturnedupeighttimesalready。Ifyouarecharitable，youwillshowyourgratitudeforsoundcounselbygivingatrifletoanoldprefectofNapoleonwhoisdownonhisluck。”
Rastignac’sheadwasswimming；hesawtenofhislouispassintothewhite-hairedman’spossession，andwentdown-stairswithhisseventhousandfrancs；hewasstillignorantofthegame，andstupefiedbyhisluck。
“So，thatisover；andnowwherewillyoutakeme？“heasked，assoonasthedoorwasclosed，andheshowedtheseventhousandfrancstoMme。deNucingen。
Delphineflungherarmsabouthim，buttherewasnopassioninthatwildembrace。
“Youhavesavedme！“shecried，andtearsofjoyflowedfast。
“Iwilltellyoueverything，myfriend。Foryouwillbemyfriend，willyounot？Iamrich，youthink，veryrich；IhaveeverythingIwant，orIseemasifIhadeverything。Verywell，youmustknowthatM。deNucingendoesnotallowmethecontrolofasinglepenny；hepaysallthebillsforthehouseexpenses；
hepaysformycarriagesandoperabox；hedoesnotgivemeenoughtopayformydress，andhereducesmetopovertyinsecretonpurpose。Iamtooproudtobegfromhim。IshouldbethevilestofwomenifIcouldtakehismoneyatthepriceatwhichheoffersit。DoyouaskhowI，withsevenhundredthousandfrancsofmyown，couldletmyselfberobbed？ItisbecauseIwasproud，andscornedtospeak。Wearesoyoung，soartlesswhenourmarriedlifebegins！Inevercouldbringmyselftoaskmyhusbandformoney；thewordswouldhavemademylipsbleed，Ididnotdaretoask；Ispentmysavingsfirst，andthenthemoneythatmypoorfathergaveme，thenIranintodebt。Marriageformeisahideousfarce；Icannottalkaboutit，letitsufficetosaythatNucingenandIhaveseparaterooms，andthatIwouldflingmyselfoutofthewindowsoonerthanconsenttoanyothermanneroflife。IsufferedagonieswhenIhadtoconfesstomygirlishextravagance，mydebtsforjewelryandtriflesforourpoorfatherhadneverrefusedusanything，andspoiledus，butatlastIfoundcouragetotellhimaboutthem。Afterall，Ihadafortuneofmyown。Nucingenflewintoarage；hesaidthatI
shouldbetheruinofhim，andusedfrightfullanguage！Iwishedmyselfahundredfeetdownintheearth。Hehadmydowry，sohepaidmydebts，buthestipulatedatthesametimethatmyexpensesinfuturemustnotexceedacertainfixedsum，andI
gavewayforthesakeofpeace。Andthen。”shewenton，“Iwantedtogratifytheself-loveofsomeonewhomyouknow。Hemayhavedeceivedme，butIshoulddohimthejusticetosaythattherewasnothingpettyinhischaracter。But，afterall，hethrewmeoverdisgracefully。If，atawoman’sutmostneed，SOMEBODYheapsgolduponher，heoughtnevertoforsakeher；thatloveshouldlastforever！Butyou，atone-and-twenty，you，thesoulofhonor，withtheunsulliedconscienceofyouth，willaskmehowawomancanbringherselftoacceptmoneyinsuchaway？MONDIEU！
isitnotnaturaltoshareeverythingwiththeonetowhomweoweourhappiness？Whenallhasbeengiven，whyshouldwepauseandhesitateoverapart？Moneyisasnothingbetweenusuntilthemomentwhenthesentimentthatboundustogetherceasestoexist。
Werewenotboundtoeachotherforlife？Whothatbelievesinloveforeseessuchanendtolove？Yousweartoloveuseternally；how，then，canourinterestsbeseparate？
“YoudonotknowhowIsufferedto-daywhenNucingenrefusedtogivemesixthousandfrancs；hespendsasmuchasthateverymonthonhismistress，anoperadancer！Ithoughtofkillingmyself。Thewildestthoughtscameintomyhead。TherehavebeenmomentsinmylifewhenIhaveenviedmyservants，andwouldhavechangedplaceswithmymaid。Itwasmadnesstothinkofgoingtoourfather，AnastasieandIhavebledhimdry；ourpoorfatherwouldhavesoldhimselfifhecouldhaveraisedsixthousandfrancsthatway。Ishouldhavedrivenhimfrantictonopurpose。
