Vautrinwentoutbeforeeighto’clock，andonlycamebackjustasbreakfastwasready。Nobodyprotested，therefore，whenSylvieandChristophewentupataquarterpasteleven，knockedatallthedoors，andannouncedthatbreakfastwaswaiting。WhileSylvieandthemanwereupstairs，Mlle。Michonneau，whocamedownfirst，pouredthecontentsofthephialintothesilvercupbelongingtoVautrin——itwasstandingwiththeothersinthebain-mariethatkeptthecreamhotforthemorningcoffee。Thespinsterhadreckonedonthiscustomofthehousetodoherstrokeofbusiness。Thesevenlodgerswereatlastcollectedtogether，notwithoutsomedifficulty。JustasEugenecamedownstairs，stretchinghimselfandyawning，acommissionairehandedhimaletterfromMme。deNucingen。Itranthus：——
“Ifeelneitherfalsevanitynorangerwhereyouareconcerned，myfriend。Tilltwoo’clockthismorningIwaitedforyou。Oh，thatwaitingforonewhomyoulove！Noonethathadpassedthroughthattorturecouldinflictitonanother。Iknownowthatyouhaveneverlovedbefore。Whatcanhavehappened？Anxietyhastakenholdofme。Iwouldhavecomemyselftofindoutwhathadhappened，ifIhadnotfearedtobetraythesecretsofmyheart。
HowcanIwalkoutordriveoutatthistimeofday？Woulditnotberuin？Ihavefelttothefullhowwretcheditistobeawoman。Sendawordtoreassureme，andexplainhowitisthatyouhavenotcomeafterwhatmyfathertoldyou。Ishallbeangry，butIwillforgiveyou。Oneword，forpity’ssake。Youwillcometomesoon，willyounot？Ifyouarebusy，alinewillbeenough。
Say，’Iwillhastentoyou，’orelse，’Iamill。’Butifyouwereillmyfatherwouldhavecometotellmeso。Whatcanhavehappened？……”
“Yes，indeed，whathashappened？“exclaimedEugene，and，hurryingdowntothedining-room，hecrumpleduptheletterwithoutreadinganymore。“Whattimeisit？“
“Half-pasteleven。”saidVautrin，droppingalumpofsugarintohiscoffee。
TheescapedconvictcastaglanceatEugene，acoldandfascinatingglance；mengiftedwiththismagneticpowercanquellfuriouslunaticsinamadhousebysuchaglance，itissaid。
Eugeneshookineverylimb。Therewasthesoundofwheelsinthestreet，andinanothermomentamanwithascaredfacerushedintotheroom。ItwasoneofM。Taillefer’sservants；Mme。
Couturerecognizedtheliveryatonce。
“Mademoiselle。”hecried，“yourfatherisaskingforyou——
somethingterriblehashappened！M。Frederichashadaswordthrustintheforeheadinaduel，andthedoctorshavegivenhimup。Youwillscarcelybeintimetosaygood-byetohim！heisunconscious。”
“Pooryoungfellow！“exclaimedVautrin。“Howcanpeoplebrawlwhentheyhaveacertainincomeofthirtythousandlivres？Youngpeoplehavebadmanners，andthatisafact。”
“Sir！“criedEugene。
“Well，whatthen，youbigbaby！“saidVautrin，swallowingdownhiscoffeeimperturbably，anoperationwhichMlle。Michonneauwatchedwithsuchcloseattentionthatshehadnoemotiontosparefortheamazingnewsthathadstrucktheothersdumbwithamazement。“AretherenotduelseverymorninginParis？“addedVautrin。
“Iwillgowithyou，Victorine。”saidMme。Couture，andthetwowomenhurriedawayatoncewithouteitherhatsorshawls。Butbeforeshewent，Victorine，withhereyesfulloftears，gaveEugeneaglancethatsaid——“HowlittleIthoughtthatourhappinessshouldcostmetears！“
“Dearme，youareaprophet，M。Vautrin。”saidMme。Vauquer。
“Iamallsortsofthings。”saidVautrin。
“Queer，isn’tit？“saidMme。Vauquer，stringingtogetherasuccessionofcommonplacessuitedtotheoccasion。“Deathtakesusoffwithoutaskingusaboutit。Theyoungoftengobeforetheold。Itisaluckythingforuswomenthatwearenotliabletofightduels，butwehaveothercomplaintsthatmendon’tsufferfrom。Webearchildren，andittakesalongtimetogetoverit。
WhatawindfallforVictorine！Herfatherwillhavetoacknowledgehernow！“
“There！“saidVautrin，lookingatEugene，“yesterdayshehadnotapenny；thismorningshehasseveralmillionstoherfortune。”
“Isay，M。Eugene！“criedMme。Vauquer，“youhavelandedonyourfeet！“
Atthisexclamation，FatherGoriotlookedatthestudent，andsawthecrumpledletterstillinhishand。
“Youhavenotreaditthrough！Whatdoesthismean？Areyougoingtobeliketherestofthem？“heasked。
“Madame，IshallnevermarryMlle。Victorine。”saidEugene，turningtoMme。Vauquerwithanexpressionofterrorandloathingthatsurprisedtheonlookersatthisscene。
FatherGoriotcaughtthestudent’shandandgraspeditwarmly。Hecouldhavekissedit。
“Oh，ho！“saidVautrin，“theItalianshaveagoodproverb——Coltempo。”
“Isthereanyanswer？“saidMme。deNucingen’smessenger，addressingEugene。
“SaythatIwillcomedirectly。”
Themanwent。Eugenewasinastateofsuchviolentexcitementthathecouldnotbeprudent。
“Whatistobedone？“heexclaimedaloud。“Therearenoproofs！“
Vautrinbegantosmile。Thoughthedrughehadtakenwasdoingitswork，theconvictwassovigorousthatherosetohisfeet，gaveRastignacalook，andsaidinhollowtones，“Luckcomestouswhilewesleep，youngman。”andfellstiffandstark，asifhewerestruckdead。
“SothereisaDivineJustice！“saidEugene。
“Well，ifever！WhathascometothatpoordearM。Vautrin？“
“Astroke！“criedMlle。Michonneau。
“Here，Sylvie！girl，runforthedoctor。”calledthewidow。“Oh，M。Rastignac，justgoforM。Bianchon，andbeasquickasyoucan；Sylviemightnotbeintimetocatchourdoctor，M。
Grimprel。”
Rastignacwasgladofanexcusetoleavethatdenofhorrors，hishurryforthedoctorwasnothingbutaflight。
“Here，Christophe，goroundtothechemist’sandaskforsomethingthat’sgoodfortheapoplexy。”
Christophelikewisewent。
“FatherGoriot，justhelpustogethimupstairs。”
Vautrinwastakenupamongthem，carriedcarefullyupthenarrowstaircase，andlaiduponhisbed。
“Icandonogoodhere，soIshallgotoseemydaughter。”saidM。Goriot。
“Selfisholdthing！“criedMme。Vauquer。“Yes，go；Iwishyoumaydielikeadog。”
“Justgoandseeifyoucanfindsomeether。”saidMlle。
MichonneautoMme。Vauquer；theformer，withsomehelpfromPoiret，hadunfastenedthesickman’sclothes。
Mme。Vauquerwentdowntoherroom，andleftMlle。Michonneaumistressofthesituation。
“Now！justpulldownhisshirtandturnhimover，quick！Youmightbeofsomeuseinsparingmymodesty。”shesaidtoPoiret，“insteadofstandingtherelikeastock。”
Vautrinwasturnedover；Mlle。Michonneaugavehisshoulderasharpslap，andthetwoportentouslettersappeared，whiteagainstthered。
“There，youhaveearnedyourthreethousandfrancsveryeasily。”
exclaimedPoiret，supportingVautrinwhileMlle。Michonneauslippedontheshirtagain——“Ouf！Howheavyheis。”headded，ashelaidtheconvictdown。
“Hush！Supposethereisastrong-boxhere！“saidtheoldmaidbriskly；herglancesseemedtopiercethewalls，shescrutinizedeveryarticleofthefurniturewithgreedyeyes。“Couldwefindsomeexcuseforopeningthatdesk？“
“Itmightn’tbequiteright。”respondedPoirettothis。
