Asforme，thoughIhavelatelycomeintothequarter，Ican，thankstotheinfluenceIenjoythroughcertainlegalbenefitsdonetothepoor，materiallyadvancehisinterests。Imight，perhaps，haveputmyselfforwardforthisposition；butservingthepoorbringsinbutlittlemoney；and，besides，themodestyofmylifeisoutofkeepingwithsuchdistinctions。Ihavedevotedmyself，monsieur，totheserviceoftheweak，likethelateCouncillorPopinot，——asublimeman，asyoujustlyremarked。IfIhadnotalreadychosenacareerwhichisinsomesortmonastic，andprecludesallideaofmarriageandpublicoffice，mytaste，mysecondvocation，wouldleadmetotheserviceofGod，totheChurch。IdonottrumpetwhatIdo，likethephilanthropists；Idonotwriteaboutit；Isimplyact；IampledgedtoChristiancharity。TheambitionofourfriendThuillierbecomingknowntome，Ihavewishedtocontributetothehappinessoftwoyoungpeoplewhoseemtomemadeforeachother，bysuggestingtoyouthemeansofwinningtherathercoldheartofMonsieurThuillier。\"
Phellionwasbewilderedbythistirade，admirablydelivered；hewasdazzled，attracted；butheremainedPhellion；hewalkeduptothelawyerandheldouthishand，whichlaPeyradetook。
\"Monsieur，\"saidthecommander，withemotion，\"Ihavemisjudgedyou。
WhatyouhavedonemethehonortoconfidetomewilldieTHERE，\"
layinghishandonhisheart。\"Youareoneofthemenofwhomwehavetoofew，——menwhoconsoleusformanyevilsinherentinoursocialstate。Righteousnessisseensoseldomthatourtoofeeblenaturesdistrustappearances。Youhaveinmeafriend，ifyouwillallowmethehonorofassumingthattitle。Butyoumustlearntoknowme，monsieur。IshouldlosemyownesteemifInominatedThuillier。No，mysonshallneverownhishappinesstoanevilactiononhisfather’spart。Ishallnotchangemycandidatebecausemyson’sinterestsdemandit。Thatiscivicvirtue，monsieur。\"
LaPeyradepulledouthishandkerchiefandrubbeditinhiseyesothatitdrewatear，ashesaid，holdingouthishandtoPhellion，andturningasidehishead：——
\"Ah！monsieur，howsublimeastrugglebetweenpublicandprivateduty！
HadIcomehereonlytoseethissight，myvisitwouldnothavebeenwasted。Youcannotdootherwise！Inyourplace，Ishoulddothesame。
YouarethatnoblestthingthatGodhasmade——arighteousman！acitizenoftheJean—Jacquestype！Withmanysuchcitizens，ohFrance！
mycountry！whatmightestthoubecome！ItisI，monsieur，whosolicit，humbly，thehonortobeyourfriend。\"
\"Whatcanbehappening？\"saidMadamePhellion，watchingthescenethroughthewindow。\"Doseeyourfatherandthathorridmanembracingeachother。\"
PhellionandlaPeyradenowcameoutandjoinedthefamilyinthegarden。
\"MydearFelix，\"saidtheoldman，pointingtolaPeyrade，whowasbowingtoMadamePhellion，\"beverygratefultothatadmirableyoungman；hewillprovemostusefultoyou。\"
ThelawyerwalkedforaboutfiveminuteswithMadameBarniolandMadamePhellionbeneaththeleaflesslindens，andgavethem（inconsequenceoftheembarrassingcircumstancescreatedbyPhellion’spoliticalobstinacy）apieceofadvice，theeffectsofwhichweretobearfruitthatevening，whileitsfirstresultwastomakebothladiesadmirehistalents，hisfrankness，andhisinappreciablegoodqualities。Whenthelawyerdepartedthewholefamilyconductedhimtothestreetgate，andalleyesfollowedhimuntilhehadturnedthecorneroftherueduFaubourg—Saint—Jacques。MadamePhellionthentookthearmofherhusbandtoreturntothesalon，saying：——
\"Hey！myfriend！whatdoesthismean？You，suchagoodfather，howcanyou，fromexcessivedelicacy，standinthewayofsuchafinemarriageforourFelix？\"