Youhavesavedmefromshameanddeath；Iwasbesidemyselfwithanguish。Ah！monsieur，Iowedyouthisexplanationaftermymadravings。Whenyouleftmejustnow，assoonasyouwereoutofsight，Ilongedtoescape，torunaway……where，Ididnotknow。HalfthewomeninParisleadsuchlivesasmine；theyliveinapparentluxury，andintheirsoulsaretormentedbyanxiety。
IknowofpoorcreaturesevenmoremiserablethanI；therearewomenwhoaredriventoasktheirtradespeopletomakeoutfalsebills，womenwhorobtheirhusbands。SomemenbelievethatanIndianshawlworthathousandlouisonlycostfivehundredfrancs，othersthatashawlcostingfivehundredfrancsisworthahundredlouis。Therearewomen，too，withnarrowincomes，whoscrapeandsaveandstarvetheirchildrentopayforadress。I
aminnocentofthesebasemeannesses。Butthisisthelastextremityofmytorture。Somewomenwillsellthemselvestotheirhusbands，andsoobtaintheirway，butI，atanyrate，amfree。
IfIchose，Nucingenwouldcovermewithgold，butIwouldratherweeponthebreastofamanwhomIcanrespect。Ah！tonight，M。
deMarsaywillnolongerhavearighttothinkofmeasawomanwhomhehaspaid。”Shetriedtoconcealhertearsfromhim，hidingherfaceinherhands；Eugenedrewthemawayandlookedather；sheseemedtohimsublimeatthatmoment。
“Itishideous，isitnot。”shecried，“tospeakinabreathofmoneyandaffection。Youcannotlovemeafterthis。”sheadded。
Theincongruitybetweentheideasofhonorwhichmakewomensogreat，andtheerrorsinconductwhichareforceduponthembytheconstitutionofsociety，hadthrownEugene’sthoughtsintoconfusion；heutteredsoothingandconsolingwords，andwonderedatthebeautifulwomanbeforehim，andattheartlessimprudenceofhercryofpain。
“Youwillnotrememberthisagainstme？“sheasked；“promisemethatyouwillnot。”
“Ah！madame，Iamincapableofdoingso。”hesaid。Shetookhishandandheldittoherheart，amovementfullofgracethatexpressedherdeepgratitude。
“Iamfreeandhappyoncemore，thankstoyou。”shesaid。“Oh！I
havefeltlatelyasifIwereinthegraspofanironhand。ButafterthisImeantolivesimplyandtospendnothing。Youwillthinkmejustaspretty，willyounot，myfriend？Keepthis。”shewenton，asshetookonlysixofthebanknotes。“InconscienceI
oweyouathousandcrowns，forIreallyoughttogohalveswithyou。”
Eugene’smaidenconscienceresisted；butwhentheBaronesssaid，“Iamboundtolookonyouasanaccompliceorasanenemy。”hetookthemoney。
“Itshallbealaststakeinreserve。”hesaid，“incaseofmisfortune。”
“ThatwaswhatIwasdreadingtohear。”shecried，turningpale。
“Oh，ifyouwouldthatIshouldbeanythingtoyou，sweartomethatyouwillneverre-enteragaming-house。GreatHeaven！thatI
shouldcorruptyou！Ishoulddieofsorrow！“
TheyhadreachedtheRueSaint-Lazarebythistime。Thecontrastbetweentheostentationofwealthinthehouse，andthewretchedconditionofitsmistress，dazedthestudent；andVautrin’scynicalwordsbegantoringinhisears。
“Seatyourselfthere。”saidtheBaroness，pointingtoalowchairbesidethefire。“Ihaveadifficultlettertowrite。”sheadded。
“Tellmewhattosay。”
“Saynothing。”Eugeneansweredher。“Putthebillsinanenvelope，directit，andsenditbyyourmaid。”
“Why，youarealoveofaman。”shesaid。“Ah！seewhatitistohavebeenwellbroughtup。ThatistheBeauseantthroughandthrough。”shewenton，smilingathim。
“Sheischarming。”thoughtEugene，moreandmoreinlove。Helookedroundhimattheroom；therewasanostentatiouscharacterabouttheluxury，ameretricioustasteinthesplendor。
“Doyoulikeit？“sheasked，assherangforthemaid。