“Whereistheharm？Itismoneystolenfromallsortsofpeople，soitdoesn’tbelongtoanyonenow。Butwehaven’ttime，thereistheVauquer。”
“Hereistheether。”saidthatlady。“Imustsaythatthisisaneventfulday。Lord！thatmancan’thavehadastroke；heisaswhiteascurds。”
“Whiteascurds？“echoedPoiret。
“Andhispulseissteady。”saidthewidow，layingherhandonhisbreast。
“Steady？“saidtheastonishedPoiret。
“Heisallright。”
“Doyouthinkso？“askedPoiret。
“Lord！Yes，helooksasifheweresleeping。Sylviehasgoneforadoctor。Isay，Mlle。Michonneau，heissniffingtheether。
Pooh！itisonlyaspasm。Hispulseisgood。HeisasstrongasaTurk。Justlook，mademoiselle，whatafurtippethehasonhischest；thatisthesortofmantolivetillheisahundred。Hiswigholdsontightly，however。Dearme！itisgluedon，andhisownhairisred；thatiswhyhewearsawig。Theysaythatred-
hairedpeopleareeithertheworstorthebest。Isheoneofthegoodones，Iwonder？“
“Goodtohang。”saidPoiret。
“Roundaprettywoman’sneck，youmean。”saidMlleMichonneau，hastily。“Justgoaway，M。Poiret。Itisawoman’sdutytonurseyoumenwhenyouareill。Besides，forallthegoodyouaredoing，youmayaswelltakeyourselfoff。”sheadded。“Mme。
VauquerandIwilltakegreatcareofdearM。Vautrin。
Poiretwentoutontiptoewithoutamurmur，likeadogkickedoutoftheroombyhismaster。
Rastignachadgoneoutforthesakeofphysicalexertion；hewantedtobreathetheair，hefeltstifled。Yesterdayeveninghehadmeanttopreventthemurderarrangedforhalf-pasteightthatmorning。Whathadhappened？Whatoughthetodonow？Hetrembledtothinkthathehimselfmightbeimplicated。Vautrin’scoolnessstillfurtherdismayedhim。
“Yet，howifVautrinshoulddiewithoutsayingaword？“Rastignacaskedhimself。
HehurriedalongthealleysoftheLuxembourgGardensasifthehoundsofjusticewereafterhim，andhealreadyheardthebayingofthepack。
“Well？“shoutedBianchon，“youhaveseenthePilote？“
ThePilotewasaRadicalsheet，editedbyM。Tissot。Itcameoutseveralhourslaterthanthemorningpapers，andwasmeantforthebenefitofcountrysubscribers；foritbroughtthemorningnewsintoprovincialdistrictstwenty-fourhourssoonerthantheordinarylocaljournals。
“Thereisawonderfulhistoryinit。”saidthehousestudentoftheHopitalCochin。“YoungTaillefercalledoutCountFranchessini，oftheOldGuard，andtheCountputacoupleofinchesofsteelintohisforehead。AndhereislittleVictorineoneoftherichestheiressesinParis！Ifwehadknownthat，eh？
Whatagameofchancedeathis！TheysayVictorinewassweetonyou；wasthereanytruthinit？“
“Shutup，Bianchon；Ishallnevermarryher。Iaminlovewithacharmingwoman，andsheisinlovewithme，so——“
“Yousaidthatasifyouwerescrewingyourselfuptobefaithfultoher。IshouldliketoseethewomanworththesacrificeofMasterTaillefer’smoney！“
“Areallthedevilsofhellatmyheels？“criedRastignac。
“Whatisthematterwithyou？Areyoumad？Giveusyourhand。”
saidBianchon，“andletmefeelyourpulse。Youarefeverish。”
“JustgotoMotherVauquer’s。”saidRastignac；“thatscoundrelVautrinhasdroppeddownlikeonedead。”
“Aha！“saidBianchon，leavingRastignactohisreflections，“youconfirmmysuspicions，andnowImeantomakesureformyself。”
Thelawstudent’slongwalkwasamemorableoneforhim。Hemadeinsomesortasurveyofhisconscience。Afteraclosescrutiny，afterhesitationandself-examination，hishonoratanyratecameoutscathelessfromthissharpandterribleordeal，likeabarofirontestedintheEnglishfashion。HerememberedFatherGoriot’sconfidencesoftheeveningbefore；herecollectedtheroomstakenforhimintheRued’Artois，sothathemightbenearDelphine；
andthenhethoughtofhisletter，andreaditagainandkissedit。
“Suchaloveismyanchorofsafety。”hesaidtohimself。“Howtheoldman’sheartmusthavebeenwrung！Hesaysnothingaboutallthathehasbeenthrough；butwhocouldnotguess？Well，then，Iwillbelikeasontohim；hislifeshallbemadehappy。
Ifshecaresforme，shewilloftencometospendthedaywithhim。ThatgrandComtessedeRestaudisaheartlessthing；shewouldmakeherfatherintoherhallporter。DearDelphine！sheiskindertotheoldman；sheisworthytobeloved。Ah！thiseveningIshallbeveryhappy！“
Hetookouthiswatchandadmiredit。
“Ihavehadnothingbutsuccess！Iftwopeoplemeantoloveeachotherforever，theymayhelpeachother，andIcantakethis。
Besides，Ishallsucceed，andIwillpayherahundredfold。Thereisnothingcriminalinthisliaison；nothingthatcouldcausethemostausteremoralisttofrown。Howmanyrespectablepeoplecontractsimilarunions！Wedeceivenobody；itisdeceptionthatmakesapositionhumiliating。Ifyoulie，youloweryourselfatonce。Sheandherhusbandhavelivedapartforalongwhile。
Besides，howifIcalleduponthatAlsatiantoresignawifewhomhecannotmakehappy？“
Rastignac’sbattlewithhimselfwentonforalongwhile；andthoughthescruplesofyouthinevitablygainedtheday，anirresistiblecuriosityledhim，abouthalf-pastfour，toreturntotheMaisonVauquerthroughthegatheringdusk。
BianchonhadgivenVautrinanemetic，reservingthecontentsofthestomachforchemicalanalysisatthehospital。Mlle。
Michonneau’sofficiousalacrityhadstillfurtherstrengthenedhissuspicionsofher。Vautrin，moreover，hadrecoveredsoquicklythatitwasimpossiblenottosuspectsomeplotagainsttheleaderofallfrolicsatthelodging-house。Vautrinwasstandinginfrontofthestoveinthedining-roomwhenRastignaccamein。AllthelodgerswereassembledsoonerthanusualbythenewsofyoungTaillefer’sduel。Theywereanxioustohearanydetailabouttheaffair，andtotalkovertheprobablechangeinVictorine’sprospects。FatherGoriotalonewasabsent，buttherestwerechatting。NosoonerdidEugenecomeintotheroom，thanhiseyesmettheinscrutablegazeofVautrin。Itwasthesamelookthathadreadhisthoughtsbefore——thelookthathadsuchpowertowakenevilthoughtsinhisheart。Heshuddered。
“Well，dearboy。”saidtheescapedconvict，“Iamlikelytocheatdeathforagoodwhileyet。Accordingtotheseladies，Ihavehadastrokethatwouldhavefelledanox，andcomeoffwithflyingcolors。”
“Abullyoumightsay。”criedthewidow。
“Youreallymightbesorrytoseemestillalive。”saidVautrininRastignac’sear，thinkingthatheguessedthestudent’sthoughts。“Youmustbemightysureofyourself。”
“Mlle。MichonneauwastalkingthedaybeforeyesterdayaboutagentlemannamedTrompe-la-Mort。”saidBianchon；“and，uponmyword，thatnamewoulddoverywellforyou。”
Vautrinseemedthunderstruck。Heturnedpale，andstaggeredback。
