Rastignac，likemostyoungmenwhohavebeenearlyimpressedbythecircumstancesofpowerandgrandeur，meanttoenterthelistsfullyarmed；theburningambitionofconquestpossessedhimalready；perhapshewasconsciousofhispowers，butasyetheknewneithertheendtowhichhisambitionwastobedirected，northemeansofattainingit。Indefaultofthepureandsacredlovethatfillsalife，ambitionmaybecomesomethingverynoble，subduingtoitselfeverythoughtofpersonalinterest，andsettingastheend——thegreatness，notofoneman，butofawholenation。
Butthestudenthadnotyetreachedthetimeoflifewhenamansurveysthewholecourseofexistenceandjudgesitsoberly。
Hithertohehadscarcelysomuchasshakenoffthespellofthefreshandgraciousinfluencesthatenvelopachildhoodinthecountry，likegreenleavesandgrass。HehadhesitatedonthebrinkoftheParisianRubicon，andinspiteoftheprickingsofambition，hestillclungtoalingeringtraditionofanoldideal——thepeacefullifeofthenobleinhischateau。Butyesterdayevening，atthesightofhisrooms，thosescrupleshadvanished。Hehadlearnedwhatitwastoenjoythematerialadvantagesoffortune，ashehadalreadyenjoyedthesocialadvantagesofbirth；heceasedtobeaprovincialfromthatmoment，andslippednaturallyandeasilyintoapositionwhichopenedupaprospectofabrilliantfuture。
So，ashewaitedforDelphine，intheprettyboudoir，wherehefeltthathehadacertainrighttobe，hefelthimselfsofarawayfromtheRastignacwhocamebacktoParisayearago，that，turningsomepowerofinnervisionuponthislatter，heaskedhimselfwhetherthatpastselfboreanyresemblancetotheRastignacofthatmoment。
“Madameisinherroom。”Theresecametotellhim。Thewoman’svoicemadehimstart。
HefoundDelphinelyingbackinherlowchairbythefireside，lookingfreshandbright。Thesightofheramongtheflowingdraperiesofmuslinsuggestedsomebeautifultropicalflower，wherethefruitissetamidtheblossom。
“Well。”shesaid，withatremorinhervoice，“hereyouare。”
“GuesswhatIbringforyou。”saidEugene，sittingdownbesideher。HetookpossessionofherarmtokissherhandMme。deNucingengaveajoyfulstartasshesawthecard。SheturnedtoEugene；thereweretearsinhereyesassheflungherarmsabouthisneck，anddrewhimtowardsherinafrenzyofgratifiedvanity。
“AndIowethishappinesstoyou——toTHEE“shewhisperedthemoreintimatewordinhisear；“butThereseisinmydressing-
room，letusbeprudent——Thishappiness——yes，forImaycallitso，whenitcomestomethroughYOU——issurelymorethanatriumphforself-love？Noonehasbeenwillingtointroducemeintothatset。PerhapsjustnowImayseemtoyoutobefrivolous，petty，shallow，likeaParisienne，butremember，myfriend，thatIamreadytogiveupallforyou；andthatifI
longmorethaneverforanentranceintotheFaubourgSaint-
Germain，itisbecauseIshallmeetyouthere。”
“Mme。deBeauseant’snoteseemstosayveryplainlythatshedoesnotexpecttoseetheBARONdeNucingenatherball；don’tyouthinkso？“saidEugene。
“Why，yes。”saidtheBaronessasshereturnedtheletter。“Thosewomenhaveatalentforinsolence。Butitisofnoconsequence，I
shallgo。Mysisterissuretobethere，andsuretobeverybeautifullydressed——Eugene。”shewenton，loweringhervoice，“shewillgotodispeluglysuspicions。Youdonotknowthethingsthatpeoplearesayingabouther。OnlythismorningNucingencametotellmethattheyhadbeendiscussingherattheclub。Greatheavens！onwhatdoesawoman’scharacterandthehonorofawholefamilydepend！IfeelthatIamnearlytouchedandwoundedinmypoorsister。Accordingtosomepeople，M。deTraillesmusthaveputhisnametobillsforahundredthousandfrancs，nearlyallofthemareoverdue，andproceedingsarethreatened。Inthispredicament，itseemsthatmysistersoldherdiamondstoaJew——thebeautifuldiamondsthatbelongedtoherhusband’smother，Mme。deRestaudtheelder，——youhaveseenherwearingthem。Infact，nothingelsehasbeentalkedaboutforthelasttwodays。SoIcanseethatAnastasieissuretocometoMme。deBeauseant’sballintissueofgold，andablazewithdiamonds，todrawalleyesuponher；andIwillnotbeoutshone。
Shehastriedtoeclipsemeallherlife，shehasneverbeenkindtome，andIhavehelpedhersooften，andalwayshadmoneyforherwhenshehadnone——Butnevermindotherpeoplenow，to-dayI
meantobeperfectlyhappy。”
Atoneo’clockthatmorningEugenewasstillwithMme。deNucingen。Inthemidstoftheirlovers’farewell，afarewellfullofhopeofblisstocome，shesaidinatroubledvoice，“Iamveryfearful，superstitious。Givewhatnameyouliketomypresentiments，butIamafraidthatmyhappinesswillbepaidforbysomehorriblecatastrophe。”
“Child！“saidEugene。
“Ah！havewechangedplaces，andamIthechildto-night？“sheasked，laughingly。
EugenewentbacktotheMaisonVauquer，neverdoubtingbutthatheshouldleaveitforgoodonthemorrow；andonthewayhefelltodreamingthebrightdreamsofyouth，whenthecupofhappinesshasleftitssweetnessonthelips。
“Well？“criedGoriot，asRastignacpassedbyhisdoor。
“Yes。”saidEugene；“Iwilltellyoueverythingto-morrow。”
“Everything，willyounot？“criedtheoldman。“Gotobed。To-
morrowourhappylifewillbegin。”
Nextday，GoriotandRastignacwerereadytoleavethelodging-
house，andonlyawaitedthegoodpleasureofaportertomoveoutofit；buttowardsnoontherewasasoundofwheelsintheRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevieve，andacarriagestoppedbeforethedooroftheMaisonVauquer。Mme。deNucingenalighted，andaskedifherfatherwasstillinthehouse，and，receivinganaffirmativereplyfromSylvie，ranlightlyupstairs。
ItsohappenedthatEugenewasathomeallunknowntohisneighbor。AtbreakfasttimehehadaskedGoriottosuperintendtheremovalofhisgoods，sayingthathewouldmeethimintheRued’Artoisatfouro’clock；butRastignac’snamehadbeencalledearlyonthelistattheEcoledeDroit，andhehadgonebackatoncetotheRueNueve-Sainte-Genevieve。Noonehadseenhimcomein，forGoriothadgonetofindaporter，andthemistressofthehousewaslikewiseout。Eugenehadthoughttopayherhimself，foritstruckhimthatifheleftthis，Goriotinhiszealwouldprobablypayforhim。Asitwas，Eugenewentuptohisroomtoseethatnothinghadbeenforgotten，andblessedhisforesightwhenhesawtheblankbillbearingVautrin’ssignaturelyinginthedrawerwherehehadcarelesslythrownitonthedaywhenhehadrepaidtheamount。Therewasnofireinthegrate，sohewasabouttotearitintolittlepieces，whenheheardavoicespeakinginGoriot’sroom，andthespeakerwasDelphine！Hemadenomorenoise，andstoodstilltolisten，thinkingthatsheshouldhavenosecretsfromhim；butafterthefirstfewwords，theconversationbetweenthefatheranddaughterwassostrangeandinterestingthatitabsorbedallhisattention。
“Ah！thankheaventhatyouthoughtofaskinghimtogiveanaccountofthemoneysettledonmebeforeIwasutterlyruined，father。Isitsafetotalk？“sheadded。
“Yes，thereisnooneinthehouse。”saidherfatherfaintly。