“Therese，takethistoM。deMarsay，andgiveitintohishandsyourself。Ifheisnotathome，bringtheletterbacktome。”
Theresewent，butnotbeforeshehadgivenEugeneaspitefulglance。
Dinnerwasannounced。RastignacgavehisarmtoMme。deNucingen，sheledthewayintoaprettydining-room，andagainhesawtheluxuryofthetablewhichhehadadmiredinhiscousin’shouse。
“Comeanddinewithmeonoperaevenings，andwewillgototheItaliensafterwards。”shesaid。
“Ishouldsoongrowusedtothepleasantlifeifitcouldlast，butIamapoorstudent，andIhavemywaytomake。”
“Oh！youwillsucceed。”shesaidlaughing。“Youwillsee。Allthatyouwishwillcometopass。_I_didnotexpecttobesohappy。”
Itisthewontofwomentoprovetheimpossiblebythepossible，andtoannihilatefactsbypresentiments。WhenMme。deNucingenandRastignactooktheirplacesinherboxattheBouffons，herfaceworealookofhappinessthatmadehersolovelythateveryoneindulgedinthosesmallslandersagainstwhichwomenaredefenceless；forthescandalthatisutteredlightlyisoftenseriouslybelieved。ThosewhoknowParis，believenothingthatissaid，andsaynothingofwhatisdonethere。
EugenetooktheBaroness’handinhis，andbysomelightpressureofthefingers，oraclosergraspofthehand，theyfoundalanguageinwhichtoexpressthesensationswhichthemusicgavethem。Itwasaneveningofintoxicatingdelightforboth；andwhenitended，andtheywentouttogether，Mme。deNucingeninsistedontakingEugenewithherasfarasthePontNeuf，hedisputingwithherthewholeofthewayforasinglekissafterallthosethatshehadshowereduponhimsopassionatelyatthePalais-Royal；Eugenereproachedherwithinconsistency。
“Thatwasgratitude。”shesaid，“fordevotionthatIdidnotdaretohopefor，butnowitwouldbeapromise。”
“Andwillyougivemenopromise，ingrate？“
Hegrewvexed。Then，withoneofthoseimpatientgesturesthatfillaloverwithecstasy，shegavehimherhandtokiss，andhetookitwithadiscontentedairthatdelightedher。
“IshallseeyouattheballonMonday。”shesaid。
AsEugenewenthomeinthemoonlight，hefelltoseriousreflections。Hewassatisfied，andyetdissatisfied。Hewaspleasedwithanadventurewhichwouldprobablygivehimhisdesire，forintheendoneoftheprettiestandbest-dressedwomeninPariswouldbehis；but，asaset-off，hesawhishopesoffortunebroughttonothing；andassoonasherealizedthisfact，thevaguethoughtsofyesterdayeveningbegantotakeamoredecidedshapeinhismind。Acheckissuretorevealtousthestrengthofourhopes。ThemoreEugenelearnedofthepleasuresoflifeinParis，themoreimpatienthefeltofpovertyandobscurity。Hecrumpledthebanknoteinhispocket，andfoundanyquantityofplausibleexcusesforappropriatingit。
HereachedtheRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevieveatlast，andfromthestairheadhesawalightinGoriot’sroom；theoldmanhadlightedacandle，andsetthedoorajar，lestthestudentshouldpasshimby，andgotohisroomwithout“tellinghimallabouthisdaughter。”tousehisownexpression。Eugene，accordingly，toldhimeverythingwithoutreserve。
“ThentheythinkthatIamruined！“criedFatherGoriot，inanagonyofjealousyanddesperation。“Why，Ihavestillthirteenhundredlivresayear！MONDIEU！Poorlittlegirl！whydidshenotcometome？Iwouldhavesoldmyrentes；sheshouldhavehadsomeoftheprincipal，andIwouldhaveboughtalife-annuitywiththerest。Mygoodneighbor，whydidnotYOUcometotellmeofherdifficulty？Howhadyouthehearttogoandriskherpoorlittlehundredfrancsatplay？Thisisheart-breakingwork。Youseewhatitistohavesons-in-law。Oh！ifIhadholdofthem，I