Heturnedhismagneticglance，likearayofvividlight，onMlle。Michonneau；theoldmaidshrankandtrembledundertheinfluenceofthatstrongwill，andcollapsedintoachair。Themaskofgood-naturehaddroppedfromtheconvict’sface；fromtheunmistakableferocityofthatsinisterlook，Poiretfeltthattheoldmaidwasindanger，andhastilysteppedbetweenthem。Noneofthelodgersunderstoodthissceneintheleast，theylookedoninmuteamazement。Therewasapause。Justthentherewasasoundoftrampingfeetoutside；thereweresoldiersthere，itseemed，fortherewasaringofseveralriflesonthepavementofthestreet。
Collinwasmechanicallylookingroundthewallsforawayofescape，whenfourmenenteredbywayofthesitting-room。
“InthenameoftheKingandtheLaw！“saidanofficer，butthewordswerealmostlostinamurmurofastonishment。
Silencefellontheroom。Thelodgersmadewayforthreeofthemen，whohadeachahandonacockedpistolinasidepocket。Twopolicemen，whofollowedthedetectives，kepttheentrancetothesitting-room，andtwomoremenappearedinthedoorwaythatgaveaccesstothestaircase。Asoundoffootstepscamefromthegarden，andagaintheriflesofseveralsoldiersrangonthecobblestonesunderthewindow。AllchanceofsalvationbyflightwascutoffforTrompe-la-Mort，towhomalleyesinstinctivelyturned。Thechiefwalkedstraightuptohim，andcommencedoperationsbygivinghimasharpblowonthehead，sothatthewigfelloff，andCollin’sfacewasrevealedinallitsugliness。
Therewasaterriblesuggestionofstrengthmingledwithcunningintheshort，brick-redcropofhair，thewholeheadwasinharmonywithhispowerfulframe，andatthatmomentthefiresofhellseemedtogleamfromhiseyes。InthatflashtherealVautrinshoneforth，revealedatoncebeforethemall；theyunderstoodhispast，hispresent，andfuture，hispitilessdoctrines，hisactions，thereligionofhisowngoodpleasure，themajestywithwhichhiscynicismandcontemptformankindinvestedhim，thephysicalstrengthofanorganizationproofagainstalltrials。Thebloodflewtohisface，andhiseyesglaredliketheeyesofawildcat。Hestartedbackwithsavageenergyandafiercegrowlthatdrewexclamationsofalarmfromthelodgers。Atthatleoninestartthepolicecaughtattheirpistolsundercoverofthegeneralclamor。Collinsawthegleamingmuzzlesoftheweapons，sawhisdanger，andinstantlygaveproofofapowerofthehighestorder。Therewassomethinghorribleandmajesticinthespectacleofthesuddentransformationinhisface；hecouldonlybecomparedtoacauldronfullofthesteamthatcansendmountainsflying，aterrificforcedispelledinamomentbyadropofcoldwater。Thedropofwaterthatcooledhiswrathfulfurywasareflectionthatflashedacrosshisbrainlikelightning。Hebegantosmile，andlookeddownathiswig。
“Youarenotinthepolitestofhumorsto-day。”heremarkedtothechief，andheheldouthishandstothepolicemenwithajerkofhishead。
“Gentlemen。”hesaid，“putonthebraceletsorthehandcuffs。I
callonthosepresenttowitnessthatImakenoresistance。”
Amurmurofadmirationranthroughtheroomatthesuddenoutpouringlikefireandlavafloodfromthishumanvolcano，anditsequallysuddencessation。
“There’sasellforyou，mastercrusher。”theconvictadded，lookingatthefamousdirectorofpolice。
“Come，strip！“saidheofthePetiteRueSaint-Anne，contemptuously。
“Why？“askedCollin。“Thereareladiespresent；Idenynothing，andsurrender。”
Hepaused，andlookedroundtheroomlikeanoratorwhoisabouttooverwhelmhisaudience。
“Takethisdown，DaddyLachapelle。”hewenton，addressingalittle，white-hairedoldmanwhohadseatedhimselfattheendofthetable；andafterdrawingaprintedformfromtheportfolio，wasproceedingtodrawupadocument。“IacknowledgemyselftobeJacquesCollin，otherwiseknownasTrompe-la-Mort，condemnedtotwentyyears’penalservitude，andIhavejustprovedthatIhavecomefairlybymynickname——IfIhadasmuchasraisedmyhand。”
hewenton，addressingtheotherlodgers，“thosethreesneakingwretchesyonderwouldhavedrawnclaretonMammaVauquer’sdomestichearth。Therogueshavelaidtheirheadstogethertosetatrapforme。”
Mme。Vauquerfeltsickandfaintatthesewords。
“GoodLord！“shecried，“thisdoesgiveoneaturn；andmeattheGaitewithhimonlylastnight！“shesaidtoSylvie。
“Summonyourphilosophy，mamma。”Collinresumed。“IsitamisfortunetohavesatinmyboxattheGaiteyesterdayevening？
Afterall，areyoubetterthanweare？Thebranduponourshouldersislessshamefulthanthebrandsetonyourhearts，youflabbymembersofasocietyrottentothecore。Notthebestmanamongyoucouldstanduptome。”HiseyesresteduponRastignac，towhomhespokewithapleasantsmilethatseemedstrangelyatvariancewiththesavageexpressioninhiseyes——“Ourlittlebargainstillholdsgood，dearboy；youcanacceptanytimeyoulike！Doyouunderstand？“Andhesang：
“AcharminggirlismyFanchetteInhersimplicity。”
“Don’tyoutroubleyourself。”hewenton；“Icangetinmymoney。
Theyaretoomuchafraidofmetoswindleme。”
Theconvicts’prison，itslanguageandcustoms，itssuddensharptransitionsfromthehumoroustothehorrible，itsappallinggrandeur，itstrivialityanditsdarkdepths，wereallrevealedinturnbythespeaker’sdiscourse；heseemedtobenolongeraman，butthetypeandmouthpieceofadegeneraterace，abrutal，supple，clear-headedraceofsavages。InonemomentCollinbecamethepoetofaninferno，whereinallthoughtsandpassionsthatmovehumannaturesaverepentancefindaplace。Helookedabouthimlikeafallenarchangelwhoisforwartotheend。Rastignacloweredhiseyes，andacknowledgedthiskinshipclaimedbycrimeasanexpiationofhisownevilthoughts。
“Whobetrayedme？“saidCollin，andhisterribleeyestraveledroundtheroom。SuddenlytheyrestedonMlle。Michonneau。
“Itwasyou，oldcat！“hesaid。“Thatshamstrokeofapoplexywasyourdoing，lynxeyes！……Twowordsfromme，andyourthroatwouldbecutinlessthanaweek，butIforgiveyou，IamaChristian。Youdidnotsellmeeither。Butwhodid？——Aha！youmayrummageupstairs。”heshouted，hearingthepoliceofficersopeninghiscupboardsandtakingpossessionofhiseffects。“Thenestisempty，thebirdsflewawayyesterday，andyouwillbenonethewiser。Myledgersarehere。”hesaidtappinghisforehead。“NowIknowwhosoldme！ItcouldonlybethatblackguardFil-de-Soie。Thatiswhoitwas，oldcatchpoll，eh？“
hesaid，turningtothechief。“Itwastimedsoneatlytogetthebanknotesupabovethere。Thereisnothingleftforyou——spies！
AsforFil-de-Soie，hewillbeunderthedaisiesinlessthanafortnight，evenifyouweretotelloffthewholeforcetoprotecthim。HowmuchdidyougivetheMichonnette？“heaskedofthepoliceofficers。“Athousandcrowns？OhyouNinonindecay，Pompadourintatters，Venusofthegraveyard，Iwasworthmorethanthat！Ifyouhadgivenmewarning，youshouldhavehadsixthousandfrancs。Ah！youhadnosuspicionofthat，oldtraffickerinfleshandblood，orIshouldhavehadthepreference。Yes，I