“Whatisthematterwithyou？“askedMme。deNucingen。
“Godforgiveyou！youhavejustdealtmeastaggeringblow，child！“saidtheoldman。“YoucannotknowhowmuchIloveyou，oryouwouldnothaveburstinuponmelikethis，withsuchnews，especiallyifallisnotlost。Hassomethingsoimportanthappenedthatyoumustcomehereaboutit？InafewminutesweshouldhavebeenintheRued’Artois。”
“Eh！doesonethinkwhatoneisdoingafteracatastrophe？Ithasturnedmyhead。Yourattorneyhasfoundoutthestateofthingsnow，butitwasboundtocomeoutsoonerorlater。Weshallwantyourlongbusinessexperience；andIcometoyoulikeadrowningmanwhocatchesatabranch。WhenM。DervillefoundthatNucingenwasthrowingallsortsofdifficultiesinhisway，hethreatenedhimwithproceedings，andtoldhimplainlythathewouldsoonobtainanorderfromthePresidentoftheTribunal。SoNucingencametomyroomthismorning，andaskedifImeanttoruinusboth。ItoldhimthatIknewnothingwhateveraboutit，thatI
hadafortune，andoughttobeputintopossessionofmyfortune，andthatmyattorneywasactingformeinthematter；IsaidagainthatIknewabsolutelynothingaboutit，andcouldnotpossiblygointothesubjectwithhim。Wasn’tthatwhatyoutoldmetotellhim？“
“Yes，quiteright。”answeredGoriot。
“Well，then。”Delphinecontinued，“hetoldmeallabouthisaffairs。Hehadjustinvestedallhiscapitalandmineinbusinessspeculations；theyhaveonlyjustbeenstarted，andverylargesumsofmoneyarelockedup。IfIweretocompelhimtorefundmydowrynow，hewouldbeforcedtofilehispetition；butifIwillwaitayear，heundertakes，onhishonor，todoubleortreblemyfortune，byinvestingitinbuildingland，andIshallbemistressatlastofthewholeofmyproperty。Hewasspeakingthetruth，fatherdear；hefrightenedme！Heaskedmypardonforhisconduct；hehasgivenmemyliberty；IamfreetoactasI
pleaseonconditionthatIleavehimtocarryonmybusinessinmyname。Toprovehissincerity，hepromisedthatM。DervillemightinspecttheaccountsasoftenasIpleased，sothatImightbeassuredthateverythingwasbeingconductedproperly。Inshort，heputhimselfinmypower，boundhandandfoot。Hewishesthepresentarrangementsastotheexpensesofhousekeepingtocontinuefortwomoreyears，andentreatedmenottoexceedmyallowance。Heshowedmeplainlythatitwasallthathecoulddotokeepupappearances；hehasbrokenwithhisoperadancer；hewillbecompelledtopractisethemoststricteconomyinsecret
ifheistobidehistimewithunshakencredit。Iscolded，IdidallIcouldtodrivehimtodesperation，soastofindoutmore。
Heshowedmehisledgers——hebrokedownandcriedatlast。I
neversawamaninsuchastate。Helosthisheadcompletely，talkedofkillinghimself，andravedtillIfeltquitesorryforhim。”
“Doyoureallybelievethatsillyrubbish？“……criedherfather。“Itwasallgotupforyourbenefit！IhavehadtodowithGermansinthewayofbusiness，honestandstraightforwardtheyareprettysuretobe，butwhenwiththeirsimplicityandfranknesstheyaresharpersandhumbugsaswell，theyaretheworstroguesofall。Yourhusbandistakingadvantageofyou。Assoonaspressureisbroughttobearonhimheshamsdead；hemeanstobemorethemasterunderyournamethaninhisown。Hewilltakeadvantageofthepositiontosecurehimselfagainsttherisksofbusiness。Heisassharpasheistreacherous；heisabadlot！No，no；IamnotgoingtoleavemygirlsbehindmewithoutapennywhenIgotoPere-Lachaise。Iknowsomethingaboutbusinessstill。Hehassunkhismoneyinspeculation，hesays；verywellthen，thereissomethingtoshowforit——bills，receipts，papersofsomesort。Lethimproducethem，andcometoanarrangementwithyou。Wewillchoosethemostpromisingofhisspeculations，takethemoveratourownrisk，andhavethesecuritiestransferredintoyourname；theyshallrepresenttheseparateestateofDelphineGoriot，wifeoftheBarondeNucingen。Doesthatfellowreallytakeusforidiots？DoesheimaginethatIcouldstandtheideaofyourbeingwithoutfortune，withoutbread，forforty-eighthours？Iwouldnotstanditaday——no，notanight，notacoupleofhours！Iftherehadbeenanyfoundationfortheidea，Ishouldnevergetoverit。
What！Ihaveworkedhardforfortyyears，carriedsacksonmyback，andsweatedandpinchedandsavedallmylifeforyou，mydarlings，foryouwhomadethetoilandeveryburdenborneforyouseemlight；andnow，myfortune，mywholelife，istovanishinsmoke！IshoulddieravingmadifIbelievedawordofit。Byallthat’sholiestinheavenandearth，wewillhavethisclearedupatonce；gothroughthebooks，havethewholebusinesslookedthoroughlyinto！Iwillnotsleep，norrest，noreatuntilIhavesatisfiedmyselfthatallyourfortuneisinexistence。Yourmoneyissettleduponyou，Godbethanked！and，luckily，yourattorney，MaitreDerville，isanhonestman。GoodLord！youshallhaveyoursnuglittlemillion，yourfiftythousandfrancsayear，aslongasyoulive，orIwillraisearacketinParis，Iwillso！IftheTribunalsputuponus，IwillappealtotheChambers。
IfIknewthatyouwerewellandcomfortablyoffasfarasmoneyisconcerned，thatthoughtwouldkeepmeeasyinspiteofbadhealthandtroubles。Money？why，itislife！Moneydoeseverything。ThatgreatdoltofanAlsatianshallsingtoanothertune！Lookhere，Delphine，don’tgiveway，don’tmakeaconcessionofhalfaquarterofafarthingtothatfathead，whohasgroundyoudownandmadeyoumiserable。Ifhecan’tdowithoutyou，wewillgivehimagoodcudgeling，andkeephiminorder。Greatheavens！mybrainisonfire；itisasifthereweresomethingredhotinsidemyhead。MyDelphinelyingonstraw！You！
myFifine！Goodgracious！Wherearemygloves？Come，letusgoatonce；Imeantoseeeverythingwithmyowneyes——books，cash，andcorrespondence，thewholebusiness。IshallhavenopeaceuntilI
knowforcertainthatyourfortuneissecure。”
“Oh！fatherdear，becarefulhowyousetaboutit！Ifthereistheleasthintofvengeanceinthebusiness，ifyoushowyourselfopenlyhostile，itwillbealloverwithme。Heknowswhomhehastodealwith；hethinksitquitenaturalthatifyouputtheideaintomyhead，Ishouldbeuneasyaboutmymoney；butIsweartoyouthathehasitinhisownhands，andthathehadmeanttokeepit。Heisjustthemantoabscondwithallthemoneyandleaveusinthelurch，thescoundrel！HeknowsquitewellthatI
willnotdishonorthenameIbearbybringinghimintoacourtoflaw。Hispositionisstrongandweakatthesametime。Ifwedrivehimtodespair，Iamlost。”
“Why，then，themanisarogue？“
“Well，yes，father。”shesaid，flingingherselfintoachair，“I
wantedtokeepitfromyoutospareyourfeelings。”andsheburstintotears；“Ididnotwantyoutoknowthatyouhadmarriedmetosuchamanasheis。Heisjustthesameinprivatelife——bodyandsoulandconscience——thesamethroughandthrough——hideous！I
hatehim；Idespisehim！Yes，afterallthatthatdespicableNucingenhastoldme，Icannotrespecthimanylonger。Amancapableofmixinghimselfupinsuchaffairs，andoftalkingaboutthemtomeashedid，withouttheslightestscruple，——itisbecauseIhavereadhimthroughandthroughthatIamafraidofhim。He，myhusband，franklyproposedtogivememyliberty，anddoyouknowwhatthatmeans？Itmeansthatifthingsturnoutbadlyforhim，Iamtoplayintohishands，andbehisstalking-
