Thetemptertookoutapocketbook，anddrewthencethreebanknotes，whichheflutteredbeforethestudent’seyes。Eugenewasinamostpainfuldilemma。Hehaddebts，debtsofhonor。HeowedahundredlouistotheMarquisd’AjudaandtotheCountdeTrailles；hehadnotthemoney，andforthisreasonhadnotdaredtogotoMme。deRestaud’shouse，wherehewasexpectedthatevening。Itwasoneofthoseinformalgatheringswhereteaandlittlecakesarehandedround，butwhereitispossibletolosesixthousandfrancsatwhistinthecourseofanight。
“Youmustsee。”saidEugene，strugglingtohideaconvulsivetremor，“thatafterwhathaspassedbetweenus，Icannotpossiblylaymyselfunderanyobligationtoyou。”
“Quiteright；Ishouldbesorrytohearyouspeakotherwise。”
answeredthetempter。“Youareafineyoungfellow，honorable，braveasalion，andasgentleasayounggirl。Youwouldbeafinehaulforthedevil！Ilikeyoungstersofyoursort。Getridofoneortwomoreprejudices，andyouwillseetheworldasitis。Makealittlescenenowandthen，andactavirtuouspartinit，andamanwithaheadonhisshoulderscandoexactlyashelikesamiddeafeningapplausefromthefoolsinthegallery。Ah！
afewdaysyet，andyouwillbewithus；andifyouwouldonlybetutoredbyme，Iwouldputyouinthewayofachievingallyourambitions。Youshouldnosoonerformawishthanitshouldberealizedtothefull；youshouldhaveallyourdesires——honors，wealth，orwomen。Civilizationshouldflowwithmilkandhoneyforyou。Youshouldbeourpetandfavorite，ourBenjamin。Wewouldallworkourselvestodeathforyouwithpleasure；everyobstacleshouldberemovedfromyourpath。Youhaveafewprejudicesleft；soyouthinkthatIamascoundrel，doyou？
Well，M。deTurenne，quiteashonorableamanasyoutakeyourselftobe，hadsomelittleprivatetransactionswithbandits，anddidnotfeelthathishonorwastarnished。Youwouldrathernotlieunderanyobligationtome，eh？Youneednotdrawbackonthataccount。”Vautrinwenton，andasmilestoleoverhislips。“Takethesebitsofpaperandwriteacrossthis。”headded，producingapieceofstampedpaper，“Acceptedthesumofthreethousandfivehundredfrancsduethisdaytwelvemonth，andfillinthedate。Therateofinterestisstiffenoughtosilenceanyscruplesonyourpart；itgivesyoutherighttocallmeaJew。Youcancallquitswithmeonthescoreofgratitude。Iamquitewillingthatyoushoulddespisemeto-day，becauseIamsurethatyouwillhaveakindlierfeelingtowardsmelateron。
Youwillfindoutfathomlessdepthsinmynature，enormousandconcentratedforcesthatweaklingscallvices，butyouwillneverfindmebaseorungrateful。Inshort，Iamneitherapawnnorabishop，butacastle，atowerofstrength，myboy。”
“Whatmannerofmanareyou？“criedEugene。“Wereyoucreatedtotormentme？“
“Whyno；Iamagood-naturedfellow，whoiswillingtodoadirtypieceofworktoputyouhighanddryabovethemirefortherestofyourdays。Doyouaskthereasonofthisdevotion？Allright；
Iwilltellyouthatsomeofthesedays。Awordortwoinyourearwillexplainit。Ihavebegunbyshockingyou，byshowingyouthewaytoringthechanges，andgivingyouasightofthemechanismofthesocialmachine；butyourfirstfrightwillgoofflikeaconscript’sterroronthebattlefield。Youwillgrowusedtoregardingmenascommonsoldierswhohavemadeuptheirmindstolosetheirlivesforsomeself-constitutedking。Timeshavealteredstrangely。Onceyoucouldsaytoabravo，’Hereareahundredcrowns；goandkillMonsieurSo-and-soforme，’andyoucouldsupquietlyafterturningsomeoneoffintothedarkfortheleastthingintheworld。ButnowadaysIproposetoputyouinthewayofahandsomefortune；youhaveonlytonodyourhead，itwon’tcompromiseyouinanyway，andyouhesitate。’Tisaneffeminateage。”
Eugeneacceptedthedraft，andreceivedthebanknotesinexchangeforit。
“Well，well。Come，now，letustalkrationally。”Vautrincontinued。“Imeantoleavethiscountryinafewmonths’timeforAmerica，andsetaboutplantingtobacco。Iwillsendyouthecigarsoffriendship。IfImakemoneyatit，Iwillhelpyouinyourcareer。IfIhavenochildren——whichwillprobablybethecase，forIhavenoanxietytoraiseslipsofmyselfhere——youshallinheritmyfortune。Thatiswhatyoumaycallstandingbyaman；butImyselfhavealikingforyou。Ihaveamania，too，fordevotingmyselftosomeoneelse。Ihavedoneitbefore。Yousee，myboy，Iliveinaloftierspherethanothermendo；Ilookonallactionsasmeanstoanend，andtheendisallthatIlookat。Whatisaman’slifetome？NotTHAT。”hesaid，andhesnappedhisthumb-nailagainsthisteeth。“Aman，inshort，iseverythingtome，orjustnothingatall。LessthannothingifhisnamehappenstobePoiret；youcancrushhimlikeabug，heisflatandheisoffensive。Butamanisagodwhenheislikeyou；heisnotamachinecoveredwithaskin，butatheatreinwhichthegreatestsentimentsaredisplayed——greatthoughtsandfeelings——andforthese，andtheseonly，Ilive。Asentiment——
whatisthatbutthewholeworldinathought？LookatFatherGoriot。Forhim，histwogirlsarethewholeuniverse；theyarethecluebywhichhefindshiswaythroughcreation。Well，formyownpart，Ihavefathomedthedepthsoflife，thereisonlyonerealsentiment——comradeshipbetweenmanandman。PierreandJaffier，thatismypassion。IknewVenicePreservedbyheart。
Haveyoumetmanymenpluckyenoughwhenacomradesays，’Letusburyadeadbody！’togoanddoitwithoutawordorplaguinghimbytakingahighmoraltone？Ihavedoneitmyself。Ishouldnottalklikethistojusteverybody，butyouarenotlikeanordinaryman；onecantalktoyou，youcanunderstandthings。Youwillnotdabbleaboutmuchlongeramongthetadpolesintheseswamps。Well，then，itisallsettled。Youwillmarry。Bothofuscarryourpoint。Mineismadeofiron，andwillneversoften，he！
he！“
Vautrinwentout。Hewouldnotwaittohearthestudent’srepudiation，hewishedtoputEugeneathisease。Heseemedtounderstandthesecretspringsofthefaintresistancestillmadebytheyoungerman；thestrugglesinwhichmenseektopreservetheirself-respectbyjustifyingtheirblameworthyactionstothemselves。
“Hemaydoashelikes；IshallnotmarryMlle。Taillefer，thatiscertain。”saidEugenetohimself。
Heregardedthismanwithabhorrence，andyettheverycynicismofVautrin’sideas，andtheaudaciouswayinwhichheusedothermenforhisownends，raisedhiminthestudent’seyes；butthethoughtofacompactthrewEugeneintoafeverofapprehension，andnotuntilhehadrecoveredsomewhatdidhedress，callforacab，andgotoMme。deRestaud’s。
ForsomedaystheCountesshadpaidmoreandmoreattentiontoayoungmanwhoseeverystepseemedatriumphalprogressinthegreatworld；itseemedtoherthathemightbeaformidablepowerbeforelong。HepaidMessieursdeTraillesandd’Ajuda，playedatwhistforpartoftheevening，andmadegoodhislosses。Mostmenwhohavetheirwaytomakearemoreorlessoffatalists，andEugenewassuperstitious；hechosetoconsiderthathisluckwasheaven’srewardforhisperseveranceintherightway。AssoonaspossibleonthefollowingmorningheaskedVautrinwhetherthebillhehadgivenwasstillintheother’spossession；andonreceivingareplyintheaffirmative，herepaidthethreethousandfrancswithanotunnaturalrelief。