wouldwringtheirnecks。MONDIEU！CRYING！Didyousayshewascrying？“
“Withherheadonmywaistcoat。”saidEugene。
“Oh！giveittome。”saidFatherGoriot。“What！mydaughter’stearshavefallenthere——mydarlingDelphine，whoneverusedtocrywhenshewasalittlegirl！Oh！Iwillbuyyouanother；donotwearitagain；letmehaveit。Bythetermsofhermarriage-
contract，sheoughttohavetheuseofherproperty。To-morrowmorningIwillgoandseeDerville；heisanattorney。Iwilldemandthathermoneyshouldbeinvestedinherownname。Iknowthelaw。Iamanoldwolf，Iwillshowmyteeth。”
“Here，father；thisisabanknoteforathousandfrancsthatshewantedmetokeepoutofourwinnings。Keepthemforher，inthepocketofthewaistcoat。”
GoriotlookedhardatEugene，reachedoutandtookthelawstudent’shand，andEugenefeltatearfallonit。
“Youwillsucceed。”theoldmansaid。“Godisjust，yousee。I
knowanhonestmanwhenIseehim，andIcantellyou，therearenotmanymenlikeyou。Iamtohaveanotherdearchildinyou，amI？There，gotosleep；youcansleep；youarenotyetafather。
Shewascrying！andIhavetobetoldaboutit！——andIwasquietlyeatingmydinner，likeanidiot，allthetime——I，whowouldselltheFather，SonandHolyGhosttosaveoneteartoeitherofthem。”
“Anhonestman！“saidEugenetohimselfashelaydown。“Uponmyword，IthinkIwillbeanhonestmanallmylife；itissopleasanttoobeythevoiceofconscience。”PerhapsnonebutbelieversinGoddogoodinsecret；andEugenebelievedinaGod。
ThenextdayRastignacwentattheappointedtimetoMme。deBeauseant，whotookhimwithhertotheDuchessedeCarigliano’sball。TheMarechalereceivedEugenemostgraciously。Mme。deNucingenwasthere。Delphine’sdressseemedtosuggestthatshewishedfortheadmirationofothers，sothatshemightshinethemoreinEugene’seyes；shewaseagerlyexpectingaglancefromhim，hiding，asshethought，thiseagernessfromallbeholders。
Thismomentisfullofcharmforonewhocanguessallthatpassesinawoman’smind。Whohasnotrefrainedfromgivinghisopinion，toprolonghersuspense，concealinghispleasurefromadesiretotantalize，seekingaconfessionofloveinheruneasiness，enjoyingthefearsthathecandissipatebyasmile？
Inthecourseoftheeveningthelawstudentsuddenlycomprehendedhisposition；hesawthat，asthecousinofMme。deBeauseant，hewasapersonageinthisworld。HewasalreadycreditedwiththeconquestofMme。deNucingen，andforthisreasonwasaconspicuousfigure；hecaughttheenviousglancesofotheryoungmen，andexperiencedtheearliestpleasuresofcoxcombry。Peoplewonderedathisluck，andscrapsoftheseconversationscametohisearsashewentfromroomtoroom；allthewomenprophesiedhissuccess；andDelphine，inherdreadoflosinghim，promisedthatthiseveningshewouldnotrefusethekissthatallhisentreatiescouldscarcelywinyesterday。
Rastignacreceivedseveralinvitations。Hiscousinpresentedhimtootherwomenwhowerepresent；womenwhocouldclaimtobeofthehighestfashion；whosehouseswerelookeduponaspleasant；
andthiswastheloftiestandmostfashionablesocietyinParisintowhichhewaslaunched。Sothiseveninghadallthecharmofabrilliantdebut；itwasaneveningthathewastoremembereveninoldage，asawomanlooksbackuponherfirstballandthememoriesofhergirlishtriumphs。
Thenextmorning，atbreakfast，herelatedthestoryofhissuccessforthebenefitofFatherGoriotandthelodgers。Vautrinbegantosmileinadiabolicalfashion。
“Anddoyousuppose。”criedthatcold-bloodedlogician，“thatayoungmanoffashioncanlivehereintheRueNeuve-Sainte-