\"Mydear，\"repliedPhellion，\"thegreatmenofantiquity，Brutusandothers，wereneverfatherswhencalledupontobecitizens。Thebourgeoisiehas，evenmorethanthearistocracywhoseplaceithasbeencalledupontotake，theobligationsofthehighestvirtues。
MonsieurdeSaint—HilairedidnotthinkofhislostarminpresenceofthedeadTurenne。Wemustgiveproofofourworthiness；letusgiveitateverystateofthesocialhierarchy。ShallIinstructmyfamilyinthehighestcivicprinciplesonlytoignorethemmyselfatthemomentforapplyingthem？No，mydear；weep，ifyoumust，to—day，butto—morrowyouwillrespectme，\"headded，seeingtearsintheeyesofhisstarchedbetterhalf。
Thesenoblewordsweresaidonthesillofthedoor，abovewhichwaswritten，\"Aureamediocritas。\"
\"Ioughttohaveput，’etdigna，’\"addedPhellion，pointingtothetablet，\"butthosetwowordswouldimplyself—praise。\"
\"Father，\"saidMarie—TheodorePhellion，thefutureengineerof\"pontsetchaussees，\"whenthefamilywereoncemoreseatedinthesalon，\"itseemstomethatthereisnothingdishonorableinchangingone’sdeterminationaboutachoicewhichisofnorealconsequencetopublicwelfare。\"
\"Noconsequence，myson！\"criedPhellion。\"BetweenourselvesIwillsay，andFelixsharesmyopinion，MonsieurThuillierisabsolutelywithoutcapacity；heknowsnothing。MonsieurHoraceBianchonisanableman；hewillobtainathousandthingsforourarrondissement，andThuillierwillobtainnone！Rememberthis，myson；tochangeagooddeterminationforabadonefrommotivesofself—interestisoneofthoseinfamousactionswhichescapethecontrolofmenbutarepunishedbyGod。Iam，orIthinkIam，voidofallblamebeforemyconscience，andIoweittoyou，mychildren，toleavemymemoryunstainedamongyou。Nothing，therefore，canmakemechangemydetermination。\"
\"Oh，mygoodfather！\"criedthelittleBarniolwoman，flingingherselfonacushionatPhellion’sknees，\"don’trideyourhighhorse！Therearemanyfoolsandidiotsinthemunicipalcouncil，andFrancegetsalongallthesame。ThatoldThuillierwilladopttheopinionsofthoseabouthim。DoreflectthatCelestewillprobablyhavefivehundredthousandfrancs。\"
\"Shemighthavemillions，\"saidPhellion，\"andImightseethemthereatmyfeetbeforeIwouldproposeThuillier，whenIowetothememoryofthebestofmentonominate，ifpossible，HoraceBianchon，hisnephew。FromtheheavenaboveusPopinotiscontemplatingandapplaudingme！\"criedPhellion，withexaltation。\"ItisbysuchconsiderationsasyousuggestthatFranceisbeinglowered，andthebourgeoisiearebringingthemselvesintocontempt。\"
\"Myfatherisright，\"saidFelix，comingoutofadeepreverie。\"Hedeservesourrespectandlove；ashehasthroughoutthewholecourseofhismodestandhonoredlife。Iwouldnotowemyhappinesseithertoremorseinhisnoblesoul，ortoalowpoliticalbargain。IloveCelesteasIlovemyownfamily；but，aboveallthat，Iplacemyfather’shonor，andsincethisquestionisamatterofconsciencewithhimitmustnotbespokenofagain。\"
Phellion，withhiseyesfulloftears，wentuptohiseldestsonandtookhiminhisarms，saying，\"Myson！myson！\"inachokingvoice。
\"Allthatisnonsense，\"whisperedMadamePhellioninMadameBarniol’sear。\"Comeanddressme；Ishallmakeanendofthis；Iknowyourfather；hehasputhisfootdownnow。Tocarryouttheplanthatpiousyoungman，Theodose，suggested，Iwantyourhelp；holdyourselfreadytogiveit，mydaughter。\"
Atthismoment，GenevievecameinandgavealettertoMonsieurPhellion。
\"Aninvitationfordinnerto—day，forMadamePhellionandFelixandmyself，attheThuilliers’，\"hesaid。
