Theysetout。Eugenesaidnothingforawhile。
“Whatisitnow？“sheasked。
“Icanhearthedeath-rattleinyourfather’sthroat。”hesaidalmostangrily。Andwiththehotindignationofyouth，hetoldthestoryofMme。deRestaud’svanityandcruelty，ofherfather’sfinalactofself-sacrifice，thathadbroughtaboutthisstrugglebetweenlifeanddeath，ofthepricethathadbeenpaidforAnastasie’sgoldenembroideries。Delphinecried。
“Ishalllookfrightful。”shethought。Shedriedhertears。
“Iwillnursemyfather；Iwillnotleavehisbedside。”shesaidaloud。
“Ah！nowyouareasIwouldhaveyou。”exclaimedRastignac。
ThelampsoffivehundredcarriageslitupthedarknessabouttheHoteldeBeauseant。Agendarmeinallthegloryofhisuniformstoodoneithersideofthebrightlylightedgateway。Thegreatworldwasflockingthitherthatnightinitseagercuriositytoseethegreatladyatthemomentofherfall，andtheroomsonthegroundfloorwerealreadyfulltooverflowing，whenMme。deNucingenandRastignacappeared。NeversinceLouisXIV。toreherloverawayfromLagrandMademoiselle，andthewholecourthastenedtovisitthatunfortunateprincess，hadadisastrousloveaffairmadesuchasensationinParis。ButtheyoungestdaughterofthealmostroyalhouseofBurgundyhadrisenproudlyaboveherpain，andmovedtillthelastmomentlikeaqueeninthisworld——itsvanitieshadalwaysbeenvaluelessforher，saveinsofarastheycontributedtothetriumphofherpassion。ThesalonswerefilledwiththemostbeautifulwomeninParis，resplendentintheirtoilettes，andradiantwithsmiles。
Ministersandambassadors，themostdistinguishedmenatcourt，menbedizenedwithdecorations，stars，andribbons，menwhoborethemostillustriousnamesinFrance，hadgatheredabouttheVicomtesse。
Themusicoftheorchestravibratedinwaveafterwaveofsoundfromthegoldenceilingofthepalace，nowmadedesolateforitsqueen。
MadamedeBeauseantstoodatthedoorofthefirstsalontoreceivetheguestswhowerestyledherfriends。Shewasdressedinwhite，andworenoornamentintheplaitsofhairbraidedaboutherhead；herfacewascalm；therewasnosignthereofpride，norofpain，norofjoythatshedidnotfeel。Noonecouldreadhersoul；shestoodtherelikesomeNiobecarvedinmarble。Forafewintimatefriendstherewasatingeofsatireinhersmile；butnoscrutinysawanychangeinher，norhadshelookedotherwiseinthedaysofthegloryofherhappiness。ThemostcallousofherguestsadmiredherasyoungRomeapplaudedsomegladiatorwhocoulddiesmiling。Itseemedasifsocietyhadadorneditselfforalastaudienceofoneofitssovereigns。
“Iwasafraidthatyouwouldnotcome。”shesaidtoRastignac。
“Madame。”hesaid，inanunsteadyvoice，takingherspeechasareproach，“Ishallbethelasttogo，thatiswhyIamhere。”
“Good。”shesaid，andshetookhishand。“YouareperhapstheonlyoneIcantrusthereamongallthese。Oh，myfriend，whenyoulove，loveawomanwhomyouaresurethatyoucanlovealways。Neverforsakeawoman。”
ShetookRastignac’sarm，andwenttowardsasofainthecard-
room。
“IwantyoutogototheMarquis。”shesaid。“Jacques，myfootman，willgowithyou；hehasaletterthatyouwilltake。I
amaskingtheMarquistogivemylettersbacktome。Hewillgivethemallup，Iliketothinkthat。Whenyouhavemyletters，gouptomyroomwiththem。Someoneshallbringmeword。”
SherosetogotomeettheDuchessedeLangeais，hermostintimatefriend，whohadcomeliketherestoftheworld。
Rastignacwent。HeaskedfortheMarquisd’AjudaattheHotelRochefide，feelingcertainthatthelatterwouldbespendinghiseveningthere，andsoitproved。TheMarquiswenttohisownhousewithRastignac，andgaveacaskettothestudent，sayingashedidso，“Theyareallthere。”
HeseemedasifhewasabouttosaysomethingtoEugene，toaskabouttheball，ortheVicomtesse；perhapshewasonthebrinkoftheconfessionthat，eventhen，hewasindespair，andknewthathismarriagehadbeenafatalmistake；butaproudgleamshoneinhiseyes，andwithdeplorablecouragehekepthisnoblestfeelingsasecret。
“Donotevenmentionmynametoher，mydearEugene。”HegraspedRastignac’shandsadlyandaffectionately，andturnedawayfromhim。EugenewentbacktotheHotelBeauseant，theservanttookhimtotheVicomtesse’sroom。Thereweresignsthereofpreparationsforajourney。Hesatdownbythefire，fixedhiseyesonthecedarwoodcasket，andfellintodeepmournfulmusings。Mme。deBeauseantloomedlargeintheseimaginings，likeagoddessintheIliad。
“Ah！myfriend！……”saidtheVicomtesse；shecrossedtheroomandlaidherhandonRastignac’sshoulder。Hesawthetearsinhiscousin’supliftedeyes，sawthatonehandwasraisedtotakethecasket，andthatthefingersoftheothertrembled。Suddenlyshetookthecasket，putitinthefire，andwatcheditburn。
“Theyaredancing。”shesaid。“Theyallcameveryearly；butdeathwillbelongincoming。Hush！myfriend。”andshelaidafingeronRastignac’slips，seeingthathewasabouttospeak。“I
shallneverseeParisagain。Iamtakingmyleaveoftheworld。
Atfiveo’clockthismorningIshallsetoutonmyjourney；I
meantoburymyselfintheremotestpartofNormandy。Ihavehadverylittletimetomakemyarrangements；sincethreeo’clockthisafternoonIhavebeenbusysigningdocuments，settingmyaffairsinorder；therewasnoonewhomIcouldsendto……”
Shebrokeoff。
“Hewassuretobe……”
Againshebrokeoff；theweightofhersorrowwasmorethanshecouldbear。Insuchmomentsastheseeverythingisagony，andsomewordsareimpossibletoutter。
“AndsoIcounteduponyoutodomethislastpieceofservicethisevening。”shesaid。“Ishouldliketogiveyousomepledgeoffriendship。Ishalloftenthinkofyou。Youhaveseemedtometobekindandnoble，fresh-heartedandtrue，inthisworldwheresuchqualitiesareseldomfound。Ishouldlikeyoutothinksometimesofme。Stay。”shesaid，glancingabouther，“thereisthisboxthathasheldmygloves。EverytimeIopeneditbeforegoingtoaballortothetheatre，IusedtofeelthatImustbebeautiful，becauseIwassohappy；andInevertoucheditexcepttolaysomegraciousmemoryinit：thereissomuchofmyoldselfinit，ofaMadamedeBeauseantwhonowlivesnolonger。
Willyoutakeit？IwillleavedirectionsthatitistobesenttoyouintheRued’Artois——Mme。deNucingenlookedverycharmingthisevening。Eugene，youmustloveher。Perhapswemayneverseeeachotheragain，myfriend；butbesureofthis，thatIshallprayforyouwhohavebeenkindtome——Now，letusgodownstairs。PeopleshallnotthinkthatIamweeping。Ihavealltimeandeternitybeforeme，andwhereIamgoingIshallbealone，andnoonewillaskmethereasonofmytears。Onelastlookroundfirst。”
Shestoodforamoment。Thenshecoveredhereyeswithherhandsforaninstant，dashedawaythetears，bathedherfacewithcoldwater，andtookthestudent’sarm。
“Letusgo！“shesaid。
Thissuffering，enduredwithsuchnoblefortitude，shookEugenewithamoreviolentemotionthanhehadfeltbefore。Theywentbacktotheballroom，andMme。deBeauseantwentthroughtheroomsonEugene’sarm——thelastdelicatelygraciousactofagraciouswoman。Inanothermomenthesawthesisters，Mme。deRestaudandMme。deNucingen。TheCountessshoneinallthegloryofhermagnificentdiamonds；everystonemusthavescorchedlikefire，shewasnevertowearthemagain。Strongasloveandpridemightbeinher，shefounditdifficulttomeetherhusband’seyes。ThesightofherwasscarcelycalculatedtolightenRastignac’ssadthougths；throughtheblazeofthosediamondsheseemedtoseethewretchedpallet-bedonwhichFatherGoriotwaslying。TheVicomtessemisreadhismelancholy；shewithdrewherhandfromhisarm。
“Come。”shesaid，“Imustnotdepriveyouofapleasure。”
EugenewassoonclaimedbyDelphine。Shewasdelightedbytheimpressionthatshehadmade，andeagertolayatherlover’sfeetthehomageshehadreceivedinthisnewworldinwhichshehopedtoliveandmovehenceforth。
“WhatdoyouthinkofNasie？“sheaskedhim。
“Shehasdiscountedeverything，evenherownfather’sdeath。”
saidRastignac。
Towardsfouro’clockinthemorningtheroomsbegantoempty。A
littlelaterthemusicceased，andtheDuchessedeLangeaisandRastignacwereleftinthegreatballroom。TheVicomtesse，whothoughttofindthestudenttherealone，camebackthereatlast。