“Everythingisgoingonwell。”saidVautrin。
“ButIamnotyouraccomplice。”saidEugene。
“Iknow，Iknow。”Vautrinbrokein。“Youarestillactinglikeachild。Youaremakingmountainsoutofmolehillsattheoutset。”
Twodayslater，PoiretandMlle。Michonneauweresittingtogetheronabenchinthesun。TheyhadchosenalittlefrequentedalleyintheJardindesPlantes，andagentlemanwaschattingwiththem，thesameperson，asamatteroffact，aboutwhomthemedicalstudenthad，notwithoutgoodreason，hisownsuspicions。
“Mademoiselle。”thisM。Gondureauwassaying，“Idonotseeanycauseforyourscruples。HisExcellency，MonseigneurtheMinisterofPolice——“
“Yes，hisExcellencyistakingapersonalinterestinthematter。”saidGondureau。
WhowouldthinkitprobablethatPoiret，aretiredclerk，doubtlesspossessedofsomenotionsofcivicvirtue，thoughtheremightbenothingelseinhishead——whowouldthinkitlikelythatsuchamanwouldcontinuetolendaneartothissupposedindependentgentlemanoftheRuedeBuffon，whenthelatterdroppedthemaskofadecentcitizenbythatword“police。”andgaveaglimpseofthefeaturesofadetectivefromtheRuedeJerusalem？Andyetnothingwasmorenatural。PerhapsthefollowingremarksfromthehithertounpublishedrecordsmadebycertainobserverswillthrowalightontheparticularspeciestowhichPoiretbelongedinthegreatfamilyoffools。Thereisaraceofquill-drivers，confinedinthecolumnsofthebudgetbetweenthefirstdegreeoflatitudeakindofadministrativeGreenlandwherethesalariesbeginattwelvehundredfrancstothethirddegree，amoretemperatezone，whereincomesgrowfromthreetosixthousandfrancs，aclimatewheretheBONUS
flourisheslikeahalf-hardyannualinspiteofsomedifficultiesofculture。Acharacteristictraitthatbestrevealsthefeeblenarrow-mindednessoftheseinhabitantsofpettyofficialdomisakindofinvoluntary，mechanical，andinstinctivereverencefortheGrandLamaofeveryMinistry，knowntotherankandfileonlybyhissignatureanillegiblescrawlandbyhistitle——“HisExcellencyMonseigneurleMinistre。”fivewordswhichproduceasmucheffectastheilBondoCanioftheCalifedeBagdad，fivewordswhichintheeyesofthisloworderofintelligencerepresentasacredpowerfromwhichthereisnoappeal。TheMinisterisadministrativelyinfalliblefortheclerksintheemployoftheGovernment，asthePopeisinfallibleforgoodCatholics。Somethingofthispeculiarradianceinvestseverythinghedoesorsays，orthatissaidordoneinhisname；therobeofofficecoverseverythingandlegalizeseverythingdonebyhisorders；doesnothisverytitle——HisExcellency——vouchforthepurityofhisintentionsandtherighteousnessofhiswill，andserveasasortofpassportandintroductiontoideasthatotherwisewouldnotbeentertainedforamoment？Pronouncethewords“HisExcellency。”andthesepoorfolkwillforthwithproceedtodowhattheywouldnotdofortheirowninterests。
PassiveobedienceisaswellknowninaGovernmentdepartmentasinthearmyitself；andtheadministrativesystemsilencesconsciences，annihilatestheindividual，andendsgiveittimeenoughbyfashioningamanintoaviseorathumbscrew，andhebecomespartofthemachineryofGovernment。Wherefore，M。
Gondureau，whoseemedtoknowsomethingofhumannature，recognizedPoiretatonceasoneofthosedupesofofficialdom，andbroughtoutforhisbenefit，atthepropermoment，thedeusexmachina，themagicalwords“HisExcellency。”soastodazzlePoiretjustashehimselfunmaskedhisbatteries，forhetookPoiretandtheMichonneauforthemaleandfemaleofthesamespecies。
“IfhisExcellencyhimself，hisExcellencytheMinister……Ah！
thatisquiteanotherthing。”saidPoiret。
“Youseemtobeguidedbythisgentleman’sopinion，andyouhearwhathesays。”saidthemanofindependentmeans，addressingMlle。Michonneau。“Verywell，hisExcellencyisatthismomentabsolutelycertainthattheso-calledVautrin，wholodgesattheMaisonVauquer，isaconvictwhoescapedfrompenalservitudeatToulon，whereheisknownbythenicknameTrompe-la-Mort。”
“Trompe-la-Mort？“saidPioret。“Dearme，heisveryluckyifhedeservesthatnickname。”
“Well，yes。”saidthedetective。“Theycallhimsobecausehehasbeensoluckyasnottolosehislifeintheveryriskybusinessesthathehascarriedthrough。Heisadangerousman，yousee！Hehasqualitiesthatareoutofthecommon；thethingheiswantedfor，infact，wasamatterwhichgainedhimnoendofcreditwithhisownset——“
“Thenisheamanofhonor？“askedPoiret。
“Yes，accordingtohisnotions。Heagreedtotakeanotherman’scrimeuponhimself——aforgerycommittedbyaveryhandsomeyoungfellowthathehadtakenagreatfancyto，ayoungItalian，abitofagambler，whohassincegoneintothearmy，wherehisconducthasbeenunexceptionable。”
“ButifhisExcellencytheMinisterofPoliceiscertainthatM。
VautrinisthisTrompe-la-Mort，whyshouldhewantme？“askedMlle。Michonneau。
“Ohyes。”saidPoiret，“iftheMinister，asyouhavebeensoobligingastotellus，reallyknowsforacertainty——“
“Certaintyisnottheword；heonlysuspects。Youwillsoonunderstandhowthingsare。JacquesCollin，nicknamedTrompe-la-
Mort，isintheconfidenceofeveryconvictinthethreeprisons；
heistheirmanofbusinessandtheirbanker。Hemakesaverygoodthingoutofmanagingtheiraffairs，whichwantaMANOF
MARKtoseeaboutthem。”
“Ha！ha！doyouseethepun，mademoiselle？“askedPoiret。“ThisgentlemancallshimselfaMANOFMARKbecauseheisaMARKEDMAN——
branded，youknow。”
“Thisso-calledVautrin。”saidthedetective，“receivesthemoneybelongingtomylordstheconvicts，investsitforthem，andholdsitatthedisposalofthosewhoescape，orhandsitovertotheirfamiliesiftheyleaveawill，ortotheirmistresseswhentheydrawuponhimfortheirbenefit。”
“Theirmistresses！Youmeantheirwives。”remarkedPoiret。
“No，sir。Aconvict’swifeisusuallyanillegitimateconnection。
Wecallthemconcubines。”
“Thentheyallliveinastateofconcubinage？“
“Naturally。”
“Why，theseareabominationsthathisExcellencyoughtnottoallow。SinceyouhavethehonorofseeinghisExcellency，you，whoseemtohavephilanthropicideas，oughtreallytoenlightenhimastotheirimmoralconduct——theyaresettingashockingexampletotherestofsociety。”
“ButtheGovernmentdoesnotholdthemupasmodelsofallthevirtues，mydearsir——“
“Ofcoursenot，sir；butstill——“
“Justletthegentlemansaywhathehastosay，dearie。”saidMlle。Michonneau。