Genevieve，intheMaisonVauquer——anexceedinglyrespectableboarding-houseineveryway，Igrantyou，butanestablishmentthat，nonetheless，fallsshortofbeingfashionable？Thehouseiscomfortable，itislordlyinitsabundance；itisproudtobethetemporaryabodeofaRastignac；but，afterall，itisintheRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevieve，andluxurywouldbeoutofplacehere，whereweonlyaimatthepurelypatriarchalorama。IfyoumeantocutafigureinParis，myyoungfriend。”Vautrincontinued，withhalf-paternaljocularity，“youmusthavethreehorses，atilburyforthemornings，andaclosedcarriagefortheevening；youshouldspendaltogetheraboutninethousandfrancsonyourstables。Youwouldshowyourselfunworthyofyourdestinyifyouspentnomorethanthreethousandfrancswithyourtailor，sixhundredinperfumery，ahundredcrownstoyourshoemaker，andahundredmoretoyourhatter。Asforyourlaundress，theregoesanotherthousandfrancs；ayoungmanoffashionmustofnecessitymakeagreatpointofhislinen；ifyourlinencomesuptotherequiredstandard，peopleoftendonotlookanyfurther。LoveandtheChurchdemandafairaltar-cloth。Thatisfourteenthousandfrancs。Iamsayingnothingoflossesatplay，bets，andpresents；itisimpossibletoallowlessthantwothousandfrancsforpocketmoney。Ihaveledthatsortoflife，andIknowallabouttheseexpenses。Addthecostofnecessariesnext；threehundredlouisforprovender，athousandfrancsforaplacetoroostin。Well，myboy，foralltheselittlewantsofourswehadneedtohavetwenty-fivethousandfrancseveryyearinourpurse，orweshallfindourselvesinthekennel，andpeoplelaughingatus，andourcareeriscutshort，good-byetosuccess，andgood-
byetoyourmistress！Iamforgettingyourvaletandyourgroom！
IsChristophegoingtocarryyourbillets-douxforyou？Doyoumeantoemploythestationeryyouuseatpresent？Suicidalpolicy！Hearkentothewisdomofyourelders！“hewenton，hisbassvoicegrowinglouderateachsyllable。“Eithertakeupyourquartersinagarret，livevirtuously，andwedyourwork，orsetaboutthethinginadifferentway。”
VautrinwinkedandleeredinthedirectionofMlle。Taillefertoenforcehisremarksbyalookwhichrecalledthelatetemptingproposalsbywhichhehadsoughttocorruptthestudent’smind。
Severaldayswentby，andRastignaclivedinawhirlofgaiety。
HedinedalmosteverydaywithMme。deNucingen，andwentwherevershewent，onlyreturningtotheRueNeuve-Sainte-
Genevieveinthesmallhours。Heroseatmid-day，anddressedtogointotheBoiswithDelphineifthedaywasfine，squanderinginthiswaytimethatwasworthfarmorethanheknew。Heturnedaseagerlytolearnthelessonsofluxury，andwasasquicktofeelitsfascination，astheflowersofthedatepalmtoreceivethefertilizingpollen。Heplayedhigh，lostandwonlargesumsofmoney，andatlastbecameaccustomedtotheextravagantlifethatyoungmenleadinParis。Hesentfifteenhundredfrancsoutofhisfirstwinningstohismotherandsisters，sendinghandsomepresentsaswellasthemoney。HehadgivenoutthathemeanttoleavetheMaisonVauquer；butJanuarycameandwent，andhewasstillthere，stillunpreparedtogo。
Oneruleholdsgoodofmostyoungmen——whetherrichorpoor。Theyneverhavemoneyforthenecessariesoflife，buttheyhavealwaysmoneytosparefortheircaprices——ananomalywhichfindsitsexplanationintheiryouthandinthealmostfranticeagernesswithwhichyouthgraspsatpleasure。Theyarerecklesswithanythingobtainedoncredit，whileeverythingforwhichtheymustpayinreadymoneyismadetolastaslongaspossible；iftheycannothaveallthattheywant，theymakeupforit，itwouldseem，bysquanderingwhattheyhave。