horse。”
“Butthereislawtobehad！ThereisaPlacedeGreveforsons-
in-lawofthatsort。”criedherfather；“why，Iwouldguillotinehimmyselfiftherewasnoheadsmantodoit。”
“No，father，thelawcannottouchhim。Listen，thisiswhathesays，strippedofallhiscircumlocutions——’Takeyourchoice，youandnooneelsecanbemyaccomplice；eithereverythingislost，youareruinedandhavenotafarthing，oryouwillletmecarrythisbusinessthroughmyself。’Isthatplainspeaking？HeMUST
havemyassistance。Heisassuredthathiswifewilldealfairlybyhim；heknowsthatIshallleavehismoneytohimandbecontentwithmyown。Itisanunholyanddishonestcompact，andheholdsoutthreatsofruintocompelmetoconsenttoit。Heisbuyingmyconscience，andthepriceislibertytobeEugene’swifeinallbutname。’Iconniveatyourerrors，andyouallowmetocommitcrimesandruinpoorfamilies！’Isthatsufficientlyexplicit？Doyouknowwhathemeansbyspeculations？Hebuysuplandinhisownname，thenhefindsmenofstrawtorunuphousesuponit。Thesemenmakeabargainwithacontractortobuildthehouses，payingthembybillsatlongdates；theninconsiderationofasmallsumtheyleavemyhusbandinpossessionofthehouses，andfinallyslipthroughthefingersofthedeludedcontractorsbygoingintobankruptcy。ThenameofthefirmofNucingenhasbeenusedtodazzlethepoorcontractors。Isawthat。Inoticed，too，thatNucingenhadsentbillsforlargeamountstoAmsterdam，London，Naples，andVienna，inordertoproveifnecessarythatlargesumshadbeenpaidawaybythefirm。Howcouldwegetpossessionofthosebills？“
Eugeneheardadullthudonthefloor；FatherGoriotmusthavefallenonhisknees。
“Greatheavens！whathaveIdonetoyou？Boundmydaughtertothisscoundrelwhodoesashelikeswithher！——Oh！mychild，mychild！forgiveme！“criedtheoldman。
“Yes，ifIaminthedepthsofdespair，perhapsyouaretoblame。”saidDelphine。“Wehavesolittlesensewhenwemarry！
Whatdoweknowoftheworld，ofbusiness，ormen，orlife？Ourfathersshouldthinkforus！Fatherdear，Iamnotblamingyouintheleast，forgivemeforwhatIsaid。Thisisallmyownfault。
Nay，donotcry，papa。”shesaid，kissinghim。
“Donotcryeither，mylittleDelphine。Lookupandletmekissawaythetears。There！Ishallfindmywitsandunravelthisskeinofyourhusband’swinding。”
“No，letmedothat；Ishallbeabletomanagehim。Heisfondofme，wellandgood；Ishallusemyinfluencetomakehiminvestmymoneyassoonaspossibleinlandedpropertyinmyownname。VerylikelyIcouldgethimtobuybackNucingeninAlsaceinmyname；
thathasalwaysbeenapetideaofhis。Still，cometo-morrowandgothroughthebooks，andlookintothebusiness。M。Dervilleknowslittleofmercantilematters。No，notto-morrowthough。I
donotwanttobeupset。Mme。deBeauseant’sballwillbethedayafterto-morrow，andImustkeepquiet，soastolookmybestandfreshest，anddohonortomydearEugene！……Come，letusseehisroom。”
ButasshespokeacarriagestoppedintheRueNueve-Sainte-
Genevieve，andthesoundofMme。deRestaud’svoicecamefromthestaircase。“Ismyfatherin？“sheaskedofSylvie。
ThisaccidentwasluckilytimedforEugene，whoseoneideahadbeentothrowhimselfdownonthebedandpretendtobeasleep。
“Oh，father，haveyouheardaboutAnastasie？“saidDelphine，whensheheardhersisterspeak。“Itlooksasthoughsomestrangethingshadhappenedinthatfamily。”
“Whatsortofthings？“askedGoriot。“Thisisliketobethedeathofme。Mypoorheadwillnotstandadoublemisfortune。”
“Good-morning，father。”saidtheCountessfromthethreshold。
“Oh！Delphine，areyouhere？“
Mme。deRestaudseemedtakenabackbyhersister’spresence。
“Good-morning，Nasie。”saidtheBaroness。“Whatistheresoextraordinaryinmybeinghere？_I_seeourfathereveryday。”
“Sincewhen？“
“Ifyoucameyourselfyouwouldknow。”
“Don’ttease，Delphine。”saidtheCountessfretfully。“Iamverymiserable，Iamlost。Oh！mypoorfather，itishopelessthistime！“
“Whatisit，Nasie？“criedGoriot。“Tellusallaboutit，child！
Howwhitesheis！Quick，dosomething，Delphine；bekindtoher，andIwillloveyouevenbetter，ifthatwerepossible。”
“PoorNasie！“saidMme。deNucingen，drawinghersistertoachair。“Wearetheonlytwopeopleintheworldwhoseloveisalwayssufficienttoforgiveyoueverything。Familyaffectionisthesurest，yousee。”
TheCountessinhaledthesaltsandrevived。
“Thiswillkillme！“saidtheirfather。“There。”hewenton，stirringthesmoulderingfire，“comenearer，bothofyou。Itiscold。Whatisit，Nasie？Bequickandtellme，thisisenoughto——“
“Well，then，myhusbandknowseverything。”saidtheCountess。
“Justimagineit；doyouremember，father，thatbillofMaxime’ssometimeago？Well，thatwasnotthefirst。Ihadpaideversomanybeforethat。AboutthebeginningofJanuaryM。deTraillesseemedverymuchtroubled。Hesaidnothingtome；butitissoeasytoreadtheheartsofthoseyoulove，ameretrifleisenough；andthenyoufeelthingsinstinctively。Indeed，hewasmoretenderandaffectionatethanever，andIwashappierthanI
hadeverbeenbefore。PoorMaxime！inhimselfhewasreallysayinggood-byetome，sohehastoldmesince；hemeanttoblowhisbrainsout！AtlastIworriedhimso，andbeggedandimploredsohard；fortwohoursIkneltathiskneesandprayedandentreated，andatlasthetoldme——thatheowedahundredthousandfrancs。Oh！papa！ahundredthousandfrancs！Iwasbesidemyself！Youhadnotthemoney，Iknew，Ihadeatenupallthatyouhad——“
“No。”saidGoriot；“IcouldnothavegotitforyouunlessIhadstolenit。ButIwouldhavedonethatforyou，Nasie！Iwilldoityet。”
Thewordscamefromhimlikeasob，ahoarsesoundlikethedeathrattleofadyingman；itseemedindeedliketheagonyofdeathwhenthefather’slovewaspowerless。Therewasapause，andneitherofthesistersspoke。Itmusthavebeenselfishnessindeedthatcouldhearunmovedthatcryofanguishthat，likeapebblethrownoveraprecipice，revealedthedepthsofhisdespair。
“Ifoundthemoney，father，bysellingwhatwasnotminetosell。”andtheCountessburstintotears。
Delphinewastouched；shelaidherheadonhersister’sshoulder，andcriedtoo。
“Thenitisalltrue。”shesaid。
Anastasiebowedherhead，Mme。deNucingenflungherarmsabouther，kissedhertenderly，andheldhersistertoherheart。
“Ishallalwaysloveyouandneverjudgeyou，Nasie。”shesaid。
“Myangels。”murmuredGoriotfaintly。“Oh，whyshoulditbetroublethatdrawsyoutogether？“
ThiswarmandpalpitatingaffectionseemedtogivetheCountesscourage。
“TosaveMaxime’slife。”shesaid，“tosaveallmyownhappiness，Iwenttothemoney-lenderyouknowof，amanofironforgedinhell-fire；nothingcanmelthim；ItookallthefamilydiamondsthatM。deRestaudissoproudof——hisandminetoo——andsoldthemtothatM。Gobseck。SOLDTHEM！Doyouunderstand？IsavedMaxime，butIamlost。Restaudfounditallout。”
“How？Whotoldhim？Iwillkillhim。”criedGoriot。
“Yesterdayhesenttotellmetocometohisroom。Iwent……