ShehadtakenleaveofM。deBeauseant，whohadgoneofftobed，sayingagainashewent，“Itisagreatpity，mydear，toshutyourselfupatyourage！Praystayamongus。”
Mme。deBeauseantsawtheDuchesse，and，inspiteofherself，anexclamationbrokefromher。
“Isawhowitwas，Clara。”saidMme。deLangeais。“Youaregoingfromamongus，andyouwillnevercomeback。Butyoumustnotgountilyouhaveheardme，untilwehaveunderstoodeachother。”
Shetookherfriend’sarm，andtheywenttogetherintothenextroom。TheretheDuchesslookedatherwithtearsinhereyes；sheheldherfriendincloseembraceandkissedhercheek。
“Icouldnotletyougowithoutaword，dearest；theremorsewouldhavebeentoohardtobear。Youcancountuponmeassurelyasuponyourself。Youhaveshownyourselfgreatthisevening；I
feelthatIamworthyofourfriendship，andImeantoprovemyselfworthyofit。Ihavenotalwaysbeenkind；Iwasinthewrong；forgiveme，dearest；IwishIcouldunsayanythingthatmayhavehurtyou；Itakebackthosewords。Onecommonsorrowhasbroughtustogetheragain，forIdonotknowwhichofusisthemoremiserable。M。deMontriveauwasnothereto-night；doyouunderstandwhatthatmeans？——Noneofthosewhosawyouto-night，Clara，willeverforgetyou。Imeantomakeonelasteffort。IfI
fail，Ishallgointoaconvent。Clara，whereareyougoing？“
“IntoNormandy，toCourcelles。IshallloveandpraythereuntilthedaywhenGodshalltakemefromthisworld——M。deRastignac！“calledtheVicomtesse，inatremulousvoice，rememberingthattheyoungmanwaswaitingthere。
Thestudentknelttokisshiscousin’shand。
“Good-bye，Antoinette！“saidMme。deBeauseant。“Mayyoubehappy。”——Sheturnedtothestudent。“Youareyoung。”shesaid；
“youhavesomebeliefsstillleft。Ihavebeenprivileged，likesomedyingpeople，tofindsincereandreverentfeelinginthoseaboutmeasItakemyleaveofthisworld。”
Itwasnearlyfiveo’clockthatmorningwhenRastignaccameaway。
HehadputMme。deBeauseantintohertravelingcarriage，andreceivedherlastfarewells，spokenamidfast-fallingtears；fornogreatnessissogreatthatitcanriseabovethelawsofhumanaffection，orlivebeyondthejurisdictionofpain，ascertaindemagogueswouldhavethepeoplebelieve。EugenereturnedonfoottotheMaisonVauquerthroughthecoldanddarkness。Hiseducationwasnearlycomplete。
“ThereisnohopeforpoorFatherGoriot。”saidBianchon，asRastignaccameintotheroom。Eugenelookedforawhileatthesleepingman，thenheturnedtohisfriend。“Dearfellow，youarecontentwiththemodestcareeryouhavemarkedoutforyourself；
keeptoit。Iaminhell，andImuststaythere。Believeeverythingthatyouhearsaidoftheworld，nothingistooimpossiblybad。NoJuvenalcouldpaintthehorrorshiddenawayunderthecoveringofgemsandgold。”
Attwoo’clockintheafternoonBianchoncametowakeRastignac，andbeggedhimtotakechargeofGoriot，whohadgrownworseasthedayworeon。Themedicalstudentwasobligedtogoout。
“Pooroldman，hehasnottwodaystolive，maybenotmanyhours。”hesaid；“butwemustdoourutmost，allthesame，tofightthedisease。Itwillbeaverytroublesomecase，andweshallwantmoney。Wecannursehimbetweenus，ofcourse，but，formyownpart，Ihavenotapenny。Ihaveturnedouthispockets，andrummagedthroughhisdrawers——result，nix。Iaskedhimaboutitwhilehismindwasclear，andhetoldmehehadnotafarthingofhisown。Whathaveyou？“
“Ihavetwentyfrancsleft。”saidRastignac；“butIwilltakethemtotheroulettetable，Ishallbesuretowin。”
“Andifyoulose？“
“ThenIshallgotohissons-in-lawandhisdaughtersandaskthemformoney。”
“Andsupposetheyrefuse？“Bianchonretorted。“Themostpressingthingjustnowisnotreallymoney；wemustputmustardpoultices，ashotastheycanbemade，onhisfeetandlegs。Ifhecallsout，thereisstillsomehopeforhim。Youknowhowtosetaboutdoingit，andbesides，Christophewillhelpyou。Iamgoingroundtothedispensarytopersuadethemtoletushavethethingswewantoncredit。Itisapitythatwecouldnotmovehimtothehospital；poorfellow，hewouldbebetterthere。Well，comealong，Ileaveyouincharge；youmuststaywithhimtillI
comeback。”
Thetwoyoungmenwentbacktotheroomwheretheoldmanwaslying。EugenewasstartledatthechangeinGoriot’sface，solivid，distorted，andfeeble。
“Howareyou，papa？“hesaid，bendingoverthepallet-bed。GoriotturnedhisdulleyesuponEugene，lookedathimattentively，anddidnotrecognizehim。Itwasmorethanthestudentcouldbear；
thetearscameintohiseyes。
“Bianchon，oughtwetohavethecurtainsputupinthewindows？“
“No，thetemperatureandthelightdonotaffecthimnow。Itwouldbeagoodthingforhimifhefeltheatorcold；butwemusthaveafireinanycasetomaketisanesandheattheotherthings。Iwillsendroundafewsticks；theywilllasttillwecanhaveinsomefirewood。Iburnedallthebarkfuelyouhadleft，aswellashis，poorman，yesterdayandduringthenight。
Theplaceissodampthatthewaterstoodindropsonthewalls；
Icouldhardlygettheroomdry。Christophecameinandsweptthefloor，buttheplaceislikeastable；Ihadtoburnjuniper，thesmellwassomethinghorrible。
“MONDIEU！“saidRastignac。“Tothinkofthosedaughtersofhis。”
“Onemoment，ifheasksforsomethingtodrink，givehimthis。”
saidthehousestudent，pointingtoalargewhitejar。“Ifhebeginstogroan，andthebellyfeelshotandhardtothetouch，youknowwhattodo；getChristophetohelpyou。Ifheshouldhappentogrowmuchexcited，andbegintotalkagooddealandeventorambleinhistalk，donotbealarmed。Itwouldnotbeabadsymptom。ButsendChristophetotheHospiceCochin。Ourdoctor，mychum，orIwillcomeandapplymoxas。Wehadagreatconsultationthismorningwhileyouwereasleep。Asurgeon，apupilofGall’scame，andourhousesurgeon，andtheheadphysicianfromtheHotel-Dieu。Thosegentlemenconsideredthatthesymptomswereveryunusualandinteresting；thecasemustbecarefullywatched，foritthrowsalightonseveralobscureandratherimportantscientificproblems。Oneoftheauthoritiessaysthatifthereismorepressureofserumononeorotherportionofthebrain，itshouldaffecthismentalcapacitiesinsuchandsuchdirections。Soifheshouldtalk，noticeverycarefullywhatkindofideashismindseemstorunon；whethermemory，orpenetration，orthereasoningfacultiesareexercised；whethersentimentsorpracticalquestionsfillhisthoughts；whetherhemakesforecastsordwellsonthepast；infact；youmustbepreparedtogiveanaccuratereportofhim。Itisquitelikelythattheextravasationfillsthewholebrain，inwhichcasehewilldieintheimbecilestateinwhichheislyingnow。Youcannottellanythingaboutthesemysteriousnervousdiseases。
Supposethecrashcamehere。”saidBianchon，touchingthebackofthehead，“verystrangethingshavebeenknowntohappen；thebrainsometimespartiallyrecovers，anddeathisdelayed。Orthecongestedmattermaypassoutofthebrainaltogetherthroughchannelswhichcanonlybedeterminedbyapost-mortemexamination。ThereisanoldmanattheHospitalforIncurables，animbecilepatient，inhiscasetheeffusionhasfollowedthedirectionofthespinalcord；hesuffershorridagonies，buthelives。”
“Didtheyenjoythemselves？“ItwasFatherGoriotwhospoke。HehadrecognizedEugene。
“Oh！hethinksofnothingbuthisdaughters。”saidBianchon。
“Scoresoftimeslastnighthesaidtome，’Theyaredancingnow！
Shehasherdress。’Hecalledthembytheirnames。Hemademecry，thedeviltakeit，callingwiththattoneinhisvoice，for’Delphine！mylittleDelphine！andNasie！’Uponmyword。”saidthemedicalstudent，“itwasenoughtomakeanyoneburstoutcrying。”
“Delphine。”saidtheoldman，“sheisthere，isn’tshe？Iknewshewasthere。”andhiseyessoughtthedoor。
“IamgoingdownnowtotellSylvietogetthepoulticesready。”
saidBianchon。“Theyoughttogoonatonce。”
Rastignacwasleftalonewiththeoldman。Hesatatthefootofthebed，andgazedatthefacebeforehim，sohorriblychangedthatitwasshockingtosee。
“Noblenaturescannotdwellinthisworld。”hesaid；“MmedeBeauseanthasfledfromit，andthereheliesdying。Whatplaceindeedisthereintheshallowpettyfrivolousthingcalledsocietyfornoblethoughtsandfeelings？“
Picturesofyesterday’sballroseupinhismemory，instrangecontrasttothedeathbedbeforehim。Bianchonsuddenlyappeared。