wouldhavegivensixthousandfrancstosavemyselfaninconvenientjourneyandsomelossofmoney。”hesaid，astheyfastenedthehandcuffsonhiswrists。“Thesefolkswillamusethemselvesbydraggingoutthisbusinesstilltheendoftimetokeepmeidle。Iftheyweretosendmestraighttojail，IshouldsoonbebackatmyoldtricksinspiteoftheduffersattheQuaidesOrfevres。Downyondertheywillallturnthemselvesinsideouttohelptheirgeneral——theirgoodTrompe-la-Mort——togetclearaway。Isthereasingleoneamongyouthatcansay，asI
can，thathehastenthousandbrothersreadytodoanythingforhim？“heaskedproudly。“Thereissomegoodthere。”hesaidtappinghisheart；“Ihaveneverbetrayedanyone！——Lookyouhere，youslut。”hesaidtotheoldmaid，“theyareallafraidofme，doyousee？butthesightofyouturnsthemsick。Rakeinyourgains。”
Hewassilentforamoment，andlookedroundatthelodgers’
faces。
“Whatdoltsyouare，allofyou！Haveyouneverseenaconvictbefore？AconvictofCollin’sstamp，whomyouseebeforeyou，isamanlessweak-kneedthanothers；heliftsuphisvoiceagainstthecolossalfraudoftheSocialContract，asJeanJacquesdid，whosepupilheisproudtodeclarehimself。Inshort，Istandheresingle-handedagainstaGovernmentandawholesubsidizedmachineryoftribunalsandpolice，andIamamatchforthemall。”
“Yegods！“criedthepainter，“whatamagnificentsketchonemightmakeofhim！“
“Lookhere，yougentlemen-in-waitingtohishighnessthegibbet，masterofceremoniestothewidow“anicknamefullofsombrepoetry，givenbyprisonerstotheguillotine，“beagoodfellow，andtellmeifitreallywasFil-de-Soiewhosoldme。Idon’twanthimtosufferforsomeoneelse，thatwouldnotbefair。”
Butbeforethechiefhadtimetoanswer，therestofthepartyreturnedfrommakingtheirinvestigationsupstairs。Everythinghadbeenopenedandinventoried。Afewwordspassedbetweenthemandthechief，andtheofficialpreliminarieswerecomplete。
“Gentlemen。”saidCollin，addressingthelodgers，“theywilltakemeawaydirectly。Youhaveallmademystayamongyouveryagreeable，andIshalllookbackuponitwithgratitude。Receivemyadieux，andpermitmetosendyoufigsfromProvence。”
Headvancedasteportwo，andthenturnedtolookoncemoreatRastignac。
“Good-bye，Eugene。”hesaid，inasadandgentletone，astrangetransitionfromhispreviousroughandsternmanner。“Ifyoushouldbehardup，Ihaveleftyouadevotedfriend。”and，inspiteofhisshackles，hemanagedtoassumeapostureofdefence，called，“One，two！“likeafencing-master，andlunged。“Ifanythinggoeswrong，applyinthatquarter。Manandmoney，allatyourservice。”
Thestrangespeaker’smannerwassufficientlyburlesque，sothatnoonebutRastignacknewthattherewasaseriousmeaningunderlyingthepantomime。
Assoonasthepolice，soldiers，anddetectiveshadleftthehouse，Sylvie，whowasrubbinghermistress’templeswithvinegar，lookedroundatthebewilderedlodgers。
“Well。”saidshe，“hewasaman，hewas，forallthat。”
Herwordsbrokethespell。Everyonehadbeentoomuchexcited，toomuchmovedbyveryvariousfeelingstospeak。Butnowthelodgersbegantolookateachother，andthenalleyeswereturnedatonceonMlle。Michonneau，athin，shriveled，dead-
alive，mummy-likefigure，crouchingbythestove；hereyesweredowncast，asifshefearedthatthegreeneye-shadecouldnotshutouttheexpressionofthosefacesfromher。Thisfigureandthefeelingofrepulsionshehadsolongexcitedwereexplainedallatonce。Asmotheredmurmurfilledtheroom；itwassounanimous，thatitseemedasifthesamefeelingofloathinghadpitchedallthevoicesinonekey。Mlle。Michonneauheardit，anddidnotstir。ItwasBianchonwhowasthefirsttomove；hebentoverhisneighbor，andsaidinalowvoice，“Ifthatcreatureisgoingtostophere，andhavedinnerwithus，Ishallclearout。”
Inthetwinklingofaneyeitwasclearthateveryoneintheroom，savePoiret，wasofthemedicalstudent’sopinion，sothatthelatter，stronginthesupportofthemajority，wentuptothatelderlyperson。
“YouaremoreintimatewithMlle。Michonneauthantherestofus。”hesaid；“speaktoher，makeherunderstandthatshemustgo，andgoatonce。”
“Atonce！“echoedPoiretinamazement。
Thenhewentacrosstothecrouchingfigure，andspokeafewwordsinherear。
“Ihavepaidbeforehandforthequarter；Ihaveasmuchrighttobehereasanyoneelse。”shesaid，withaviperouslookattheboarders。
“Nevermindthat！wewillclubtogetherandpayyouthemoneyback。”saidRastignac。
“MonsieuristakingCollin’spart“shesaid，withaquestioning，malignantglanceatthelawstudent；“itisnotdifficulttoguesswhy。”
Eugenestartedforwardatthewords，asifhemeanttospringuponherandwringherneck。Thatglance，andthedepthsoftreacherythatitrevealed，hadbeenahideousenlightenment。
“Letheralone！“criedtheboarders。
Rastignacfoldedhisarmsandwassilent。
“LetushavenomoreofMlle。Judas。”saidthepainter，turningtoMme。Vauquer。“Ifyoudon’tshowtheMichonneauthedoor，madame，weshallallleaveyourshop，andwhereverwegoweshallsaythatthereareonlyconvictsandspiesleftthere。Ifyoudotheotherthing，wewillholdourtonguesaboutthebusiness；forwhenallissaidanddone，itmighthappeninthebestsocietyuntiltheybrandthemontheforehead，whentheysendthemtothehulks。TheyoughtnottoletconvictsgoaboutParisdisguisedlikedecentcitizens，soastocarryontheiranticslikeasetofrascallyhumbugs，whichtheyare。”
AtthisMme。Vauquerrecoveredmiraculously。Shesatupandfoldedherarms；hereyeswerewideopennow，andtherewasnosignoftearsinthem。
“Why，doyoureallymeantobetheruinofmyestablishment，mydearsir？ThereisM。Vautrin——Goodness。”shecried，interruptingherself，“Ican’thelpcallinghimbythenamehepassedhimselfoffbyforanhonestman！Thereisoneroomtoletalready，andyouwantmetoturnouttwomorelodgersinthemiddleoftheseason，whennooneismoving——“
“Gentlemen，letustakeourhatsandgoanddineatFlicoteaux’sinthePlaceSorbonne。”criedBianchon。
Mme。Vauquerglancedround，andsawinamomentonwhichsideherinterestlay。ShewaddledacrosstoMlle。Michonneau。
“Come，now。”shesaid；“youwouldnotbetheruinofmyestablishment，wouldyou，eh？There’sadear，kindsoul。Youseewhatapassthesegentlemenhavebroughtmeto；justgouptoyourroomforthisevening。”
“Neverabitofit！“criedtheboarders。“Shemustgo，andgothisminute！“
“Butthepoorladyhashadnodinner。”saidPoiret，withpiteousentreaty。
“Shecangoanddinewhereshelikes。”shoutedseveralvoices。
“Turnherout，thespy！“
“Turnthembothout！Spies！“
“Gentlemen。”criedPoiret，hisheartswellingwiththecouragethatlovegivestotheovinemale，“respecttheweakersex。”
“Spiesareofnosex！“saidthepainter。
“Aprecioussexorama！“
“Turnherintothestreetorama！“
“Gentlemen，thisisnotmanners！Ifyouturnpeopleoutofthehouse，itoughtnottobedonesounceremoniouslyandwithnonoticeatall。Wehavepaidourmoney，andwearenotgoing。”
saidPoiret，puttingonhiscap，andtakingachairbesideMlle。
Michonneau，withwhomMme。Vauquerwasremonstrating。