ThemagnificentandsurprisingideaofThuillier’smunicipaladvancement，putforthbythe\"advocateofthepoor\"wasnotlessupsettingintheThuillierhouseholdthanitwasinthePhellionsalon。JeromeThuillier，withoutactuallyconfidinganythingtohissister，forhemadeitapointofhonortoobeyhisMephistopheles，hadrushedtoheringreatexcitementtosay：——
\"Mydearestgirl\"（healwaystouchedherheartwiththosecaressingwords），\"weshallhavesomebig—wigsatdinnerto—day。I’mgoingtoasktheMinards；thereforetakepainsaboutyourdinner。IhavewrittentoMonsieurandMadamePhellion；itisratherlate；butthere’snoneedofceremonywiththem。AsfortheMinards，Imustthrowalittledustintheireyes；Ihaveaparticularneedofthem。\"
\"FourMinards，threePhellions，fourCollevilles，andourselves；thatmakesthirteen——\"
\"LaPeyrade，fourteen；anditisworthwhiletoinviteDutocq；hemaybeusefultous。I’llgoupandseehim。\"
\"Whatareyouscheming？\"criedhissister。\"Fifteentodinner！There’sfortyfrancs，attheveryleast，waltzingoff。\"
\"Youwon’tregretthem，mydearest。Iwantyoutobeparticularlyagreeabletoouryoungfriend，laPeyrade。There’safriend，indeed！
you’llsoonhaveproofsofthat！Ifyouloveme，cossethimwell。\"
Sosaying，hedeparted，leavingBrigittebewildered。
\"Proofs，indeed！yes，I’lllookoutforproofs，\"shesaid。\"I’mnottobecaughtwithfinewords，notI！Heisanamiablefellow；butbeforeItakehimintomyheartIshallstudyhimalittlecloser。\"
AfterinvitingDutocq，Thuillier，havingbedizenedhimself，wenttothehotelMinard，ruedesMacons—Sorbonne，tocapturethestoutZelie，andglossovertheshortnessoftheinvitation。
MinardhadpurchasedoneofthoselargeandsumptuoushabitationswhichtheoldreligiousordersbuiltabouttheSorbonne，andasThuilliermountedthebroadstonestepswithanironbalustrade，thatprovedhowartsofthesecondclassflourishedunderLouisXIII。，heenviedboththemansionanditsoccupant，——themayor。
Thisvastbuilding，standingbetweenacourtyardandgarden，isnoticeableasaspecimenofthestyle，bothnobleandelegant，ofthereignofLouisXIII。，comingsingularly，asitdid，betweenthebadtasteoftheexpiringrenaissanceandtheheavygrandeurofLouisXIV。，atitsdawn。Thistransitionperiodisshowninmanypublicbuildings。Themassivescroll—workofseveralfacades——thatoftheSorbonne，forinstance，——andcolumnsrectifiedaccordingtotherulesofGrecianart，werebeginningtoappearinthisarchitecture。
Agrocer，aluckyadulterator，nowtooktheplaceoftheformerecclesiasticalgovernorofaninstitutioncalledinformertimesL’Economat；anestablishmentconnectedwiththegeneralagencyoftheoldFrenchclergy，andfoundedbythelong—sightedgeniusofRichelieu。Thuillier’snameopenedforhimthedoorsofthesalon，wheresatenthronedinvelvetandgold，amidthemostmagnificent\"Chineseries，\"thepoorwomanwhoweighedwithallheravoirdupoisontheheartsandmindsofprincesandprincessesatthe\"popularballs\"
ofthepalace。
\"Isn’tsheagoodsubjectfor’LaCaricature’？\"saidaso—calledladyofthebedchambertoaduchess，whocouldhardlyhelplaughingattheaspectofZelie，glitteringwithdiamonds，redasapoppy，squeezedintoagoldbrocade，androllingalonglikethecastsofherformershop。
\"Willyoupardonme，fairlady，\"beganThuillier，twistinghisbody，andpausinginposenumbertwoofhisimperialrepertory，\"forhavingallowedthisinvitationtoremaininmydesk，thinking，allthewhile，thatitwassent？Itisforto—day，butperhapsIamtoolate？\"