“Isay，Eugene，Ihavejustseenourheadsurgeonatthehospital，andIranallthewaybackhere。Iftheoldmanshowsanysignsofreason，ifhebeginstotalk，coverhimwithamustardpoulticefromthenecktothebaseofthespine，andsendroundforus。”
“DearBianchon。”exclaimedEugene。
“Oh！itisaninterestingcasefromascientificpointofview。”
saidthemedicalstudent，withalltheenthusiasmofaneophyte。
“So！“saidEugene。“AmIreallytheonlyonewhocaresforthepooroldmanforhisownsake？“
“Youwouldnothavesaidsoifyouhadseenmethismorning。”
returnedBianchon，whodidnottakeoffenceatthisspeech。
“Doctorswhohaveseenagooddealofpracticeneverseeanythingbutthedisease，but，mydearfellow，Icanseethepatientstill。”
Hewent。Eugenewasleftalonewiththeoldman，andwithanapprehensionofacrisisthatsetin，infact，beforeverylong。
“Ah！dearboy，isthatyou？“saidFatherGoriot，recognizingEugene。
“Doyoufeelbetter？“askedthelawstudent，takinghishand。
“Yes。Myheadfeltasifitwerebeingscrewedupinavise，butnowitissetfreeagain。Didyouseemygirls？Theywillbeheredirectly；assoonastheyknowthatIamilltheywillhurryhereatonce；theyusedtotakesuchcareofmeintheRuedelaJussienne！GreatHeavens！ifonlymyroomwasfitforthemtocomeinto！Therehasbeenayoungmanhere，whohasburnedupallmybarkfuel。”
“IcanhearChristophecomingupstairs。”Eugeneanswered。“Heisbringingupsomefirewoodthatthatyoungmanhassentyou。”
“Good，buthowamItopayforthewood。Ihavenotapennyleft，dearboy。Ihavegiveneverything，everything。Iamapaupernow。
Well，atleastthegoldengownwasgrand，wasitnot？Ah！whatpainthisis！Thanks，Christophe！Godwillrewardyou，myboy；I
havenothingleftnow。”
EugenewentovertoChristopheandwhisperedintheman’sear，“I
willpayyouwell，andSylvietoo，foryourtrouble。”
“Mydaughterstoldyouthattheywerecoming，didn’tthey，Christophe？Goagaintothem，andIwillgiveyoufivefrancs。
TellthemthatIamnotfeelingwell，thatIshouldliketokissthembothandseethemonceagainbeforeIdie。Tellthemthat，butdon’talarmthemmorethanyoucanhelp。”
RastignacsignedtoChristophetogo，andthemanwent。
“Theywillcomebeforelong。”theoldmanwenton。“Iknowthemsowell。Mytender-heartedDelphine！IfIamgoingtodie，shewillfeelitsomuch！AndsowillNasie。Idonotwanttodie；
theywillcryifIdie；andifIdie，dearEugene，Ishallnotseethemanymore。ItwillbeverydrearytherewhereIamgoing。
Forafatheritishelltobewithoutyourchildren；Ihaveservedmyapprenticeshipalreadysincetheymarried。MyheavenwasintheRuedelaJussienne。Eugene，doyouthinkthatifIgotoheavenIcancomebacktoearth，andbeneartheminspirit？I
haveheardsomesuchthingssaid。Itistrue？ItisasifIcouldseethematthismomentastheyusedtobewhenwealllivedintheRuedelaJussienne。Theyusedtocomedownstairsofamorning。’Good-morning，papa！’theyusedtosay，andIwouldtakethemonmyknees；wehadallsortsoflittlegamesofplaytogether，andtheyhadsuchprettycoaxingways。Wealwayshadbreakfasttogether，too，everymorning，andtheyhaddinnerwithme——infact，Iwasafatherthen。Ienjoyedmychildren。TheydidnotthinkforthemselvessolongastheylivedintheRuedelaJussienne；theyknewnothingoftheworld；theylovedmewithalltheirhearts。MONDIEU！whycouldtheynotalwaysbelittlegirls？Oh！myhead！thisrackingpaininmyhead！Ah！ah！
forgiveme，children，thispainisfearful；itmustbeagonyindeed，foryouhaveusedmetoendurepain。MONDIEU！ifonlyI
heldtheirhandsinmine，Ishouldnotfeelitatall——Doyouthinkthattheyareontheway？Christopheissostupid；Ioughttohavegonemyself。HEwillseethem。Butyouwenttotheballyesterday；justtellmehowtheylooked。TheydidnotknowthatI
wasill，didthey，ortheywouldnothavebeendancing，poorlittlethings？Oh！Imustnotbeillanylonger。Theystandtoomuchinneedofme；theirfortunesareindanger。Andsuchhusbandsastheyareboundto！Imustgetwell！Oh！whatpainthisis！whatpainthisis！……ah！ah！——Imustgetwell，yousee；fortheyMUSThavemoney，andIknowhowtosetaboutmakingsome。IwillgotoOdessaandmanufacturestarchthere。Iamanoldhand，Iwillmakemillions。Oh！thisisagony！“
Goriotwassilentforamoment；itseemedtorequirehiswholestrengthtoendurethepain。
“Iftheywerehere，Ishouldnotcomplain。”hesaid。“SowhyshouldIcomplainnow？“
Heseemedtogrowdrowsywithexhaustion，andlayquietlyforalongtime。Christophecameback；andRastignac，thinkingthatGoriotwasasleep，allowedthemantogivehisstoryaloud。
“Firstofall，sir，IwenttoMadamelaComtesse。”hesaid；“butsheandherhusbandweresobusythatIcouldn’tgettospeaktoher。WhenIinsistedthatImustseeher，M。deRestaudcameouttomehimself，andwentonlikethis：’M。Goriotisdying，ishe？
Verywell，itisthebestthinghecando。IwantMme。deRestaudtotransactsomeimportantbusiness，whenitisallfinishedshecango。’Thegentlemanlookedangry，Ithought。IwasjustgoingawaywhenMme。deRestaudcameoutintoanante-chamberthroughadoorthatIdidnotnotice，andsaid，’Christophe，tellmyfatherthatmyhusbandwantsmetodiscusssomematterswithhim，andI
cannotleavethehouse，thelifeordeathofmychildrenisatstake；butassoonasitisover，Iwillcome。’AsforMadamelaBaronne，thatisanotherstory！Icouldnotspeaktohereither，andIdidnotevenseeher。Herwaiting-womansaid，’Ahyes，butmadameonlycamebackfromaballataquartertofivethismorning；sheisasleepnow，andifIwakeherbeforemid-dayshewillbecross。Assoonassherings，Iwillgoandtellherthatherfatherisworse。Itwillbetimeenoughthentotellherbadnews！’IbeggedandIprayed，but，there！itwasnogood。ThenI
askedforM。leBaron，buthewasout。”
“Tothinkthatneitherofhisdaughtersshouldcome！“exclaimedRastignac。“Iwillwritetothemboth。”
“Neitherofthem！“criedtheoldman，sittinguprightinbed。
“Theyarebusy，theyareasleep，theywillnotcome！Iknewthattheywouldnot。Notuntilyouaredyingdoyouknowyourchildren……Oh！myfriend，donotmarry；donothavechildren！Yougivethemlife；theygiveyouyourdeathblow。Youbringthemintotheworld，andtheysendyououtofit。No，theywillnotcome。Ihaveknownthatthesetenyears。SometimesI
havetoldmyselfso，butIdidnotdaretobelieveit。”
Thetearsgatheredandstoodwithoutoverflowingtheredsockets。
“Ah！ifIwererichstill，ifIhadkeptmymoney，ifIhadnotgivenalltothem，theywouldbewithmenow；theywouldfawnonmeandcovermycheekswiththeirkisses！Ishouldbelivinginagreatmansion；Ishouldhavegrandapartmentsandservantsandafireinmyroom；andTHEYwouldbeaboutmeallintears，andtheirhusbandsandtheirchildren。Ishouldhavehadallthat；
now——Ihavenothing。Moneybringseverythingtoyou；evenyourdaughters。Mymoney。Oh！whereismymoney？IfIhadplentyofmoneytoleavebehindme，theywouldnursemeandtendme；I
shouldheartheirvoices，Ishouldseetheirfaces。Ah，God！whoknows？Theybothofthemhaveheartsofstone。Ilovedthemtoomuch；itwasnotlikelythattheyshouldloveme。Afatheroughtalwaystoberich；heoughttokeephischildrenwellinhand，likeunrulyhorses。Ihavegonedownonmykneestothem。
Wretches！thisisthecrowningactthatbringsthelasttenyearstoaproperclose。Ifyoubutknewhowmuchtheymadeofmejustaftertheyweremarried。Oh！thisiscrueltorture！Ihadjustgiventhemeacheighthundredthousandfrancs；theywereboundtobeciviltomeafterthat，andtheirhusbandstoowerecivil。I
usedtogototheirhouses：itwas’Mykindfather’here，’Mydearfather’there。Therewasalwaysaplaceformeattheirtables。Iusedtodinewiththeirhusbandsnowandthen，andtheywereveryrespectfultome。Iwasstillworthsomething，theythought。Howshouldtheyknow？Ihadnotsaidanythingaboutmyaffairs。Itisworthwhiletobeciviltoamanwhohasgivenhisdaughterseighthundredthousandfrancsapiece；andtheyshowedmeeveryattentionthen——butitwasallformymoney。Grandpeoplearenotgreat。Ifoundthatoutbyexperience！Iwenttothetheatrewiththemintheircarriage；ImightstayaslongasIcaredtostayattheireveningparties。Infact，theyacknowlegedmetheirfather；publiclytheyownedthattheyweremydaughters。ButIwasalwaysashrewdone，yousee，andnothingwaslostuponme。Everythingwentstraighttothemarkandpiercedmyheart。Isawquitewellthatitwasallshamandpretence，butthereisnohelpforsuchthingsasthese。Ifeltlessatmyeaseattheirdinner-tablethanIdiddownstairshere。