“Naughtyboy！“saidthepainter，withacomicallook；“runaway，naughtylittleboy！“
“Lookhere。”saidBianchon；“ifyoudonotgo，alltherestofuswill。”andtheboarders，toaman，madeforthesitting-room-
door。
“Oh！mademoiselle，whatistobedone？“criedMme。Vauquer。“Iamaruinedwoman。Youcan’tstayhere；theywillgofurther，dosomethingviolent。”
Mlle。Michonneaurosetoherfeet。
“Sheisgoing！——Sheisnotgoing！——Sheisgoing！——No，sheisn’t。”
Thesealternateexclamations，andasuggestionofhostileintentions，borneoutbythebehavioroftheinsurgents，compelledMlle。Michonneautotakeherdeparture。Shemadesomestipulations，speakinginalowvoiceinherhostess’ear，andthen——“IshallgotoMme。Buneaud’s。”shesaid，withathreateninglook。
“Gowhereyouplease，mademoiselle。”saidMme。Vauquer，whoregardedthischoiceofanoppositionestablishmentasanatrociousinsult。“GoandlodgewiththeBuneaud；thewinewouldgiveacatthecolic，andthefoodischeapandnasty。”
Theboardersstoodasideintworowstoletherpass；notawordwasspoken。PoiretlookedsowistfullyafterMlle。Michonneau，andsoartlesslyrevealedthathewasintwomindswhethertogoorstay，thattheboarders，intheirjoyatbeingquitofMlle。
Michonneau，burstoutlaughingatthesightofhim。
“Hist！——st！——st！Poiret。”shoutedthepainter。“Hallo！Isay，Poiret，hallo！“TheemployefromtheMuseumbegantosing：
“PartantpourlaSyrie，LejeuneetbeauDunois……”
“Getalongwithyou；youmustbedyingtogo，trahitsuaquemquevoluptas！“saidBianchon。
“Everyonetohistaste——freerenderingfromVirgil。”saidthetutor。
Mlle。MichonneaumadeamovementasiftotakePoiret’sarm，withanappealingglancethathecouldnotresist。Thetwowentouttogether，theoldmaidleaninguponhim，andtherewasaburstofapplause，followedbypealsoflaughter。
“Bravo，Poiret！“
“WhowouldhavethoughtitofoldPoiret！“
“ApolloPoiret！“
“MarsPoiret！“
“IntrepidPoiret！“
AmessengercameinatthatmomentwithaletterforMme。
Vauquer，whoreaditthrough，andcollapsedinherchair。
“Thehousemightaswellbeburneddownatonce。”criedshe，“iftherearetobeanymoreofthesethunderbolts！YoungTailleferdiedatthreeo’clockthisafternoon。Itservesmerightforwishingwelltothoseladiesatthatpoorman’sexpense。Mme。
CoutureandVictorinewantmetosendtheirthings，becausetheyaregoingtolivewithherfather。M。TailleferallowshisdaughtertokeepoldMme。Coutureasherladycompanion。Fourroomstolet！andfivelodgersgone！……”
Shesatup，andseemedabouttoburstintotears。
“Badluckhascometolodgehere，Ithink。”shecried。
Oncemoretherecameasoundofwheelsfromthestreetoutside。
“What！anotherwindfallforsomebody！“wasSylvie’scomment。
ButitwasGoriotwhocamein，lookingsoradiant，soflushedwithhappiness，thatheseemedtohavegrownyoungagain。
“Goriotinacab！“criedtheboarders；“theworldiscomingtoanend。”
ThegoodsoulmadestraightforEugene，whowasstandingwrappedinthoughtinacorner，andlaidahandontheyoungman’sarm。
“Come。”hesaid，withgladnessinhiseyes。
“Thenyouhaven’theardthenews？“saidEugene。“Vautrinwasanescapedconvict；theyhavejustarrestedhim；andyoungTailleferisdead。”
“Verywell，butwhatbusinessisitofours？“repliedFatherGoriot。“IamgoingtodinewithmydaughterinYOURHOUSE，doyouunderstand？Sheisexpectingyou。Come！“
HecarriedoffRastignacwithhimbymainforce，andtheydepartedinasgreatahurryasapairofelopinglovers。
“Now，letushavedinner。”criedthepainter，andeveryonedrewhischairtothetable。
“Well，Inever。”saidtheportlySylvie。“Nothinggoesrightto-
day！Theharicotmuttonhascaught！Bah！youwillhavetoeatit，burnedasitis，more’sthepity！“
Mme。Vauquerwassodispiritedthatshecouldnotsayawordasshelookedroundthetableandsawonlytenpeoplewhereeighteenshouldbe；buteveryonetriedtocomfortandcheerher。Atfirstthedinnercontingent，aswasnatural，talkedaboutVautrinandtheday’sevents；buttheconversationwoundroundtosuchtopicsofinterestasduels，jails，justice，prisonlife，andalterationsthatoughttobemadeinthelaws。TheysoonwanderedmilesawayfromJacquesCollinandVictorineandherbrother。
Theremightbeonlytenofthem，buttheymadenoiseenoughfortwenty；indeed，thereseemedtobemoreofthemthanusual；thatwastheonlydifferencebetweenyesterdayandto-day。
Indifferencetothefateofothersisamatterofcourseinthisselfishworld，which，onthemorrowoftragedy，seeksamongtheeventsofParisforafreshsensationforitsdailyrenewedappetite，andthisindifferencesoongainedtheupperhand。Mme。
Vauquerherselfgrewcalmerunderthesoothinginfluenceofhope，andthemouthpieceofhopewastheportlySylvie。
ThatdayhadgonebylikeadreamforEugene，andthesenseofunrealitylastedintotheevening；sothat，inspiteofhisenergeticcharacterandclear-headedness，hisideaswereachaosashesatbesideGoriotinthecab。Theoldman’svoicewasfullofunwontedhappiness，butEugenehadbeenshakenbysomanyemotionsthatthewordssoundedinhisearslikewordsspokeninadream。
“Itwasfinishedthismorning！Allthreeofusaregoingtodinetheretogether，together！Doyouunderstand？IhavenotdinedwithmyDelphine，mylittleDelphine，thesefouryears，andI
shallhaveherforawholeevening！Wehavebeenatyourlodgingthewholetimesincemorning。Ihavebeenworkinglikeaporterinmyshirtsleeves，helpingtocarryinthefurniture。Aha！youdon’tknowwhatprettywaysshehas；attableshewilllookafterme，’Here，papa，justtrythis，itisnice。’AndIshallnotbeabletoeat。Oh，itisalongwhilesinceIhavebeenwithherinquietevery-daylifeasweshallhaveher。”
“Itreallyseemsasiftheworldhasbeenturnedupsidedown。”
“Upsidedown？“repeatedFatherGoriot。“Why，theworldhasneverbeensoright-sideup。Iseenonebutsmilingfacesinthestreets，peoplewhoshakehandscordiallyandembraceeachother，peoplewhoalllookashappyasiftheyweregoingtodinewiththeirdaughter，andgobbledownanicelittledinnerthatshewentwithmetoorderofthechefattheCafedesAnglais。But，pshaw！withherbesideyougallandwormwoodwouldbeassweetashoney。”
“IfeelasifIwerecomingbacktolifeagain。”saidEugene。
“Why，hurryupthere！“criedFatherGoriot，lettingdownthewindowinfront。“Getonfaster；IwillgiveyoufivefrancsifyougettotheplaceItoldyouofintenminutestime。”
WiththisprospectbeforehimthecabmancrossedPariswithmiraculouscelerity。
“Howthatfellowcrawls！“saidFatherGoriot。
“Butwhereareyoutakingme？“Eugeneaskedhim。
“Toyourownhouse。”saidGoriot。
ThecabstoppedintheRued’Artois。FatherGoriotsteppedoutfirstandflungtenfrancstothemanwiththerecklessnessofawidowerreturningtobachelorways。