“Youseehowitis，mademoiselle。”Gondureaucontinued。“TheGovernmentmayhavethestrongestreasonsforgettingthisillicithoardintoitshands；itmountsuptosomethingconsiderable，byallthatwecanmakeout。Trompe-la-Mortnotonlyholdslargesumsforhisfriendstheconvicts，buthehasotheramountswhicharepaidovertohimbytheSocietyoftheTenThousand——“
“TenThousandThieves！“criedPioretinalarm。
“No。TheSocietyoftheTenThousandisnotanassociationofpettyoffenders，butofpeoplewhosetabouttheirworkonalargescale——theywon’ttouchamatterunlesstherearetenthousandfrancsinit。ItiscomposedofthemostdistinguishedofthemenwhoaresentstraighttotheAssizeCourtswhentheycomeupfortrial。TheyknowtheCodetoowelltorisktheirneckswhentheyarenabbed。Collinistheirconfidentialagentandlegaladviser。Bymeansofthelargesumsofmoneyathisdisposalhehasestablishedasortofdetectivesystemofhisown；itiswidespreadandmysteriousinitsworkings。Wehavehadspiesallabouthimforatwelvemonth，andyetwecouldnotmanagetofathomhisgames。Hiscapitalandhisclevernessareattheserviceofviceandcrime；thismoneyfurnishesthenecessaryfundsforaregulararmyofblackguardsinhispaywhowageincessantwaragainstsociety。IfwecancatchTrompe-la-Mort，andtakepossessionofhisfunds，weshouldstrikeattherootofthisevil。SothisjobisakindofGovernmentaffair——aStatesecret——andlikelytoredoundtothehonorofthosewhobringthethingtoasuccessfulconclusion。You，sir，forinstance，mightverywellbetakenintoaGovernmentdepartmentagain；theymightmakeyousecretarytoaCommissaryofPolice；youcouldacceptthatpostwithoutprejudicetoyourretiringpension。”
Mlle。Michonneauinterposedatthispointwith，“WhatistheretohinderTrompe-la-Mortfrommakingoffwiththemoney？“
“Oh！“saidthedetective，“amanistoldofftofollowhimeverywherehegoes，withorderstokillhimifheweretorobtheconvicts。Thenitisnotquiteaseasytomakeoffwithalotofmoneyasitistorunawaywithayoungladyoffamily。Besides，Collinisnotthesortoffellowtoplaysuchatrick；hewouldbedisgraced，accordingtohisnotions。”
“Youarequiteright，sir。”saidPoiret，“utterlydisgracedhewouldbe。”
“Butnoneofallthisexplainswhyyoudonotcomeandtakehimwithoutmoreado。”remarkedMlle。Michonneau。
“Verywell，mademoiselle，Iwillexplain——but。”headdedinherear，“keepyourcompanionquiet，orIshallneverhavedone。Theoldboyoughttopaypeoplehandsomelyforlisteningtohim——
Trompe-la-Mort，whenhecamebackhere。”hewentonaloud“slippedintotheskinofanhonestman；heturnedupdisguisedasadecentParisiancitizen，andtookuphisquartersinanunpretendinglodging-house。Heiscunning，thatheis！Youdon’tcatchhimnapping。ThenM。Vautrinisamanofconsequence，whotransactsagooddealofbusiness。”
“Naturally。”saidPoirettohimself。
“AndsupposethattheMinisterweretomakeamistakeandgetholdoftherealVautrin，hewouldputeveryone’sbackupamongthebusinessmeninParis，andpublicopinionwouldbeagainsthim。M。lePrefetdePoliceisonslipperyground；hehasenemies。Theywouldtakeadvantageofanymistake。TherewouldbeafineoutcryandfussmadebytheOpposition，andhewouldbesentpacking。WemustsetaboutthisjustaswedidabouttheCoignardaffair，theshamComtedeSainte-Helene；ifhehadbeentherealComtedeSainte-Helene，weshouldhavebeeninthewrongbox。Wewanttobequitesurewhatweareabout。”
“Yes，butwhatyouwantisaprettywoman。”saidMlle。Michonneaubriskly。
“Trompe-la-Mortwouldnotletawomancomenearhim。”saidthedetective。“Iwilltellyouasecret——hedoesnotlikethem。”
“Still，IdonotseewhatIcando，supposingthatIdidagreetoidentifyhimfortwothousandfrancs。”
“Nothingsimpler。”saidthestranger。“Iwillsendyoualittlebottlecontainingadosethatwillsendarushofbloodtothehead；itwilldohimnoharmwhatever，buthewillfalldownasifhewereinafit。Thedrugcanbeputintowineorcoffee；
eitherwilldoequallywell。Youcarryyourmantobedatonce，andundresshimtoseethatheisnotdying。Assoonasyouarealone，yougivehimaslapontheshoulder，andPRESTO！theletterswillappear。”
“Why，thatisjustnothingatall。”saidPoiret。
“Well，doyouagree？“saidGondureau，addressingtheoldmaid。
“But，mydearsir，supposetherearenolettersatall。”saidMlle。Michonneau；“amItohavethetwothousandfrancsallthesame？“
“No。”
“Whatwillyougivemethen？“
“Fivehundredfrancs。”
“Itissuchathingtodoforsolittle！Itliesonyourconsciencejustthesame，andImustquietmyconscience，sir。”
“Iassureyou。”saidPoiret，“thatmademoisellehasagreatdealofconscience，andnotonlyso，sheisaveryamiableperson，andveryintelligent。”
“Well，now。”Mlle。Michonneauwenton，“makeitthreethousandfrancsifheisTrompe-la-Mort，andnothingatallifheisanordinaryman。”
“Done！“saidGondureau，“butontheconditionthatthethingissettledto-morrow。”
“Notquitesosoon，mydearsir；Imustconsultmyconfessorfirst。”
“Youareaslyone。”saidthedetectiveasherosetohisfeet。
“Good-byetillto-morrow，then。Andifyoushouldwanttoseemeinahurry，gotothePetiteRueSaint-AnneatthebottomoftheCourdelaSainte-Chapelle。Thereisonedoorunderthearchway。
AskthereforM。Gondureau。”
Bianchon，onhiswaybackfromCuvier’slecture，overheardthesufficientlystrikingnicknameofTrompe-la-Mort，andcaughtthecelebratedchiefdetective’s“Done！“
“Whydidn’tyouclosewithhim？Itwouldbethreehundredfrancsayear。”saidPoirettoMlle。Michonneau。
“Whydidn’tI？“sheasked。“Why，itwantsthinkingover。SupposethatM。VautrinisthisTrompe-la-Mort，perhapswemightdobetterforourselveswithhim。Still，ontheotherhand，ifyouaskhimformoney，itwouldputhimonhisguard，andheisjustthemantoclearoutwithoutpaying，andthatwouldbeanabominablesell。”
“Andsupposeyoudidwarnhim。”Poiretwenton，“didn’tthatgentlemansaythathewascloselywatched？Youwouldspoileverything。”
“Anyhow。”thoughtMlle。Michonneau，“Ican’tabidehim。Hesaysnothingbutdisagreeablethingstome。”
“Butyoucandobetterthanthat。”Poiretresumed。“Asthatgentlemansaidandheseemedtometobeaverygoodsortofman，besidesbeingverywellgotup，itisanactofobediencetothelawstoridsocietyofacriminal，howevervirtuoushemaybe。Onceathief，alwaysathief。Supposeheweretotakeitintohisheadtomurderusall？Thedeuce！Weshouldbeguiltyofmanslaughter，andbethefirsttofallvictimsintothebargain！“
Mlle。Michonneau’smusingsdidnotpermithertolistenverycloselytotheremarksthatfellonebyonefromPoiret’slipslikewaterdrippingfromaleakytap。Whenoncethiselderlybabblerbegantotalk，hewouldgoonlikeclockworkunlessMlle。
Michonneaustoppedhim。Hestartedonsomesubjectorother，andwanderedonthroughparenthesisafterparenthesis，tillhecametoregionsasremoteaspossiblefromhispremiseswithoutcomingtoanyconclusionsbytheway。