Ihadnothingtosayformyself。Sothesegrandfolkswouldaskinmyson-in-law’sear，’Whomaythatgentlemanbe？’——’Thefather-in-lawwiththemoneybags；heisveryrich。’——’Thedevil，eis！’theywouldsay，andlookagainatmewiththerespectduetomymoney。Well，ifIwasinthewaysometimes，Ipaiddearlyformymistakes。Andbesides，whoisperfect？Myheadisonesore！DearMonsieurEugene，Iamsufferingsonow，thatamanmightdieofthepain；butitisnothingtobecomparedwiththepainIenduredwhenAnastasiemademefeel，forthefirsttime，thatIhadsaidsomethingstupid。Shelookedatme，andthatglanceofhersopenedallmyveins。Iusedtowanttoknoweverything，tobelearned；andonethingIdidlearnthoroughly——IknewthatIwasnotwantedhereonearth。
“ThenextdayIwenttoDelphineforcomfort，andwhatshouldI
dotherebutmakesomestupidblunderthatmadeherangrywithme。Iwaslikeonedrivenoutofhissenses。ForaweekIdidnotknowwhattodo；Ididnotdaretogotoseethemforfeartheyshouldreproachme。Andthatwashowtheybothturnedmeoutofthehouse。
“OhGod！ThouknowestallthemiseryandanguishthatIhaveendured；Thouhastcountedallthewoundsthathavebeendealttomeintheseyearsthathaveagedandchangedmeandwhitenedmyhairanddrainedmylife；whydostThoumakemetosuffersoto-
day？HaveInotmorethanexpiatedthesinoflovingthemtoomuch？Theythemselveshavebeentheinstrumentsofvengeance；
theyhavetorturedmeformysinofaffection。
“Ah，well！fathersknownobetter；Ilovedthemso；Iwentbacktothemasagamblergoestothegamingtable。Thislovewasmyvice，yousee，mymistress——theywereeverythingintheworldtome。Theywerealwayswantingsomethingorother，dressesandornaments，andwhatnot；theirmaidsusedtotellmewhattheywanted，andIusedtogivethemthethingsforthesakeofthewelcomethattheyboughtforme。But，atthesametime，theyusedtogivemelittlelecturesonmybehaviorinsociety；theybeganaboutitatonce。Thentheybegantofeelashamedofme。Thatiswhatcomesofhavingyourchildrenwellbroughtup。Icouldnotgotoschoolagainatmytimeoflife。Thispainisfearful！MON
DIEU！Thesedoctors！thesedoctors！Iftheywouldopenmyhead，itwouldgivemesomerelief！Oh，mydaughters，mydaughters！
Anastasie！Delphine！IfIcouldonlyseethem！Sendforthepolice，andmakethemcometome！Justiceisonmyside，thewholeworldisonmyside，Ihavenaturalrights，andthelawwithme。Iprotest！Thecountrywillgotoruinifafather’srightsaretrampledunderfoot。Thatiseasytosee。Thewholeworldturnsonfatherlylove；fatherlyloveisthefoundationofsociety；itwillcrumbleintoruinwhenchildrendonotlovetheirfathers。Oh！ifIcouldonlyseethem，andhearthem，nomatterwhattheysaid；ifIcouldsimplyheartheirvoices，itwouldsoothethepain。Delphine！Delphinemostofall。Buttellthemwhentheycomenottolooksocoldlyatmeastheydo。Oh！
myfriend，mygoodMonsieurEugene，youdonotknowthatitiswhenallthegoldenlightinaglancesuddenlyturnstoaleadengray。Ithasbeenonelongwinterheresincethelightintheireyesshonenomoreforme。Ihavehadnothingbutdisappointmentstodevour。Disappointmenthasbeenmydailybread；Ihavelivedonhumiliationandinsults。Ihaveswalloweddownalltheaffrontsforwhichtheysoldmemypoorstealthylittlemomentsofjoy；forIlovethemso！Thinkofit！afatherhidinghimselftogetaglimpseofhischildren！Ihavegivenallmylifetothem，andto-daytheywillnotgivemeonehour！Iamhungeringandthirstingforthem，myheartisburninginme，buttheywillnotcometobringreliefintheagony，forIamdyingnow，Ifeelthatthisisdeath。Dotheynotknowwhatitmeanstotrampleonafather’scorpse？ThereisaGodinheavenwhoavengesusfatherswhetherwewillorno。
“Oh！theywillcome！Cometome，darlings，andgivemeonemorekiss；onelastkiss，theViaticumforyourfather，whowillprayGodforyouinheaven。IwilltellHimthatyouhavebeengoodchildrentoyourfather，andpleadyourcausewithGod！Afterall，itisnottheirfault。Itellyoutheyareinnocent，myfriend。Telleveryonethatitisnottheirfault，andnooneneedbedistressedonmyaccount。Itisallmyownfault，I
taughtthemtotrampleuponme。Ilovedtohaveitso。Itisnoone’saffairbutmine；man’sjusticeandGod’sjusticehavenothingtodoinit。GodwouldbeunjustifHecondemnedthemforanythingtheymayhavedonetome。Ididnotbehavetothemproperly；Iwasstupidenoughtoresignmyrights。Iwouldhavehumbledmyselfinthedustforthem。Whatcouldyouexpect？Themostbeautifulnature，thenoblestsoul，wouldhavebeenspoiledbysuchindulgence。Iamawretch，Iamjustlypunished。I，andI
only，amtoblameforalltheirsins；Ispoiledthem。To-daytheyareaseagerforpleasureastheyusedtobeforsugar-plums。
WhentheywerelittlegirlsIindulgedthemineverywhim。Theyhadacarriageoftheirownwhentheywerefifteen。Theyhaveneverbeencrossed。Iamguilty，andnotthey——butIsinnedthroughlove。
“Myheartwouldopenatthesoundoftheirvoices。Icanhearthem；theyarecoming。Yes！yes！theyarecoming。Thelawdemandsthattheyshouldbepresentattheirfather’sdeathbed；thelawisonmyside。Itwouldonlycostthemthehireofacab。Iwouldpaythat。Writetothem，tellthemthatIhavemillionstoleavetothem！Onmywordofhonor，yes。IamgoingtomanufactureItalianpastefoodsatOdessa。Iunderstandthetrade。Therearemillionstobemadeinit。Nobodyhasthoughtoftheschemeasyet。Yousee，therewillbenowaste，nodamageintransit，astherealwaysiswithwheatandflour。Hey！hey！andstarchtoo；
therearemillionstobemadeinthestarchtrade！Youwillnotbetellingalie。Millions，tellthem；andeveniftheyreallycomebecausetheycovetthemoney，Iwouldratherletthemdeceiveme；andIshallseetheminanycase。Iwantmychildren！
Igavethemlife；theyaremine，mine！“andhesatupright。Theheadthusraised，withitsscantywhitehair，seemedtoEugenelikeathreat；everylinethatcouldstillspeakspokeofmenace。
“There，there，dearfather。”saidEugene，“liedownagain；Iwillwritetothematonce。AssoonasBianchoncomesbackIwillgoforthemmyself，iftheydonotcomebefore。”
“Iftheydonotcome？“repeatedtheoldman，sobbing。“Why，I
shallbedeadbeforethen；Ishalldieinafitofrage，ofrage！
Angerisgettingthebetterofme。Icanseemywholelifeatthisminute。Ihavebeencheated！Theydonotloveme——theyhaveneverlovedmealltheirlives！Itisallcleartome。Theyhavenotcome，andtheywillnotcome。Thelongertheyputofftheircoming，thelesstheyarelikelytogivemethisjoy。Iknowthem。Theyhavenevercaredtoguessmydisappointments，mysorrows，mywants；theynevercaredtoknowmylife；theywillhavenopresentimentofmydeath；theydonotevenknowthesecretofmytendernessforthem。Yes，Iseeitallnow。Ihavelaidmyheartopensooften，thattheytakeeverythingIdoforthemasamatterofcourse。TheymighthaveaskedmefortheveryeyesoutofmyheadandIwouldhavebiddenthemtopluckthemout。Theythinkthatallfathersareliketheirs。Youshouldalwaysmakeyourvaluefelt。Theirownchildrenwillavengeme。
Why，fortheirownsakestheyshouldcometome！Makethemunderstandthattheyarelayingupretributionfortheirowndeathbeds。Allcrimesaresummedupinthisone……Gotothem；justtellthemthatiftheystayawayitwillbeparricide！
Thereisenoughlaidtotheirchargealreadywithoutaddingthattothelist。CryaloudasIdonow，’Nasie！Delphine！here！Cometoyourfather；thefatherwhohasbeensokindtoyouislyingill！’——Notasound；noonecomes！ThenamIdodielikeadog？
Thisistobemyreward——Iamforsakenatthelast。Theyarewicked，heartlesswomen；cursesonthem，Iloathethem。Ishallriseatnightfrommygravetocursethemagain；for，afterall，myfriends，haveIdonewrong？Theyarebehavingverybadlytome，eh？……WhatamIsaying？DidyounottellmejustnowthatDelphineisintheroom？Sheismoretender-heartedthanhersister……Eugene，youaremyson，youknow。Youwillloveher；beafathertoher！Hersisterisveryunhappy。Andtherearetheirfortunes！Ah，God！Iamdying，thisanguishisalmostmorethanIcanbear！Cutoffmyhead；leavemenothingbutmyheart。”