“Comealongupstairs。”hesaidtoRastignac。Theycrossedacourtyard，andclimbeduptothethirdfloorofanewandhandsomehouse。Theretheystoppedbeforeadoor；butbeforeGoriotcouldring，itwasopenedbyTherese，Mme。deNucingen’smaid。Eugenefoundhimselfinacharmingsetofchambers；anante-room，alittledrawing-room，abedroom，andastudy，lookingoutuponagarden。Thefurnitureandthedecorationsofthelittledrawing-roomwereofthemostdaintilycharmingdescription，theroomwasfullofsoftlight，andDelphineroseupfromalowchairbythefireandstoodbeforehim。Shesetherfire-screendownonthechimney-piece，andspokewithtendernessineverytoneofhervoice。
“Sowehadtogoinsearchofyou，sir，youwhoaresoslowtounderstand！“
Thereselefttheroom。ThestudenttookDelphineinhisarmsandheldherinatightclasp，hiseyesfilledwithtearsofjoy。
ThislastcontrastbetweenhispresentsurroundingsandthesceneshehadjustwitnessedwastoomuchforRastignac’sover-
wroughtnerves，aftertheday’sstrainandexcitementthathadweariedheartandbrain；hewasalmostovercomebyit。
“Ifeltsuremyselfthathelovedyou。”murmuredFatherGoriot，whileEugenelaybackbewilderedonthesofa，utterlyunabletospeakawordortoreasonouthowandwhythemagicwandhadbeenwavedtobringaboutthisfinaltransformationscene。
“Butyoumustseeyourrooms。”saidMme。deNucingen。Shetookhishandandledhimintoaroomcarpetedandfurnishedlikeherown；indeed，downtothesmallestdetails，itwasareproductioninminiatureofDelphine’sapartment。
“Thereisnobed。”saidRastignac。
“No，monsieur。”sheanswered，reddening，andpressinghishand。
Eugene，lookingather，understood，youngthoughheyetwas，howdeeplymodestyisimplantedintheheartofawomanwholoves。
“Youareoneofthosebeingswhomwecannotchoosebuttoadoreforever。”hesaidinherear。“Yes，thedeeperandtruerloveis，themoremysteriousandcloselyveileditshouldbe；Icandaretosayso，sinceweunderstandeachothersowell。Nooneshalllearnoursecret。”
“Oh！soIamnobody，Isuppose。”growledthefather。
“Youknowquitewellthat’we’meansyou。”
“Ah！thatiswhatIwanted。Youwillnotmindme，willyou？I
shallgoandcomelikeagoodfairywhomakeshimselffelteverywherewithoutbeingseen，shallInot？Eh，Delphinette，Ninette，Dedel——wasitnotagoodideaofminetosaytoyou，’TherearesomeniceroomstoletintheRued’Artois；letusfurnishthemforhim？’Andshewouldnothearofit！Ah！yourhappinesshasbeenallmydoing。Iamtheauthorofyourhappinessandofyourexistence。Fathersmustalwaysbegivingiftheywouldbehappythemselves；alwaysgiving——theywouldnotbefatherselse。”
“Wasthathowithappened？“askedEugene。
“Yes。Shewouldnotlistentome。Shewasafraidthatpeoplewouldtalk，asiftherubbishthattheysayaboutyouweretobecomparedwithhappiness！Why，allwomendreamofdoingwhatshehasdone——“
FatherGoriotfoundhimselfwithoutanaudience，forMme。deNucingenhadledRastignacintothestudy；heheardakissgivenandtaken，lowthoughthesoundwas。
Thestudywasfurnishedaselegantlyastheotherrooms，andnothingwaswantingthere。
“Haveweguessedyourwishesrightly？“sheasked，astheyreturnedtothedrawing-roomfordinner。
“Yes。”hesaid，“onlytoowell，alas！Forallthisluxurysowellcarriedout，thisrealizationofpleasantdreams，theelegancethatsatisfiesalltheromanticfanciesofyouth，appealstomesostronglythatIcannotbutfeelthatitismyrightfulpossession，butIcannotacceptitfromyou，andIamtoopoorasyetto——“
“Ah！ah！yousaymenayalready。”shesaidwitharchimperiousness，andacharminglittlepoutofthelips，awoman’swayoflaughingawayscruples。
ButEugenehadsubmittedsolatelytothatsolemnself-
questioning，andVautrin’sarresthadsoplainlyshownhimthedepthsofthepitthatlayreadytohisfeet，thattheinstinctsofgenerosityandhonorhadbeenstrengthenedinhim，andhecouldnotallowhimselftobecoaxedintoabandoninghishigh-
mindeddeterminations。Profoundmelancholyfilledhismind。
“Doyoureallymeantorefuse？“saidMme。deNucingen。“Anddoyouknowwhatsucharefusalmeans？Thatyouarenotsureofyourself，thatyoudonotdaretobindyourselftome。Areyoureallyafraidofbetrayingmyaffection？Ifyouloveme，ifI——
loveyou，whyshouldyoushrinkbackfromsuchaslightobligation？Ifyoubutknewwhatapleasureithasbeentoseeafterallthearrangementsofthisbachelorestablishment，youwouldnothesitateanylonger，youwouldaskmetoforgiveyouforyourhesitation。Ihadsomemoneythatbelongedtoyou，andI
havemadegooduseofit，thatisall。Youmeanthisformagnanimity，butitisverylittleofyou。Youareaskingmeforfarmorethanthis……Ah！“shecried，asEugene’spassionateglancewasturnedonher，“andyouaremakingdifficultiesaboutthemeresttrifles。Of，ifyoufeelnolovewhateverforme，refuse，byallmeans。Myfatehangsonawordfromyou。Speak！——
Father。”shesaidafterapause，“makehimlistentoreason。CanheimaginethatIamlessnicethanheisonthepointofhonor？“
FatherGoriotwaslookingonandlisteningtothisprettyquarrelwithaplacidsmile，asifhehadfoundsomebalmforallthesorrowsoflife。
“Childthatyouare！“shecriedagain，catchingEugene’shand。
“Youarejustbeginninglife；youfindbarriersattheoutsetthatmanyamanfindsinsurmountable；awoman’shandopensthewayandyoushrinkback！Why，youaresuretosucceed！Youwillhaveabrilliantfuture。Successiswrittenonthatbroadforeheadofyours，andwillyounotbeabletorepaymemyloanoftoday？Didnotaladyinoldentimesarmherknightwithswordandhelmetandcoatofmail，andfindhimacharger，sothathemightfightforherinthetournament？Well，then，Eugene，thesethingsthatIofferyouaretheweaponsofthisage；everyonewhomeanstobesomethingmusthavesuchtoolsasthese。Aprettyplaceyourgarretmustbeifitislikepapa’sroom！See，dinneriswaitingallthistime。Doyouwanttomakemeunhappy？——Whydon’tyouanswer？“shesaid，shakinghishand。“MONDIEU！papa，makeuphismindforhim，orIwillgoawayandneverseehimanymore。”
“Iwillmakeupyourmind。”saidGoriot，comingdownfromtheclouds。“Now，mydearM。Eugene，thenextthingistoborrowmoneyoftheJews，isn’tit？“
“Thereispositivelynohelpforit。”saidEugene。
“Allright，Iwillgiveyoucredit。”saidtheother，drawingoutacheapleatherpocket-book，muchtheworseforwear。“IhaveturnedJewmyself；Ipaidforeverything；herearetheinvoices。
Youdonotoweapennyforanythinghere。Itdidnotcometoverymuch——fivethousandfrancsatmost，andIamgoingtolendyouthemoneymyself。Iamnotawoman——youcanrefuseme。Youshallgivemeareceiptonascrapofpaper，andyoucanreturnitsometimeorother。”
DelphineandEugenelookedateachotherinamazement，tearssprangtotheireyes。RastignacheldouthishandandgraspedGoriot’swarmly。
“Well，whatisallthisabout？Areyounotmychildren？“
“Oh！mypoorfather。”saidMme。deNucingen，“howdidyoudoit？“
“Ah！nowyouaskme。WhenImadeupmymindtomovehimnearertoyou，andsawyoubuyingthingsasiftheywereweddingpresents，Isaidtomyself，’Shewillneverbeabletopayforthem。’Theattorneysaysthatthoselawproceedingswilllastquitesixmonthsbeforeyourhusbandcanbemadetodisgorgeyourfortune。