BythetimetheyreachedtheMaisonVauquerhehadtackedtogetherawholestringofexamplesandquotationsmoreorlessirrelevanttothesubjectinhand，whichledhimtogiveafullaccountofhisowndepositioninthecaseoftheSieurRagoulleauversusDameMorin，whenhehadbeensummonedasawitnessforthedefence。
Astheyenteredthedining-room，EugenedeRastignacwastalkingapartwithMlle。Taillefer；theconversationappearedtobeofsuchthrillinginterestthatthepairnevernoticedthetwoolderlodgersastheypassedthroughtheroom。NoneofthiswasthrownawayonMlle。Michonneau。
“Iknewhowitwouldend。”remarkedthatlady，addressingPoiret。
“Theyhavebeenmakingeyesateachotherinaheartrendingwayforaweekpast。”
“Yes。”heanswered。“Soshewasfoundguilty。”
“Who？“
“Mme。Morin。”
“IamtalkingaboutMlle。Victorine。”saidMlle，Michonneau，assheenteredPoiret’sroomwithanabsentair，“andyouanswer，’Mme。Morin。’WhomayMme。Morinbe？“
“WhatcanMlle。Victorinebeguiltyof？“demandedPoiret。
“GuiltyoffallinginlovewithM。EugenedeRastignacandgoingfurtherandfurtherwithoutknowingexactlywheresheisgoing，poorinnocent！“
ThatmorningMme。deNucingenhaddrivenEugenetodespair。InhisownmindhehadcompletelysurrenderedhimselftoVautrin，anddeliberatelyshuthiseyestothemotiveforthefriendshipwhichthatextraordinarymanprofessedforhim，norwouldhelooktotheconsequencesofsuchanalliance。Nothingshortofamiraclecouldextricatehimnowoutofthegulfintowhichhehadwalkedanhourago，whenheexchangedvowsinthesoftestwhisperswithMlle。Taillefer。ToVictorineitseemedasifsheheardanangel’svoice，thatheavenwasopeningaboveher；theMaisonVauquertookstrangeandwonderfulhues，likeastagefairy-palace。Shelovedandshewasloved；atanyrate，shebelievedthatshewasloved；andwhatwomanwouldnotlikewisehavebelievedafterseeingRastignac’sfaceandlisteningtothetonesofhisvoiceduringthathoursnatchedundertheArguseyesoftheMaisonVauquer？Hehadtrampledonhisconscience；heknewthathewasdoingwrong，anddiditdeliberately；hehadsaidtohimselfthatawoman’shappinessshouldatoneforthisvenialsin。Theenergyofdesperationhadlentnewbeautytohisface；
theluridfirethatburnedinhisheartshonefromhiseyes。
Luckilyforhim，themiracletookplace。Vautrincameininhighspirits，andatoncereadtheheartsofthesetwoyoungcreatureswhomhehadbroughttogetherbythecombinationsofhisinfernalgenius，buthisdeepvoicebrokeinupontheirbliss。
“AcharminggirlismyFanchetteInhersimplicity。”
hesangmockingly。
Victorinefled。Herheartwasmorefullthanithadeverbeen，butitwasfullofjoy，andnotofsorrow。Poorchild！Apressureofthehand，thelighttouchofRastignac’shairagainsthercheek，awordwhisperedinherearsocloselythatshefeltthestudent’swarmbreathonher，thepressureofatremblingarmaboutherwaist，akissuponherthroat——suchhadbeenherbetrothal。ThenearneighborhoodofthestoutSylvie，whomightinvadethatglorifiedroomatanymoment，onlymadethesefirsttokensoflovemoreardent，moreeloquent，moreentrancingthanthenoblestdeedsdoneforlove’ssakeinthemostfamousromances。Thisplain-songoflove，tousetheprettyexpressionofourforefathers，seemedalmostcriminaltothedevoutyounggirlwhowenttoconfessioneveryfortnight。Inthatonehourshehadpouredoutmoreofthetreasuresofhersoulthanshecouldgiveinlaterdaysofwealthandhappiness，whenherwholeselffollowedthegift。
“Thethingisarranged。”VautrinsaidtoEugene，whoremained。
“Ourtwodandieshavefallenout。Everythingwasdoneinproperform。Itisamatterofopinion。Ourpigeonhasinsultedmyhawk。
Theywillmeetto-morrowintheredoubtatClignancourt。Byhalf-
pasteightinthemorningMlle。Taillefer，calmlydippingherbreadandbutterinhercoffeecup，willbesoleheiressofherfather’sfortuneandaffections。Afunnywayofputtingit，isn’tit？Taillefer’syoungsterisanexpertswordsman，andquitecocksureaboutit，buthewillbebled；Ihavejustinventedathrustforhisbenefit，awayofraisingyourswordpointanddrivingitattheforehead。Imustshowyouthatthrust；itisanuncommonlyhandythingtoknow。”
Rastignacheardhimindazedbewilderment；hecouldnotfindawordinreply。JustthenGoriotcamein，andBianchonandafewoftheboarderslikewiseappeared。
“ThatisjustasIintended。”Vautrinsaid。“Youknowquitewellwhatyouareabout。Good，mylittleeaglet！Youareborntocommand，youarestrong，youstandfirmonyourfeet，youaregame！Irespectyou。”
HemadeasthoughhewouldtakeEugene’shand，butRastignachastilywithdrewit，sankintoachair，andturnedghastlypale；
itseemedtohimthattherewasaseaofbloodbeforehiseyes。
“Oh！sowestillhaveafewdubioustattersoftheswaddlingclothesofvirtueaboutus！“murmuredVautrin。“ButPapaDolibanhasthreemillions；Iknowtheamountofhisfortune。Oncehaveherdowryinyourhands，andyourcharacterwillbeaswhiteasthebride’swhitedress，eveninyourowneyes。”
Rastignachesitatednolonger。HemadeuphismindthathewouldgothateveningtowarntheTaillefers，fatherandson。ButjustasVautrinlefthim，FatherGoriotcameupandsaidinhisear，“Youlookmelancholy，myboy；Iwillcheeryouup。Comewithme。”
Theoldvermicellidealerlightedhisdipatoneofthelampsashespoke。Eugenewentwithhim，hiscuriosityhadbeenaroused。
“Letusgouptoyourroom。”theworthysoulremarked，whenhehadaskedSylvieforthelawstudent’skey。“Thismorning。”heresumed，“youthoughtthatSHEdidnotcareaboutyou，didyounot？Eh？Shewouldhavenothingtosaytoyou，andyouwentawayoutofhumorandoutofheart。Stuffandrubbish！ShewantedyoutogobecauseshewasexpectingME！Nowdoyouunderstand？Weweretocompletethearrangementsfortakingsomechambersforyou，ajewelofaplace，youaretomoveintoitinthreedays’
time。Don’tsplituponme。Shewantsittobeasurprise；butI
couldn’tbeartokeepthesecretfromyou。YouwillbeintheRued’Artois，onlyasteportwofromtheRueSaint-Lazare，andyouaretobehousedlikeaprince！Anyonemighthavethoughtwewerefurnishingthehouseforabride。Oh！wehavedonealotofthingsinthelastmonth，andyouknewnothingaboutit。Myattorneyhasappearedonthescene，andmydaughteristohavethirty-sixthousandfrancsayear，theinterestonhermoney，andIshallinsistonhavinghereighthundredthousandinvestedinsoundsecurities，landedpropertythatwon’trunaway。”
Eugenewasdumb。Hefoldedhisarmsandpacedupanddowninhischeerless，untidyroom。FatherGoriotwaitedtillthestudent’sbackwasturned，andseizedtheopportunitytogotothechimney-
pieceandsetuponitalittleredmoroccocasewithRastignac’sarmsstampedingoldontheleather。
“Mydearboy。”saidthekindsoul，“Ihavebeenuptotheeyesinthisbusiness。Yousee，therewasplentyofselfishnessonmypart；Ihaveaninterestedmotiveinhelpingyoutochangelodgings。YouwillnotrefusemeifIaskyousomething；willyou，eh？“
“Whatisit？“