Zelieexaminedherhusband’sfaceasheapproachedthemtoreceiveThuillier；thenshesaid：——
\"Weintendedtodriveintothecountryanddineatsomechancerestaurant；butwe’llgiveupthatideaandallthemorereadilybecause，inmyopinion，itisgettingdevilishlyvulgartodriveoutofParisonSundays。\"
\"Wewillhavealittledancetothepianofortheyoungpeople，ifenoughcome，asIhopetheywill。IhavesentalinetoPhellion，whosewifeisintimatewithMadamePron，thesuccessor——\"
\"SuccessorESS，\"interruptedMadameMinard。
\"No，\"saidThuillier，\"itoughttobesuccess’ress；justaswesaymay’ress，droppingtheO，youknow。\"
\"Isitfulldress？\"askedMadameMinard。
\"Heavens！no，\"repliedThuillier；\"youwouldgetmefinelyscoldedbymysister。No，itisonlyafamilyparty。UndertheEmpire，madame，wealldevotedourselvestodancing。Atthatgreatepochofournationallifetheythoughtasmuchofafinedancerastheydidofagoodsoldier。Nowadaysthecountryissomatter—of—fact。\"
\"Well，wewon’ttalkpolitics，\"saidthemayor，smiling。\"TheKingisgrand；heisveryable。Ihaveadeepadmirationformyowntime，andfortheinstitutionswhichwehavegiventoourselves。TheKing，youmaybesure，knowsverywellwhatheisdoingbythedevelopmentofindustries。HeisstrugglinghandtohandagainstEngland；andwearedoinghimmoreharmduringthisfruitfulpeacethanallthewarsoftheEmpirewouldhavedone。\"
\"WhatadeputyMinardwouldmake！\"criedZelie，naively。\"Hepractisesspeechifyingathome。You’llhelpustogethimelected，won’tyou，Thuillier？\"
\"Wewon’ttalkpoliticsnow，\"repliedThuillier。\"Comeatfive。\"
\"WillthatlittleVinetbethere？\"askedMinard；\"hecomes，nodoubt，forCeleste。\"
\"Thenhemaygointomourning，\"repliedThuillier。\"Brigittewon’thearofhim。\"
ZelieandMinardexchangedasmileofsatisfaction。
\"Tothinkthatwemusthob—nobwithsuchcommonpeople，allforthesakeofourson！\"criedZelie，whenThuillierwassafelydownthestaircase，towhichthemayorhadaccompaniedhim。
\"Ha！hethinkstobedeputy！\"thoughtThuillier，ashewalkedaway。
\"Thesegrocers！nothingsatisfiesthem。Heavens！whatwouldNapoleonsayifhecouldseethegovernmentinthehandsofsuchpeople！I’matrainedadministrator，atanyrate。Whatacompetitor，tobesure！I
wonderwhatlaPeyradewillsay？\"
Theambitiousex—beaunowwenttoinvitethewholeLaudigeoisfamilyfortheevening，afterwhichhewenttotheCollevilles’，tomakesurethatCelesteshouldwearabecominggown。HefoundFlavieratherpensive。Shehesitatedaboutcoming，butThuillierovercameherindecision。
\"Myoldandeveryoungfriend，\"hesaid，takingherroundthewaist，forshewasaloneinherlittlesalon，\"Iwon’thaveanysecretfromyou。Agreataffairisinthewindforme。Ican’ttellyoumorethanthat，butIcanaskyoutobeparticularlycharmingtoacertainyoungman——\"
\"Whoisit？\"
\"LaPeyrade。\"
\"Why，Charles？\"
\"Heholdsmyfutureinhishands。Besides，he’samanofgenius。I
knowwhatthatis。He’sgotthissortofthing，\"——andThuilliermadethegestureofadentistpullingoutabacktooth。\"Wemustbindhimtous，Flavie。But，aboveall，don’tlethimseehispower。Asforme，Ishalljustgiveandtakewithhim。\"
\"Doyouwantmetobecoquettish？\"
\"Nottoomuchso，myangel，\"repliedThuillier，withafoppishair。
Andhedeparted，notobservingthestuporwhichovercameFlavie。
\"Thatyoungmanisapower，\"shesaidtoherself。\"Well，weshallsee！\"
Forthesereasonsshedressedherhairwithmarabouts，putonherprettiestgownofgrayandpink，whichallowedherfineshoulderstobeseenbeneathapelerineofblacklace，andtookcaretokeepCelesteinalittlesilkfrockmadewithayokeandalargeplaitedcollarette，tellinghertodressherhairplainly，alaBerthe。