Tostatethemattersimply——astudentisfarmorecarefulofhishatthanofhiscoat，becausethelatterbeingacomparativelycostlyarticleofdress，itisinthenatureofthingsthatatailorshouldbeacreditor；butitisotherwisewiththehatter；thesumsofmoneyspentwithhimaresomodest，thatheisthemostindependentandunmanageableofhistribe，anditisalmostimpossibletobringhimtoterms。Theyoungmaninthebalconyofatheatrewhodisplaysagorgeouswaistcoatforthebenefitofthefairownersofoperaglasses，hasveryprobablynosocksinhiswardrobe，forthehosierisanotherofthegenusofweevilsthatnibbleatthepurse。ThiswasRastignac’scondition。HispursewasalwaysemptyforMme。Vauquer，alwaysfullatthedemandofvanity；therewasaperiodicalebbandflowinhisfortunes，whichwasseldomfavorabletothepaymentofjustdebts。Ifhewastoleavethatunsavoryandmeanabode，wherefromtimetotimehispretensionsmetwithhumiliation，thefirststepwastopayhishostessforamonth’sboardandlodging，andthesecondtopurchasefurnitureworthyofthenewlodgingshemusttakeinhisqualityofdandy，acoursethatremainedimpossible。Rastignac，outofhiswinningsatcards，wouldpayhisjewelerexorbitantpricesforgoldwatchesandchains，andthen，tomeettheexigenciesofplay，wouldcarrythemtothepawnbroker，thatdiscreetandforbidding-
lookingfriendofyouth；butwhenitwasaquestionofpayingforboardorlodging，orforthenecessaryimplementsforthecultivationofhisElysianfields，hisimaginationandpluckalikedesertedhim。Therewasnoinspirationtobefoundinvulgarnecessity，indebtscontractedforpastrequirements。Likemostofthosewhotrusttotheirluck，heputofftillthelastmomentthepaymentofdebtsthatamongthebourgeoisieareregardedassacredengagements，actingontheplanofMirabeau，whoneversettledhisbaker’sbilluntilitunderwentaformidabletransformationintoabillofexchange。
ItwasaboutthistimewhenRastignacwasdownonhisluckandfellintodebt，thatitbecamecleartothelawstudent’smindthathemusthavesomemorecertainsourceofincomeifhemeanttoliveashehadbeendoing。Butwhilehegroanedoverthethornyproblemsofhisprecarioussituation，hefeltthathecouldnotbringhimselftorenouncethepleasuresofthisextravagantlife，anddecidedthathemustcontinueitatallcosts。Hisdreamsofobtainingafortuneappearedmoreandmorechimerical，andtherealobstaclesgrewmoreformidable。HisinitiationintothesecretsoftheNucingenhouseholdhadrevealedtohimthatifheweretoattempttousethisloveaffairasameansofmendinghisfortunes，hemustswallowdownallsenseofdecency，andrenounceallthegenerousideaswhichredeemthesinsofyouth。Hehadchosenthislifeofapparentsplendor，butsecretlygnawedbythecankerwormofremorse，alifeoffleetingpleasuredearlypaidforbypersistentpain；
likeLeDistraitofLaBruyere，hehaddescendedsofarastomakehisbedinaditch；butalsolikeLeDistraithehimselfwasuncontaminatedasyetbythemirethatstainedhisgarments。
“Sowehavekilledourmandarin，havewe？“saidBianchononedayastheyleftthedinnertable。
“Notyet。”heanswered，“butheisathislastgasp。”
Themedicalstudenttookthisforajoke，butitwasnotajest。