“Thereisaroomonthefifthfloor，upaboveyourrooms，thatistoletalongwiththem；thatiswhereIamgoingtolive，isn’tthatso？Iamgettingold：Iamtoofarfrommygirls。Ishallnotbeintheway，butIshallbethere，thatisall。Youwillcomeandtalktomeabouthereveryevening。Itwillnotputyouabout，willit？Ishallhavegonetobedbeforeyoucomein，butIshallhearyoucomeup，andIshallsaytomyself，’HehasjustseenmylittleDelphine。Hehasbeentoadancewithher，andsheishappy，thankstohim。’IfIwereill，itwoulddomyheartgoodtohearyoumovingaboutbelow，toknowwhenyouleavethehouseandwhenyoucomein。ItisonlyasteptotheChamps-
Elysees，wheretheygoeveryday，soIshallbesureofseeingthem，whereasnowIamsometimestoolate。Andthen——perhapsshemaycometoseeyou！Ishallhearher，Ishallseeherinhersoftquiltedpelissetrippingaboutasdaintilyasakitten。Inthisonemonthshehasbecomemylittlegirlagain，solight-
heartedandgay。Hersoulisrecovering，andherhappinessisowingtoyou！Oh！Iwoulddoimpossibilitiesforyou。Onlyjustnowshesaidtome，’Iamveryhappy，papa！’Whentheysay’father’stiffly，itsendsachillthroughme；butwhentheycallme’papa，’itbringsalltheoldmemoriesback。Ifeelmosttheirfatherthen；Ievenbelievethattheybelongtome，andtonooneelse。”
Thegoodmanwipedhiseyes，hewascrying。
“ItisalongwhilesinceIhaveheardthemtalklikethat，along，longtimesinceshetookmyarmasshedidto-day。Yes，indeed，itmustbequitetenyearssinceIwalkedsidebysidewithoneofmygirls。Howpleasantitwastokeepstepwithher，tofeelthetouchofhergown，thewarmthofherarm！Well，I
tookDelphineeverywherethismorning；Iwentshoppingwithher，andIbroughtherhomeagain。Oh！youmustletmelivenearyou。
Youmaywantsomeonetodoyouaservicesomeofthesedays，andIshallbeonthespottodoit。Oh！ifonlythatgreatdoltofanAlsatianwoulddie，ifhisgoutwouldhavethesensetoattackhisstomach，howhappymypoorchildwouldbe！Youwouldbemyson-in-law；youwouldbeherhusbandintheeyesoftheworld。
Bah！shehasknownnohappiness，thatexcuseseverything。OurFatherinheavenissurelyonthesideoffathersonearthwholovetheirchildren。Howfondofyousheis！“hesaid，raisinghisheadafterapause。“Allthetimeweweregoingabouttogethershechattedawayaboutyou。’Heissonice-looking，papa；isn’the？Heiskind-hearted！Doeshetalktoyouaboutme？’Pshaw！shesaidenoughaboutyoutofillwholevolumes；
betweentheRued’ArtoisandthePassagedesPanoramasshepouredherheartoutintomine。Ididnotfeeloldonceduringthatdelightfulmorning；Ifeltaslightasafeather。Itoldherhowyouhadgiventhebanknotetome；itmovedmydarlingtotears。
Butwhatcanthisbeonyourchimney-piece？“saidFatherGoriotatlast。Rastignachadshowednosign，andhewasdyingofimpatience。
Eugenestaredathisneighborindumbanddazedbewilderment。HethoughtofVautrin，ofthatdueltobefoughtto-morrowmorning，andofthisrealizationofhisdearesthopes，andtheviolentcontrastbetweenthetwosetsofideasgavehimallthesensationsofnightmare。Hewenttothechimney-piece，sawthelittlesquarecase，openedit，andfoundawatchofBreguet’smakewrappedinpaper，onwhichthesewordswerewritten：
“Iwantyoutothinkofmeeveryhour，BECAUSE……
“DELPHINE。”
Thatlastworddoubtlesscontainedanallusiontosomescenethathadtakenplacebetweenthem。Eugenefelttouched。Insidethegoldwatch-casehisarmshadbeenwroughtinenamel。Thechain，thekey，theworkmanshipanddesignofthetrinketwereallsuchashehadimagined，forhehadlongcovetedsuchapossession。
FatherGoriotwasradiant。OfcoursehehadpromisedtotellhisdaughtereverylittledetailofthesceneandoftheeffectproduceduponEugenebyherpresent；hesharedinthepleasureandexcitementoftheyoungpeople，andseemedtobenottheleasthappyofthethree。HelovedRastignacalreadyforhisownaswellasforhisdaughter’ssake。
“Youmustgoandseeher；sheisexpectingyouthisevening。ThatgreatloutofanAlsatianisgoingtohavesupperwithhisopera-
dancer。Aha！helookedveryfoolishwhenmyattorneylethimknowwherehewas。Hesaysheidolizesmydaughter，doeshe？Hehadbetterletheralone，orIwillkillhim。TothinkthatmyDelphineishis“——heheavedasigh——“itisenoughtomakememurderhim，butitwouldnotbemanslaughtertokillthatanimal；
heisapigwithacalf’sbrains——Youwilltakemewithyou，willyounot？“
“Yes，dearFatherGoriot；youknowverywellhowfondIamofyou——“
“Yes，Idoknowverywell。Youarenotashamedofme，areyou？
Notyou！Letmeembraceyou。”andheflunghisarmsaroundthestudent’sneck。
“Youwillmakeherveryhappy；promisemethatyouwill！Youwillgotoherthisevening，willyounot？“
“Oh！yes。Imustgoout；Ihavesomeurgentbusinessonhand。”
“CanIbeofanyuse？“
“Myword，yes！WillyougotooldTaillefer’swhileIgotoMme。
deNucingen？Askhimtomakeanappointmentwithmesometimethisevening；itisamatteroflifeanddeath。”
“Really，youngman！“criedFatherGoriot，withachangeofcountenance；“areyoureallypayingcourttohisdaughter，asthosesimpletonsweresayingdownbelow？……TONNERREDEDIEU！
youhavenonotionwhatatapALAGORIOTislike，andifyouareplayingadoublegame，Ishallputastoptoitbyoneblowofthefist……Oh！thethingisimpossible！“
“IsweartoyouthatIlovebutonewomanintheworld。”saidthestudent。“Ionlyknewitamomentago。”
“Oh！whathappiness！“criedGoriot。
“ButyoungTailleferhasbeencalledout；theduelcomesoffto-
morrowmorning，andIhavehearditsaidthathemaylosehislifeinit。”
“Butwhatbusinessisitofyours？“saidGoriot。
“Why，Ioughttotellhimso，thathemaypreventhissonfromputtinginanappearance——“
JustatthatmomentVautrin’svoicebrokeinuponthem；hewasstandingatthethresholdofhisdoorandsinging：
“Oh！Richard，ohmyking！
Alltheworldabandonsthee！
Broum！broum！broum！broum！broum！
Thesameoldstoryeverywhere，Arovingheartanda……tralala。”
“Gentlemen！“shoutedChristophe，“thesoupisready，andeveryoneiswaitingforyou。”
“Here。”Vautrincalleddowntohim，“comeandtakeabottleofmyBordeaux。”
“Doyouthinkyourwatchispretty？“askedGoriot。“Shehasgoodtaste，hasn’tshe？Eh？“
Vautrin，FatherGoriot，andRastignaccamedownstairsincompany，and，allthreeofthembeinglate，wereobligedtosittogether。
EugenewasasdistantaspossibleinhismannertoVautrinduringdinner；buttheother，socharminginMme。Vauquer’sopinion，hadneverbeensowitty。Hislivelysalliesandsparklingtalkputthewholetableingoodhumor。HisassuranceandcoolnessfilledEugenewithconsternation。
“Why，whathascometoyouto-day？“inquiredMme。Vauquer。“Youareasmerryasaskylark。”
“IamalwaysinspiritsafterIhavemadeagoodbargain。”
“Bargain？“saidEugene。
“Well，yes，bargain。Ihavejustdeliveredalotofgoods，andI
shallbepaidahandsomecommissiononthem——Mlle。Michonneau。”