CHAPTERVIII
ADMAJOREMTHEODOSISGLORIAM
Athalf—pastfouro’clockTheodosewasathispost。Hehadputonhisvacant，half—servilemannerandsoftvoice，andhedrewThuillieratonceintothegarden。
\"Myfriend，\"hesaid，\"Idon’tdoubtyourtriumph，butIfeelthenecessityofagainwarningyoutobeabsolutelysilent。Ifyouarequestionedaboutanything，especiallyaboutCeleste，makeevasiveanswerswhichwillkeepyourquestionersinsuspense。Youmusthavelearnedhowtodothatinagovernmentoffice。\"
\"Iunderstand！\"saidThuillier。\"Butwhatcertaintyhaveyou？\"
\"You’llseewhatafinedessertIhavepreparedforyou。Butpleasebemodest。TherecometheMinards；letmepipetothem。Bringthemouthere，andthendisappearyourself。\"
Afterthefirstsalutations，laPeyradewascarefultokeepclosetothemayor，andpresentlyatanopportunemomenthedrewhimasidetosay：——
\"Monsieurlemaire，amanofyourpoliticalimportancedoesn’tcometoborehimselfinahouseofthiskindwithoutanobject。Idon’twanttofathomyourmotives——which，indeed，Ihavenorighttodo——andmypartinthisworldiscertainlynottominglewithearthlypowers；butpleasepardonmyapparentpresumption，anddeigntolistentoapieceofadvicewhichIshallventuretogiveyou。IfIdoyouaserviceto—dayyouareinapositiontoreturnittometo—morrow；therefore，incaseIshouldbesofortunateastodoyouagoodturn，Iamreallyonlyobeyingthelawofself—interest。OurfriendThuillierisindespairatbeinganobody；hehastakenitintohisheadthathewantstobecomeapersonageinthisarrondissement——\"
\"Ah！ah！\"exclaimedMinard。
\"Oh！nothingveryexalted；hewantstobeelectedtothemunicipalcouncil。Now，IknowthatPhellion，seeingtheinfluencesuchaservicewouldhaveonhisfamilyinterests，intendstoproposeyourpoorfriendascandidate。Well，perhapsyoumightthinkitwise，inyourowninterests，tobebeforehandwithhim。Thuillier’snominationcouldonlybefavorableforyou——Imeanagreeable；andhe’llfillhisplaceinthecouncilverywell；therearesometherewhoarenotasstrongashe。Besides，owingtohisplacetoyoursupport，hewillseewithyoureyes；healreadylookstoyouasoneofthelightsofthetown。\"
\"Mydearfellow，Ithankyouverymuch，\"repliedMinard。\"YouaredoingmeaserviceIcannotsufficientlyacknowledge，andwhichprovestome——\"
\"ThatIdon’tlikethosePhellions，\"saidlaPeyrade，takingadvantageofaslighthesitationonthepartofthemayor，whofearedtoexpressanideainwhichthelawyermightseecontempt。\"Ihatepeoplewhomakecapitaloutoftheirhonestyandcoinmoneyfromfinesentiments。\"
\"Youknowthemwell，\"saidMinard；\"theyaresycophants。Thatman’swholelifeforthelasttenyearsisexplainedbythisbitofredribbon，\"addedthemayor，pointingtohisownbuttonhole。
\"Takecare！\"saidthelawyer，\"hissonisinlovewithCeleste，andhe’sfairlyintheheartofthefamily。\"
\"Yes，butmysonhastwelvethousandayearinhisownright。\"
\"Oh！\"saidTheodose，withastart，\"MademoiselleBrigittewassayingtheotherdaythatshewantedatleastasmuchasthatinCeleste’ssuitor。Moreover，sixmonthshenceyou’llprobablyhearthatThuillierhasapropertyworthfortythousandfrancsayear。\"
\"Thedevil！well，Ithoughtasmuch。Yes，certainly，heshallbemadeamemberofthemunicipalcouncil。\"
\"Inanycase，don’tsayanythingaboutmetohim，\"saidtheadvocateofthepoor，whonowhastenedawaytospeaktoMadamePhellion。\"Well，myfairlady，\"hesaid，whenhereachedher，\"haveyousucceeded？\"
