"ButIbelongtoMme.d'Espard'sparty."
　　"Itisnotourbusinesstoknowthat,"saidtheman,whocouldnothelpexchangingabarelyperceptiblesmilewithhiscolleague.
　　Acarriagestoppedundertheperistyleashespoke.Achasseur,inaliverywhichLuciendidnotrecognize,letdownthestep,andtwowomenineveningdresscameoutofthebrougham.Lucienhadnomindtolayhimselfopentoaninsolentordertogetoutofthewayfromtheofficial.Hesteppedasidetoletthetwoladiespass.
　　"Why,thatladyistheMarquised'Espard,whomyousayyouknow,sir,"
　　saidthemanironically.
　　LucienwassomuchthemoreconfoundedbecauseMme.deBargetondidnotseemtorecognizehiminhisnewplumage;butwhenhesteppeduptoher,shesmiledathimandsaid:
　　"Thishasfallenoutwonderfully——come!"
　　ThefunctionariesattheboxofficegrewseriousagainasLucienfollowedMme.deBargeton.OntheirwayupthegreatstaircasetheladyintroducedM.deRubempretohercousin.TheboxbelongingtotheFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamberissituatedinoneoftheanglesatthebackofthehouse,sothatitsoccupantsseeandareseenalloverthetheatre.LucientookhisseatonachairbehindMme.deBargeton,thankfultobeintheshadow.
　　"M.deRubempre,"saidtheMarquisewithflatteringgraciousness,"thisisyourfirstvisittotheOpera,isitnot?Youmusthaveaviewofthehouse;takethisseat,sitinfrontofthebox;wegiveyoupermission."
　　Lucienobeyedasthefirstactcametoanend.
　　"Youhavemadegooduseofyourtime,"Louisesaidinhisear,inherfirstsurpriseatthechangeinhisappearance.
　　Louisewasstillthesame.ThenearpresenceoftheMarquised'Espard,aParisianMme.deBargeton,wassodamagingtoher;thebrilliancyoftheParisiennebroughtoutallthedefectsinhercountrycousinsoclearlybycontrast;thatLucien,lookingoutoverthefashionableaudienceinthesuperbbuilding,andthenatthegreatlady,wastwiceenlightened,andsawpoorAnaisdeNegrepelisseasshereallywas,asParisianssawher——atall,lean,witheredwoman,withapimpledfaceandfadedcomplexion;angular,stiff,affectedinhermanner;pompousandprovincialinherspeech;and,andaboveallthesethings,dowdilydressed.Asamatteroffact,thecreasesinanolddressfromParisstillbearwitnesstogoodtaste,youcantellwhatthegownwasmeantfor;butanolddressmadeinthecountryisinexplicable,itisathingtoprovokelaughter.Therewasneithercharmnorfreshnessaboutthedressoritswearer;thevelvet,likethecomplexionhadseenwear.Lucienfeltashamedtohavefalleninlovewiththiscuttle-fishbone,andvowedthathewouldprofitbyLouise'snextfitofvirtuetoleaveherforgood.Havinganexcellentviewofthehouse,hecouldseetheopera-glassespointedatthearistocraticboxparexcellence.
　　Thebest-dressedwomenmustcertainlybescrutinizingMme.deBargeton,fortheysmiledandtalkedamongthemselves.
　　IfMme.d'Espardknewtheobjectoftheirsarcasmsfromthosefemininesmilesandgestures,shewasperfectlyinsensibletothem.Inthefirstplace,anybodymustseethathercompanionwasapoorrelationfromthecountry,anafflictionwithwhichanyParisianfamilymaybevisited.And,inthesecond,whenhercousinhadspokentoherofherdresswithmanifestmisgivings,shehadreassuredAnais,seeingthat,whenonceproperlydressed,herrelativewouldveryeasilyacquirethetoneofParisiansociety.IfMme.deBargetonneededpolish,ontheotherhandshepossessedthenativehaughtinessofgoodbirth,andthatindescribablesomethingwhichmaybecalled"pedigree."So,onMondayherturnwouldcome.And,moreover,theMarquiseknewthatassoonaspeoplelearnedthatthestrangerwashercousin,theywouldsuspendtheirbanterandlooktwicebeforetheycondemnedher.
　　LuciendidnotforeseethechangeinLouise'sappearanceshortlytobeworkedbyascarfaboutherthroat,aprettydress,anelegantcoiffure,andMme.d'Espard'sadvice.Astheycameupthestaircaseevennow,theMarquisetoldhercousinnottoholdherhandkerchiefunfoldedinherhand.Goodorbadtasteturnsuponhundredsofsuchalmostimperceptibleshades,whichaquick-wittedwomandiscernsatonce,whileotherswillnevergraspthem.Mme.deBargeton,plentifullyapt,wasmorethancleverenoughtodiscoverhershortcomings.Mme.d'Espard,surethatherpupilwoulddohercredit,didnotdeclinetoformher.Inshort,thecompactbetweenthetwowomenhadbeenconfirmedbyself-interestoneitherside.
　　Mme.deBargeton,enthralled,dazzled,andfascinatedbyhercousin'smanner,wit,andacquaintances,hadsuddenlydeclaredherselfavotaryoftheidoloftheday.Shehaddiscernedthesignsoftheoccultpowerexertedbytheambitiousgreatlady,andtoldherselfthatshecouldgainherendasthesatelliteofthisstar,soshehadbeenoutspokeninheradmiration.TheMarquisewasnotinsensibletotheartlesslyadmittedconquest.Shetookaninterestinhercousin,seeingthatshewasweakandpoor;shewas,besides,notindisposedtotakeapupilwithwhomtofoundaschool,andaskednothingbetterthantohaveasortoflady-in-waitinginMme.deBargeton,adependentwhowouldsingherpraises,atreasureevenmorescarceamongParisianwomenthanastaunchandloyalcriticamongtheliterarytribe.Theflutterofcuriosityinthehousewastoomarkedtobeignored,however,andMme.d'Espardpolitelyendeavoredtoturnhercousin'smindfromthetruth.
　　"Ifanyonecomestoourbox,"shesaid,"perhapswemaydiscoverthecausetowhichweowethehonoroftheinterestthattheseladiesaretaking——"
　　"IhaveastrongsuspicionthatitismyoldvelvetgownandAngoumoisinairwhichParisianladiesfindamusing,"Mme.deBargetonanswered,laughing.
　　"No,itisnotyou;itissomethingthatIcannotexplain,"sheadded,turningtothepoet,and,asshelookedathimforthefirsttime,itseemedtostrikeherthathewassingularlydressed.
　　"ThereisM.duChatelet,"exclaimedLucienatthatmoment,andhepointedafingertowardsMme.deSerizy'sbox,whichtherenovatedbeauhadjustentered.
　　Mme.deBargetonbitherlipswithchagrinasshesawthatgesture,andsawbesidestheMarquise'sill-suppressedsmileofcontemptuousastonishment."Wheredoestheyoungmancomefrom?"herlooksaid,andLouisefelthumbledthroughherlove,oneofthesharpestofallpangsforaFrenchwoman,amortificationforwhichshecannotforgiveherlover.
　　Inthesecircleswheretriflesareofsuchimportance,agestureorawordattheoutsetisenoughtoruinanewcomer.Itistheprincipalmeritoffinemannersandthehighestbreedingthattheyproducetheeffectofaharmoniouswhole,inwhicheveryelementissoblendedthatnothingisstartlingorobtrusive.Eventhosewhobreakthelawsofthisscience,eitherthroughignoranceorcarriedawaybysomeimpulse,mustcomprehendthatitiswithsocialintercourseaswithmusic,asinglediscordantnoteisacompletenegationoftheartitself,fortheharmonyexistsonlywhenallitsconditionsareobserveddowntotheleastparticular.
　　"Whoisthatgentleman?"askedMme.d'Espard,lookingtowardsChatelet."AndhaveyoumadeMme.deSerizy'sacquaintancealready?"
　　"Oh!isthatthefamousMme.deSerizywhohashadsomanyadventuresandyetgoeseverywhere?"
　　"Anunheard-of-thing,mydear,explicablebutunexplained.Themostformidablemenareherfriends,andwhy?Nobodydarestofathomthemystery.ThenisthispersonthelionofAngouleme?"
　　"Well,M.leBaronduChatelethasbeenagooddealtalkedabout,"
　　answeredMme.deBargeton,movedbyvanitytogiveheradorerthetitlewhichsheherselfhadcalledinquestion."HewasM.deMontriveau'stravelingcompanion."
　　"Ah!"saidtheMarquised'Espard,"IneverhearthatnamewithoutthinkingoftheDuchessedeLangeais,poorthing.Shevanishedlikeafallingstar——ThatisM.deRastignacwithMme.deNucingen,"shecontinued,indicatinganotherbox;"sheisthewifeofacontractor,abanker,acityman,abrokeronalargescale;heforcedhiswayintosocietywithhismoney,andtheysaythatheisnotveryscrupulousastohismethodsofmakingit.HeisatendlesspainstoestablishhiscreditasastaunchupholderoftheBourbons,andhastriedalreadytogainadmittanceintomyset.WhenhiswifetookMme.deLangeais'box,shethoughtthatshecouldtakehercharm,herwit,andhersuccessaswell.Itistheoldfableofthejayinthepeacock'sfeathers!"
　　"HowdoM.andMme.deRastignacmanagetokeeptheirsoninParis,when,asweknow,theirincomeisunderathousandcrowns?"askedLucien,inhisastonishmentatRastignac'selegantandexpensivedress.
　　"ItiseasytoseethatyoucomefromAngouleme,"saidMme.d'Espard,ironicallyenough,asshecontinuedtogazethroughheropera-glass.
　　HerremarkwaslostuponLucien;theall-absorbingspectacleoftheboxespreventedhimfromthinkingofanythingelse.Heguessedthathehimselfwasanobjectofnosmallcuriosity.Louise,ontheotherhand,wasexceedinglymortifiedbytheevidentslightesteeminwhichtheMarquiseheldLucien'sbeauty.
　　"HecannotbesohandsomeasIthoughthim,"shesaidtoherself;andbetween"notsohandsomeand"notsocleverasIthoughthim"therewasbutonestep.
　　Thecurtainfell.ChateletwasnowpayingavisittotheDuchessedeCariglianoinanadjourningbox;Mme.deBargetonacknowledgedhisbowbyaslightinclinationofthehead.Nothingescapesawomanoftheworld;Chatelet'sairofdistinctionwasnotlostuponMme.d'Espard.
　　Justatthatmomentfourpersonages,fourParisiancelebrities,cameintothebox,oneafteranother.
　　Themoststrikingfeatureofthefirstcomer,M.deMarsay,famousforthepassionswhichhehadinspired,washisgirlishbeauty;butitssoftnessandeffeminacywerecounteractedbytheexpressionofhiseyes,unflinching,steady,untamed,andhardasatiger's.Hewaslovedandhewasfeared.Lucienwasnolesshandsome;butLucien'sexpressionwassogentle,hisblueeyessolimpid,thathescarcelyseemedtopossessthestrengthandthepowerwhichattractwomensostrongly.Nothing,moreover,sofarhadbroughtoutthepoet'smerits;
　　whiledeMarsay,withhisflowofspirits,hisconfidenceinhispowertoplease,andappropriatestyleofdress,eclipsedeveryrivalbyhispresence.Judge,therefore,thekindoffigurethatLucien,stiff,starched,unbendinginclothesasnewandunfamiliarashissurroundings,waslikelytocutindeMarsay'svicinity.DeMarsaywithhiswitandcharmofmannerwasprivilegedtobeinsolent.FromMme.d'Espard'sreceptionofthispersonagehisimportancewasatonceevidenttoMme.deBargeton.
　　ThesecondcomerwasaVandenesse,thecauseofthescandalinwhichLadyDudleywasconcerned.FelixdeVandenesse,amiable,intellectual,andmodest,hadnoneofthecharacteristicsonwhichdeMarsaypridedhimself,andowedhissuccesstodiametricallyopposedqualities.HehadbeenwarmlyrecommendedtoMme.d'EspardbyhercousinMme.deMortsauf.
　　ThethirdwasGeneraldeMontriveau,theauthoroftheDuchessedeLangeais'ruin.
　　Thefourth,M.deCanalis,oneofthemostfamouspoetsoftheday,andasyetanewlyrisencelebrity,wasprouderofhisbirththanofhisgenius,anddangledinMme.d'Espard'strainbywayofconcealinghislovefortheDuchessedeChaulieu.Inspiteofhisgracesandtheaffectationthatspoiledthem,itwaseasytodiscernthevast,lurkingambitionsthatplungedhimatalaterdayintothestormsofpoliticallife.Afacethatmightbecalledinsignificantlyprettyandcaressingmannersthinlydisguisedtheman'sdeeply-rootedegoismandhabitofcontinuallycalculatingthechancesofacareerwhichatthattimelookedproblematicalenough;thoughhischoiceofMme.deChaulieuawomanpastfortymadeinterestforhimatCourt,andbroughthimtheapplauseoftheFaubourgSaint-GermainandthegibesoftheLiberalparty,whodubbedhim"thepoetofthesacristy."
　　Mme.deBargeton,withtheseremarkablefiguresbeforeher,nolongerwonderedattheslightesteeminwhichtheMarquiseheldLucien'sgoodlooks.Andwhenconversationbegan,whenintellectssokeen,sosubtle,wererevealedintwo-edgedwordswithmoremeaninganddepthinthemthanAnaisdeBargetonheardinamonthoftalkatAngouleme;
　　and,mostofall,whenCanalisutteredasonorousphrase,summingupamaterialisticepoch,andgildingitwithpoetry——thenAnaisfeltallthetruthofChatelet'sdictumofthepreviousevening.Lucienwasnothingtohernow.Everyonecruellyignoredtheunluckystranger;hewassomuchlikeaforeignerlisteningtoanunknownlanguage,thattheMarquised'Espardtookpityuponhim.SheturnedtoCanalis.
　　"PermitmetointroduceM.deRubempre,"shesaid."Youranktoohighintheworldoflettersnottowelcomeadebutant.M.deRubempreisfromAngouleme,andwillneedyourinfluence,nodoubt,withthepowersthatbringgeniustolight.Sofar,hehasnoenemiestohelphimtosuccessbytheirattacksuponhim.Isthereenoughoriginalityintheideaofobtainingforhimbyfriendshipallthathatredhasdoneforyoutotemptyoutomaketheexperiment?"
　　ThefournewcomersalllookedatLucienwhiletheMarquisewasspeaking.DeMarsay,onlyacoupleofpacesaway,putupaneyeglassandlookedfromLucientoMme.deBargeton,andthenagainatLucien,couplingthemwithsomemockingthought,cruellymortifyingtoboth.
　　Hescrutinizedthemasiftheyhadbeenapairofstrangeanimals,andthenhesmiled.Thesmilewaslikeastabtothedistinguishedprovincial.FelixdeVandenesseassumedacharitableair.MontriveaulookedLucienthroughandthrough.
　　"Madame,"M.deCanalisansweredwithabow,"Iwillobeyyou,inspiteoftheselfishinstinctwhichpromptsustoshowarivalnofavor;butyouhaveaccustomedustomiracles."
　　"Verywell,domethepleasureofdiningwithmeonMondaywithM.deRubempre,andyoucantalkofmattersliteraryatyourease.Iwilltrytoenlistsomeofthetyrantsoftheworldoflettersandthegreatpeoplewhoprotectthem,theauthorofOurika,andoneortwoyoungpoetswithsoundviews."
　　"Mme.laMarquise,"saiddeMarsay,"ifyougiveyoursupporttothisgentlemanforhisintellect,Iwillsupporthimforhisgoodlooks.I
　　willgivehimadvicewhichwillputhiminafairwaytobetheluckiestdandyinParis.Afterthat,hemaybeapoet——ifhehasamind."
　　Mme.deBargetonthankedhercousinbyagratefulglance.
　　"Ididnotknowthatyouwerejealousofintellect,"Montriveausaid,turningtodeMarsay;"goodfortuneisthedeathofapoet."
　　"Isthatwhyyourlordshipisthinkingofmarriage?"inquiredthedandy,addressingCanalis,andwatchingMme.d'Espardtoseeifthewordswenthome.
　　Canalisshruggedhisshoulders,andMme.d'Espard,Mme.deChaulieu'sniece,begantolaugh.LucieninhisnewclothesfeltasifhewereanEgyptianstatueinitsnarrowsheath;hewasashamedthathehadnothingtosayforhimselfallthiswhile.AtlengthheturnedtotheMarquise.
　　"Afterallyourkindness,madame,Iampledgedtomakenofailures,"
　　hesaidinthosesofttonesofhis.
　　Chateletcameinashespoke;hehadseenMontriveau,andbyhookorcrooksnatchedatthechanceofagoodintroductiontotheMarquised'EspardthroughoneofthekingsofParis.HebowedtoMme.deBargeton,andbeggedMme.d'Espardtopardonhimforthelibertyhetookininvadingherbox;hehadbeenseparatedsolongfromhistravelingcompanion!MontriveauandChateletmetforthefirsttimesincetheypartedinthedesert.
　　"Topartinthedesert,andmeetagainintheopera-house!"saidLucien.
　　"Quiteatheatricalmeeting!"saidCanalis.
　　MontriveauintroducedtheBaronduChatelettotheMarquise,andtheMarquisereceivedHerRoyalHighness'ex-secretarythemoregraciouslybecauseshehadseenthathehadbeenverywellreceivedinthreeboxesalready.Mme.deSerizyknewnonebutunexceptionablepeople,andmoreoverhewasMontriveau'stravelingcompanion.Sopotentwasthislastcredential,thatMme.deBargetonsawfromthemannerofthegroupthattheyacceptedChateletasoneofthemselveswithoutdemur.
　　Chatelet'ssultan'sairsinAngoulemeweresuddenlyexplained.
　　AtlengththeBaronsawLucien,andfavoredhimwithacool,disparaginglittlenod,indicativetomenoftheworldoftherecipient'sinferiorstation.Asardonicexpressionaccompaniedthegreeting,"HowdoesHEcomehere?"heseemedtosay.Thiswasnotlostonthosewhosawit;fordeMarsayleanedtowardsMontriveau,andsaidintonesaudibletoChatelet:
　　"Doaskhimwhothequeer-lookingyoungfellowisthatlookslikeadummyatatailor'sshop-door."
　　Chateletspokeafewwordsinhistravelingcompanion'sear,andwhileapparentlyrenewinghisacquaintance,nodoubtcuthisrivaltopieces.
　　IfLucienwassurprisedattheaptwitandthesubtletywithwhichthesegentlemenformulatedtheirreplies,hefeltbewilderedwithepigramandrepartee,and,mostofall,bytheiroffhandwayoftalkingandtheireaseofmanner.ThematerialluxuryofParishadalarmedhimthatmorning;atnighthesawthesamelavishexpenditureofintellect.Bywhatmysteriousmeans,heaskedhimself,didthesepeoplemakesuchpiquantreflectionsonthespurofthemoment,thosereparteeswhichhecouldonlyhavemadeaftermuchpondering?Andnotonlyweretheyateaseintheirspeech,theywereateaseintheirdress,nothinglookednew,nothinglookedold,nothingaboutthemwasconspicuous,everythingattractedtheeyes.Thefinegentlemanofto-daywasthesameyesterday,andwouldbethesameto-morrow.Lucienguessedthathehimselflookedasifheweredressedforthefirsttimeinhislife.
　　"Mydearfellow,"saiddeMarsay,addressingFelixdeVandenesse,"thatyoungRastignacissoaringawaylikeapaper-kite.LookathimintheMarquisedeListomere'sbox;heismakingprogress,heisputtinguphiseyeglassatus!Heknowsthisgentleman,nodoubt,"
　　addedthedandy,speakingtoLucien,andlookingelsewhere.
　　"Hecanscarcelyfailtohaveheardthenameofagreatmanofwhomweareproud,"saidMme.deBargeton."QuitelatelyhissisterwaspresentwhenM.deRubemprereadussomeveryfinepoetry."
　　FelixdeVandenesseanddeMarsaytookleaveoftheMarquised'Espard,andwentofftoMme.deListomere,Vandenesse'ssister.Thesecondactbegan,andthethreewerelefttothemselvesagain.ThecuriouswomenlearnedhowMme.deBargetoncametobetherefromsomeoftheparty,whiletheothersannouncedthearrivalofapoet,andmadefunofhiscostume.CanaliswentbacktotheDuchessedeChaulieu,andnomorewasseenofhim.
　　Lucienwasgladwhentherisingofthecurtainproducedadiversion.
　　AllMme.deBargeton'smisgivingswithregardtoLucienwereincreasedbythemarkedattentionwhichtheMarquised'EspardhadshowntoChatelet;hermannertowardstheBaronwasverydifferentfromthepatronizingaffabilitywithwhichshetreatedLucien.Mme.deListomere'sboxwasfullduringthesecondact,and,toallappearance,thetalkturneduponMme.deBargetonandLucien.YoungRastignacevidentlywasentertainingtheparty;hehadraisedthelaughterthatneedsfreshfueleverydayinParis,thelaughterthatseizesuponatopicandexhaustsit,andleavesitstaleandthreadbareinamoment.Mme.d'Espardgrewuneasy.Sheknewthatanill-naturedspeechisnotlongincomingtotheearsofthosewhomitwillwound,andwaitedtilltheendoftheact.
　　AfterarevulsionoffeelingsuchashadtakenplaceinMme.deBargetonandLucien,strangethingscometopassinabriefspaceoftime,andanyrevolutionwithinusiscontrolledbylawsthatworkwithgreatswiftness.Chatelet'ssageandpoliticwordsastoLucien,spokenonthewayhomefromtheVaudeville,werefreshinLouise'smemory.Everyphrasewasaprophecy,itseemedasifLucienhadsethimselftofulfilthepredictionsonebyone.WhenLucienandMme.deBargetonhadpartedwiththeirillusionsconcerningeachother,thelucklessyouth,withadestinynotunlikeRousseau's,wentsofarinhispredecessor'sfootstepsthathewascaptivatedbythegreatladyandsmittenwithMme.d'Espardatfirstsight.Youngmenandmenwhoremembertheiryoungemotionscanseethatthiswasonlywhatmighthavebeenlookedfor.Mme.d'Espardwithherdaintyways,herdelicateenunciation,andtherefinedtonesofhervoice;thefragilewomansoenvied,ofsuchhighplaceandhighdegree,appearedbeforethepoetasMme.deBargetonhadappearedtohiminAngouleme.Hisficklenaturepromptedhimtodesireinfluenceinthatloftysphereatonce,andthesurestwaytosecuresuchinfluencewastopossessthewomanwhoexertedit,andtheneverythingwouldbehis.HehadsucceededatAngouleme,whyshouldhenotsucceedinParis?
　　Involuntarily,anddespitethenovelcounterfascinationofthestage,hiseyesturnedtotheCelimeneinhersplendor;heglancedfurtivelyathereverymoment;thelongerhelooked,themorehedesiredtolookather.Mme.deBargetoncaughtthegleaminLucien'seyes,andsawthathefoundtheMarquisemoreinterestingthantheopera.IfLucienhadforsakenherforthefiftydaughtersofDanaus,shecouldhavebornehisdesertionwithequanimity;butanotherglance——bolder,moreardentandunmistakablethananybefore——revealedthestateofLucien'sfeelings.Shegrewjealous,butnotsomuchforthefutureasforthepast.
　　"Henevergavemesuchalook,"shethought."Dearme!Chateletwasright!"
　　Thenshesawthatshehadmadeamistake;andwhenawomanoncebeginstorepentofherweaknesses,shespongesoutthewholepast.EveryoneofLucien'sglancesrousedherindignation,buttoalloutwardappearanceshewascalm.DeMarsaycamebackintheinterval,bringingM.deListomerewithhim;andthatseriouspersonandtheyoungcoxcombsooninformedtheMarquisethattheweddingguestinhisholidaysuit,whomshehadthebadlucktohaveinherbox,hadasmuchrighttotheappellationofRubempreasaJewtoabaptismalname.Lucien'sfatherwasanapothecarynamedChardon.M.deRastignac,whoknewallaboutAngouleme,hadsetseveralboxeslaughingalreadyatthemummywhomtheMarquisestyledhercousin,andattheMarquise'sforethoughtinhavinganapothecaryathandtosustainanartificiallifewithdrugs.Inshort,deMarsaybroughtaselectionfromthethousand-and-onejokesmadebyParisiansonthespurofthemoment,andnosoonerutteredthanforgotten.Chateletwasatthebackofitall,andtherealauthorofthisPunicfaith.
　　Mme.d'EspardturnedtoMme.deBargeton,putupherfan,andsaid,"Mydear,tellmeifyourprotege'snameisreallyM.deRubempre?"
　　"Hehasassumedhismother'sname,"saidAnais,uneasily.
　　"Butwhowashisfather?"
　　"Hisfather'snamewasChardon."
　　"AndwhatwasthisChardon?"
　　"Adruggist."
　　"Mydearfriend,IfeltquitesurethatallPariscouldnotbelaughingatanyonewhomItookup.Idonotcaretostayherewhenwagscomeininhighgleebecausethereisanapothecary'ssoninmybox.Ifyouwillfollowmyadvice,wewillleaveit,andatonce."
　　Mme.d'Espard'sexpressionwasinsolentenough;Lucienwasatalosstoaccountforherchangeofcountenance.Hethoughtthathiswaistcoatwasinbadtaste,whichwastrue;andthathiscoatlookedlikeacaricatureofthefashion,whichwaslikewisetrue.Hediscerned,inbitternessofsoul,thathemustputhimselfinthehandsofanexperttailor,andvowedthathewouldgotheverynextmorningtothemostcelebratedartistinParis.OnMondayhewouldholdhisownwiththemenintheMarquise'shouse.
　　Yet,lostinthoughtthoughhewas,hesawthethirdacttoanend,and,withhiseyesfixedonthegorgeoussceneuponthestage,dreamedouthisdreamofMme.d'Espard.Hewasindespairoverhersuddencoldness;itgaveastrangechecktotheardentreasoningthroughwhichheadvanceduponthisnewlove,undismayedbytheimmensedifficultiesintheway,difficultieswhichhesawandresolvedtoconquer.Herousedhimselffromthesedeepmusingstolookoncemoreathisnewidol,turnedhishead,andsawthathewasalone;hehadheardafaintrustlingsound,thedoorclosed——Madamed'Espardhadtakenhercousinwithher.Lucienwassurprisedtothelastdegreebythesuddendesertion;hedidnotthinklongaboutit,however,simplybecauseitwasinexplicable.
　　WhenthecarriagewasrollingalongtheRuedeRichelieuonthewaytotheFaubourgSaint-Honore,theMarquisespoketohercousininatoneofsuppressedirritation.
　　"Mydearchild,whatareyouthinkingabout?Praywaittillanapothecary'ssonhasmadeanameforhimselfbeforeyoutroubleyourselfabouthim.TheDuchessedeChaulieudoesnotacknowledgeCanalisevennow,andheisfamousandamanofgoodfamily.Thisyoungfellowisneitheryoursonnoryourlover,Isuppose?"addedthehaughtydame,withakeen,inquisitiveglanceathercousin.
　　"HowfortunateformethatIkeptthelittlescapegraceatadistance!"thoughtMadamedeBargeton.
　　"Verywell,"continuedtheMarquise,takingtheexpressioninhercousin'seyesforananswer,"drophim,Ibegofyou.Takinganillustriousnameinthatway!——Why,itisapieceofimpudencethatwillmeetwithitsdessertsinsociety.Itishismother'sname,I
　　daresay;butjustremember,dear,thattheKingalonecanconfer,byaspecialordinance,thetitleofdeRubempreonthesonofadaughterofthehouse.Ifshemadeamesalliance,thefavorwouldbeenormous,onlytobegrantedtovastwealth,orconspicuousservices,orverypowerfulinfluence.TheyoungmanlookslikeashopmaninhisSundaysuit;evidentlyheisneitherwealthynornoble;hehasafinehead,butheseemstometobeverysilly;hehasnoideawhattodo,andhasnothingtosayforhimself;infact,hehasnobreeding.Howcameyoutotakehimup?"
　　Mme.deBargetonrenouncedLucienasLucienhimselfhadrenouncedher;
　　aghastlyfearlesthercousinshouldlearnthemannerofherjourneyshotthroughhermind.
　　"Dearcousin,IamindespairthatIhavecompromisedyou."
　　"Peopledonotcompromiseme,"Mme.d'Espardsaid,smiling;"Iamonlythinkingofyou."
　　"ButyouhaveaskedhimtodinewithyouonMonday."
　　"Ishallbeill,"theMarquisesaidquickly;"youcantellhimso,andIshallleaveordersthatheisnottobeadmittedundereithername."
　　DuringtheintervalLuciennoticedthateveryonewaswalkingupanddownthelobby.Hewoulddothesame.Inthefirstplace,notoneofMme.d'Espard'svisitorsrecognizedhimnorpaidanyattentiontohim,theirconductseemednothinglessthanextraordinarytotheprovincialpoet;and,secondly,Chatelet,onwhomhetriedtohang,watchedhimoutofthecornerofhiseyeandfoughtshyofhim.Lucienwalkedtoandfro,watchingtheeddyingcrowdofmen,tillhefeltconvincedthathiscostumewasabsurd,andhewentbacktohisbox,ensconcedhimselfinacorner,andstayedtheretilltheend.AttimeshethoughtofnothingbutthemagnificentspectacleoftheballetinthegreatInfernosceneinthefifthact;sometimesthesightofthehouseabsorbedhim,sometimeshisownthoughts;hehadseensocietyinParis,andthesighthadstirredhimtothedepths.
　　"Sothisismykingdom,"hesaidtohimself;"thisistheworldthatI
　　mustconquer."
　　AshewalkedhomethroughthestreetshethoughtoverallthathadbeensaidbyMme.d'Espard'scourtiers;memoryreproducingwithstrangefaithfulnesstheirdemeanor,theirgestures,theirmannerofcomingandgoing.
　　Nextday,towardsnoon,LucienbetookhimselftoStaub,thegreattailorofthatday.Partlybydintofentreaties,andpartlybyvirtueofcash,Luciensucceededinobtainingapromisethathisclothesshouldbereadyintimeforthegreatday.Staubwentsofarastogivehiswordthataperfectlyelegantcoat,awaistcoat,andapairoftrousersshouldbeforthcoming.Lucienthenorderedlinenandpocket-handkerchiefs,alittleoutfit,inshort,ofalinen-draper,andacelebratedbootmakermeasuredhimforshoesandboots.HeboughtaneatwalkingcaneatVerdier's;hewenttoMme.Irlandeforglovesandshirtstuds;inshort,hedidhisbesttoreachtheclimaxofdandyism.Whenhehadsatisfiedallhisfancies,hewenttotheRueNeuve-de-Luxembourg,andfoundthatLouisehadgoneout.
　　"ShewasdiningwithMme.laMarquised'Espard,"hermaidsaid,"andwouldnotbebacktilllate."
　　LuciendinedfortwofrancsatarestaurantinthePalaisRoyal,andwenttobedearly.ThenextdaywasSunday.HewenttoLouise'slodgingateleveno'clock.Louisehadnotyetrisen.Attwoo'clockhereturnedoncemore.
　　"Madamecannotseeanybodyyet,"reportedAlbertine,"butshegavemealineforyou."
　　"Cannotseeanybodyyet?"repeatedLucien."ButIamnotanybody——"
　　"Idonotknow,"Albertineansweredveryimpertinently;andLucien,lesssurprisedbyAlbertine'sanswerthanbyanotefromMme.deBargeton,tookthebillet,andreadthefollowingdiscouraginglines:——
　　"Mme.d'Espardisnotwell;shewillnotbeabletoseeyouonMonday.
　　Iamnotfeelingverywellmyself,butIamabouttodressandgotokeephercompany.Iamindespairoverthislittledisappointment;butyourtalentsreassureme,youwillmakeyourwaywithoutcharlatanism."
　　"Andnosignature!"Luciensaidtohimself.HefoundhimselfintheTuileriesbeforeheknewwhitherhewaswalking.
　　Withthegiftofsecond-sightwhichaccompaniesgenius,hebegantosuspectthatthechillynotewasbutawarningofthecatastrophetocome.Lostinthought,hewalkedonandon,gazingatthemonumentsinthePlaceLouisQuinze.
　　Itwasasunnyday;astreamoffinecarriageswentpasthimonthewaytotheChampsElysees.Followingthedirectionofthecrowdofstrollers,hesawthethreeorfourthousandcarriagesthatturntheChampsElyseesintoanimprovisedLongchamponSundayafternoonsinsummer.Thesplendidhorses,thetoilettes,andliveriesbewilderedhim;hewentfurtherandfurther,untilhereachedtheArcdeTriomphe,thenunfinished.Whatwerehisfeelingswhen,ashereturned,hesawMme.deBargetonandMme.d'Espardcomingtowardshiminawonderfullyappointedcaleche,withachasseurbehinditinwavingplumesandthatgold-embroideredgreenuniformwhichheknewonlytoowell.Therewasablocksomewhereintherow,andthecarriageswaited.LucienbeheldLouisetransformedbeyondrecognition.
　　Allthecolorsofhertoilettehadbeencarefullysubordinatedtohercomplexion;herdresswasdelicious,herhairgracefullyandbecominglyarranged,herhat,inexquisitetaste,wasremarkableevenbesideMme.d'Espard,thatleaderoffashion.
　　Thereissomethingintheartofwearingahatthatescapesdefinition.Tiltedtoofartothebackofthehead,itimpartsaboldexpressiontotheface;bringittoofarforward,itgivesyouasinisterlook;tippedtooneside,ithasajauntyair;awell-dressedwomanwearsherhatexactlyasshemeanstowearit,andexactlyattherightangle.Mme.deBargetonhadsolvedthiscuriousproblematsight.Adaintygirdleoutlinedherslenderwaist.Shehadadoptedhercousin'sgesturesandtricksofmanner;andnow,asshesatbyMme.
　　d'Espard'sside,sheplayedwithatinyscentbottlethatdangledbyaslendergoldchainfromoneofherfingers,displayedalittlewell-glovedhandwithoutseemingtodoso.ShehadmodeledherselfonMme.d'Espardwithoutmimickingher;theMarquisehadfoundacousinworthyofher,andseemedtobeproudofherpupil.
　　Themenandwomenonthefootwaysallgazedatthesplendidcarriage,withthebearingsofthed'EspardsandBlamont-Chauvrysuponthepanels.Lucienwasamazedatthenumberofgreetingsreceivedbythecousins;hedidnotknowthatthe"allParis,"whichconsistsinsomescoreofsalons,waswellawarealreadyoftherelationshipbetweentheladies.AlittlegroupofyoungmenonhorsebackaccompaniedthecarriageintheBois;LuciencouldrecognizedeMarsayandRastignacamongthem,andcouldseefromtheirgesturesthatthepairofcoxcombswerecomplimentingMme.deBargetonuponhertransformation.
　　Mme.d'Espardwasradiantwithhealthandgrace.Soherindispositionwassimplyapretextforriddingherselfofhim,fortherehadbeennomentionofanotherday!
　　Thewrathfulpoetwenttowardsthecaleche;hewalkedslowly,waitedtillhecameinfullsightofthetwoladies,andmadethemabow.
　　Mme.deBargetonwouldnotseehim;buttheMarquiseputuphereyeglass,anddeliberatelycuthim.HehadbeendisownedbythesovereignlordsofAngouleme,buttobedisownedbysocietyinPariswasanotherthing;thebooby-squiresbydoingtheirutmosttomortifyLucienadmittedhispowerandacknowledgedhimasaman;forMme.
　　d'Espardhehadpositivelynoexistence.Thiswasasentence,itwasarefusalofjustice.Poorpoet!adeadlycoldseizedonhimwhenhesawdeMarsayeyinghimthroughhisglass;andwhentheParisianlionletthatopticalinstrumentfall,itdroppedinsosingularafashionthatLucienthoughtoftheknife-bladeoftheguillotine.
　　Thecalechewentby.Rageandacravingforvengeancetookpossessionofhisslightedsoul.IfMme.deBargetonhadbeeninhispower,hecouldhavecutherthroatatthatmoment;hewasaFouquier-TinvillegloatingoverthepleasureofsendingMme.d'Espardtothescaffold.
　　IfonlyhecouldhaveputdeMarsaytothetorturewithrefinementsofsavagecruelty!Canaliswentbyonhorseback,bowingtotheprettiestwomen,hisdresselegant,asbecamethemostdaintyofpoets.
　　"Greatheavens!"exclaimedLucien."Money,moneyatallcosts!moneyistheonepowerbeforewhichtheworldbendstheknee.""No!"criedconscience,"notmoney,butglory;andglorymeanswork!Work!thatwaswhatDavidsaid.""Greatheavens!whatamIdoinghere?ButI
　　willtriumph.Iwilldrivealongthisavenueinacalechewithachasseurbehindme!IwillpossessaMarquised'Espard."Andflingingoutthewrathfulwords,hewenttoHurbain'stodinefortwofrancs.
　　Nextmorning,atnineo'clock,hewenttotheRueNeuve-de-LuxembourgtoupbraidLouiseforherbarbarity.ButMme.deBargetonwasnotathometohim,andnotonlyso,buttheporterwouldnotallowhimtogouptoherrooms;sohestayedoutsideinthestreet,watchingthehousetillnoon.Attwelveo'clockChateletcameout,lookedatLucienoutofthecornerofhiseye,andavoidedhim.
　　Stungtothequick,Lucienhurriedafterhisrival;andChatelet,findinghimselfcloselypursued,turnedandbowed,evidentlyintendingtoshakehimoffbythiscourtesy.
　　"Sparemejustamomentforpity'ssake,sir,"saidLucien;"Iwantjustawordortwowithyou.Youhaveshownmefriendship,Inowaskthemosttriflingserviceofthatfriendship.YouhavejustcomefromMme.deBargeton;howhaveIfallenintodisgracewithherandMme.
　　d'Espard?——pleaseexplain."
　　"M.Chardon,doyouknowwhytheladiesleftyouattheOperathatevening?"askedChatelet,withtreacherousgood-nature.
　　"No,"saidthepoorpoet.
　　"Well,itwasM.deRastignacwhospokeagainstyoufromthebeginning.Theyaskedhimaboutyou,andtheyoungdandysimplysaidthatyournamewasChardon,andnotdeRubempre;thatyourmotherwasamonthlynurse;thatyourfather,whenhewasalive,wasanapothecaryinL'Houmeau,asuburbofAngouleme;andthatyoursister,acharminggirl,getsupshirtstoadmiration,andisjustabouttobemarriedtoalocalprinternamedSechard.Suchistheworld!Younosoonershowyourselfthanitpullsyoutopieces.
　　"M.deMarsaycametoMme.d'Espardtolaughatyouwithher;sothetwoladies,thinkingthatyourpresenceputtheminafalseposition,wentoutatonce.Donotattempttogotoeitherhouse.IfMme.deBargetoncontinuedtoreceiveyourvisits,hercousinwouldhavenothingtodowithher.Youhavegenius;trytoavengeyourself.Theworldlooksdownuponyou;lookdowninyourturnupontheworld.Takerefugeinsomegarret,writeyourmasterpieces,seizeonpowerofanykind,andyouwillseetheworldatyourfeet.Thenyoucangivebackthebruiseswhichyouhavereceived,andintheveryplacewheretheyweregiven.Mme.deBargetonwillbethemoredistantnowbecauseshehasbeenfriendly.Thatisthewaywithwomen.ButthequestionnowforyouisnothowtowinbackAnais'friendship,buthowtoavoidmakinganenemyofher.Iwilltellyouofaway.Shehaswrittenletterstoyou;sendallherlettersbacktoher,shewillbesensiblethatyouareactinglikeagentleman;andatalatertime,ifyoushouldneedher,shewillnotbehostile.Formyownpart,Ihavesohighanopinionofyourfuture,thatIhavetakenyourparteverywhere;andifIcandoanythinghereforyou,youwillalwaysfindmereadytobeofuse."
　　TheelderlybeauseemedtohavegrownyoungagainintheatmosphereofParis.Hebowedwithfrigidpoliteness;butLucien,woe-begone,haggard,andundone,forgottoreturnthesalutation.Hewentbacktohisinn,andtherefoundthegreatStaubhimself,comeinperson,notsomuchtotryhiscustomer'sclothesastomakeinquiriesofthelandladywithregardtothatcustomer'sfinancialstatus.Thereporthadbeensatisfactory.Lucienhadtraveledpost;Mme.deBargetonbroughthimbackfromVaudevillelastThursdayinhercarriage.StaubaddressedLucienas"MonsieurleComte,"andcalledhiscustomer'sattentiontotheartisticskillwithwhichhehadbroughtacharmingfigureintorelief.
　　"AyoungmaninsuchacostumehasonlytowalkintheTuileries,"hesaid,"andhewillmarryanEnglishheiresswithinafortnight."
　　LucienbrightenedalittleundertheinfluencesoftheGermantailor'sjoke,theperfectfitofhisnewclothes,thefinecloth,andthesightofagracefulfigurewhichmethiseyesinthelooking-glass.
　　VaguelyhetoldhimselfthatPariswasthecapitalofchance,andforthemomenthebelievedinchance.HadhenotavolumeofpoemsandamagnificentromanceentitledTheArcherofCharlesIX.inmanuscript?
　　Hehadhopeforthefuture.Staubpromisedtheovercoatandtherestoftheclothesthenextday.
　　Thenextdaythebootmaker,linen-draper,andtailorallreturnedarmedeachwithhisbill,whichLucien,stillunderthecharmofprovincialhabits,paidforthwith,notknowinghowotherwisetoridhimselfofthem.Afterhehadpaid,thereremainedbutthreehundredandsixtyfrancsoutofthetwothousandwhichhehadbroughtwithhimfromAngouleme,andhehadbeenbutoneweekinParis!Nevertheless,hedressedandwenttotakeastrollintheTerrasseedesFeuillants.
　　Hehadhisdayoftriumph.Helookedsohandsomeandsograceful,hewassowelldressed,thatwomenlookedathim;twoorthreeweresomuchstruckwithhisbeauty,thattheyturnedtheirheadstolookagain.LucienstudiedthegaitandcarriageoftheyoungmenontheTerrasse,andtookalessoninfinemannerswhilehemeditatedonhisthreehundredandsixtyfrancs.
　　Thatevening,aloneinhischamber,anideaoccurredtohimwhichthrewalightontheproblemofhisexistenceattheGaillard-Bois,wherehelivedontheplainestfare,thinkingtoeconomizeinthisway.Heaskedforhisaccount,asifhemeanttoleave,anddiscoveredthathewasindebtedtohislandlordtotheextentofahundredfrancs.ThenextmorningwasspentinrunningaroundtheLatinQuarter,recommendedforitscheapnessbyDavid.Foralongwhilehelookedabouttill,finally,intheRuedeCluny,closetotheSorbonne,hediscoveredaplacewherehecouldhaveafurnishedroomforsuchapriceashecouldaffordtopay.HesettledwithhishostessoftheGaillard-Bois,andtookuphisquartersintheRuedeClunythatsameday.Hisremovalonlycosthimthecabfare.
　　Whenhehadtakenpossessionofhispoorroom,hemadeapacketofMme.deBargeton'sletters,laidthemonthetable,andsatdowntowritetoher;butbeforehewrotehefelltothinkingoverthatfatalweek.Hedidnottellhimselfthathehadbeenthefirsttobefaithless;thatforasuddenfancyhehadbeenreadytoleavehisLouisewithoutknowingwhatwouldbecomeofherinParis.Hesawnoneofhisownshortcomings,buthesawhispresentposition,andblamedMme.deBargetonforit.Shewastohavelightedhisway;insteadshehadruinedhim.Hegrewindignant,hegrewproud,heworkedhimselfintoaparoxysmofrage,andsethimselftocomposethefollowingepistle:——
　　"Whatwouldyouthink,madame,ofawomanwhoshouldtakeafancytosomepoorandtimidchildfullofthenoblesuperstitionswhichthegrownmancalls'illusions;'andusingallthecharmsofwoman'scoquetry,allhermostdelicateingenuity,shouldfeignamother'slovetoleadthatchildastray?Herfondestpromises,thecard-castleswhichraisedhiswonder,costhernothing;sheleadshimon,tightensherholduponhim,sometimescoaxing,sometimesscoldinghimforhiswantofconfidence,tillthechildleaveshishomeandfollowsherblindlytotheshoresofavastsea.Smiling,shelureshimintoafrailskiff,andsendshimforthaloneandhelplesstofacethestorm.Standingsafeontherock,shelaughsandwisheshimluck.Youarethatwoman;Iamthatchild.