“Christophe！“shoutedEugene，alarmedbythewayinwhichtheoldmanmoaned，andbyhiscries，“goforM。Bianchon，andsendacabhereforme——Iamgoingtofetchthem，dearfather；Iwillbringthembacktoyou。”
“Makethemcome！Compelthemtocome！CallouttheGuard，themilitary，anythingandeverything，butmakethemcome！“HelookedatEugene，andalastgleamofintelligenceshoneinhiseyes。
“Gototheauthorities，tothePublicProsecutor，letthembringthemhere；cometheyshall！“
“Butyouhavecursedthem。”
“Whosaidthat！“saidtheoldmanindullamazement。“YouknowquitewellthatIlovethem，Iadorethem！IshallbequitewellagainifIcanseethem……Goforthem，mygoodneighbor，mydearboy，youarekind-hearted；IwishIcouldrepayyouforyourkindness，butIhavenothingtogiveyounow，savetheblessingofadyingman。Ah！ifIcouldonlyseeDelphine，totellhertopaymydebttoyou。Iftheothercannotcome，bringDelphinetomeatanyrate。Tellherthatunlessshecomes，youwillnotloveheranymore。Sheissofondofyouthatshewillcometomethen。Givemesomethingtodrink！Thereisafireinmybowels。
Presssomethingagainstmyforehead！Ifmydaughterswouldlaytheirhandsthere，IthinkIshouldgetbetter……MONDIEU！
whowillrecovertheirmoneyforthemwhenIamgone？……I
willmanufacturevermicellioutinOdessa；IwillgotoOdessafortheirsakes。”
“Hereissomethingtodrink。”saidEugene，supportingthedyingmanonhisleftarm，whileheheldacupoftisanetoGoriot’slips。
“Howyoumustloveyourownfatherandmother！“saidtheoldman，andgraspedthestudent’shandinbothofhis。Itwasafeeble，tremblinggrasp。“Iamgoingtodie；Ishalldiewithoutseeingmydaughters；doyouunderstand？Tobealwaysthirsting，andnevertodrink；thathasbeenmylifeforthelasttenyears……
Ihavenodaughters，mysons-in-lawkilledthem。No，sincetheirmarriagestheyhavebeendeadtome。FathersshouldpetitiontheChamberstopassalawagainstmarriage。Ifyouloveyourdaughters，donotletthemmarry。Ason-in-lawisarascalwhopoisonsagirl’smindandcontaminatesherwholenature。Letushavenomoremarriages！Itrobsusofourdaughters；weareleftaloneuponourdeathbeds，andtheyarenotwithusthen。
Theyoughttopassalawfordyingfathers。Thisisawful！Itcriesforvengeance！Theycannotcome，becausemysons-in-lawforbidthem！……Killthem！……RestaudandtheAlsatian，killthemboth！Theyhavemurderedmebetweenthem！……Deathormydaughters！……Ah！itistoolate，Iamdying，andtheyarenothere！……Dyingwithoutthem！……Nasie！Fifine！Whydoyounotcometome？Yourpapaisgoing——“
“DearFatherGoriot，calmyourself。There，there，liequietlyandrest；don’tworryyourself，don’tthink。”
“Ishallnotseethem。Oh！theagonyofit！“
“YouSHALLseethem。”
“Really？“criedtheoldman，stillwandering。“Oh！shallIseethem；Ishallseethemandheartheirvoices。Ishalldiehappy。
Ah！well，afterall，Idonotwishtolive；Icannotstandthismuchlonger；thispainthatgrowsworseandworse。But，oh！toseethem，totouchtheirdresses——ah！nothingbuttheirdresses，thatisverylittle；still，tofeelsomethingthatbelongstothem。Letmetouchtheirhairwithmyfingers……theirhair……”
Hisheadfellbackonthepillow，asifasuddenheavyblowhadstruckhimdown，buthishandsgropedfeeblyoverthequilt，asiftofindhisdaughters’hair。
“Myblessingonthem……”hesaid，makinganeffort，“myblessing……”
Hisvoicediedaway。JustatthatmomentBianchoncameintotheroom。
“ImetChristophe。”hesaid；“heisgoneforyourcab。”
Thenhelookedatthepatient，andraisedtheclosedeyelidswithhisfingers。Thetwostudentssawhowdeadandlustrelesstheeyesbeneathhadgrown。
“Hewillnotgetoverthis，Iamsure。”saidBianchon。Hefelttheoldman’spulse，andlaidahandoverhisheart。
“Themachineryworksstill；moreisthepity，inhisstateitwouldbebetterforhimtodie。”
“Ah！myword，itwould！“
“Whatisthematterwithyou？Youareaspaleasdeath。”
“Dearfellow，themoansandcriesthatIhavejustheard……
ThereisaGod！Ah！yes，yes，thereisaGod，andHehasmadeabetterworldforus，orthisworldofourswouldbeanightmare。
Icouldhavecriedlikeachild；butthisistootragical，andI
amsickatheart。
“Wewantalotofthings，youknow；andwhereisthemoneytocomefrom？“
Rastignactookouthiswatch。
“There，bequickandpawnit。IdonotwanttostoponthewaytotheRueduHelder；thereisnotamomenttolose，Iamafraid，andImustwaitheretillChristophecomesback。Ihavenotafarthing；IshallhavetopaythecabmanwhenIgethomeagain。”
Rastignacrusheddownthestairs，anddroveofftotheRueduHelder。Theawfulscenethroughwhichhehadjustpassedquickenedhisimagination，andhegrewfiercelyindignant。HereachedMme。deRestaud’shouseonlytobetoldbytheservantthathismistresscouldseenoone。
“ButIhavebroughtamessagefromherfather，whoisdying。”
Rastignactoldtheman。
“TheCounthasgivenusthestrictestorders，sir——“
“IfitisM。deRestaudwhohasgiventheorders，tellhimthathisfather-in-lawisdying，andthatIamhere，andmustspeakwithhimatonce。”
Themanwentout。
Eugenewaitedforalongwhile。“Perhapsherfatherisdyingatthismoment。”hethought。
Thenthemancameback，andEugenefollowedhimtothelittledrawing-room。M。deRestaudwasstandingbeforethefirelessgrate，anddidnotaskhisvisitortoseathimself。
“MonsieurleComte。”saidRastignac，“M。Goriot，yourfather-in-
law，islyingatthepointofdeathinasqualiddenintheLatinQuarter。Hehasnotapennytopayforfirewood；heisexpectedtodieatanymoment，andkeepscallingforhisdaughter——“
“IfeelverylittleaffectionforM。Goriot，sir，asyouprobablyareaware。”theCountansweredcoolly。“HischaracterhasbeencompromisedinconnectionwithMme。deRestaud；heistheauthorofthemisfortunesthathaveembitteredmylifeandtroubledmypeaceofmind。Itisamatterofperfectindifferencetomeifhelivesordies。Nowyouknowmyfeelingswithregardtohim。
Publicopinionmayblameme，butIcarenothingforpublicopinion。JustnowIhaveotherandmuchmoreimportantmatterstothinkaboutthanthethingsthatfoolsandchatterersmaysayaboutme。AsforMme。deRestaud，shecannotleavethehouse；sheisinnoconditiontodoso。And，besides，Ishallnotallowhertoleaveit。Tellherfatherthatassoonasshehasdoneherdutybyherhusbandandchildsheshallgotoseehim。Ifshehasanyloveforherfather，shecanbefreetogotohim，ifshechooses，inafewseconds；itliesentirelywithher——“
“MonsieurleComte，itisnobusinessofminetocriticiseyourconduct；youcandoasyoupleasewithyourwife，butmayIcountuponyourkeepingyourwordwithme？Well，then，promisemetotellherthatherfatherhasnottwenty-fourhourstolive；thathelooksinvainforher，andhascursedheralreadyasheliesonhisdeathbed，——thatisallIask。”
“Youcantellheryourself。”theCountanswered，impressedbythethrillofindignationinEugene’svoice。
TheCountledthewaytotheroomwherehiswifeusuallysat。Shewasdrownedintears，andlaycrouchinginthedepthsofanarmchair，asifsheweretiredoflifeandlongedtodie。Itwaspiteoustoseeher。BeforeventuringtolookatRastignac，sheglancedatherhusbandinevidentandabjectterrorthatspokeofcompleteprostrationofbodyandmind；sheseemedcrushedbyatyrannybothmentalandphysical。TheCountjerkedhisheadtowardsher；sheconstruedthisasapermissiontospeak。
“Iheardallthatyousaid，monsieur。Tellmyfatherthatifheknewallhewouldforgiveme……Ididnotthinktherewassuchtortureintheworldasthis；itismorethanIcanendure，monsieur！——ButIwillnotgivewayaslongasIlive。”shesaid，turningtoherhusband。“Iamamother——TellmyfatherthatI
haveneversinnedagainsthiminspiteofappearances！“shecriedaloudinherdespair。
Eugenebowedtothehusbandandwife；heguessedthemeaningofthescene，andthatthiswasaterriblecrisisintheCountess’
life。M。deRestaud’smannerhadtoldhimthathiserrandwasafruitlessone；hesawthatAnastasiehadnolongeranylibertyofaction。Hecameawaymazedandbewildered，andhurriedtoMme。deNucingen。Delphinewasinbed。
“PoordearEugene，Iamill。”shesaid。“Icaughtcoldaftertheball，andIamafraidofpneumonia。Iamwaitingforthedoctortocome。”