\"Iwaitedtillfouro’clock，andthenthatworthyandexcellentmanwouldnotletmefinishwhatIhadtosay。Heismuchtobusytoacceptsuchanoffice，andhesentaletterwhichMonsieurPhellionhasread，sayingthathe，DoctorBianchon，thankedhimforhisgoodintentions，andassuredhimthathisowncandidatewasMonsieurThuillier。Hesaidthatheshoulduseallhisinfluenceinhisfavor，andbeggedmyhusbandtodothesame。\"
\"Andwhatdidyourexcellenthusbandsay？\"
\"’Ihavedonemyduty，’hesaid。’Ihavenotbeenfalsetomyconscience，andnowIamallforThuillier。’\"
\"Well，then，thethingissettled，\"saidlaPeyrade。\"Ignoremyvisit，andtakeallthecreditoftheideatoyourselves。\"
ThenhewenttoMadameColleville，composinghimselfintheattitudeandmannerofthedeepestrespect。
\"Madame，\"hesaid，\"havethegoodnesstosendouttomeherethatkindlypapaColleville。AsurpriseistobegiventoMonsieurThuillier，andIwantMonsieurCollevilletobeinthesecret。\"
WhilelaPeyradeplayedthepartofmanoftheworldwithColleville，andallowedhimselfvariouswittysarcasmswhenexplainingtohimThuillier’scandidacy，tellinghimheoughttosupportit，ifonlytoexhibithisincapacity，Flaviewaslisteninginthesalontothefollowingconversation，whichbewilderedherforthemomentandmadeherearsring。
\"IshouldliketoknowwhatMonsieurCollevilleandMonsieurdelaPeyradecanbesayingtoeachothertomakethemlaughlikethat，\"
saidMadameThuillier，foolishly，lookingoutofthewindow。
\"Alotofimproperthings，asmenalwaysdowhentheytalktogether，\"
repliedMademoiselleThuillier，whooftenattackedmenwiththesortofinstinctnaturaltooldmaids。
\"No，theyareincapableofthat，\"saidPhellion，gravely。\"MonsieurdelaPeyradeisoneofthemostvirtuousyoungmenIhaveevermet。
PeopleknowwhatIthinkofFelix；well，Iputthetwoonthesameline；indeed，IwishmysonhadalittlemoreofMonsieurdelaPeyrade’sbeautifulpiety。\"
\"Youareright；heisamanofgreatmerit，whoissuretosucceed，\"
saidMinard。\"Asforme，mysuffrages——forIreallyoughtnottosayprotection——arehis。\"
\"Hepaysmoreforoilthanforbread，\"saidDutocq。\"Iknowthat。\"
\"Hismother，ifhehasthehappinesstostillpossessher，mustbeproudofhim，\"remarkedMadameThuillier，sententiously。
\"Heisarealtreasureforus，\"saidThuillier。\"Ifyouonlyknewhowmodestheis！Hedoesn’tdohimselfjustice。\"
\"Icananswerforonething，\"addedDutocq；\"noyoungmanevermaintainedanoblerattitudeinpoverty；hetriumphedoverit；buthesuffered——itiseasytoseethat。\"
\"Pooryoungman！\"criedZelie。\"Suchthingsmakemyheartache！\"
\"Anyonecouldsafelytrustbothsecretsandfortunetohim，\"saidThuillier；\"andinthesedaysthatisthefinestthingthatcanbesaidofaman。\"
\"ItisCollevillewhoismakinghimlaugh，\"criedDutocq。
JustthenCollevilleandlaPeyradereturnedfromthegardentheverybestfriendsintheworld。
\"Messieurs，\"saidBrigitte，\"thesoupandtheKingmustneverbekeptwaiting；giveyourhandtotheladies。\"
Fiveminutesafterthislittlepleasantry（issuingfromthelodgeofherfathertheporter）Brigittehadthesatisfactionofseeinghertablesurroundedbytheprincipalpersonagesofthisdrama；therest，withtheoneexceptionoftheodiousCerizet，arrivedlater。