hewenton，seeingthattheelderlyspinsterwasscrutinizinghimintently，“haveyouanyobjectiontosomefeatureinmyface，thatyouaremakingthoselynxeyesatme？Justletmeknow，andIwillhaveitchangedtoobligeyou……Weshallnotfalloutaboutit，Poiret，Idaresay？“headded，winkingatthesuperannuatedclerk。
“Blessmysoul，yououghttostandasmodelforaburlesqueHercules。”saidtheyoungpainter。
“Iwill，uponmyword！ifMlle。MichonneauwillconsenttositastheVenusofPere-Lachaise。”repliedVautrin。
“There’sPoiret。”suggestedBianchon。
“Oh！PoiretshallposeasPoiret。Hecanbeagardengod！“criedVautrin；“hisnamemeansapear——“
“Asleepypear！“Bianchonputin。“Youwillcomeinbetweenthepearandthecheese。”
“Whatstuffareyoualltalking！“saidMme。Vauquer；“youwoulddobettertotreatustoyourBordeaux；Iseeaglimpseofabottlethere。Itwouldkeepusallinagoodhumor，anditisgoodforthestomachbesides。”
“Gentlemen。”saidVautrin，“theLadyPresidentcallsustoorder。
Mme。CoutureandMlle。Victorinewilltakeyourjokesingoodpart，butrespecttheinnocenceoftheagedGoriot。IproposeaglassortwoofBordeauxrama，renderedtwiceillustriousbythenameofLaffite，nopoliticalallusionsintended——Come，youTurk！“headded，lookingatChristophe，whodidnotoffertostir。“Christophe！Here！What，youdon’tanswertoyourownname？
Bringussomeliquor，Turk！“
“Hereitis，sir。”saidChristophe，holdingoutthebottle。
VautrinfilledEugene’sglassandGoriot’slikewise，thenhedeliberatelypouredoutafewdropsintohisownglass，andsippeditwhilehistwoneighborsdranktheirwine。Allatoncehemadeagrimace。
“Corked！“hecried。“Thedevil！Youcandrinktherestofthis，Christophe，andgoandfindanotherbottle；takefromtheright-
handside，youknow。Therearesixteenofus；takedowneightbottles。”
“Ifyouaregoingtostandtreat。”saidthepainter，“Iwillpayforahundredchestnuts。”
“Oh！oh！“
“Booououh！“
“Prrr！“
Theseexclamationscamefromallpartsofthetablelikesquibsfromasetfirework。
“Come，now，MamaVauquer，acoupleofbottlesofchampagne。”
calledVautrin。
“Quien！justlikeyou！Whynotaskforthewholehouseatonce。A
coupleofbottlesofchampagne；thatmeanstwelvefrancs！Ishallneverseethemoneybackagain，Iknow！ButifM。Eugenehasamindtopayforit，Ihavesomecurrantcordial。”
“Thatcurrantcordialofhersisasbadasablackdraught。”
mutteredthemedicalstudent。
“Shutup，Bianchon。”exclaimedRastignac；“theverymentionofblackdraughtmakesmefeel。Yes，champagne，byallmeans；I
willpayforit。”headded。
“Sylvie。”calledMme。Vauquer，“bringinsomebiscuits，andthelittlecakes。”
“Thoselittlecakesaremouldygraybeards。”saidVautrin。“Buttrotoutthebiscuits。”
TheBordeauxwinecirculated；thedinnertablebecamealivelierscenethanever，andthefungrewfastandfurious。Imitationsofthecriesofvariousanimalsmingledwiththeloudlaughter；theMuseumofficialhavingtakenitintohisheadtomimicacat-callratherlikethecaterwaulingoftheanimalinquestion，eightvoicessimultaneouslystruckupwiththefollowingvariations：
“Scissorstogrind！“
“Chick-weedsforsingingbir-ds！“
“Brandy-snaps，ladies！“
“Chinatomend！“
“Boatahoy！“
“Stickstobeatyourwivesoryourclothes！“
“Oldclo’！“
“Cherriesallripe！“
ButthepalmwasawardedtoBianchonforthenasalaccentwithwhichherenderedthecryof“Umbrellastome-end！“
Afewsecondslater，andtherewasahead-splittingracketintheroom，astormoftomfoolery，asortofcats’concert，withVautrinasconductoroftheorchestra，thelatterkeepinganeyethewhileonEugeneandFatherGoriot。Thewineseemedtohavegonetotheirheadsalready。Theyleanedbackintheirchairs，lookingatthegeneralconfusionwithanairofgravity，anddrankbutlittle；bothofthemwereabsorbedinthethoughtofwhatlaybeforethemtodothatevening，andyetneitherofthemfeltabletoriseandgo。Vautringaveasideglanceatthemfromtimetotime，andwatchedthechangethatcameovertheirfaces，choosingthemomentwhentheireyesdroopedandseemedabouttoclose，tobendoverRastignacandtosayinhisear：——
“Mylittlelad，youarenotquiteshrewdenoughtooutwitPapaVautrinyet，andheistoofondofyoutoletyoumakeamessofyouraffairs。WhenIhavemadeupmymindtodoathing，nooneshortofProvidencecanputmeoff。Aha！wewereforgoingroundtowarnoldTaillefer，tellingtalesoutofschool！Theovenishot，thedoughiskneaded，thebreadisreadyfortheoven；to-
morrowwewilleatitupandwhiskawaythecrumbs；andwearenotgoingtospoilthebaking？……No，no，itisallasgoodasdone！Wemaysufferfromafewconscientiousscruples，buttheywillbedigestedalongwiththebread。Whilewearehavingourfortywinks，ColonelCountFranchessiniwillclearthewaytoMichelTaillefer’sinheritancewiththepointofhissword。
Victorinewillcomeinforherbrother’smoney，asnugfifteenthousandfrancsayear。Ihavemadeinquiriesalready，andIknowthatherlatemother’spropertyamountstomorethanthreehundredthousand——“
Eugeneheardallthis，andcouldnotansweraword；histongueseemedtobegluedtotheroofofhismouth，anirresistibledrowsinesswascreepingoverhim。Hestillsawthetableandthefacesroundit，butitwasthroughabrightmist。Soonthenoisebegantosubside，onebyonetheboarderswent。Atlast，whentheirnumbershadsodwindledthatthepartyconsistedofMme。
Vauquer，Mme。Couture，Mlle。Victorine，Vautrin，andFatherGoriot，RastignacwatchedasthoughinadreamhowMme。Vauquerbusiedherselfbycollectingthebottles，anddrainedtheremainderofthewineoutofeachtofillothers。
“Oh！howuproarioustheyare！whatathingitistobeyoung！“
saidthewidow。
ThesewerethelastwordsthatEugeneheardandunderstood。
“ThereisnoonelikeM。Vautrinforabitoffunlikethis。”
saidSylvie。“There，justharkatChristophe，heissnoringlikeatop。”
“Good-bye，mamma。”saidVautrin；“IamgoingtoatheatreontheboulevardtoseeM。MartyinLeMontSauvage，afineplaytakenfromLeSolitaire……Ifyoulike，Iwilltakeyouandthesetwoladies——“
“Thankyou；Imustdecline。”saidMme。Couture。
“What！mygoodlady！“criedMme。Vauquer，“declinetoseeaplayfoundedontheLeSolitaire，aworkbyAtaladeChateaubriand？WeweresofondofthatbookthatwecriedoveritlikeMagdalensundertheline-treeslastsummer，andthenitisanimprovingworkthatmightedifyyouryounglady。”
“Weareforbiddentogototheplay。”answeredVictorine。
“Justlook，thosetwoyonderhavedroppedoffwheretheysit。”
saidVautrin，shakingtheheadsofthetwosleepersinacomicalway。
Healteredthesleepingstudent’sposition，settledhisheadmorecomfortablyonthebackofhischair，kissedhimwarmlyontheforehead，andbegantosing：
“Sleep，littledarlings；
Iwatchwhileyouslumber。”
“Iamafraidhemaybeill。”saidVictorine。
“Thenstopandtakecareofhim。”returnedVautrin。“’Tisyourdutyasameekandobedientwife。”hewhisperedinherear。“theyoungfellowworshipsyou，andyouwillbehislittlewife——