’Anastasie，’hesaidinavoice——oh！suchavoice；thatwasenough，ittoldmeeverything——’whereareyourdiamonds？’——’Inmyroom——’——’No，’hesaid，lookingstraightatme，’theretheyareonthatchestofdrawers——’andheliftedhishandkerchiefandshowedmethecasket。’Doyouknowwheretheycamefrom？’hesaid。Ifellathisfeet……Icried；Ibesoughthimtotellmethedeathhewishedtoseemedie。”
“Yousaidthat！“criedGoriot。“ByGodinheaven，whoeverlaysahandoneitherofyousolongasIamalivemayreckononbeingroastedbyslowfires！Yes，Iwillcuthiminpieceslike……”
Goriotstopped；thewordsdiedawayinhisthroat。
“Andthen，dear，heaskedsomethingworsethandeathofme。Oh！
heavenpreserveallotherwomenfromhearingsuchwordsasI
heardthen！“
“Iwillmurderthatman。”saidGoriotquietly。“Buthehasonlyonelife，andhedeservestodietwice——Andthen，whatnext？“headded，lookingatAnastasie。
“Then。”theCountessresumed，“therewasapause，andhelookedatme。’Anastasie，’hesaid，’Iwillburythisinsilence；thereshallbenoseparation；therearethechildren。IwillnotkillM。deTrailles。Imightmisshimifwefought，andasforotherwaysofgettingridofhim，Ishouldcomeintocollisionwiththelaw。IfIkilledhiminyourarms，itwouldbringdishonoronTHOSEchildren。Butifyoudonotwanttoseeyourchildrenperish，northeirfathernorme，youmustfirstofallsubmittotwoconditions。Answerme。HaveIachildofmyown？’Ianswered，’Yes，’——’Which？’——’Ernest，oureldestboy。’——’Verywell，’hesaid，’andnowsweartoobeymeinthisparticularfromthistimeforward。’Iswore。’YouwillmakeoveryourpropertytomewhenI
requireyoutodoso。’“
“Donothingofthekind！“criedGoriot。“Aha！M。deRestaud，youcouldnotmakeyourwifehappy；shehaslookedforhappinessandfounditelsewhere，andyoumakehersufferforyourownineptitude？Hewillhavetoreckonwithme。Makeyourselfeasy，Nasie。Aha！hecaresabouthisheir！Good，verygood。Iwillgetholdoftheboy；isn’themygrandson？Whattheblazes！Icansurelygotoseethebrat！Iwillstowhimawaysomewhere；Iwilltakecareofhim，youmaybequiteeasy。IwillbringRestaudtoterms，themonster！Ishallsaytohim，’Awordortwowithyou！
Ifyouwantyoursonbackagain，givemydaughterherproperty，andleavehertodoasshepleases。’“
“Father！“
“Yes。Iamyourfather，Nasie，afatherindeed！Thatrogueofagreatlordhadbetternotill-treatmydaughter。Tonnerre！Whatisitinmyveins？Thereisthebloodofatigerinme；Icouldtearthosetwomentopieces！Oh！children，children！sothisiswhatyourlivesare！Why，itisdeath！……WhatwillbecomeofyouwhenIshallbeherenolonger？Fathersoughttoliveaslongastheirchildren。Ah！LordGodinheaven！howillThyworldisordered！ThouhastaSon，ifwhattheytellusistrue，andyetThouleavestustosuffersothroughourchildren。Mydarlings，mydarlings！tothinkthattroubleonlyshouldbringyoutome，thatIshouldonlyseeyouwithtearsonyourfaces！Ah！yes，yes，youloveme，Iseethatyouloveme。Cometomeandpouroutyourgriefstome；myheartislargeenoughtoholdthemall。Oh！
youmightrendmyheartinpieces，andeveryfragmentwouldmakeafather’sheart。IfonlyIcouldbearallyoursorrowsforyou！……Ah！youweresohappywhenyouwerelittleandstillwithme……”
“Wehaveneverbeenhappysince。”saidDelphine。“Wherearetheolddayswhenwesliddownthesacksinthegreatgranary？“
“Thatisnotall，father。”saidAnastasieinGoriot’sear。Theoldmangaveastartledshudder。“Thediamondsonlysoldforahundredthousandfrancs。Maximeishardpressed。Therearetwelvethousandfrancsstilltopay。Hehasgivenmehiswordthathewillbesteadyandgiveupplayinfuture。HisloveisallthatI
haveleftintheworld。IhavepaidsuchafearfulpriceforitthatIshoulddieifIlosehimnow。Ihavesacrificedmyfortune，myhonor，mypeaceofmind，andmychildrenforhim。Oh！
dosomething，sothatattheleastMaximemaybeatlargeandliveundisgracedintheworld，wherehewillassuredlymakeacareerforhimself。Somethingmorethanmyhappinessisatstake；
thechildrenhavenothing，andifheissenttoSainte-Pelagieallhisprospectswillberuined。”
“Ihaven’tthemoney，Nasie。IhaveNOTHING——nothingleft。Thisistheendofeverything。Yes，theworldiscrumblingintoruin，Iamsure。Fly！Saveyourselves！Ah！——Ihavestillmysilverbucklesleft，andhalf-a-dozensilverspoonsandforks，thefirstIeverhadinmylife。ButIhavenothingelseexceptmylifeannuity，twelvehundredfrancs……”
“Thenwhathasbecomeofyourmoneyinthefunds？“
“Isoldout，andonlykeptatrifleformywants。IwantedtwelvethousandfrancstofurnishsomeroomsforDelphine。”
“Inyourownhouse？“askedMme。deRestaud，lookingathersister。
“Whatdoesitmatterwheretheywere？“askedGoriot。“Themoneyisspentnow。”
“Iseehowitis。”saidtheCountess。“RoomsforM。deRastignac。
PoorDelphine，takewarningbyme！“
“M。deRastignacisincapableofruiningthewomanheloves，dear。”
“Thanks！Delphine。Ithoughtyouwouldhavebeenkindertomeinmytroubles，butyouneverdidloveme。”
“Yes，yes，shelovesyou，Nasie。”criedGoriot；“shewassayingsoonlyjustnow。Weweretalkingaboutyou，andsheinsistedthatyouwerebeautiful，andthatsheherselfwasonlypretty！“
“Pretty！“saidtheCountess。“Sheisashardasamarblestatue。”
“AndifIam？“criedDelphine，flushingup，“howhaveyoutreatedme？Youwouldnotrecognizeme；youclosedthedoorsofeveryhouseagainstme；youhaveneverletanopportunityofmortifyingmeslipby。AndwhendidIcome，asyouwerealwaysdoing，todrainourpoorfather，athousandfrancsatatime，tillheisleftasyouseehimnow？Thatisallyourdoing，sister！ImyselfhaveseenmyfatherasoftenasIcould。Ihavenotturnedhimoutofthehouse，andthencomeandfawneduponhimwhenIwantedmoney。Ididnotsomuchasknowthathehadspentthosetwelvethousandfrancsonme。Iameconomical，asyouknow；andwhenpapahasmademepresents，ithasneverbeenbecauseIcameandbeggedforthem。”
“YouwerebetteroffthanI。M。deMarsaywasrich，asyouhavereasontoknow。Youalwayswereasslipperyasgold。Good-bye；I
haveneithersisternor——“
“Oh！hush，hush，Nasie！“criedherfather。
“Nobodyelsewouldrepeatwhateverybodyhasceasedtobelieve。
Youareanunnaturalsister！“criedDelphine。
“Oh，children，children！hush！hush！orIwillkillmyselfbeforeyoureyes。”
“There，Nasie，Iforgiveyou。”saidMme。deNucingen；“youareveryunhappy。ButIamkinderthanyouare。HowcouldyousayTHATjustwhenIwasreadytodoanythingintheworldtohelpyou，eventobereconciledwithmyhusband，whichformyownsakeI——Oh！itisjustlikeyou；youhavebehavedcruellytomeallthroughthesenineyears。”
“Children，children，kisseachother！“criedthefather。“Youareangels，bothofyou。”
“No。Letmealone。”criedtheCountessshakingoffthehandthatherfatherhadlaidonherarm。“Sheismoremercilessthanmyhusband。Anyonemightthinkshewasamodelofallthevirtuesherself！“
“IwouldratherhavepeoplethinkthatIowedmoneytoM。deMarsaythanownthatM。deTrailleshadcostmemorethantwohundredthousandfrancs。”retortedMme。deNucingen。