Wellandgood。Isoldoutmypropertyinthefundsthatbroughtinthirteenhundredandfiftylivresayear，andboughtasafeannuityoftwelvehundredfrancsayearforfifteenthousandfrancs。ThenIpaidyourtradesmenoutoftherestofthecapital。Asforme，children，IhavearoomupstairsforwhichI
payfiftycrownsayear；Icanlivelikeaprinceontwofrancsaday，andstillhavesomethingleftover。Ishallnothavetospendanythingmuchonclothes，forIneverwearanythingout。
ThisfortnightpastIhavebeenlaughinginmysleeve，thinkingtomyself，’Howhappytheyaregoingtobe！’and——well，now，areyounothappy？“
“Ohpapa！papa！“criedMme。deNucingen，springingtoherfather，whotookheronhisknee。Shecoveredhimwithkisses，herfairhairbrushedhischeek，hertearsfellonthewitheredfacethathadgrownsobrightandradiant。
“Dearfather，whatafatheryouare！No，thereisnotanotherfatherlikeyouunderthesun。IfEugenelovedyoubefore，whatmusthefeelforyounow？“
“Why，children，whyDelphinette！“criedGoriot，whohadnotfelthisdaughter’sheartbeatagainsthisbreastfortenyears，“doyouwantmetodieofjoy？Mypoorheartwillbreak！Come，MonsieurEugene，wearequitsalready。”Andtheoldmanstrainedhertohisbreastwithsuchfierceandpassionateforcethatshecriedout。
“Oh！youarehurtingme！“shesaid。
“Iamhurtingyou！“Hegrewpaleatthewords。Thepainexpressedinhisfaceseemedgreaterthanitisgiventohumanitytoknow。
TheagonyofthisChristofpaternitycanonlybecomparedwiththemasterpiecesofthoseprincesofthepalettewhohaveleftforustherecordoftheirvisionsofanagonysufferedforawholeworldbytheSaviourofmen。FatherGoriotpressedhislipsverygentlyagainstthewaistthanhisfingershadgraspedtooroughly。
“Oh！no，no。”hecried。“Ihavenothurtyou，haveI？“andhissmileseemedtorepeatthequestion。“YOUhavehurtmewiththatcryjustnow——Thethingscostrathermorethanthat。”hesaidinherear，withanothergentlekiss，“butIhadtodeceivehimaboutit，orhewouldhavebeenangry。”
Eugenesatdumbwithamazementinthepresenceofthisinexhaustiblelove；hegazedatGoriot，andhisfacebetrayedtheartlessadmirationwhichshapesthebeliefsofyouth。
“Iwillbeworthyofallthis。”hecried。
“Oh！myEugene，thatisnoblysaid。”andMme。deNucingenkissedthelawstudentontheforehead。
“HegaveupMlle。Tailleferandhermillionsforyou。”saidFatherGoriot。“Yes，thelittlethingwasinlovewithyou，andnowthatherbrotherisdeadsheisasrichasCroesus。”
“Oh！whydidyoutellher？“criedRastignac。
“Eugene。”Delphinesaidinhisear，“Ihaveoneregretnowthisevening。Ah！howIwillloveyou！andforever！“
“ThisisthehappiestdayIhavehadsinceyoutwoweremarried！“
criedGoriot。“Godmaysendmeanysuffering，solongasIdonotsufferthroughyou，andIcanstillsay，’InthisshortmonthofFebruaryIhadmorehappinessthanothermenhaveintheirwholelives。’——Lookatme，Fifine！“hesaidtohisdaughter。“Sheisverybeautiful，isshenot？Tellme，now，haveyouseenmanywomenwiththatprettysoftcolor——thatlittledimpleofhers？
No，Ithoughtnot。Ah，well，andbutformethislovelywomanwouldneverhavebeen。Andverysoonhappinesswillmakeherathousandtimeslovelier，happinessthroughyou。Icouldgiveupmyplaceinheaventoyou，neighbor，ifneedsbe，andgodowntohellinstead。Come，letushavedinner。”headded，scarcelyknowingwhathesaid，“everythingisours。”
“Poordearfather！“
Heroseandwentovertoher，andtookherfaceinhishands，andsetakissontheplaitsofhair。“Ifyouonlyknew，littleone，howhappyyoucanmakeme——howlittleittakestomakemehappy！
Willyoucomeandseemesometimes？Ishallbejustabove，soitisonlyastep。Promiseme，saythatyouwill！“
“Yes，dearfather。”
“Sayitagain。”
“Yes，Iwill，mykindfather。”
“Hush！hush！IshouldmakeyousayitahundredtimesoverifI
followedmyownwishes。Letushavedinner。”
Thethreebehavedlikechildrenthatevening，andFatherGoriot’sspiritswerecertainlynottheleastwild。Helayathisdaughter’sfeet，kissedthem，gazedintohereyes，rubbedhisheadagainstherdress；inshort，noyounglovercouldhavebeenmoreextravagantormoretender。
“Yousee！“DelphinesaidwithalookatEugene，“solongasmyfatheriswithus，hemonopolizesme。Hewillberatherinthewaysometimes。”
Eugenehadhimselfalreadyfeltcertaintwingesofjealousy，andcouldnotblamethisspeechthatcontainedthegermofallingratitude。
“Andwhenwilltheroomsbeready？“askedEugene，lookinground。
“Wemustallleavethemthisevening，Isuppose。”
“Yes，butto-morrowyoumustcomeanddinewithme。”sheanswered，withaneloquentglance。“ItisournightattheItaliens。”
“Ishallgotothepit。”saidherfather。
Itwasmidnight。Mme。deNucingen’scarriagewaswaitingforher，andFatherGoriotandthestudentwalkedbacktotheMaisonVauquer，talkingofDelphine，andwarmingovertheirtalktilltheregrewupacuriousrivalrybetweenthetwoviolentpassions。
Eugenecouldnothelpseeingthatthefather’sself-lesslovewasdeeperandmoresteadfastthanhisown。ForthisworshiperDelphinewasalwayspureandfair，andherfather’sadorationdrewitsfervorfromawholepastaswellasafutureoflove。
TheyfoundMme。Vauquerbythestove，withSylvieandChristophetokeephercompany；theoldlandlady，sittinglikeMariusamongtheruinsofCarthage，waswaitingforthetwolodgersthatyetremainedtoher，andbemoaningherlotwiththesympatheticSylvie。Tasso’slamentationsasrecordedinByron’spoemareundoubtedlyeloquent，butforsheerforceoftruththeyfallfarshortofthewidow’scryfromthedepths。
“Onlythreecupsofcoffeeinthemorning，Sylvie！Ohdear！tohaveyourhouseemptiedinthiswayisenoughtobreakyourheart。Whatislife，nowmylodgersaregone？Nothingatall。
Justthinkofit！Itisjustasifallthefurniturehadbeentakenoutofthehouse，andyourfurnitureisyourlife。HowhaveIoffendedheaventodrawdownallthistroubleuponme？Andharicotbeansandpotatoeslaidinfortwentypeople！Thepoliceinmyhousetoo！Weshallhavetoliveonpotatoesnow，andChristophewillhavetogo！“
TheSavoyard，whowasfastasleep，suddenlywokeupatthis，andsaid，“Madame。”questioningly。
“Poorfellow！“saidSylvie，“heislikeadog。”
“Inthedeadseason，too！Nobodyismovingnow。Iwouldliketoknowwherethelodgersaretodropdownfrom。Itdrivesmedistracted。AndthatoldwitchofaMichonneaugoesandtakesPoiretwithher！Whatcanshehavedonetomakehimsofondofher？Herunsaboutafterherlikealittledog。”
“Lord！“saidSylvie，flingingupherhead，“thoseoldmaidsareuptoallsortsoftricks。”
“There’sthatpoorM。Vautrinthattheymadeouttobeaconvict。”thewidowwenton。“Well，youknowthatistoomuchforme，Sylvie；Ican’tbringmyselftobelieveit。Suchalivelymanashewas，andpaidfifteenfrancsamonthforhiscoffeeofanevening，paidyouverypennyonthenailtoo。”