Theportraitoftheformermakerofcanvasmoney—bagswouldbeincompleteifweomittedtogiveadescriptionofoneofherbestdinners。Thephysiognomyofthebourgeoiscookof1840is，moreover，oneofthosedetailsessentiallynecessarytoahistoryofmannersandcustoms，andcleverhousewivesmayfindsomelessonsinit。Awomandoesn’tmakeemptybagsfortwentyyearswithoutlookingoutforthemeanstofillafewofthem。NowBrigittehadonepeculiarcharacteristic。Sheunitedtheeconomytowhichsheowedherfortunewithafullunderstandingofnecessaryexpenses。Herrelativeprodigality，whenitconcernedherbrotherorCeleste，wastheantipodesofavarice。Infact，sheoftenbemoanedherselfthatshecouldn’tbemiserly。Atherlastdinnershehadrelatedhow，afterstrugglingtenminuteandenduringmartyrdom，shehadendedbygivingtenfrancstoapoorworkwomanwhomsheknew，positively，hadbeenwithoutfoodfortwodays。
\"Nature，\"shesaidnaively，\"isstrongerthanreason。\"
Thesoupwasaratherpalebouillon；for，evenonanoccasionlikethis，thecookhadbeenenjoinedtomakeagreatdealofbouillonoutofthebeefsupplied。Then，asthesaidbeefwastofeedthefamilyonthenextdayandthedayafterthat，thelessjuiceitexpendedinthebouillon，themoresubstantialwerethesubsequentdinners。Thebeef，littlecooked，wasalwaystakenawayatthefollowingspeechfromBrigitte，utteredassoonasThuillierputhisknifeintoit：——
\"Ithinkitisrathertough；senditaway，Thuillier，nobodywilleatit；wehaveotherthings。\"
Thesoupwas，infact，flankedbyfourviandsmountedonoldhot—waterchafing—dishes，withtheplatingwornoff。Atthisparticulardinner（afterwardscalledthatofthecandidacy）thefirstcourseconsistedofapairofduckswitholives，oppositetowhichwasalargepiewithforcemeatballs，whileadishofeels\"alatartare\"correspondedinlikemannerwithafricandeauonchicory。Thesecondcoursehadforitscentraldishamostdignifiedgoosestuffedwithchestnuts，asaladofvegetablesgarnishedwithroundsofbeetrootoppositetocustardsincups，whilelowerdownadishofturnips\"ausucre\"facedatimbaleofmacaroni。Thisgaladinneroftheconciergetypecost，attheutmost，twentyfrancs，andtheremainsofthefeastprovidedthehouseholdforacoupleofdays；nevertheless，Brigittewouldsay：——
\"Pest！whenonehastohavecompanyhowthemoneygoes！Itisfearful！\"
Thetablewaslightedbytwohideouscandlesticksofplatedsilverwithfourbrancheseach，inwhichshoneeightofthosethriftywax—
candlesthatgobythenameofAurora。Thelinenwasdazzlinginwhiteness，andthesilver，withbeadededges，wasthefruit，evidently，ofsomepurchasemadeduringtheRevolutionbyThuillier’sfather。Thusthefareandtheservicewereinkeepingwiththehouse，thedining—room，andtheThuilliersthemselves，whocouldnever，underanycircumstances，getthemselvesabovethisstyleofliving。TheMinards，Collevilles，andlaPeyradeexchangednowandthenasmilewhichbetrayedtheirmutuallysatiricalbutrepressedthoughts。LaPeyrade，seatedbesideFlavie，whisperedinherear：——
\"Youmustadmitthattheyoughttobetaughthowtolive。ButthoseMinardsarenobetterintheirway。Whatcupidity！they’vecomeheresolelyafterCeleste。Yourdaughterwillbelosttoyouifyouletthemhaveher。Theseparvenushaveallthevicesofthegreatlordsofotherdayswithouttheirelegance。Minard’sson，whohastwelvethousandfrancsayearofhisown，couldverywellfindawifeelsewhere，insteadofpushinghisspeculatingrakeinhere。Whatfunitwouldbetoplayuponthosepeopleasonewouldonabass—violoraclarionet！\"
Whilethedishesofthesecondcoursewerebeingremoved，Minard，afraidthatPhellionwouldprecedehim，saidtoThuillierwithagraveair：——
\"MydearThuillier，inacceptingyourdinner，Ididsoforthepurposeofmakinganimportantcommunication，whichdoesyousomuchhonorthatallherepresentoughttobemadeparticipantsinit。\"
Thuillierturnedpale。