there’syourfortuneforyou。Inshort。”headdedaloud，“theylivedhappilyeverafterwards，weremuchlookeduptoinallthecountryside，andhadanumerousfamily。Thatishowalltheromancesend——Now，mamma。”hewenton，asheturnedtoMadameVauquerandputhisarmroundherwaist，“putonyourbonnet，yourbestfloweredsilk，andthecountess’scarf，whileIgooutandcallacab——allmyownself。”
Andhestartedout，singingashewent：
“Oh！sun！divinesun！
Ripeningthepumpkinseveryone。”
“Mygoodness！Well，I’msure！Mme。Couture，Icouldlivehappilyinagarretwithamanlikethat——There，now！“sheadded，lookingroundfortheoldvermicellimaker，“thereisthatFatherGoriothalfseasover。HEneverthoughtoftakingmeanywhere，theoldskinflint。Buthewillmeasurehislengthsomewhere。Myword！itisdisgracefultolosehissenseslikethat，athisage！
Youwillbetellingmethathecouldn’tlosewhathehadn’tgot——
Sylvie，justtakehimuptohisroom！“
Sylvietookhimbythearm，supportedhimupstairs，andflunghimjustashewas，likeapackage，acrossthebed。
“Pooryoungfellow！“saidMme。Couture，puttingbackEugene’shairthathadfallenoverhiseyes；“heislikeayounggirl，hedoesnotknowwhatdissipationis。”
“Well，Icantellyouthis，Iknow。”saidMme。Vauquer，“Ihavetakenlodgersthesethirtyyears，andagoodmanyhavepassedthroughmyhands，asthesayingis，butIhaveneverseenanicernoramorearistocraticlookingyoungmanthanM。Eugene。Howhandsomehelookssleeping！Justlethisheadrestonyourshoulder，Mme。Couture。Pshaw！hefallsovertowardsMlle。
Victorine。There’saspecialprovidenceforyoungthings。A
littlemore，andhewouldhavebrokenhisheadagainsttheknobofthechair。They’dmakeaprettypairthosetwowould！“
“Hush，mygoodneighbor。”criedMme。Couture，“youaresayingsuchthings——“
“Pooh！“putinMme。Vauquer，“hedoesnothear——Here，Sylvie！
comeandhelpmetodress。Ishallputonmybeststays。”
“What！yourbeststaysjustafterdinner，madame？“saidSylvie。
“No，youcangetsomeoneelsetolaceyou。Iamnotgoingtobeyourmurderer。It’sarashthingtodo，andmightcostyouyourlife。”
“Idon’tcare，ImustdohonortoM。Vautrin。”
“Areyousofondofyourheirsasallthat？“
“Come，Sylvie，don’targue。”saidthewidow，asshelefttheroom。
“Atherage，too！“saidthecooktoVictorine，pointingtohermistressasshespoke。
Mme。Coutureandherwardwereleftinthedining-room，andEugenesleptonVictorine’sshoulder。ThesoundofChristophe’ssnoringechoedthroughthesilenthouse；Eugene’squietbreathingseemedallthequieterbyforceofcontrast，hewassleepingaspeacefullyasachild。Victorinewasveryhappy；shewasfreetoperformoneofthoseactsofcharitywhichformaninnocentoutletforalltheoverflowingsentimentsofawoman’snature；hewassoclosetoherthatshecouldfeelthethrobbingofhisheart；therewasalookofalmostmaternalprotectionandconsciousprideinVictorine’sface。Amongthecountlessthoughtsthatcrowdedupinheryounginnocentheart，therewasawildflutterofjoyatthisclosecontact。
“Poor，dearchild！“saidMme。Couture，squeezingherhand。
Theoldladylookedatthegirl。Victorine’sinnocent，patheticface，soradiantwiththenewhappinessthathadbefallenher，calledtomindsomenaiveworkofmediaevalart，whenthepainterneglectedtheaccessories，reservingallthemagicofhisbrushforthequiet，austereoutlinesandivorytintsoftheface，whichseemstohavecaughtsomethingofthegoldengloryofheaven。
“Afterall，heonlytooktwoglasses，mamma。”saidVictorine，passingherfingersthroughEugene’shair。
“Indeed，ifhehadbeenadissipatedyoungman，child，hewouldhavecarriedhiswineliketherestofthem。Hisdrowsinessdoeshimcredit。”
Therewasasoundofwheelsoutsideinthestreet。
“ThereisM。Vautrin，mamma。”saidthegirl。“JusttakeM。
Eugene。Iwouldrathernothavethatmanseemelikethis；therearesomewaysoflookingatyouthatseemtosullyyoursoulandmakeyoufeelasthoughyouhadnothingon。”
“Oh，no，youarewrong！“saidMme。Couture。“M。Vautrinisaworthyman；heremindsmealittleofmylatehusband，poordearM。Couture，roughbutkind-hearted；hisbarkisworsethanhisbite。”
Vautrincameinwhileshewasspeaking；hedidnotmakeasound，butlookedforawhileatthepictureofthetwoyoungfaces——thelamplightfallingfulluponthemseemedtocaressthem。
“Well。”heremarked，foldinghisarms，“hereisapicture！ItwouldhavesuggestedsomepleasingpagestoBernardindeSaint-
Pierregoodsoul，whowrotePauletVirginie。Youthisverycharming，Mme。Couture！——Sleepon，poorboy。”headded，lookingatEugene，“lucksometimescomeswhileyouaresleeping——Thereissomethingtouchingandattractivetomeaboutthisyoungman，madame。”hecontinued；“Iknowthathisnatureisinharmonywithhisface。Justlook，theheadofacherubonanangel’sshoulder！
Hedeservestobeloved。IfIwereawoman，Iwoulddieno——notsuchafool，Iwouldliveforhim。”Hebentlowerandspokeinthewidow’sear。“WhenIseethosetwotogether，madame，IcannothelpthinkingthatProvidencemeantthemforeachother；Heworksbysecretways，andtriesthereinsandtheheart。”hesaidinaloudvoice。“AndwhenIseeyou，mychildren，thusunitedbyalikepurityandbyallhumanaffections，Isaytomyselfthatitisquiteimpossiblethatthefutureshouldseparateyou。Godisjust。”——HeturnedtoVictorine。“Itseemstome。”hesaid，“thatIhaveseenthelineofsuccessinyourhand。Letmelookatit，Mlle。Victorine；Iamwellupinpalmistry，andIhavetoldfortunesmanyatime。Come，now，don’tbefrightened。Ah！whatdoIsee？Uponmyword，youwillbeoneoftherichestheiressesinParisbeforeverylong。Youwillheaprichesonthemanwholovesyou。Yourfatherwillwantyoutogoandlivewithhim。Youwillmarryayoungandhandsomemanwithatitle，andhewillidolizeyou。”
Theheavyfootstepsofthecoquettishwidow，whowascomingdownthestairs，interruptedVautrin’sfortune-telling。“HereisMammaVauquerre，fairasastarr-r-r，dressedwithinaninchofherlife——Aren’tweatriflepinchedforroom？“heinquired，withhisarmroundthelady；“wearescrewedupverytightlyaboutthebust，mamma！Ifwearemuchagitated，theremaybeanexplosion；
butIwillpickupthefragmentswithallthecareofanantiquary。”
“ThereisamanwhocantalkthelanguageofFrenchgallantry！“
saidthewidow，bendingtospeakinMme。Couture’sear。
“Good-bye，littleones！“saidVautrin，turningtoEugeneandVictorine。“Blessyouboth！“andhelaidahandoneitherhead。
“Takemywordforit，younglady，anhonestman’sprayersareworthsomething；theyshouldbringyouhappiness，forGodhearsthem。”
“Good-bye，dear。”saidMme。Vauquertoherlodger。“DoyouthinkthatM。Vautrinmeanstorunawaywithme？“sheadded，loweringhervoice。
“Lack-a-day！“saidthewidow。
“Oh！mammadear，supposeitshouldreallyhappenasthatkindM。
Vautrinsaid！“saidVictorinewithasighasshelookedatherhands。Thetwowomenwerealonetogether。
“Why，itwouldn’ttakemuchtobringittopass。”saidtheelderlylady；“justafallfromhishorse，andyourmonsterofabrother——“