“DELPHINE！“criedtheCountess，steppingtowardshersister。
“Ishalltellyouthetruthaboutyourselfifyoubegintoslanderme。”saidtheBaronesscoldly。
“Delphine！youarea——“
FatherGoriotsprangbetweenthem，graspedtheCountess’hand，andlaidhisownoverhermouth。
“Goodheavens，father！Whathaveyoubeenhandlingthismorning？“
saidAnastasie。
“Ah！well，yes，Ioughtnottohavetouchedyou。”saidthepoorfather，wipinghishandsonhistrousers，“butIhavebeenpackingupmythings；Ididnotknowthatyouwerecomingtoseeme。”
Hewasgladthathehaddrawndownherwrathuponhimself。
“Ah！“hesighed，ashesatdown，“youchildrenhavebrokenmyheartbetweenyou。Thisiskillingme。Myheadfeelsasifitwereonfire。Begoodtoeachotherandloveeachother！Thiswillbethedeathofme！Delphine！Nasie！come，besensible；youarebothinthewrong。Come，Dedel。”headded，lookingthroughhistearsattheBaroness，“shemusthavetwelvethousandfrancs，yousee；letusseeifwecanfindthemforher。Oh，mygirls，donotlookateachotherlikethat！“andhesankonhiskneesbesideDelphine。“Askhertoforgiveyou——justtopleaseme。”hesaidinherear。“Sheismoremiserablethanyouare。Comenow，Dedel。”
“PoorNasie！“saidDelphine，alarmedatthewildextravagantgriefinherfather’sface，“Iwasinthewrong，kissme——“
“Ah！thatislikebalmtomyheart。”criedFatherGoriot。“Buthowarewetofindtwelvethousandfrancs？Imightoffermyselfasasubstituteinthearmy——“
“Oh！fatherdear！“theybothcried，flingingtheirarmsabouthim。“No，no！“
“Godrewardyouforthethought。Wearenotworthit，arewe，Nasie？“askedDelphine。
“Andbesides，fatherdear，itwouldonlybeadropinthebucket。”observedtheCountess。
“Butisfleshandbloodworthnothing？“criedtheoldmaninhisdespair。“Iwouldgivebodyandsoultosaveyou，Nasie。Iwoulddoamurderforthemanwhowouldrescueyou。Iwoulddo，asVautrindid，gotothehulks，go——“hestoppedasifstruckbyathunderbolt，andputbothhandstohishead。“Nothingleft！“hecried，tearinghishair。“IfIonlyknewofawaytostealmoney，butitissohardtodoit，andthenyoucan’tsettoworkbyyourself，andittakestimetorobabank。Yes，itistimeIwasdead；thereisnothingleftmetodobuttodie。Iamnogoodintheworld；Iamnolongerafather！No。Shehascometomeinherextremity，and，wretchthatIam，Ihavenothingtogiveher。Ah！
youputyourmoneyintoalifeannuity，oldscoundrel；andhadyounotdaughters？Youdidnotlovethem。Die，dieinaditch，likethedogthatyouare！Yes，Iamworsethanadog；abeastwouldnothavedoneasIhavedone！Oh！myhead……itthrobsasifitwouldburst。”
“Papa！“criedboththeyoungwomenatonce，“do，pray，bereasonable！“andtheyclungtohimtopreventhimfromdashinghisheadagainstthewall。Therewasasoundofsobbing。
Eugene，greatlyalarmed，tookthebillthatboreVautrin’ssignature，sawthatthestampwouldsufficeforalargersum，alteredthefigures，madeitintoaregularbillfortwelvethousandfrancs，payabletoGoriot’sorder，andwenttohisneighbor’sroom。
“Hereisthemoney，madame。”hesaid，handingthepieceofpapertoher。“Iwasasleep；yourconversationawokeme，andbythismeansIlearnedallthatIowedtoM。Goriot。Thisbillcanbediscounted，andIshallmeetitpunctuallyattheduedate。”
TheCountessstoodmotionlessandspeechless，butsheheldthebillinherfingers。
“Delphine。”shesaid，withawhiteface，andherwholeframequiveringwithindignation，anger，andrage，“Iforgaveyoueverything；GodismywitnessthatIforgaveyou，butIcannotforgivethis！Sothisgentlemanwasthereallthetime，andyouknewit！Yourpettyspitehasletyoutowreakyourvengeanceonmebybetrayingmysecrets，mylife，mychildren’slives，myshame，myhonor！There，youarenothingtomeanylonger。Ihateyou。IwilldoallthatIcantoinjureyou。Iwill……”
Angerparalyzedher；thewordsdiedinherdryparchedthroat。
“Why，heismyson，mychild；heisyourbrother，yourpreserver！“criedGoriot。“Kisshishand，Nasie！Stay，Iwillembracehimmyself。”hesaid，strainingEugenetohisbreastinafrenziedclasp。“Ohmyboy！Iwillbemorethanafathertoyou；
ifIhadGod’spower，Iwouldflingworldsatyourfeet。Whydon’tyoukisshim，Nasie？Heisnotaman，butanangel，aangeloutofheaven。”
“Nevermindher，father；sheismadjustnow。”
“Mad！amI？Andwhatareyou？“criedMme。deRestaud。
“Children，children，Ishalldieifyougoonlikethis。”criedtheoldman，andhestaggeredandfellonthebedasifabullethadstruckhim——“Theyarekillingmebetweenthem。”hesaidtohimself。
TheCountessfixedhereyesonEugene，whostoodstockstill；allhisfacultieswerenumbedbythisviolentscene。
“Sir？……”shesaid，doubtandinquiryinherface，tone，andbearing；shetooknonoticenowofherfathernorofDelphine，whowashastilyunfasteninghiswaistcoat。
“Madame。”saidEugene，answeringthequestionbeforeitwasasked，“Iwillmeetthebill，andkeepsilenceaboutit。”
“Youhavekilledourfather，Nasie！“saidDelphine，pointingtoGoriot，wholayunconsciousonthebed。TheCountessfled。
“Ifreelyforgiveher。”saidtheoldman，openinghiseyes；“herpositionishorrible；itwouldturnanolderheadthanhers。
ComfortNasie，andbenicetoher，Delphine；promiseittoyourpoorfatherbeforehedies。”heasked，holdingDelphine’shandinaconvulsiveclasp。
“Oh！whatailsyou，father？“shecriedinrealalarm。
“Nothing，nothing。”saidGoriot；“itwillgooff。Thereissomethingheavypressingonmyforehead，alittleheadache……
Ah！poorNasie，whatalifeliesbeforeher！“
Justashespoke，theCountesscamebackagainandflungherselfonherkneesbeforehim。“Forgiveme！“shecried。
“Come。”saidherfather，“youarehurtingmestillmore。”
“Monsieur。”theCountesssaid，turningtoRastignac，“miserymademeunjusttoyou。Youwillbeabrothertome，willyounot？“andsheheldoutherhand。Hereyeswerefulloftearsasshespoke。
“Nasie。”criedDelphine，flingingherarmsroundhersister，“mylittleNasie，letusforgetandforgive。”
“No，no。”criedNasie；“Ishallneverforget！“
“Dearangels。”criedGoriot，“itisasifadarkcurtainovermyeyeshadbeenraised；yourvoiceshavecalledmebacktolife。
Kisseachotheroncemore。Well，now，Nasie，thatbillwillsaveyou，won’tit？“
“Ihopeso。Isay，papa，willyouwriteyournameonit？“
“There！howstupidofmetoforgetthat！ButIamnotfeelingatallwell，Nasie，soyoumustnotrememberitagainstme。Sendandletmeknowassoonasyouareoutofyourstrait。No，Iwillgotoyou。No，afterall，Iwillnotgo；Imightmeetyourhusband，andIshouldkillhimonthespot。Andasforsigningawayyourproperty，Ishallhaveawordtosayaboutthat。Quick，mychild，andkeepMaximeinorderinfuture。”
Eugenewastoobewilderedtospeak。
“PoorAnastasie，shealwayshadaviolenttemper。”saidMme。deNucingen，“butshehasagoodheart。”
“Shecamebackfortheendorsement。”saidEugeneinDelphine’sear。
“Doyouthinkso？“
“IonlywishIcouldthinkotherwise。Donottrusther。”heanswered，raisinghiseyesasifheconfidedtoheaventhethoughtsthathedidnotventuretoexpress。
“Yes。Sheisalwaysactingaparttosomeextent。”
“Howdoyoufeelnow，dearFatherGoriot？“askedRastignac。