Eugenehaddinedinthehousethatnightforthefirsttimeforalongwhile，andhadlookedthoughtfulduringthemeal。HehadtakenhisplacebesideMlle。Taillefer，andstayedthroughthedessert，givinghisneighboranexpressiveglancefromtimetotime。Afewoftheboardersdiscussedthewalnutsatthetable，andotherswalkedabouttheroom，stilltakingpartintheconversationwhichhadbegunamongthem。Peopleusuallywentwhentheychose；theamountoftimethattheylingeredbeingdeterminedbytheamountofinterestthattheconversationpossessedforthem，orbythedifficultyoftheprocessofdigestion。Inwinter-timetheroomwasseldomemptybeforeeighto’clock，whenthefourwomenhaditalltothemselves，andmadeupforthesilencepreviouslyimposeduponthembythepreponderatingmasculineelement。ThiseveningVautrinhadnoticedEugene’sabstractedness，andstayedintheroom，thoughhehadseemedtobeinahurrytofinishhisdinnerandgo。Allthroughthetalkafterwardshehadkeptoutofthesightofthelawstudent，whoquitebelievedthatVautrinhadlefttheroom。
Henowtookuphispositioncunninglyinthesitting-roominsteadofgoingwhenthelastboarderswent。Hehadfathomedtheyoungman’sthoughts，andfeltthatacrisiswasathand。Rastignacwas，infact，inadilemma，whichmanyanotheryoungmanmusthaveknown。
Mme。deNucingenmightlovehim，ormightmerelybeplayingwithhim，butineithercaseRastignachadbeenmadetoexperienceallthealternationsofhopeanddespairofgenuinepassion，andallthediplomaticartsofaParisiennehadbeenemployedonhim。
AftercompromisingherselfbycontinuallyappearinginpublicwithMme。deBeauseant’scousinshestillhesitated，andwouldnotgivehimthelover’sprivilegeswhichheappearedtoenjoy。
Forawholemonthshehadsowroughtonhissenses，thatatlastshehadmadeanimpressiononhisheart。Ifintheearliestdaysthestudenthadfanciedhimselftobemaster，Mme。deNucingenhadsincebecomethestrongerofthetwo，forshehadskilfullyrousedandplayeduponeveryinstinct，goodorbad，inthetwoorthreemencomprisedinayoungstudentinParis。Thiswasnottheresultofdeepdesignonherpart，norwassheplayingapart，forwomenareinamannertruetothemselveseventhroughtheirgrossestdeceit，becausetheiractionsarepromptedbyanaturalimpulse。ItmayhavebeenthatDelphine，whohadallowedthisyoungmantogainsuchanascendencyoverher，consciousthatshehadbeentoodemonstrative，wasobeyingasentimentofdignity，andeitherrepentedofherconcessions，oritpleasedhertosuspendthem。ItissonaturaltoaParisienne，evenwhenpassionhasalmostmasteredher，tohesitateandpausebeforetakingtheplunge；toprobetheheartofhimtowhomsheintrustsherfuture。AndoncealreadyMme。deNucingen’shopeshadbeenbetrayed，andherloyaltytoaselfishyoungloverhadbeendespised。Shehadgoodreasontobesuspicious。OritmayhavebeenthatsomethinginEugene’smannerforhisrapidsuccesswasmakingacoxcombofhimhadwarnedherthatthegrotesquenatureoftheirpositionhadloweredhersomewhatinhiseyes。Shedoubtlesswishedtoassertherdignity；hewasyoung，andshewouldbegreatinhiseyes；fortheloverwhohadforsakenherhadheldhersocheapthatshewasdeterminedthatEugeneshouldnotthinkheraneasyconquest，andforthisveryreason——heknewthatdeMarsayhadbeenhispredecessor。Finally，afterthedegradationofsubmissiontothepleasureofaheartlessyoungrake，itwassosweettohertowanderintheflower-strewnrealmsoflove，thatitwasnotwonderfulthatsheshouldwishtodwellawhileontheprospect，totremblewiththevibrationsoflove，tofeelthefreshnessofthebreathofitsdawn。Thetrueloverwassufferingforthesinsofthefalse。Thisinconsistencyisunfortunatelyonlytobeexpectedsolongasmendonotknowhowmanyflowersaremowndowninayoungwoman’ssoulbythefirststrokeoftreachery。