“Andopen-handedhewas！“saidChristophe。
“Thereissomemistake。”saidSylvie。
“Why，nothereisn’t！hesaidsohimself！“saidMme。Vauquer。
“Andtothinkthatallthesethingshavehappenedinmyhouse，andinaquarterwhereyouneverseeacatgoby。Onmywordasanhonestwoman，it’slikeadream。For，lookhere，wesawLouisXVI。meetwithhismishap；wesawthefalloftheEmperor；andwesawhimcomebackandfallagain；therewasnothingoutofthewayinallthat，butlodging-housesarenotliabletorevolutions。Youcandowithoutaking，butyoumusteatallthesame；andsolongasadecentwoman，adeConflansbornandbred，willgiveyouallsortsofgoodthingsfordinner，nothingshortoftheendoftheworldoughtto——butthere，itistheendoftheworld，thatisjustwhatitis！“
“AndtothinkthatMlle。Michonneauwhomadeallthismischiefistohaveathousandcrownsayearforit，soIhear。”criedSylvie。
“Don’tspeakofher，sheisawickedwoman！“saidMme。Vauquer。
“SheisgoingtotheBuneaud，whochargeslessthancost。ButtheBuneaudiscapableofanything；shemusthavedonefrightfulthings，robbedandmurderedpeopleinhertime。SHEoughttobeputinjailforlifeinsteadofthatpoordear——“
EugeneandGoriotrangthedoor-bellatthatmoment。
“Ah！herearemytwofaithfullodgers。”saidthewidow，sighing。
Butthetwofaithfullodgers，whoretainedbutshadowyrecollectionsofthemisfortunesoftheirlodging-house，announcedtotheirhostesswithoutmoreadothattheywereabouttoremovetotheChausseed’Antin。
“Sylvie！“criedthewidow，“thisisthelaststraw——Gentlemen，thiswillbethedeathofme！Ithasquiteupsetme！There’saweightonmychest！Iamtenyearsolderforthisday！Uponmyword，Ishallgooutofmysenses！Andwhatistobedonewiththeharicots！——Oh，well，ifIamtobelefthereallbymyself，youshallgoto-morrow，Christophe——Good-night，gentlemen。”andshewent。
“Whatisthematternow？“EugeneinquiredofSylvie。
“Lord！everybodyisgoingabouthisbusiness，andthathasaddledherwits。There！sheiscryingupstairs。Itwilldohergoodtosnivelabit。It’sthefirsttimeshehascriedsinceI’vebeenwithher。”
Bythemorning，Mme。Vauquer，touseherownexpression，had“madeuphermindtoit。”True，shestillworeadolefulcountenance，asmightbeexpectedofawomanwhohadlostallherlodgers，andwhosemanneroflifehadbeensuddenlyrevolutionized，butshehadallherwitsabouther。Hergriefwasgenuineandprofound；itwasrealpainofmind，forherpursehadsuffered，theroutineofherexistencehadbeenbroken。Alover’sfarewellglanceathislady-love’swindowisnotmoremournfulthanMme。Vauquer’ssurveyoftheemptyplacesroundhertable。
Eugeneadministeredcomfort，tellingthewidowthatBianchon，whosetermofresidenceatthehospitalwasabouttoexpire，woulddoubtlesstakehisRastignac’splace；thattheofficialfromtheMuseumhadoftenexpressedadesiretohaveMme。
Couture’srooms；andthatinaveryfewdaysherhouseholdwouldbeontheoldfooting。
“Godsenditmay，mydearsir！butbadluckhascometolodgehere。There’llbeadeathinthehousebeforetendaysareout，you’llsee。”andshegavealugubriouslookroundthedining-
room。“Whoseturnwillitbe，Iwonder？“
“Itisjustaswellthatwearemovingout。”saidEugenetoFatherGoriotinalowvoice。
“Madame。”saidSylvie，runninginwithascaredface，“IhavenotseenMistigristhesethreedays。”
“Ah！well，ifmycatisdead，ifHEhasgoneandleftus，I——“
Thepoorwomancouldnotfinishhersentence；sheclaspedherhandsandhidherfaceonthebackofherarmchair，quiteovercomebythisdreadfulportent。
Bytwelveo’clock，whenthepostmanreachesthatquarter，Eugenereceivedaletter。ThedaintyenvelopeboretheBeauseantarmsontheseal，andcontainedaninvitationtotheVicomtesse’sgreatball，whichhadbeentalkedofinParisforamonth。AlittlenoteforEugenewasslippedinwiththecard。
“Ithink，monsieur，thatyouwillundertakewithpleasuretointerpretmysentimentstoMme。deNucingen，soIamsendingthecardforwhichyouaskedmetoyou。IshallbedelightedtomaketheacquaintanceofMme。deRestaud’ssister。Prayintroducethatcharmingladytome，anddonotlethermonopolizeallyouraffection，foryouowemenotalittleinreturnformine。
“VICOMTESSEDEBEAUSEANT。”
“Well。”saidEugenetohimself，ashereadthenoteasecondtime，“Mme。deBeauseantsaysprettyplainlythatshedoesnotwanttheBarondeNucingen。”
HewenttoDelphineatonceinhisjoy。Hehadprocuredthispleasureforher，anddoubtlesshewouldreceivethepriceofit。
Mme。deNucingenwasdressing。Rastignacwaitedinherboudoir，enduringasbesthemightthenaturalimpatienceofaneagertemperamentfortherewarddesiredandwithheldforayear。Suchsensationsareonlyknownonceinalife。Thefirstwomantowhomamanisdrawn，ifsheisreallyawoman——thatistosay，ifsheappearstohimamidthesplendidaccessoriesthatformanecessarybackgroundtolifeintheworldofParis——willneverhavearival。
LoveinParisisathingdistinctandapart；forinParisneithermennorwomenarethedupesofthecommonplacesbywhichpeopleseektothrowaveilovertheirmotives，ortoparadeafineaffectationofdisinterestednessintheirsentiments。Inthiscountrywithinacountry，itisnotmerelyrequiredofawomanthatsheshouldsatisfythesensesandthesoul；sheknowsperfectlywellthatshehasstillgreaterobligationstodischarge，thatshemustfulfilthecountlessdemandsofavanitythatentersintoeveryfibreofthatlivingorganismcalledsociety。Love，forher，isaboveallthings，andbyitsverynature，avainglorious，brazen-fronted，ostentatious，thriftlesscharlatan。IfattheCourtofLouisXIV。therewasnotawomanbutenviedMlle。delaVallieretherecklessdevotionofpassionthatledthegrandmonarchtotearthepricelessrufflesathiswristsinordertoassisttheentryofaDucdeVermandoisintotheworld——whatcanyouexpectoftherestofsociety？Youmusthaveyouthandwealthandrank；nay，youmust，ifpossible，havemorethanthese，forthemoreincenseyoubringwithyoutoburnattheshrineofthegod，themorefavorablywillheregardtheworshiper。Loveisareligion，andhiscultmustinthenatureofthingsbemorecostlythanthoseofallotherdeities；LovetheSpoilerstaysforamoment，andthenpasseson；liketheurchinofthestreets，hiscoursemaybetracedbytheravagesthathehasmade。Thewealthoffeelingandimaginationisthepoetryofthegarret；howshouldloveexisttherewithoutthatwealth？
IfthereareexceptionswhodonotsubscribetotheseDraconianlawsoftheParisiancode，theyaresolitaryexamples。Suchsoulslivesofaroutofthemaincurrentthattheyarenotborneawaybythedoctrinesofsociety；theydwellbesidesomeclearspringofeverflowingwater，withoutseekingtoleavethegreenshade；
happytolistentotheechoesoftheinfiniteineverythingaroundthemandintheirownsouls，waitinginpatiencetotaketheirflightforheaven，whiletheylookwithpityuponthoseofearth。