“Ishouldliketogotosleep。”hereplied。
Eugenehelpedhimtobed，andDelphinesatbythebedside，holdinghishanduntilhefellasleep。Thenshewent。
“ThiseveningattheItaliens。”shesaidtoEugene，“andyoucanletmeknowhowheis。To-morrowyouwillleavethisplace，monsieur。Letusgointoyourroom——Oh！howfrightful！“shecriedonthethreshold。“Why，youareevenworselodgedthanourfather。Eugene，youhavebehavedwell。Iwouldloveyoumoreifthatwerepossible；but，dearboy，ifyouaretosucceedinlife，youmustnotbeginbyflingingtwelvethousandfrancsoutofthewindowslikethat。TheComtedeTraillesisaconfirmedgambler。
Mysistershutshereyestoit。Hewouldhavemadethetwelvethousandfrancsinthesamewaythathewinsandlosesheapsofgold。”
AgroanfromthenextroombroughtthembacktoGoriot’sbedside；
toallappearanceshewasasleep，butthetwoloverscaughtthewords，“Theyarenothappy！“Whetherhewasawakeorsleeping，thetoneinwhichtheywerespokenwenttohisdaughter’sheart。
Shestoleuptothepallet-bedonwhichherfatherlay，andkissedhisforehead。Heopenedhiseyes。
“Ah！Delphine！“hesaid。
“Howareyounow？“sheasked。
“Quitecomfortable。Donotworryaboutme；Ishallgetuppresently。Don’tstaywithme，children；go，goandbehappy。”
EugenewentbackwithDelphineasfarasherdoor；buthewasnoteasyaboutGoriot，andwouldnotstaytodinner，assheproposed。
HewantedtobebackattheMaisonVauquer。FatherGoriothadlefthisroom，andwasjustsittingdowntodinnerashecamein。
Bianchonhadplacedhimselfwherehecouldwatchtheoldmancarefully；andwhentheoldvermicellimakertookuphissquareofbreadandsmelledittofindoutthequalityoftheflour，themedicalstudent，studyinghimclosely，sawthattheactionwaspurelymechanical，andshookhishead。
“Justcomeandsitoverhere，hospitallerofCochin。”saidEugene。
Bianchonwentthemorewillinglybecausehischangeofplacebroughthimnexttotheoldlodger。
“Whatiswrongwithhim？“askedRastignac。
“Itisallupwithhim，orIammuchmistaken！Somethingveryextraordinarymusthavetakenplace；helookstomeasifhewereinimminentdangerofserousapoplexy。Thelowerpartofhisfaceiscomposedenough，buttheupperpartisdrawnanddistorted。
Thenthereisthatpeculiarlookabouttheeyesthatindicatesaneffusionofseruminthebrain；theylookasthoughtheywerecoveredwithafilmoffinedust，doyounotice？Ishallknowmoreaboutitbyto-morrowmorning。”
“Isthereanycureforit？“
“None。Itmightbepossibletostavedeathoffforatimeifawaycouldbefoundofsettingupareactioninthelowerextremities；butifthesymptomsdonotabatebyto-morrowevening，itwillbealloverwithhim，pooroldfellow！Doyouknowwhathashappenedtobringthison？Theremusthavebeensomeviolentshock，andhismindhasgivenway。”
“Yes，therewas。”saidRastignac，rememberinghowthetwodaughtershadstruckblowonblowattheirfather’sheart。
“ButDelphineatanyratelovesherfather。”hesaidtohimself。
ThateveningattheoperaRastignacchosehiswordscarefully，lestheshouldgiveMme。deNucingenneedlessalarm。
“Donotbeanxiousabouthim。”shesaid，however，assoonasEugenebegan，“ourfatherhasreallyastrongconstitution，butthismorningwegavehimashock。Ourwholefortuneswereinperil，sothethingwasserious，yousee。IcouldnotliveifyouraffectiondidnotmakemeinsensibletotroublesthatI
shouldoncehavethoughttoohardtobear。AtthismomentIhavebutonefearleft，butonemiserytodread——tolosethelovethathasmademefeelgladtolive。Everythingelseisasnothingtomecomparedwithourlove；Icarefornothingelse，foryouarealltheworldtome。IfIfeelgladtoberich，itisforyoursake。Tomyshamebeitsaid，Ithinkofmyloverbeforemyfather。Doyouaskwhy？Icannottellyou，butallmylifeisinyou。Myfathergavemeaheart，butyouhavetaughtittobeat。
Thewholeworldmaycondemnme；whatdoesitmatterifIstandacquittedinyoureyes，foryouhavenorighttothinkillofmeforthefaultswhichatyrannouslovehasforcedmetocommitforyou！Doyouthinkmeanunnaturaldaughter？Oh！no，noonecouldhelplovingsuchadearkindfatherasours。ButhowcouldIhidetheinevitableconsequencesofourmiserablemarriagesfromhim？
Whydidheallowustomarrywhenwedid？Wasitnothisdutytothinkforusandforeseeforus？To-dayIknowhesuffersasmuchaswedo，buthowcanitbehelped？Andasforcomfortinghim，wecouldnotcomforthimintheleast。Ourresignationwouldgivehimmorepainandhurthimfarmorethancomplaintsandupbraidings。Therearetimesinlifewheneverythingturnstobitterness。”
Eugenewassilent，theartlessandsincereoutpouringmadeanimpressiononhim。
Parisianwomenareoftenfalse，intoxicatedwithvanity，selfishandself-absorbed，frivolousandshallow；yetofallwomen，whentheylove，theysacrificetheirpersonalfeelingstotheirpassion；theyrisebutsomuchthehigherforallthepettinessovercomeintheirnature，andbecomesublime。ThenEugenewasstruckbytheprofounddiscernmentandinsightdisplayedbythiswomaninjudgingofnaturalaffection，whenaprivilegedaffectionhadseparatedandsetheratadistanceapart。Mme。deNucingenwaspiquedbythesilence，“Whatareyouthinkingabout？“sheasked。
“Iamthinkingaboutwhatyousaidjustnow。HithertoIhavealwaysfeltsurethatIcaredfarmoreforyouthanyoudidforme。”
Shesmiled，andwouldnotgivewaytothehappinessshefelt，lesttheirtalkshouldexceedtheconventionallimitsofpropriety。Shehadneverheardthevibratingtonesofasincereandyouthfullove；afewmorewords，andshefearedforherself-
control。
“Eugene。”shesaid，changingtheconversation，“Iwonderwhetheryouknowwhathasbeenhappening？AllPariswillgotoMme。deBeauseant’sto-morrow。TheRochefidesandtheMarquisd’Ajudahaveagreedtokeepthematteraprofoundsecret，butto-morrowthekingwillsignthemarriage-contract，andyourpoorcousintheVicomtesseknowsnothingofitasyet。Shecannotputoffherball，andtheMarquiswillnotbethere。Peoplearewonderingwhatwillhappen？“
“Theworldlaughsatbasenessandconnivesatit。ButthiswillkillMme。deBeauseant。”
“Oh，no。”saidDelphine，smiling，“youdonotknowthatkindofwoman。Why，allPariswillbethere，andsoshallI；Ioughttogothereforyoursake。”
“Perhaps，afterall，itisoneofthoseabsurdreportsthatpeoplesetincirculationhere。”
“Weshallknowthetruthto-morrow。”
EugenedidnotreturntotheMaisonVauquer。HecouldnotforegothepleasureofoccupyinghisnewroomsintheRued’Artois。
YesterdayeveninghehadbeenobligedtoleaveDelphinesoonaftermidnight，butthatnightitwasDelphinewhostayedwithhimuntiltwoo’clockinthemorning。Heroselate，andwaitedforMme。deNucingen，whocameaboutnoontobreakfastwithhim。
Youthsnatcheseagerlyattheserosymomentsofhappiness，andEugenehadalmostforgottenGoriot’sexistence。Theprettythingsthatsurroundedhimweregrowingfamiliar；thisdomesticationinitselfwasonelongfestivalforhim，andMme。deNucingenwastheretoglorifyitallbyherpresence。Itwasfouro’clockbeforetheythoughtofGoriot，andofhowhehadlookedforwardtothenewlifeinthathouse。Eugenesaidthattheoldmanoughttobemovedatonce，lestheshouldgrowtooilltomove。HeleftDelphineandhurriedbacktothelodging-house。NeitherFatherGoriotnoryoungBianchonwasinthedining-roomwiththeothers。