“Ifyouwereatdeath’sdoor。”Eugenebrokein，“youmustbecarriedsomehowtoyourfather。Heiscallingforyou。Ifyoucouldhearthefaintestofthosecries，youwouldnotfeelillanylonger。”
“Eugene，Idaresaymyfatherisnotquitesoillasyousay；butIcannotbeartodoanythingthatyoudonotapprove，soIwilldojustasyouwish。AsforHIM，hewoulddieofgriefIknowifIwentouttoseehimandbroughtonadangerousillness。Well，I
willgoassoonasIhaveseenthedoctor——Ah！“shecriedout，“youarenotwearingyourwatch，howisthat？“
Eugenereddened。
“Eugene，Eugene！ifyouhavesolditalreadyorlostit……
Oh！itwouldbeverywrongofyou！“
ThestudentbentoverDelphineandsaidinherear，“Doyouwanttoknow？Verywell，then，youshallknow。Yourfatherhasnothinglefttopayfortheshroudthattheywilllayhiminthisevening。Yourwatchhasbeenpawned，forIhadnothingeither。”
Delphinesprangoutofbed，rantoherdesk，andtookoutherpurse。ShegaveittoEugene，andrangthebell，crying：
“Iwillgo，Iwillgoatonce，Eugene。Leaveme，Iwilldress。
Why，Ishouldbeanunnaturaldaughter！Goback；Iwillbetherebeforeyou——Therese。”shecalledtothewaiting-woman，“askM。
deNucingentocomeupstairsatonceandspeaktome。”
EugenewasalmosthappywhenhereachedtheRueNueve-Sainte-
Genevieve；hewassogladtobringthenewstothedyingmanthatoneofhisdaughterswascoming。HefumbledinDelphine’spurseformoney，soastodismissthecabatonce；anddiscoveredthattheyoung，beautiful，andwealthywomanoffashionhadonlyseventyfrancsinherprivatepurse。HeclimbedthestairsandfoundBianchonsupportingGoriot，whilethehousesurgeonfromthehospitalwasapplyingmoxastothepatient’sback——underthedirectionofthephysician，itwasthelastexpedientofscience，anditwastriedinvain。
“Canyoufeelthem？“askedthephysician。ButGoriothadcaughtsightofRastignac，andanswered，“Theyarecoming，aretheynot？“
“Thereishopeyet。”saidthesurgeon；“hecanspeak。”
“Yes。”saidEugene，“Delphineiscoming。”
“Oh！thatisnothing！“saidBianchon；“hehasbeentalkingabouthisdaughtersallthetime。Hecallsforthemasamanimpaledcallsforwater，theysay——“
“Wemayaswellgiveup。”saidthephysician，addressingthesurgeon。“Nothingmorecanbedonenow；thecaseishopeless。”
Bianchonandthehousesurgeonstretchedthedyingmanoutagainonhisloathsomebed。
“Butthesheetsoughttobechanged。”addedthephysician。“Evenifthereisnohopeleft，somethingisduetohumannature。I
shallcomebackagain，Bianchon。”hesaid，turningtothemedicalstudent。“Ifhecomplainsagain，rubsomelaudanumoverthediaphragm。”
Hewent，andthehousesurgeonwentwithhim。
“Come，Eugene，pluckupheart，myboy。”saidBianchon，assoonastheywerealone；“wemustsetaboutchanginghissheets，andputhimintoacleanshirt。GoandtellSylvietobringsomesheetsandcomeandhelpustomakethebed。”
Eugenewentdownstairs，andfoundMme。Vauquerengagedinsettingthetable；Sylviewashelpingher。Eugenehadscarcelyopenedhismouthbeforethewidowwalkeduptohimwiththeaciduloussweetsmileofacautiousshopkeeperwhoisanxiousneithertolosemoneynortooffendacustomer。
“MydearMonsieurEugene。”shesaid，whenhehadspoken，“youknowquiteaswellasIdothatFatherGoriothasnotabrassfarthingleft。Ifyougiveoutcleanlinenforamanwhoisjustgoingtoturnuphiseyes，youarenotlikelytoseeyoursheetsagain，foroneissuretobewantedtowraphimin。Now，youowemeahundredandforty-fourfrancsasitis，addfortyfrancsforthepairofsheets，andthenthereareseverallittlethings，besidesthecandlethatSylviewillgiveyou；altogetheritwillallmountuptoatleasttwohundredfrancs，whichismorethanapoorwidowlikemecanaffordtolose。Lord！now，MonsieurEugene，lookatitfairly。Ihavelostquiteenoughinthesefivedayssincethisrunofill-lucksetinforme。Iwouldratherthantencrownsthattheoldgentlemenhadmovedoutasyousaid。
Itsetstheotherlodgersagainstthehouse。Itwouldnottakemuchtomakemesendhimtotheworkhouse。Inshort，justputyourselfinmyplace。Ihavetothinkofmyestablishmentfirst，forIhavemyownlivingtomake。”
EugenehurrieduptoGoriot’sroom。
“Bianchon。”hecried，“themoneyorthewatch？“
“Thereitisonthetable，orthethreehundredandsixtyoddfrancsthatareleftofit。Ipaidupalltheoldscoresoutofitbeforetheyletmehavethethings。Thepawnticketliesthereunderthemoney。”
Rastignachurrieddownstairs。
“Here，madame“hesaidindisgust，“letussquareaccounts。M。
Goriotwillnotstaymuchlongerinyourhouse，norshallI——“
“Yes，hewillgooutfeetforemost，pooroldgentleman。”shesaid，countingthefrancswithahalf-facetious，half-lugubriousexpression。
“Letusgetthisover。”saidRastignac。
“Sylvie，lookoutsomesheets，andgoupstairstohelpthegentlemen。”
“Youwon’tforgetSylvie。”saidMme。VauquerinEugene’sear；
“shehasbeensittingupthesetwonights。”
AssoonasEugene’sbackwasturned，theoldwomanhurriedafterherhandmaid。
“Takethesheetsthathavehadthesidesturnedintothemiddle，number7。Lord！theyareplentygoodenoughforacorpse。”shesaidinSylvie’sear。
Eugene，bythistime，waspartofthewayupstairs，anddidnotoverheartheelderlyeconomist。
“Quick。”saidBianchon，“letuschangehisshirt。Holdhimupright。”
Eugenewenttotheheadofthebedandsupportedthedyingman，whileBianchondrewoffhisshirt；andthenGoriotmadeamovementasifhetriedtoclutchsomethingtohisbreast，utteringalowinarticulatemoaningthewhile，likesomedumbanimalinmortalpain。
“Ah！yes！“criedBianchon。“Itisthelittlelocketandthechainmadeofhairthathewants；wetookitoffawhileagowhenweputtheblistersonhim。Poorfellow！hemusthaveitagain。
Thereitliesonthechimney-piece。”
Eugenewenttothechimney-pieceandfoundthelittleplaitoffadedgoldenhair——Mme。Goriot’shair，nodoubt。Hereadthenameonthelittleroundlocket，ANASTASIEontheoneside，DELPHINE
ontheother。Itwasthesymbolofhisownheartthatthefatheralwaysworeonhisbreast。Thecurlsofhairinsidethelocketweresofineandsoftthatiswasplaintheyhadbeentakenfromtwochildishheads。Whentheoldmanfeltthelocketoncemore，hischestheavedwithalongdeepsighofsatisfaction，likeagroan。Itwassomethingterribletosee，foritseemedasifthelastquiverofthenerveswerelaidbaretotheireyes，thelastcommunicationofsensetothemysteriouspointwithinwhenceoursympathiescomeandwhithertheygo。Adeliriousjoylightedupthedistortedface。Theterrificandvividforceofthefeelingthathadsurvivedthepowerofthoughtmadesuchanimpressiononthestudents，thatthedyingmanfelttheirhottearsfallingonhim，andgaveashrillcryofdelight。
“Nasie！Fifine！“
“Thereislifeinhimyet。”saidBianchon。
“Whatdoeshegoonlivingfor？“saidSylvie。
“Tosuffer。”answeredRastignac。
Bianchonmadeasigntohisfriendtofollowhisexample，kneltdownandpressedhisarmsunderthesickman，andRastignacontheothersidedidthesame，sothatSylvie，standinginreadiness，mightdrawthesheetfrombeneathandreplaceitwiththeonethatshehadbrought。Thosetears，nodoubt，hadmisledGoriot；forhegatheredupallhisremainingstrengthinalasteffort，stretchedouthishands，gropedforthestudents’heads，andashisfingerscaughtconvulsivelyattheirhair，theyheardafaintwhisper：
“Ah！myangels！“
Twowords，twoinarticulatemurmurs，shapedintowordsbythesoulwhichfledforthwiththemastheylefthislips。
“Poordear！“criedSylvie，meltedbythatexclamation；theexpressionofthegreatloveraisedforthelasttimetoasublimeheightbythatmostghastlyandinvoluntaryoflies。
Thefather’slastbreathmusthavebeenasighofjoy，andinthatsighhiswholelifewassummedup；hewascheatedevenatthelast。TheylaidFatherGoriotuponhiswretchedbedwithreverenthands。Thenceforwardtherewasnoexpressiononhisface，onlythepainfultracesofthestrugglebetweenlifeanddeaththatwasgoingoninthemachine；forthatkindofcerebralconsciousnessthatdistinguishesbetweenpleasureandpaininahumanbeingwasextinguished；itwasonlyaquestionoftime——andthemechanismitselfwouldbedestroyed。
“Hewilllielikethisforseveralhours，anddiesoquietlyatlast，thatweshallnotknowwhenhegoes；therewillbenorattleinthethroat。Thebrainmustbecompletelysuffused。”