Whateverherreasonsmayhavebeen，DelphinewasplayingwithRastignac，andtookpleasureinplayingwithhim，doubtlessbecauseshefeltsureofhislove，andconfidentthatshecouldputanendtothetortureassoonasitwasherroyalpleasuretodoso。Eugene’sself-lovewasengaged；hecouldnotsufferhisfirstpassageoflovetoendinadefeat，andpersistedinhissuitlikeasportsmandeterminedtobringdownatleastonepartridgetocelebratehisfirstFeastofSaint-Hubert。Thepressureofanxiety，hiswoundedself-love，hisdespair，realorfeigned，drewhimnearerandnearertothiswoman。AllPariscreditedhimwiththisconquest，andyethewasconsciousthathehadmadenoprogresssincethedaywhenhesawMme。deNucingenforthefirsttime。Hedidnotknowasyetthatawoman’scoquetryissometimesmoredelightfulthanthepleasureofsecurepossessionofherlove，andwaspossessedwithhelplessrage。If，atthistime，whileshedeniedherselftolove，Eugenegatheredthespringtidespoilsofhislife，thefruit，somewhatsharpandgreen，anddearlybought，wasnolessdelicioustothetaste。
Thereweremomentswhenhehadnotasouinhispockets，andatsuchtimeshethoughtinspiteofhisconscienceofVautrin’sofferandthepossibilityoffortunebyamarriagewithMlle。
Taillefer。Povertywouldclamorsoloudlythatmorethanoncehewasonthepointofyieldingtothecunningtemptationsoftheterriblesphinx，whoseglancehadsooftenexertedastrangespelloverhim。
PoiretandMlle。Michonneauwentuptotheirrooms；andRastignac，thinkingthathewasalonewiththewomeninthedining-room，satbetweenMme。VauquerandMme。Couture，whowasnoddingoverthewoolencuffsthatshewasknittingbythestove，andlookedatMlle。Taillefersotenderlythatsheloweredhereyes。
“Canyoubeintrouble，M。Eugene？“Victorinesaidafterapause。
“Whohasnothistroubles？“answeredRastignac。“Ifwemenweresureofbeingloved，sureofadevotionwhichwouldbeourrewardforthesacrificeswhichwearealwaysreadytomake，thenperhapsweshouldhavenotroubles。”
ForanswerMlle。Tailleferonlygavehimaglancebutitwasimpossibletomistakeitsmeaning。
“You，forinstance，mademoiselle；youfeelsureofyourheartto-
day，butareyousurethatitwillneverchange？“
Asmileflittedoverthepoorgirl’slips；itseemedasifarayoflightfromhersoulhadlightedupherface。Eugenewasdismayedatthesuddenexplosionoffeelingcausedbyhiswords。
“Ah！butsuppose。”hesaid，“thatyoushouldberichandhappyto-morrow，supposethatavastfortunedroppeddownfromthecloudsforyou，wouldyoustilllovethemanwhomyoulovedinyourdaysofpoverty？“
Acharmingmovementoftheheadwasheronlyanswer。
“Evenifhewereverypoor？“
Againthesamemuteanswer。
“Whatnonsenseareyoutalking，youtwo？“exclaimedMme。Vauquer。
“Nevermind。”answeredEugene；“weunderstandeachother。”
“SothereistobeanengagementofmarriagebetweenM。leChevalierEugenedeRastignacandMlle。VictorineTaillefer，isthere？“ThewordswereutteredinVautrin’sdeepvoice，andVautrinappearedatthedoorashespoke。
“Oh！howyoustartledme！“Mme。CoutureandMme。Vauquerexclaimedtogether。
“Imightmakeaworsechoice。”saidRastignac，laughing。
Vautrin’svoicehadthrownhimintothemostpainfulagitationthathehadyetknown。
“Nobadjokes，gentlemen！“saidMme。Couture。“Mydear，letusgoupstairs。”
Mme。Vauquerfollowedthetwoladies，meaningtopasstheeveningintheirroom，anarrangementthateconomizedfireandcandlelight。EugeneandVautrinwereleftalone。
“Ifeltsureyouwouldcomeroundtoit。”saidtheeldermanwiththecoolnessthatnothingseemedtoshake。“Butstayamoment！I
haveasmuchdelicacyasanybodyelse。Don’tmakeupyourmindonthespurofthemoment；youarealittlethrownoffyourbalancejustnow。Youareindebt，andIwantyoutocomeovertomywayofthinkingaftersoberreflection，andnotinafitofpassionordesperation。Perhapsyouwantathousandcrowns。There，youcanhavethemifyoulike。”