“Aha！“saidthepainterasEugenecamein，“FatherGoriothasbrokendownatlast。Bianchonisupstairswithhim。Oneofhisdaughters——theComtessedeRestaurama——cametoseetheoldgentleman，andhewouldgetupandgoout，andmadehimselfworse。Societyisabouttoloseoneofitsbrightestornaments。”
Rastignacsprangtothestaircase。
“Hey！MonsieurEugene！“
“MonsieurEugene，themistressiscallingyou。”shoutedSylvie。
“Itisthis，sir。”saidthewidow。“YouandM。Goriotshouldbyrightshavemovedoutonthe15thofFebruary。Thatwasthreedaysago；to-dayisthe18th，Ioughtreallytobepaidamonthinadvance；butifyouwillengagetopayforboth，Ishallbequitesatisfied。”
“Whycan’tyoutrusthim？“
“Trusthim，indeed！Iftheoldgentlemanwentoffhisheadanddied，thosedaughtersofhiswouldnotpaymeafarthing，andhisthingswon’tfetchtenfrancs。Thismorninghewentoutwithallthespoonsandforkshehasleft，Idon’tknowwhy。Hehadgothimselfuptolookquiteyoung，and——Lord，forgiveme——butI
thoughthehadrougeonhischeeks；helookedquiteyoungagain。”
“Iwillberesponsible。”saidEugene，shudderingwithhorror，forheforesawtheend。
HeclimbedthestairsandreachedFatherGoriot’sroom。Theoldmanwastossingonhisbed。Bianchonwaswithhim。
“Good-evening，father。”saidEugene。
Theoldmanturnedhisglassyeyesonhim，smiledgently，andsaid：
“HowisSHE？“
“Sheisquitewell。Buthowareyou？“
“Thereisnothingmuchthematter。”
“Don’ttirehim。”saidBianchon，drawingEugeneintoacorneroftheroom。
“Well？“askedRastignac。
“Nothingbutamiraclecansavehimnow。Serouscongestionhassetin；Ihaveputonmustardplasters，andluckilyhecanfeelthem，theyareacting。”
“Isitpossibletomovehim？“
“Quiteoutofthequestion。Hemuststaywhereheis，andbekeptasquietaspossible——“
“DearBianchon。”saidEugene，“wewillnursehimbetweenus。”
“Ihavehadtheheadphysicianroundfrommyhospitaltoseehim。”
“Andwhatdidhesay？“
“Hewillgivenoopiniontillto-morrowevening。Hepromisedtolookinagainattheendoftheday。Unluckily，thepreposterouscreaturemustneedsgoanddosomethingfoolishthismorning；hewillnotsaywhatitwas。Heisasobstinateasamule。AssoonasIbegintotalktohimhepretendsnottohear，andliesasifhewereasleepinsteadofanswering，orifheopenshiseyeshebeginstogroan。Sometimethismorninghewentoutonfootinthestreets，nobodyknowswherehewent，andhetookeverythingthathehadofanyvaluewithhim。Hehasbeendrivingsomeconfoundedbargain，andithasbeentoomuchforhisstrength。
Oneofhisdaughtershasbeenhere。”
“WasittheCountess？“askedEugene。“Atall，dark-hairedwoman，withlargebrighteyes，slenderfigure，andlittlefeet？“
“Yes。”
“Leavehimtomeforabit。”saidRastignac。“Iwillmakehimconfess；hewilltellmeallaboutit。”
“AndmeanwhileIwillgetmydinner。Buttrynottoexcitehim；
thereisstillsomehopeleft。”
“Allright。”
“Howtheywillenjoythemselvesto-morrow。”saidFatherGoriotwhentheywerealone。“Theyaregoingtoagrandball。”
“Whatwereyoudoingthismorning，papa，tomakeyourselfsopoorlythiseveningthatyouhavetostopinbed？“
“Nothing。”
“DidnotAnastasiecometoseeyou？“demandedRastignac。
“Yes。”saidFatherGoriot。
“Well，then，don’tkeepanythingfromme。Whatmoredidshewantofyou？“
“Oh，shewasverymiserable。”heanswered，gatheringupallhisstrengthtospeak。“Itwasthisway，myboy。Sincethataffairofthediamonds，Nasiehasnothadapennyofherown。Forthisballshehadorderedagoldengownlikeasettingforajewel。Hermantuamaker，awomanwithoutaconscience，wouldnotgivehercredit，soNasie’swaiting-womanadvancedathousandfrancsonaccount。PoorNasie！reducedtosuchshifts！Itcutmetothehearttothinkofit！ButwhenNasie’smaidsawhowthingswerebetweenhermasterandmistress，shewasafraidoflosinghermoney，andcametoanunderstandingwiththedressmaker，andthewomanrefusestosendtheball-dressuntilthemoneyispaid。Thegownisready，andtheballisto-morrownight！Nasiewasindespair。Shewantedtoborrowmyforksandspoonstopawnthem。
Herhusbandisdeterminedthatsheshallgoandwearthediamonds，soastocontradictthestoriesthataretoldalloverParis。Howcanshegotothatheartlessscoundrelandsay，’Ioweathousandfrancstomydressmaker；payherforme！’Shecannot。
Isawthatmyself。Delphinewillbetheretooinasuperbtoilette，andAnastasieoughtnottobeoutshonebyheryoungersister。Andthen——shewasdrownedintears，poorgirl！IfeltsohumbledyesterdaywhenIhadnotthetwelvethousandfrancs，thatIwouldhavegiventherestofmymiserablelifetowipeoutthatwrong。Yousee，Icouldhaveborneanythingonce，butlatterlythiswantofmoneyhasbrokenmyheart。Oh！Ididnotdoitbyhalves；Ititivatedmyselfupabit，andwentoutandsoldmyspoonsandforksandbucklesforsixhundredfrancs；thenIwenttooldDaddyGobseck，andsoldayear’sinterestonmyannuityforfourhundredfrancsdown。Pshaw！Icanliveondrybread，asIdidwhenIwasayoungman；ifIhavedoneitbefore，Icandoitagain。MyNasieshallhaveonehappyevening，atanyrate。Sheshallbesmart。Thebanknoteforathousandfrancsisundermypillow；itwarmsmetohaveitlyingthereundermyhead，foritisgoingtomakemypoorNasiehappy。ShecanturnthatbadgirlVictoireoutofthehouse。Aservantthatcannottrusthermistress，didanyoneeverhearthelike！Ishallbequitewellto-morrow。Nasieiscomingatteno’clock。TheymustnotthinkthatIamill，ortheywillnotgototheball；theywillstopandtakecareofme。To-morrowNasiewillcomeandholdmeinherarmsasifIwereoneofherchildren；herkisseswillmakemewellagain。Afterall，Imighthavespentthethousandfrancsonphysic；IwouldfarrathergivethemtomylittleNasie，whocancharmallthepainaway。Atanyrate，Iamsomecomforttoherinhermisery；andthatmakesupformyunkindnessinbuyinganannuity。Sheisinthedepths，andIcannotdrawheroutofthemnow。Oh！Iwillgointobusinessagain，IwillbuywheatinOdessa；outthere，wheatfetchesaquarterofthepriceitsellsforhere。Thereisalawagainsttheimportationofgrain，butthegoodfolkwhomadethelawforgottoprohibittheintroductionofwheatproductsandfoodstuffsmadefromcorn。
Hey！hey！……Thatstruckmethismorning。Thereisafinetradetobedoneinstarch。”
Eugene，watchingtheoldman’sface，thoughtthathisfriendwaslight-headed。
“Come。”hesaid，“donottalkanymore，youmustrest——“JustthenBianchoncameup，andEugenewentdowntodinner。
Thetwostudentssatupwithhimthatnight，relievingeachotherinturn。Bianchonbroughtuphismedicalbooksandstudied；