Ashespoketherewasafootsteponthestaircase，andayoungwomanhastenedup，pantingforbreath。
“Shehascometoolate。”saidRastignac。
ButitwasnotDelphine；itwasTherese，herwaiting-woman，whostoodinthedoorway。
“MonsieurEugene。”shesaid，“monsieurandmadamehavehadaterriblesceneaboutsomemoneythatMadamepoorthing！wantedforherfather。Shefainted，andthedoctorcame，andshehadtobebled，callingoutallthewhile，’Myfatherisdying；Iwanttoseepapa！’Itwasheartbreakingtohearher——“
“Thatwilldo，Therese。Ifshecamenow，itwouldbetroublethrownaway。M。Goriotcannotrecognizeanyonenow。”
“Poor，deargentleman，isheasbadatthat？“saidTherese。
“Youdon’twantmenow，Imustgoandlookaftermydinner；itishalf-pastfour。”remarkedSylvie。ThenextinstantsheallbutcollidedwithMme。deRestaudonthelandingoutside。
TherewassomethingawfulandappallinginthesuddenapparitionoftheCountess。Shesawthebedofdeathbythedimlightofthesinglecandle，andhertearsflowedatthesightofherfather’spassivefeatures，fromwhichthelifehadalmostebbed。Bianchonwiththoughtfultactlefttheroom。
“Icouldnotescapesoonenough。”shesaidtoRastignac。
Thestudentbowedsadlyinreply。Mme。deRestaudtookherfather’shandandkissedit。
“Forgiveme，father！Youusedtosaythatmyvoicewouldcallyoubackfromthegrave；ah！comebackforonemomenttoblessyourpenitentdaughter。Doyouhearme？Oh！thisisfearful！Nooneonearthwilleverblessmehenceforth；everyonehatesme；noonelovesmebutyouinalltheworld。Myownchildrenwillhateme。
Takemewithyou，father；Iwillloveyou，Iwilltakecareofyou。Hedoesnothearme……Iammad……”
Shefellonherknees，andgazedwildlyatthehumanwreckbeforeher。
“Mycupofmiseryisfull。”shesaid，turninghereyesuponEugene。“M。deTrailleshasfled，leavingenormousdebtsbehindhim，andIhavefoundoutthathewasdeceivingme。Myhusbandwillneverforgiveme，andIhaveleftmyfortuneinhishands。I
havelostallmyillusions。Alas！Ihaveforsakentheoneheartthatlovedmeshepointedtoherfatherasshespoke，andforwhom？Ihaveheldhiskindnesscheap，andslightedhisaffection；
manyandmanyatimeIhavegivenhimpain，ungratefulwretchthatIam！“
“Heknewit。”saidRastignac。
JustthenGoriot’seyelidsunclosed；itwasonlyamuscularcontraction，buttheCountess’suddenstartofrevivinghopewasnolessdreadfulthanthedyingeyes。
“Isitpossiblethathecanhearme？“criedtheCountess。“No。”
sheansweredherself，andsatdownbesidethebed。AsMme。deRestaudseemedtowishtositbyherfather，Eugenewentdowntotakealittlefood。Theboarderswerealreadyassembled。
“Well。”remarkedthepainter，ashejoinedthem，“itseemsthatthereistobeadeath-oramaupstairs。”
“Charles，Ithinkyoumightfindsomethinglesspainfultojokeabout。”saidEugene。
“Sowemaynotlaughhere？“returnedthepainter。“Whatharmdoesitdo？Bianchonsaidthattheoldmanwasquiteinsensible。”
“Well，then。”saidtheemployefromtheMuseum，“hewilldieashehaslived。”
“Myfatherisdead！“shriekedtheCountess。
TheterriblecrybroughtSylvie，Rastignac，andBianchon；Mme。deRestaudhadfaintedaway。Whensherecoveredtheycarriedherdownstairs，andputherintothecabthatstoodwaitingatthedoor。EugenesentTheresewithher，andbadethemaidtaketheCountesstoMme。deNucingen。
Bianchoncamedowntothem。
“Yes，heisdead。”hesaid。
“Come，sitdowntodinner，gentlemen。”saidMme。Vauquer，“orthesoupwillbecold。”
Thetwostudentssatdowntogether。
“Whatisthenextthingtobedone？“EugeneaskedofBianchon。
“Ihaveclosedhiseyesandcomposedhislimbs。”saidBianchon。
“WhenthecertificatehasbeenofficiallyregisteredattheMayor’soffice，wewillsewhiminhiswindingsheetandburyhimsomewhere。Whatdoyouthinkweoughttodo？“
“Hewillnotsmellathisbreadlikethisanymore。”saidthepainter，mimickingtheoldman’slittletrick。
“Oh，hangitall！“criedthetutor，“letFatherGoriotdrop，andletushavesomethingelseforachange。Heisastandingdish，andwehavehadhimwitheverysaucethishourormore。ItisoneoftheprivilegesofthegoodcityofParisthatanybodymaybeborn，orlive，ordietherewithoutattractinganyattentionwhatsoever。Letusprofitbytheadvantagesofcivilization。
Therearefiftyorsixtydeathseveryday；ifyouhaveamindtodoit，youcansitdownatanytimeandwailoverwholehecatombsofdeadinParis。FatherGoriothasgoneoffthehooks，hashe？
Somuchthebetterforhim。Ifyouveneratehismemory，keepittoyourselves，andlettherestofusfeedinpeace。”
“Oh，tobesure。”saidthewidow，“itisallthebetterforhimthatheisdead。Itlooksasthoughhehadhadtroubleenough，poorsoul，whilehewasalive。”
AndthiswasallthefuneralorationdeliveredoverhimwhohadbeenforEugenethetypeandembodimentofFatherhood。
Thefifteenlodgersbegantotalkasusual。WhenBianchonandEugenehadsatisfiedtheirhunger，therattleofspoonsandforks，theboisterousconversation，theexpressionsonthefacesthatbespokevariousdegreesofwantoffeeling，gluttony，orindifference，everythingaboutthemmadethemshiverwithloathing。Theywentouttofindapriesttowatchthatnightwiththedead。Itwasnecessarytomeasuretheirlastpiouscaresbythescantysumofmoneythatremained。Beforenineo’clockthateveningthebodywaslaidoutonthebaresackingofthebedsteadinthedesolateroom；alightedcandlestoodoneitherside，andthepriestwatchedatthefoot。Rastignacmadeinquiriesofthislatterastotheexpensesofthefuneral，andwrotetotheBarondeNucingenandtheComtedeRestaud，entreatingbothgentlementoauthorizetheirmanofbusinesstodefraythechargesoflayingtheirfather-in-lawinthegrave。HesentChristophewiththeletters；thenhewenttobed，tiredout，andslept。
NextdayBianchonandRastignacwereobligedtotakethecertificatetotheregistrarthemselves，andbytwelveo’clocktheformalitieswerecompleted。Twohourswentby，nowordcamefromtheCountnorfromtheBaron；nobodyappearedtoactforthem，andRastignachadalreadybeenobligedtopaythepriest。
Sylvieaskedtenfrancsforsewingtheoldmaninhiswinding-
sheetandmakinghimreadyforthegrave，andEugeneandBianchoncalculatedthattheyhadscarcelysufficienttopayforthefuneral，ifnothingwasforthcomingfromthedeadman’sfamily。
Soitwasthemedicalstudentwholaidhiminapauper’scoffin，despatchedfromBianchon’shospital，whenceheobtaineditatacheaperrate。
“Letusplaythosewretchesatrick。”saidhe。“Gotothecemetery，buyagraveforfiveyearsatPere-Lachaise，andarrangewiththeChurchandtheundertakertohaveathird-classfuneral。Ifthedaughtersandtheirhusbandsdeclinetorepayyou，youcancarvethisontheheadstone——’HERELIESM。GORIOT，FATHEROFTHECOMTESSEDERESTAUDANDTHEBARONNEDENUCINGEN，INTERREDATTHEEXPENSEOFTWOSTUDENTS。’“
Eugenetookpartofhisfriend’sadvice，butonlyafterhehadgoneinpersonfirsttoM。andMme。deNucingen，andthentoM。
andMme。deRestaud——afruitlesserrand。Hewentnofurtherthanthedoorstepineitherhouse。Theservantshadreceivedstrictorderstoadmitnoone。
“MonsieurandMadamecanseenovisitors。Theyhavejustlosttheirfather，andareindeepgriefovertheirloss。”
Eugene’sParisianexperiencetoldhimthatitwasidletopressthepoint。SomethingclutchedstrangelyathisheartwhenhesawthatitwasimpossibletoreachDelphine。
“Sellsomeofyourornaments。”hewrotehastilyintheporter’sroom，“sothatyourfathermaybedecentlylaidinhislastresting-place。”
Hesealedthenote，andbeggedtheportertogiveittoThereseforhermistress；butthemantookittotheBarondeNucingen，whoflungthenoteintothefire。Eugene，havingfinishedhiserrands，returnedtothelodging-houseaboutthreeo’clock。Inspiteofhimself，thetearscameintohiseyes。Thecoffin，initsscantycoveringofblackcloth，wasstandingthereonthepavementbeforethegate，ontwochairs。Awitheredsprigofhyssopwassoakingintheholywaterbowlofsilver-platedcopper；therewasnotasoulinthestreet，notapasser-byhadstoppedtosprinklethecoffin；therewasnotevenanattemptatablackdraperyoverthewicket。Itwasapauperwholaythere；
noonemadeapretenceofmourningforhim；hehadneitherfriendsnorkindred——therewasnoonetofollowhimtothegrave。