“Oh！mamma。”
“GoodLord！Well，perhapsitisasintowishbadlucktoanenemy。”thewidowremarked。“Iwilldopenanceforit。Still，I
wouldstrewflowersonhisgravewiththegreatestpleasure，andthatisthetruth。Black-hearted，thatheis！Thecowardcouldn’tspeakupforhisownmother，andcheatsyououtofyoursharebydeceitandtrickery。Mycousinhadaprettyfortuneofherown，butunluckilyforyou，nothingwassaidinthemarriage-contractaboutanythingthatshemightcomeinfor。”
“Itwouldbeveryhardifmyfortuneistocostsomeoneelsehislife。”saidVictorine。“IfIcannotbehappyunlessmybrotheristobetakenoutoftheworld，Iwouldratherstayhereallmylife。”
“MONDIEU！itisjustasthatgoodM。Vautrinsays，andheisfullofpiety，yousee。”Mme。Coutureremarked。“IamverygladtofindthatheisnotanunbelieverliketherestofthemthattalkoftheAlmightywithlessrespectthantheydooftheDevil。
Well，ashewassaying，whocanknowthewaysbywhichitmaypleaseProvidencetoleadus？“
WithSylvie’shelpthetwowomenatlastsucceededingettingEugeneuptohisroom；theylaidhimonthebed，andthecookunfastenedhisclothestomakehimmorecomfortable。Beforetheylefttheroom，Victorinesnatchedanopportunitywhenherguardian’sbackwasturned，andpressedakissonEugene’sforehead，feelingallthejoythatthisstolenpleasurecouldgiveher。Thenshelookedroundtheroom，andgatheringup，asitwere，intoonesinglethoughtalltheuntoldblissofthatday，shemadeapictureofhermemories，anddweltuponituntilsheslept，thehappiestcreatureinParis。
Thatevening’smerry-making，inthecourseofwhichVautrinhadgiventhedruggedwinetoEugeneandFatherGoriot，washisownruin。Bianchon，flusteredwithwine，forgottoopenthesubjectofTrompe-la-MortwithMlle。Michonneau。ThemerementionofthenamewouldhavesetVautrinonhisguard；forVautrin，or，togivehimhisrealname，JacquesCollin，wasinfactthenotoriousescapedconvict。
ButitwasthejokeabouttheVenusofPere-Lachaisethatfinallydecidedhisfate。Mlle。Michonneauhadverynearlymadeuphermindtowarntheconvictandtothrowherselfonhisgenerosity，withtheideaofmakingabetterbargainforherselfbyhelpinghimtoescapethatnight；butasitwas，shewentoutescortedbyPoiretinsearchofthefamouschiefofdetectivesinthePetiteRueSaint-Anne，stillthinkingthatitwasthedistrictsuperintendent——oneGondureau——withwhomshehadtodo。Theheadofthedepartmentreceivedhisvisitorscourteously。Therewasalittletalk，andthedetailsweredefinitelyarranged。Mlle。
Michonneauaskedforthedraughtthatshewastoadministerinordertosetaboutherinvestigation。Butthegreatman’sevidentsatisfactionsetMlle。Michonneauthinking；andshebegantoseethatthisbusinessinvolvedsomethingmorethanthemerecaptureofarunawayconvict。Sherackedherbrainswhilehelookedinadrawerinhisdeskforthelittlephial，anditdawneduponherthatinconsequenceoftreacherousrevelationsmadebytheprisonersthepolicewerehopingtolaytheirhandsonaconsiderablesumofmoney。ButonhintinghersuspicionstotheoldfoxofthePetiteRueSaint-Anne，thatofficerbegantosmile，andtriedtoputheroffthescent。
“Adelusion。”hesaid。“Collin’ssorbonneisthemostdangerousthathasyetbeenfoundamongthedangerousclasses。Thatisall，andtherascalsarequiteawareofit。Theyrallyroundhim；heisthebackboneofthefederation，itsBonaparte，inshort；heisverypopularwiththemall。TheroguewillneverleavehischumpinthePlacedeGreve。”
AsMlle。Michonneauseemedmystified，Gondureauexplainedthetwoslangwordsforherbenefit。Sorbonneandchumparetwoforcibleexpressionsborrowedfromthieves’Latin，thieves，ofallpeople，beingcompelledtoconsiderthehumanheadinitstwoaspects。A
sorbonneistheheadofalivingman，hisfacultyofthinking——
hiscouncil；achumpisacontemptuousepithetthatimplieshowlittleahumanheadisworthaftertheaxehasdoneitswork。
“Collinisplayingusoff。”hecontinued。“WhenwecomeacrossamanlikeabarofsteeltemperedintheEnglishfashion，thereisalwaysoneresourceleft——wecankillhimifhetakesitintohisheadtomaketheleastresistance。WearereckoningonseveralmethodsofkillingCollinto-morrowmorning。Itsavesatrial，andsocietyisridofhimwithoutalltheexpenseofguardingandfeedinghim。Whatwithgettingupthecase，summoningwitnesses，payingtheirexpenses，andcarryingoutthesentence，itcostsalottogothroughalltheproperformalitiesbeforeyoucangetquitofoneofthesegood-for-nothings，overandabovethethreethousandfrancsthatyouaregoingtohave。Thereisasavingintimeaswell。OnegoodthrustofthebayonetintoTrompe-la-
Mort’spaunchwillpreventscoresofcrimes，andsavefiftyscoundrelsfromfollowinghisexample；theywillbeverycarefultokeepthemselvesoutofthepolicecourts。Thatisdoingtheworkofthepolicethoroughly，andtruephilanthropistswilltellyouthatitisbettertopreventcrimethantopunishit。”
“Andyoudoaservicetoourcountry。”saidPoiret。
“Really，youaretalkinginaverysensiblemannertonight，thatyouare。”saidtheheadofthedepartment。“Yes，ofcourse，weareservingourcountry，andweareveryhardlyusedtoo。Wedosocietyverygreatservicesthatarenotrecognized。Infact，asuperiormanmustriseabovevulgarprejudices，andaChristianmustresignhimselftothemishapsthatdoingrightentails，whenrightisdoneinanout-of-the-waystyle。ParisisParis，yousee！Thatistheexplanationofmylife——Ihavethehonortowishyouagood-evening，mademoiselle。IshallbringmymentotheJardinduRoiinthemorning。SendChristophetotheRueduBuffon，tellhimtoaskforM。Gondureauinthehousewhereyousawmebefore——Yourservant，sir。Ifyoushouldeverhaveanythingstolenfromyou，cometome，andIwilldomybesttogetitbackforyou。”
“Well，now。”PoiretremarkedtoMlle。Michonneau，“thereareidiotswhoarescaredoutoftheirwitsbythewordpolice。Thatwasaverypleasant-spokengentleman，andwhathewantsyoutodoisaseasyassaying’Good-day。’“
ThenextdaywasdestinedtobeoneofthemostextraordinaryintheannalsoftheMaisonVauquer。Hithertothemoststartlingoccurrenceinitstranquilexistencehadbeentheportentous，meteor-likeapparitionoftheshamComtessedel’Ambermesnil。Butthecatastrophesofthisgreatdayweretocastallpreviouseventsintotheshade，andsupplyaninexhaustibletopicofconversationforMme。Vauquerandherboarderssolongasshelived。
Inthefirstplace，GoriotandEugenedeRastignacbothslepttillcloseuponeleveno’clock。Mme。Vauquer，whocamehomeaboutmidnightfromtheGaite，laya-bedtillhalf-pastten。
Christophe，afteraprolongedslumberhehadfinishedVautrin’sfirstbottleofwine，wasbehindhandwithhiswork，butPoiretandMlle。Michonneauutterednocomplaint，thoughbreakfastwasdelayed。AsforVictorineandMme。Couture，theyalsolaylate。