Eugenewrotelettershometohismotherandsisters。NextmorningBianchonthoughtthesymptomsmorehopeful，butthepatient’sconditiondemandedcontinualattention，whichthetwostudentsalonewerewillingtogive——ataskimpossibletodescribeinthesqueamishphraseologyoftheepoch。Leechesmustbeappliedtothewastedbody，thepoulticesandhotfoot-baths，andotherdetailsofthetreatmentrequiredthephysicalstrengthanddevotionofthetwoyoungmen。Mme。deRestauddidnotcome；butshesentamessengerforthemoney。
“Iexpectedshewouldcomeherself；butitwouldhavebeenapityforhertocome，shewouldhavebeenanxiousaboutme。”saidthefather，andtoallappearanceshewaswellcontent。
Atseveno’clockthateveningTheresecamewithaletterfromDelphine。
“Whatareyoudoing，dearfriend？Ihavebeenlovedforaverylittlewhile，andIamneglectedalready？Intheconfidencesofheartandheart，Ihavelearnedtoknowyoursoul——youaretoonoblenottobefaithfulforever，foryouknowthatlovewithallitsinfinitesubtlechangesoffeelingisneverthesame。
Onceyousaid，aswewerelisteningtothePrayerinMoseinEgitto，’Forsomeitisthemonotonyofasinglenote；forothers，itistheinfiniteofsound。’RememberthatIamexpectingyouthiseveningtotakemetoMme。deBeauseant’sball。EveryoneknowsnowthattheKingsignedM。d’Ajuda’smarriage-contractthismorning，andthepoorVicomtesseknewnothingofituntiltwoo’clockthisafternoon。AllPariswillflocktoherhouse，ofcourse，justasacrowdfillsthePlacedeGrevetoseeanexecution。Itishorrible，isitnot，togooutofcuriositytoseeifshewillhideheranguish，andwhethershewilldiecourageously？Icertainlyshouldnotgo，myfriend，ifI
hadbeenatherhousebefore；but，ofcourse，shewillnotreceivesocietyanymoreafterthis，andallmyeffortswouldbeinvain。Mypositionisaveryunusualone，andbesides，Iamgoingtherepartlyonyouraccount。Iamwaitingforyou。Ifyouarenotbesidemeinlessthantwohours，IdonotknowwhetherI
couldforgivesuchtreason。”
Rastignactookupapenandwrote：
“Iamwaitingtillthedoctorcomestoknowifthereisanyhopeofyourfather’slife。Heislyingdangerouslyill。Iwillcomeandbringyouthenews，butIamafraiditmaybeasentenceofdeath。WhenIcomeyoucandecidewhetheryoucangototheball——Yoursathousandtimes。”
Athalf-pasteightthedoctorarrived。Hedidnottakeaveryhopefulviewofthecase，butthoughtthattherewasnoimmediatedanger。Improvementsandrelapsesmightbeexpected，andthegoodman’slifeandreasonhunginthebalance。
“Itwouldbebetterforhimtodieatonce。”thedoctorsaidashetookleave。
EugeneleftGoriottoBianchon’scare，andwenttocarrythesadnewstoMme。deNucingen。Familyfeelinglingeredinher，andthismustputanendforthepresenttoherplansofamusement。
“Tellhertoenjoyhereveningasifnothinghadhappened。”criedGoriot。Hehadbeenlyinginasortofstupor，buthesuddenlysatuprightasEugenewentout。
Eugene，halfheartbroken，enteredDelphine’s。Herhairhadbeendressed；sheworeherdancingslippers；shehadonlytoputonherball-dress；butwhentheartistisgivingthefinishingstroketohiscreation，thelasttouchesrequiremoretimethanthewholegroundworkofthepicture。
“Why，youarenotdressed！“shecried。
“Madame，yourfather——“
“Myfatheragain！“sheexclaimed，breakinginuponhim。“Youneednotteachmewhatisduetomyfather，Ihaveknownmyfatherthislongwhile。Notaword，Eugene。Iwillhearwhatyouhavetosaywhenyouaredressed。Mycarriageiswaiting，takeit，goroundtoyourroomsanddress，Theresehasputouteverythinginreadinessforyou。Comebackassoonasyoucan；wewilltalkaboutmyfatheronthewaytoMme。deBeauseant’s。Wemustgoearly；ifwehavetowaitourturninarowofcarriages，weshallbeluckyifwegettherebyeleveno’clock。”
“Madame——“
“Quick！notaword！“shecried，dartingintoherdressing-roomforanecklace。
“Dogo，MonsieurEugene，oryouwillvexmadame。”saidTherese，hurryinghimaway；andEugenewastoohorror-strickenbythiselegantparricidetoresist。
Hewenttohisroomsanddressed，sad，thoughtful，anddispirited。TheworldofPariswaslikeanoceanofmudforhimjustthen；anditseemedthatwhoeversetfootinthatblackmiremustneedssinkintoituptothechin。
“Theircrimesarepaltry。”saidEugenetohimself。“Vautrinwasgreater。”
Hehadseensocietyinitsthreegreatphases——Obedience，Struggle，andRevolt；theFamily，theWorld，andVautrin；andhehesitatedinhischoice。Obediencewasdull，Revoltimpossible，Strugglehazardous。Histhoughtswanderedbacktothehomecircle。Hethoughtofthequietuneventfullife，thepurehappinessofthedaysspentamongthosewholovedhimthere。
Thoselovingandbelovedbeingspassedtheirlivesinobediencetothenaturallawsofthehearth，andinthatobediencefoundadeepandconstantserenity，unvexedbytormentssuchasthese。
Yet，forallhisgoodimpulses，hecouldnotbringhimselftomakeprofessionofthereligionofpuresoulstoDelphine，nortoprescribethedutiesofpietytoherinthenameoflove。Hiseducationhadbeguntobearitsfruits；helovedselfishlyalready。Besides，histacthaddiscoveredtohimtherealnatureofDelphine；hedivinedinstinctivelythatshewascapableofsteppingoverherfather’scorpsetogototheball；andwithinhimselfhefeltthathehadneitherthestrengthofmindtoplaythepartofmentor，northestrengthofcharactertovexher，northecouragetoleavehertogoalone。
“Shewouldneverforgivemeforputtingherinthewrongoverit。”hesaidtohimself。Thenheturnedthedoctor’sdictumoverinhismind；hetriedtobelievethatGoriotwasnotsodangerouslyillashehadimagined，andendedbycollectingtogetherasufficientquantityoftraitorousexcusesforDelphine’sconduct。Shedidnotknowhowillherfatherwas；thekindoldmanhimselfwouldhavemadehergototheballifshehadgonetoseehim。Sooftenithappensthatthisoneorthatstandscondemnedbythesociallawsthatgovernfamilyrelations；
andyettherearepeculiarcircumstancesinthecase，differencesoftemperament，divergentinterests，innumerablecomplicationsoffamilylifethatexcusetheapparentoffence。
Eugenedidnotwishtoseetooclearly；hewasreadytosacrificehisconsciencetohismistress。Withinthelastfewdayshiswholelifehadundergoneachange。Womanhadenteredintohisworldandthrownitintochaos，familyclaimsdwindledawaybeforeher；shehadappropriatedallhisbeingtoheruses。
RastignacandDelphinefoundeachotheratacrisisintheirliveswhentheiruniongavethemthemostpoignantbliss。Theirpassion，solongproved，hadonlygainedinstrengthbythegratifieddesirethatoftenextinguishespassion。Thiswomanwashis，andEugenerecognizedthatnotuntilthenhadhelovedher；
perhapsloveisonlygratitudeforpleasure。Thiswoman，vileorsublime，headoredforthepleasureshehadbroughtasherdower；
andDelphinelovedRastignacasTantaluswouldhavelovedsomeangelwhohadsatisfiedhishungerandquenchedtheburningthirstinhisparchedthroat。
“Well。”saidMme。deNucingenwhenhecamebackineveningdress，“howismyfather？“
“Verydangerouslyill。”heanswered；“ifyouwillgrantmeaproofofyouraffections，wewilljustgointoseehimontheway。”
“Verywell。”shesaid。“Yes，butafterwards。DearEugene，dobenice，anddon’tpreachtome。Come。”