Bianchon’sdutiescompelledhimtobeatthehospital，buthehadleftafewlinesforEugene，tellinghisfriendaboutthearrangementshehadmadefortheburialservice。Thehousestudent’snotetoldRastignacthatamasswasbeyondtheirmeans，thattheordinaryofficeforthedeadwascheaper，andmustsuffice，andthathehadsentwordtotheundertakerbyChristophe。EugenehadscarcelyfinishedreadingBianchon’sscrawl，whenhelookedupandsawthelittlecirculargoldlocketthatcontainedthehairofGoriot’stwodaughtersinMme。
Vauquer’shands。
“Howdaredyoutakeit？“heasked。
“GoodLord！isthattobeburiedalongwithhim？“retortedSylvie。“Itisgold。”
“Ofcourseitshall！“Eugeneansweredindignantly；“heshallatanyratetakeonethingthatmayrepresenthisdaughtersintothegravewithhim。”
Whenthehearsecame，Eugenehadthecoffincarriedintothehouseagain，unscrewedthelid，andreverentlylaidontheoldman’sbreastthetokenthatrecalledthedayswhenDelphineandAnastasiewereinnocentlittlemaidens，beforetheybegan“tothinkforthemselves。”ashehadmoanedoutinhisagony。
RastignacandChristopheandthetwoundertaker’smenweretheonlyfollowersofthefuneral。TheChurchofSaint-EtienneduMontwasonlyalittledistancefromtheRueNueve-Sainte-
Genevieve。Whenthecoffinhadbeendepositedinalow，dark，littlechapel，thelawstudentlookedroundinvainforGoriot’stwodaughtersortheirhusbands。Christophewashisonlyfellow-
mourner；Christophe，whoappearedtothinkitwashisdutytoattendthefuneralofthemanwhohadputhiminthewayofsuchhandsometips。Astheywaitedthereinthechapelforthetwopriests，thechorister，andthebeadle，RastignacgraspedChristophe’shand。Hecouldnotutterawordjustthen。
“Yes，MonsieurEugene。”saidChristophe，“hewasagoodandworthyman，whoneversaidonewordlouderthananother；heneverdidanyoneanyharm，andgavenobodyanytrouble。”
Thetwopriests，thechorister，andthebeadlecame，andsaidanddidasmuchascouldbeexpectedforseventyfrancsinanagewhenreligioncannotaffordtosayprayersfornothing。
Theecclesiaticschantedapsalm，theLiberanosandtheDeprofundis。Thewholeservicelastedabouttwentyminutes。Therewasbutonemourningcoach，whichthepriestandchoristeragreedtosharewithEugeneandChristophe。
“Thereisnooneelsetofollowus。”remarkedthepriest，“sowemayaswellgoquickly，andsosavetime；itishalf-pastfive。”
Butjustasthecoffinwasputinthehearse，twoemptycarriages，withthearmorialbearingsoftheComtedeRestaudandtheBarondeNucingen，arrivedandfollowedintheprocessiontoPere-Lachaise。Atsixo’clockGoriot’scoffinwasloweredintothegrave，hisdaughters’servantsstandingroundthewhile。Theecclesiasticrecitedtheshortprayerthatthestudentscouldaffordtopayfor，andthenbothpriestandlackeysdisappearedatonce。Thetwogravediggersflunginseveralspadefulsofearth，andthenstoppedandaskedRastignacfortheirfee。Eugenefeltinvaininhispocket，andwasobligedtoborrowfivefrancsofChristophe。Thisthing，sotriflinginitself，gaveRastignacaterriblepangofdistress。Itwasgrowingdusk，thedamptwilightfrettedhisnerves；hegazeddownintothegraveandthetearsheshedweredrawnfromhimbythesacredemotion，asingle-heartedsorrow。Whensuchtearsfallonearth，theirradiancereachesheaven。AndwiththattearthatfellonFatherGoriot’sgrave，EugeneRastignac’syouthended。Hefoldedhisarmsandgazedatthecloudedsky；andChristophe，afteraglanceathim，turnedandwent——Rastignacwasleftalone。
Hewentafewpacesfurther，tothehighestpointofthecemetery，andlookedoutoverParisandthewindingsoftheSeine；thelampswerebeginningtoshineoneithersideoftheriver。HiseyesturnedalmosteagerlytothespacebetweenthecolumnofthePlaceVendomeandthecupolaoftheInvalides；
therelaytheshiningworldthathehadwishedtoreach。Heglancedoverthathumminghive，seemingtodrawaforetasteofitshoney，andsaidmagniloquently：
“Henceforththereiswarbetweenus。”
AndbywayofthrowingdowntheglovetoSociety，RastignacwenttodinewithMme。deNucingen。
ADDENDUM
ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy。
Ajuda-Pinto，MarquisMigueld’
ScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheSecretsofaPrincessBeatrixBeauseant，MarquisAnEpisodeundertheTerrorBeauseant，VicomtedeTheDesertedWomanBeauseant，VicomtessedeTheDesertedWomanAlbertSavarusBianchon，HoraceTheAtheist’sMassCesarBirotteauTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisABachelor’sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGovernmentClerksPierretteAStudyofWomanScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeHonorineTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMagicSkinASecondHomeAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheImaginaryMistressTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyTheCountryParsonInaddition，M。Bianchonnarratedthefollowing：
AnotherStudyofWomanLaGrandeBretecheBibi-Lupinchiefofsecretpolice，calledhimselfGondureau
ScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeCarigliano，Marechal，DucdeSarrasineCollin，JacquesLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheMemberforArcisDervilleGobseckAStartinLifeTheGondrevilleMysteryColonelChabertScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeFranchessini，ColonelTheMemberforArcisGalathionne，PrincessADaughterofEveGobseck，Jean-EstherVanGobseckCesarBirotteauTheGovernmentClerksTheUnconsciousHumoriistsJacquesM。deBeauseant’sbutler
TheDesertedWomanLangeais，DuchesseAntoinettedeTheThirteenMarsay，HenrideTheThirteenTheUnconsciousHumoristsAnotherStudyofWomanTheLilyoftheValleyJealousiesofaCountryTownUrsuleMirouetAMarriageSettlementLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisLettersofTwoBridesTheBallatSceauxModestMignonTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveMauricedeRestaud’svalet
GobseckMontriveau，GeneralMarquisArmanddeTheThirteenLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisAnotherStudyofWomanPierretteTheMemberforArcisNucingen，BaronFredericdeTheFirmofNucingenPierretteCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessAManofBusinessCousinBettyTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsNucingen，BaronneDelphinedeTheThirteenEugenieGrandetCesarBirotteauMelmothReconciledLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisTheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeModesteMignonTheFirmofNucingenAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisPoiretTheGovernmentClerksAStartinLifeScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheMiddleClassesPoiret，MadameneeChristine-MichelleMichonneau
ScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheMiddleClassesRastignac，BaronandBaronnedeEugene’sparents
LostIllusionsRastignac，EugenedeADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheBallatSceauxTheInterdictionAStudyofWomanAnotherStudyofWomanTheMagicSkinTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheGondrevilleMysteryTheFirmofNucingenCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisTheUnconsciousHumoristsRastignac，Laure-RoseandAgathedeLostIllusionsTheMemberforArcisRastignac，MonseigneurGabrieldeTheCountryParsonADaughterofEveRestaud，ComtedeGobseckRestaud，ComtesseAnastasiedeGobseckSelerierScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTaillefer，Jean-FredericTheFirmofNucingenTheMagicSkinTheRedInnTaillefer，VictorineTheRedInnThereseADaughterofEveTissot，Pierre-FrancoisAPrinceofBohemiaTrailles，ComteMaximedeCesarBirotteauGobseckUrsuleMirouetAManofBusinessTheMemberforArcisTheSecretsofaPrincessCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsEnd