AttheAmbiguthehousewasfull;therewasnotaseatleftforhim.
　　Indignantcomplaintsbehindthescenesbroughtnoredress;thebox-
　　officekeeper,whodidnotknowhimasyet,saidthattheyhadsentordersfortwoboxestohispaper,andsenthimabouthisbusiness.
　　"IshallspeakoftheplayasIfindit,"saidLucien,nettledatthis.
　　"Whatadunceyouare!"saidtheleadinglady,addressingthebox-
　　officekeeper,"thatisCoralie'sadorer."
　　Thebox-officekeeperturnedroundimmediatelyatthis."Iwillspeaktothemanageratonce,sir,"hesaid.
　　InallthesesmalldetailsLuciensawtheimmensepowerwieldedbythepress.Hisvanitywasgratified.ThemanagerappearedtosaythattheDucdeRhetoreandTulliatheopera-dancerwereinthestage-box,andtheyhadconsentedtoallowLucientojointhem.
　　"Youhavedriventwopeopletodistraction,"remarkedtheyoungDuke,mentioningthenamesoftheBaronduChateletandMme.deBargeton.
　　"Distraction?Whatwillitbeto-morrow?"saidLucien."Sofar,myfriendshavebeenmereskirmishers,butIhavegiventhemred-hotshotto-night.To-morrowyouwillknowwhywearemakinggameof'Potelet.'
　　Thearticleiscalled'Poteletfrom1811to1821.'Chateletwillbeabyword,anameforthetypeofcourtierswhodenytheirbenefactorandrallytotheBourbons.WhenIhavedonewithhim,IamgoingtoMme.
　　deMontcornet's."
　　Lucien'stalkwassparkling.HewaseagerthatthisgreatpersonageshouldseehowgrossamistakeMesdamesd'EspardanddeBargetonhadmadewhentheyslightedLuciendeRubempre.ButheshowedthetipofhisearwhenheassertedhisrighttobearthenameofRubempre,theDucdeRhetorehavingpurposelyaddressedhimasChardon.
　　"YoushouldgoovertotheRoyalists,"saidtheDuke."Youhaveprovedyourselfamanofability;nowshowyourgoodsense.Theonewayofobtainingapatentofnobilityandtherighttobearthetitleofyourmother'sfamily,isbyaskingforitinreturnforservicestoberenderedtotheCourt.TheLiberalswillnevermakeacountofyou.
　　TheRestorationwillgetthebetterofthepress,yousee,inthelongrun,andthepressistheonlyformidablepower.Theyhavebornewithittoolongasitis;thepressissuretobemuzzled.Takeadvantageofthelastmomentsoflibertytomakeyourselfformidable,andyouwillhaveeverything——intellect,nobility,andgoodlooks;nothingwillbeoutofyourreach.SoifyouareaLiberal,letitbesimplyforthemoment,sothatyoucanmakeabetterbargainforyourRoyalism."
　　WiththattheDukeentreatedLucientoacceptaninvitationtodinner,whichtheGermanMinisterofFlorine'ssupper-partywasabouttosend.Lucienfellunderthecharmofthenoblepeer'sarguments;thesalonsfromwhichhehadbeenexiledforever,ashethought,butafewmonthsago,wouldshortlyopentheirdoorsforhim!Hewasdelighted.Hemarveledatthepowerofthepress;IntellectandthePress,thesethenweretherealpowersinsociety.Anotherthoughtshapeditselfinhismind——WasEtienneLousteausorrythathehadopenedthegateofthetempletoanewcomer?EvennowheLucienfeltonhisownaccountthatitwasstronglyadvisabletoputdifficultiesinthewayofeagerandambitiousrecruitsfromtheprovinces.IfapoetshouldcometohimashehadflunghimselfintoEtienne'sarms,hedarednotthinkofthereceptionthathewouldgivehim.
　　TheyouthfulDukemeanwhilesawthatLucienwasdeepinthought,andmadeaprettygoodguessatthematterofhismeditations.Hehimselfhadopenedoutwidehorizonsofpubliclifebeforeanambitiouspoet,withavacillatingwill,itistrue,butnotwithoutaspirations;andthejournalistshadalreadyshowntheneophyte,fromapinnacleofthetemple,allthekingdomsoftheworldoflettersanditsriches.
　　Lucienhimselfhadnosuspicionofalittleplotthatwasbeingwoven,nordidheimaginethatM.deRhetorehadahandinit.M.deRhetorehadspokenofLucien'scleverness,andMme.d'Espard'ssethadtakenalarm.Mme.deBargetonhadcommissionedtheDuketosoundLucien,andwiththatobjectinview,thenobleyouthhadcometotheAmbigu-
　　Comique.
　　Donotbelieveinstoriesofelaboratetreachery.Neitherthegreatworldnortheworldofjournalistslaidanydeepschemes;definiteplansarenotmadebyeither;theirMachiavelismlivesfromhandtomouth,sotospeak,andconsists,forthemostpart,inbeingalwaysonthespot,alwaysonthealerttoturneverythingtoaccount,alwaysonthewatchforthemomentwhenaman'srulingpassionshalldeliverhimintothehandsofhisenemies.TheyoungDukehadseenthroughLucienatFlorine'ssupper-party;hehadjusttouchedhisvainsusceptibilities;andnowhewastryinghisfirsteffortsindiplomacyuponthelivingsubject.
　　LucienhurriedtotheRueSaint-Fiacreaftertheplaytowritehisarticle.Itwasapieceofsavageandbittercriticism,writteninpurewantonness;hewasamusinghimselfbytryinghispower.Themelodrama,asamatteroffact,wasabetterpiecethantheAlcalde;
　　butLucienwishedtoseewhetherhecoulddamnagoodplayandsendeverybodytoseeabadone,ashisassociateshadsaid.
　　Heunfoldedthesheetatbreakfastnextmorning,tellingCoralieashedidsothathehadcutuptheAmbigu-Comique;andnotalittleastonishedwashetofindbelowhispaperonMme.deBargetonandChateletanoticeoftheAmbigu,somellowedandsoftenedinthecourseofthenight,thatalthoughthewittyanalysiswasstillpreserved,thejudgmentwasfavorable.Thearticlewasmorelikelytofillthehousethantoemptyit.Nowordscandescribehiswrath.HedeterminedtohaveawordortwowithLousteau.Hehadalreadybeguntothinkhimselfanindespensableman,andhevowedthathewouldnotsubmittobetyrannizedoverandtreatedlikeafool.Toestablishhispowerbeyondcavil,hewrotethearticleforDauriat'sreview,summingupandweighingallthevariousopinionsconcerningNathan'sbook;andwhilehewasinthehumor,hehitoffanotherofhisshortsketchesforLousteau'snewspaper.Inexperiencedjournalists,inthefirsteffervescenceofyouth,makealaborofloveofephemeralwork,andlavishtheirbestthoughtunthriftilythereon.
　　ThemanagerofthePanorama-Dramatiquegaveafirstperformanceofavaudevillethatnight,sothatFlorineandCoraliemightbefreefortheevening.Thereweretobecardsbeforesupper.Lousteaucamefortheshortnoticeofthevaudeville;ithadbeenwrittenbeforehandafterthegeneralrehearsal,forEtiennewishedtohavethepaperoffhismind.LucienreadoveroneofthecharmingsketchesofParisianwhimsicalitieswhichmadethefortuneofthepaper,andLousteaukissedhimonbotheyelids,andcalledhimtheprovidenceofjournalism.
　　"Thenwhydoyouamuseyourselfbyturningmyarticleinsideout?"
　　askedLucien.Hehadwrittenhisbrilliantsketchsimplyandsolelytogiveemphasistohisgrievance.
　　"I?"exclaimedLousteau.
　　"Well,whoelsecanhavealteredmyarticle?"
　　"Youdonotknowalltheinsandoutsyet,dearfellow.TheAmbigupaysforthirtycopies,andonlytakesnineforthemanagerandboxoffice-keeperandtheirmistresses,andforthethreelesseesofthetheatre.EveryoneoftheBoulevardtheatrespayseighthundredfrancsinthiswaytothepaper;andthereisquiteasmuchagaininboxesandordersforFinot,tosaynothingofthecontributionsofthecompany.Andiftheminortheatresdothis,youmayimaginewhatthebigonesdo!Nowyouunderstand?Weareboundtoshowagooddealofindulgence."
　　"Iunderstandthis,thatIamnotatlibertytowriteasIthink——"
　　"Eh!whatdoesthatmatter,solongasyouturnanhonestpenny?"
　　criedLousteau."Besides,myboy,whatgrudgehadyouagainstthetheatre?Youmusthavehadsomereasonforit,oryouwouldnothavecutuptheplayasyoudid.Ifyouslashforthesakeofslashing,thepaperwillgetintotrouble,andwhenthereisgoodreasonforhittingharditwillnottell.Didthemanagerleaveyououtinthecold?"
　　"Hehadnotkeptaplaceforme."
　　"Good,"saidLousteau."Ishalllethimseeyourarticle,andtellhimthatIsofteneditdown;youwillfinditservesyoubetterthanifithadappearedinprint.Goandaskhimforticketsto-morrow,andhewillsignfortyblankorderseverymonth.Iknowamanwhocangetridofthemforyou;Iwillintroduceyoutohim,andhewillbuythemallupathalf-price.Thereisatradedoneintheatretickets,justasBarbettradesinreviewers'copies.ThisisanotherBarbet,theleaderoftheclaque.Helivesnearby;comeandseehim,thereistimeenough."
　　"But,mydearfellow,itisascandalousthingthatFinotshouldlevyblackmailinmattersintellectual.Soonerorlater——"
　　"Really!"criedLousteau,"wheredoyoucomefrom?ForwhatdoyoutakeFinot?Beneathhispretenceofgood-nature,hisignoranceandstupidity,andthoseTurcaret'sairsofhis,thereisallthecunningofhisfatherthehatter.DidyounoticeanoldsoldieroftheEmpireinthedenattheoffice?ThatisFinot'suncle.Theuncleisnotonlyoneoftherightsort,hehasthelucktobetakenforafool;andhetakesallthatkindofbusinessuponhisshoulders.AnambitiousmaninParisiswelloffindeedifhehasawillingscapegoatathand.Inpubliclife,asinjournalism,therearehostsofemergenciesinwhichthechiefscannotaffordtoappear.IfFinotshouldenteronapoliticalcareer,hisunclewouldbehissecretary,andreceiveallthecontributionsleviedinhisdepartmentonbigaffairs.AnybodywouldtakeGiroudeauforafoolatfirstsight,buthehasjustenoughshrewdnesstobeaninscrutableoldfile.Heisonpicketduty;heseesthatwearenotpesteredwithhubbub,beginnerswantingajob,oradvertisements.Nootherpaperhashisequal,Ithink."
　　"Heplayshispartwell,"saidLucien;"Isawhimatwork."
　　EtienneandLucienreachedahandsomehouseintheRueduFaubourg-du-
　　Temple.
　　"IsM.Braulardin?"Etienneaskedoftheporter.
　　"MONSIEUR?"saidLucien."Then,istheleaderoftheclaque'Monsieur'?"
　　"Mydearboy,Braulardhastwentythousandfrancsofincome.AllthedramaticauthorsoftheBoulevardsareinhisclutches,andhaveastandingaccountwithhimasifhewereabanker.Ordersandcomplimentaryticketsaresoldhere.Braulardknowswheretogetridofsuchmerchandise.Nowforaturnatstatistics,ausefulscienceenoughinitsway.Attherateoffiftycomplimentaryticketseveryeveningforeachtheatre,youhavetwohundredandfiftyticketsdaily.Suppose,takingonewithanother,thattheyareworthacoupleoffrancsapiece,Braulardpaysahundredandtwenty-fivefrancsdailyforthem,andtakeshischanceofmakingcentpercent.Inthiswayauthors'ticketsalonebringhiminaboutfourthousandfrancseverymonth,orforty-eightthousandfrancsperannum.Allowtwentythousandfrancsforloss,forhecannotalwaysplaceallhistickets——"
　　"Whynot?"
　　"Oh!thepeoplewhopayatthedoorgoinwiththeholdersofcomplimentaryticketsforunreservedseats,andthetheatrereservestherightofadmittingthosewhopay.Therearefinewarmeveningstobereckonedwithbesides,andpoorplays.Braulardmakes,perhaps,thirtythousandfrancseveryyearinthisway,andhehashisclaqueursbesides,anotherindustry.FlorineandCoraliepaytributetohim;iftheydidnot,therewouldbenoapplausewhentheycomeonorgooff."
　　Lousteaugavethisexplanationinalowvoiceastheywentupthestair.
　　"Parisisaqueerplace,"saidLucien;itseemedtohimthathesawself-interestsquattingineverycorner.
　　Asmartmaid-servantopenedthedoor.AtthesightofEtienneLousteau,thedealerinordersandticketsrosefromasturdychairbeforealargecylinderdesk,andLucienbeheldtheleaderoftheclaque,Braulardhimself,dressedinagraymolletonjacket,footedtrousers,andredslippers;foralltheworldlikeadoctororasolicitor.Hewasatypicalself-mademan,Lucienthought——avulgar-
　　lookingfacewithapairofexceedinglycunninggrayeyes,handsmadeforhiredapplause,acomplexionoverwhichhardlivinghadpassedlikerainoveraroof,grizzledhair,andasomewhathuskyvoice.
　　"YouhavecomefromMlle.Florine,nodoubt,sir,andthisgentlemanforMlle.Coralie,"saidBraulard;"Iknowyouverywellbysight.
　　Don'ttroubleyourself,sir,"hecontinued,addressingLucien;"IambuyingtheGymnaseconnection,Iwilllookafteryourlady,andIwillgivehernoticeofanytrickstheymaytrytoplayonher."
　　"Thatisnotanoffertoberefused,mydearBraulard,butwehavecomeaboutthepressordersfortheBoulevardtheatres——Iaseditor,andthisgentlemanasdramaticcritic."
　　"Oh!——ah,yes!Finothassoldhispaper.Iheardaboutit.Heisgettingon,isFinot.Ihaveaskedhimtodinewithmeattheendoftheweek;ifyouwilldomethehonorandpleasureofcoming,youmaybringyourladies,andtherewillbeagrandjollification.AdeleDupuisiscoming,andDucange,andFredericduPetit-Mere,andMlle.
　　Millot,mymistress.Weshallhavegoodfunandbetterliquor."
　　"Ducangemustbeindifficulties.Hehaslosthislawsuit."
　　"Ihavelenthimtenthousandfrancs;ifCalassucceeds,itwillrepaytheloan,soIhavebeenorganizingasuccess.Ducangeisacleverman;hehasbrains——"
　　Lucienfanciedthathemustbedreamingwhenheheardaclaqueurappraisingawriter'svalue.
　　"Coraliehasimproved,"continuedBraulard,withtheairofacompetentcritic."Ifsheisagoodgirl,Iwilltakeherpart,fortheyhavegotupacabalagainstherattheGymnase.ThisishowI
　　meantodoit.Iwillhaveafewwell-dressedmeninthebalconiestosmileandmakealittlemurmur,andtheapplausewillfollow.Thatisadodgewhichmakesapositionforanactress.IhavealikingforCoralie,andyououghttobesatisfied,forshehasfeeling.Aha!I
　　canhissanyoneonthestageifIlike."
　　"Butletussettlethisbusinessaboutthetickets,"putinLousteau.
　　"Verywell,Iwillcometothisgentleman'slodgingforthematthebeginningofthemonth.Heisafriendofyours,andIwilltreathimasIdoyou.Youhavefivetheatres;youwillgetthirtytickets——thatwillbesomethinglikeseventy-fivefrancsamonth.Perhapsyouwillbewantinganadvance?"addedBraulard,liftingacash-boxfullofcoinoutofhisdesk.
　　"No,no,"saidLousteau;"wewillkeepthatshiftagainstarainyday."
　　"IwillworkwithCoralie,sir,andwewillcometoanunderstanding,"
　　saidBraulard,addressingLucien,whowaslookingabouthim,notwithoutprofoundastonishment.TherewasabookcaseinBraulard'sstudy,therewereframedengravingsandgoodfurniture;andastheypassedthroughthedrawingroom,henoticedthatthefittingswereneithertooluxuriousnoryetmean.Thedining-roomseemedtobethebestorderedroom,heremarkedonthisjokingly.
　　"ButBraulardisanepicure,"saidLousteau;"hisdinnersarefamousindramaticliterature,andtheyarewhatyoumightexpectfromhiscash-box."
　　"Ihavegoodwine,"Braulardrepliedmodestly——"Ah!herearemylamplighters,"headded,asasoundofhoarsevoicesandstrangefootstepscameupfromthestaircase.
　　Lucienonhiswaydownsawamarchpastofclaqueursandretailersoftickets.Itwasanillsmellingsquad,attiredincaps,seedytrousers,andthreadbareovercoats;aflockofgallows-birdswithbluishandgreenishtintsintheirfaces,neglectedbeards,andastrangemixtureofsavageryandsubservienceintheireyes.AhorriblepopulationlivesandswarmsupontheParisboulevards;sellingwatchguardsandbrassjewelryinthestreetsbyday,applaudingunderthechandeliersofthetheatreatnight,andreadytolendthemselvestoanydirtybusinessinthegreatcity.
　　"BeholdtheRomans!"laughedLousteau;"beholdfameincarnateforactressesanddramaticauthors.Itisnoprettierthanourownwhenyoucometolookatitclose."
　　"ItisdifficulttokeepillusionsonanysubjectinParis,"answeredLucienastheyturnedinathisdoor."Thereisataxuponeverything——everythinghasitsprice,andanythingcanbemadetoorder——evensuccess."
　　ThirtyguestswereassembledthateveninginCoralie'srooms,herdiningroomwouldnotholdmore.LucienhadaskedDauriatandthemanagerofthePanorama-Dramatique,MatifatandFlorine,Camusot,Lousteau,Finot,Nathan,HectorMerlinandMme.duVal-Noble,FelicienVernou,Blondet,Vignon,PhilippeBridau,Mariette,Giroudeau,CardotandFlorentine,andBixiou.HehadalsoaskedallhisfriendsoftheRuedesQuatre-Vents.Tulliathedancer,whowasnotunkind,saidgossip,toduBruel,hadcomewithoutherduke.Theproprietorsofthenewspapers,forwhommostofthejournalistswrote,werealsooftheparty.
　　Ateighto'clock,whenthelightsofthecandlesinthechandeliersshoneoverthefurniture,thehangings,andtheflowers,theroomsworethefestalairthatgivestoParisianluxurytheappearanceofadream;andLucienfeltindefinablestirringsofhopeandgratifiedvanityandpleasureatthethoughtthathewasthemasterofthehouse.Buthowandbywhomthemagicwandhadbeenwavedhenolongersoughttoremember.FlorineandCoralie,dressedwiththefancifulextravaganceandmagnificentartisticeffectofthestage,smiledonthepoetliketwofairiesatthegatesofthePalaceofDreams.AndLucienwasalmostinadream.
　　Hislifehadbeenchangedsosuddenlyduringthelastfewmonths;hehadgonesoswiftlyfromthedepthsofpenurytothelastextremeofluxury,thatatmomentshefeltasuncomfortableasadreamingmanwhoknowsthatheisasleep.Andyet,helookedroundatthefairrealityabouthimwithaconfidencetowhichenviousmindsmighthavegiventhenameoffatuity.
　　Lucienhimselfhadchanged.Hehadgrownpalerduringthesedaysofcontinualenjoyment;languorhadlentahumidlooktohiseyes;inshort,touseMme.d'Espard'sexpression,helookedlikeamanwhoisloved.Hewasthehandsomerforit.Consciousnessofhispowersandhisstrengthwasvisibleinhisface,enlightenedasitwasbyloveandexperience.Lookingoutovertheworldoflettersandofmen,itseemedtohimthathemightgotoandfroaslordofitall.Soberreflectionneverenteredhisromanticheadunlessitwasdriveninbythepressureofadversity,andjustnowthepresentheldnotacareforhim.Thebreathofpraiseswelledthesailsofhisskiff;alltheinstrumentsofsuccesslaytheretohishand;hehadanestablishment,amistresswhomallParisenviedhim,acarriage,anduntoldwealthinhisinkstand.Heartandsoulandbrainwerealiketransformedwithinhim;whyshouldhecaretobeoverniceaboutthemeans,whenthegreatresultswerevisiblytherebeforehiseyes.
　　Assuchastyleoflivingwillseem,andwithgoodreason,tobeanythingbutsecuretoeconomistswhohaveanyexperienceofParis,itwillnotbesuperfluoustogiveaglancetothefoundation,uncertainasitwas,uponwhichtheprosperityofthepairwasbased.
　　CamusothadgivenCoralie'stradesmeninstructionstogranthercreditforthreemonthsatleast,andthishadbeendonewithoutherknowledge.Duringthosethreemonths,therefore,horsesandservants,likeeverythingelse,waitedasifbyenchantmentatthebiddingoftwochildren,eagerforenjoyment,andenjoyingtotheirhearts'
　　content.
　　CoraliehadtakenLucien'shandandgivenhimaglimpseofthetransformationsceneinthedining-room,ofthesplendidlyappointedtable,ofchandeliers,eachfittedwithfortywax-lights,oftheroyallyluxuriousdessert,andamenuofChevet's.Lucienkissedherontheforeheadandheldhercloselytohisheart.
　　"Ishallsucceed,child,"hesaid,"andthenIwillrepayyouforsuchloveanddevotion."
　　"Pshaw!"saidCoralie."Areyousatisfied?"
　　"IshouldbeveryhardtopleaseifIwerenot."
　　"Verywell,then,thatsmileofyourspaysforeverything,"shesaid,andwithaserpentinemovementsheraisedherheadandlaidherlipsagainsthis.
　　Whentheywentbacktotheothers,Florine,Lousteau,Matifat,andCamusotweresettingoutthecard-tables.Lucien'sfriendsbegantoarrive,foralreadythesefolkbegantocallthemselves"Lucien'sfriends";andtheysatoverthecardsfromnineo'clocktillmidnight.
　　Lucienwasunacquaintedwithasinglegame,butLousteaulostathousandfrancs,andLuciencouldnotrefusetolendhimthemoneywhenheaskedforit.
　　Michel,Fulgence,andJosephappearedaboutteno'clock;andLucien,chattingwiththeminacorner,sawthattheylookedsoberandseriousenough,nottosayillatease.D'Arthezcouldnotcome,hewasfinishinghisbook;LeonGiraudwasbusywiththefirstnumberofhisreview;sothebrotherhoodhadsentthreeartistsamongtheirnumber,thinkingthattheywouldfeellessoutoftheirelementinanuproarioussupperpartythantherest.
　　"Well,mydearfellows,"saidLucien,assumingaslightlypatronizingtone,"the'comicalfellow'maybecomeagreatpubliccharacteryet,yousee."
　　"IwishImaybemistaken;Idon'taskbetter,"saidMichel.
　　"AreyoulivingwithCoralieuntilyoucandobetter?"askedFulgence.
　　"Yes,"saidLucien,tryingtolookunconscious."Coraliehadanelderlyadorer,amerchant,andsheshowedhimthedoor,poorfellow.
　　IambetteroffthanyourbrotherPhilippe,"headded,addressingJosephBridau;"hedoesnotknowhowtomanageMariette."
　　"Youareamanlikeanothernow;inshort,youwillmakeyourway,"
　　saidFulgence.
　　"Amanthatwillalwaysbethesameforyou,underallcircumstances,"
　　returnedLucien.
　　MichelandFulgenceexchangedincredulousscornfulsmilesatthis.
　　Luciensawtheabsurdityofhisremark.
　　"Coralieiswonderfullybeautiful,"exclaimedJosephBridau."Whatamagnificentportraitshewouldmake!"
　　"Beautifulandgood,"saidLucien;"sheisanangel,uponmyword.Andyoushallpaintherportrait;sheshallsittoyouifyoulikeforyourVenetianladybroughtbytheoldwomantothesenator."
　　"Allwomenwholoveareangelic,"saidMichelChrestien.
　　JustatthatmomentRaoulNathanflewuponLucien,andgraspedbothhishandsandshooktheminasuddenaccessofviolentfriendship.
　　"Oh,mygoodfriend,youaresomethingmorethanagreatman,youhaveaheart,"criedhe,"amuchrarerthingthangeniusinthesedays.Youareadevotedfriend.Iamyours,inshort,throughthickandthin;I
　　shallneverforgetallthatyouhavedoneformethisweek."
　　Lucien'sjoyhadreachedthehighestpoint;tobethuscaressedbyamanofwhomeveryonewastalking!Helookedathisthreefriendsofthebrotherhoodwithsomethinglikeasuperiorair.Nathan'sappearanceuponthescenewastheresultofanoverturefromMerlin,whosenthimaproofofthefavorablereviewtoappearinto-morrow'sissue.
　　"IonlyconsentedtowritetheattackonconditionthatIshouldbeallowedtoreplytoitmyself,"LuciensaidinNathan'sear."Iamoneofyou."Thisincidentwasopportune;itjustifiedtheremarkwhichamusedFulgence.Lucienwasradiant.
　　"Whend'Arthez'sbookcomesout,"hesaid,turningtothethree,"Iaminapositiontobeusefultohim.Thatthoughtinitselfwouldinducemetoremainajournalist."
　　"Canyoudoasyoulike?"Michelaskedquickly.
　　"Sofarasonecanwhenoneisindispensable,"saidLucienmodestly.
　　Itwasalmostmidnightwhentheysatdowntosupper,andthefungrewfastandfurious.TalkwaslessrestrainedinLucien'shousethanatMatifat's,fornoonesuspectedthattherepresentativesofthebrotherhoodandthenewspaperwritershelddivergentopinions.Youngintellects,depravedbyarguingforeitherside,nowcameintoconflictwitheachother,andfearfulaxiomsofthejournalisticjurisprudence,theninitsinfancy,hurtledtoandfro.ClaudeVignon,upholdingthedignityofcriticism,inveighedagainstthetendencyofthesmallernewspapers,sayingthatthewritersofpersonalitiesloweredthemselvesintheend.Lousteau,Merlin,andFinottookupthecudgelsforthesystemknownbythenameofblague;puffery,gossip,andhumbug,saidthey,wasthetestoftalent,andsetthehall-mark,asitwere,uponit."Anymanwhocanstandthattesthasrealpower,"
　　saidLousteau.
　　"Besides,"criedMerlin,"whenagreatmanreceivesovations,thereoughttobeachorusininsultstobalance,asinaRomantriumph."
　　"Oho!"putinLucien;"theneveryonehelduptoridiculeinprintwillfancythathehasmadeasuccess."
　　"Anyonewouldthinkthatthequestioninterestedyou,"exclaimedFinot.
　　"Andhowaboutoursonnets,"saidMichelChrestien;"isthatthewaytheywillwinusthefameofasecondPetrarch?"
　　"Lauraalreadycountsforsomethinginhisfame,"saidDauriat,apun[Laurel'or]receivedwithacclamations.
　　"Faciamusexperimentuminanimavili,"retortedLucienwithasmile.
　　"Andwoeuntohimwhomreviewersshallspare,flinginghimcrownsathisfirstappearance,forheshallbeshelvedlikethesaintsintheirshrines,andnomanshallpayhimtheslightestattention,"saidVernou.
　　"Peoplewillsay,'Lookelsewhere,simpleton;youhavehadyourduealready,'asChampcenetzsaidtotheMarquisdeGenlis,whowaslookingtoofondlyathiswife,"addedBlondet.
　　"SuccessistheruinofamaninFrance,"saidFinot."Wearesojealousofoneanotherthatwetrytoforget,andtomakeothersforget,thetriumphsofyesterday."
　　"Contradictionisthelifeofliterature,infact,"saidClaudeVignon.
　　"Inartasinnature,therearetwoprincipleseverywhereatstrife,"
　　exclaimedFulgence;"andvictoryforeithermeansdeath."
　　"Soitiswithpolitics,"addedMichelChrestien.
　　"Wehaveacaseinpoint,"saidLousteau."DauriatwillsellacoupleofthousandcopiesofNathan'sbookinthecomingweek.Andwhy?
　　Becausethebookthatwascleverlyattackedwillbeablydefended."
　　Merlintookuptheproofofto-morrow'spaper."Howcansuchanarticlefailtosellanedition?"heasked.
　　"Readthearticle,"saidDauriat."IamapublisherwhereverIam,evenatsupper."
　　MerlinreadLucien'striumphantrefutationaloud,andthewholepartyapplauded.
　　"Howcouldthatarticlehavebeenwrittenunlesstheattackhadprecededit?"askedLousteau.
　　Dauriatdrewtheproofofthethirdarticlefromhispocketandreaditover,Finotlisteningclosely;foritwastoappearinthesecondnumberofhisownreview,andaseditorheexaggeratedhisenthusiasm.
　　"Gentlemen,"saidhe,"soandnototherwisewouldBossuethavewrittenifhehadlivedinourday."
　　"Iamsureofit,"saidMerlin."Bossuetwouldhavebeenajournalistto-day."
　　"ToBossuettheSecond!"criedClaudeVignon,raisinghisglasswithanironicalbow.
　　"TomyChristopherColumbus!"returnedLucien,drinkingahealthtoDauriat.
　　"Bravo!"criedNathan.
　　"Isitanickname?"Merlininquired,lookingmaliciouslyfromFinottoLucien.
　　"Ifyougoonatthispace,youwillbequitebeyondus,"saidDauriat;"thesegentlemen"indicatingCamusotandMatifat"cannotfollowyouasitis.Ajokeislikeabitofthread;ifitisspuntoofine,itbreaks,asBonapartesaid."
　　"Gentlemen,"saidLousteau,"wehavebeeneye-witnessesofastrange,portentous,unheard-of,andtrulysurprisingphenomenon.Admiretherapiditywithwhichourfriendherehasbeentransformedfromaprovincialintoajournalist!"
　　"Heisabornjournalist,"saidDauriat.
　　"Children!"calledFinot,risingtohisfeet,"allofusherepresenthaveencouragedandprotectedouramphitryoninhisentranceuponacareerinwhichhehasalreadysurpassedourhopes.Intwomonthshehasshownuswhathecandoinaseriesofexcellentarticlesknowntousall.Iproposetobaptizehiminformasajournalist."
　　"Acrownofroses!tosignalizeadoubleconquest,"criedBixiou,glancingatCoralie.
　　CoraliemadeasigntoBerenice.ThatportlyhandmaidwenttoCoralie'sdressing-roomandbroughtbackaboxoftumbledartificialflowers.Themoreincapablemembersofthepartyweregrotesquelytrickedoutintheseblossoms,andacrownofroseswassoonwoven.
　　Finot,ashighpriest,sprinkledafewdropsofchampagneonLucien'sgoldencurls,pronouncingwithdeliciousgravitythewords——"InthenameoftheGovernmentStamp,theCaution-money,andtheFine,I
　　baptizethee,Journalist.Maythyarticlessitlightlyonthee!"
　　"Andmaytheybepaidfor,includingwhitelines!"criedMerlin.
　　JustatthatmomentLuciencaughtsightofthreemelancholyfaces.
　　MichelChrestien,JosephBridau,andFulgenceRidaltookuptheirhatsandwentoutamidastormofinvective.
　　"Queercustomers!"saidMerlin.
　　"Fulgenceusedtobeagoodfellow,"addedLousteau,"beforetheypervertedhismorals."
　　"Whoare'they'?"askedClaudeVignon.
　　"Someveryseriousyoungmen,"saidBlondet,"whomeetataphilosophico-religioussymposiumintheRuedesQuatre-Vents,andworrythemselvesaboutthemeaningofhumanlife——"
　　"Oh!oh!"
　　"Theyaretryingtofindoutwhetheritgoesroundinacircle,ormakessomeprogress,"continuedBlondet."Theywereveryhardputtoitbetweenthestraightlineandthecurve;thetriangle,warrantedbyScripture,seemedtothemtobenonsense,when,lo!therearoseamongthemsomeprophetorotherwhodeclaredforthespiral."
　　"Menmightmeettoinventmoredangerousnonsensethanthat!"
　　exclaimedLucien,makingafaintattempttochampionthebrotherhood.
　　"Youtaketheoriesofthatsortforidlewords,"saidFelicienVernou;
　　"butatimecomeswhentheargumentstaketheformofgunshotandtheguillotine."
　　"Theyhavenotcometothatyet,"saidBixiou;"theyhaveonlycomeasfarasthedesignsofProvidenceintheinventionofchampagne,thehumanitariansignificanceofbreeches,andtheblinddeitywhokeepstheworldgoing.TheypickupfallengreatmenlikeVico,Saint-Simon,andFourier.IammuchafraidthattheywillturnpoorJosephBridau'sheadamongthem."
　　"Bianchon,myoldschoolfellow,givesmethecoldshouldernow,"saidLousteau;"itisalltheirdoing——"
　　"Dotheygivelecturesonorthopedyandintellectualgymnastics?"
　　askedMerlin.
　　"Verylikely,"answeredFinot,"ifBianchonhasanyhandintheirtheories."
　　"Pshaw!"saidLousteau;"hewillbeagreatphysiciananyhow."
　　"Isn'td'Artheztheirvisiblehead?"askedNathan,"alittleyoungsterthatisgoingtoswallowallofusup."
　　"Heisagenius!"criedLucien.
　　"Genius,ishe!Well,givemeaglassofsherry!"saidClaudeVignon,smiling.
　　Everyone,thereupon,begantoexplainhischaracterforthebenefitofhisneighbor;andwhenaclevermanfeelsapressingneedofexplaininghimself,andofunlockinghisheart,itisprettyclearthatwinehasgottheupperhand.Anhourlater,allthemeninthecompanywerethebestfriendsintheworld,addressingeachotherasgreatmenandboldspirits,whoheldthefutureintheirhands.
　　Lucien,inhisqualityofhost,wassufficientlyclearheadedtoapprehendthemeaningofthesophistrieswhichimpressedhimandcompletedhisdemoralization.
　　"TheLiberalparty,"announcedFinot,"iscompelledtostirupdiscussionsomehow.ThereisnofaulttofindwiththeactionoftheGovernment,andyoumayimaginewhatafixtheOppositionisin.Whichofyounowcarestowriteapamphletinfavorofthesystemofprimogeniture,andraiseacryagainstthesecretdesignsoftheCourt?Thepamphletwillbepaidforhandsomely."