"Iwillwriteit,"saidHectorMerlin."Itismyownpointofview."
　　"Yourpartywillcomplainthatyouarecompromisingthem,"saidFinot.
　　"Felicien,youmustundertakeit;Dauriatwillbringitout,andwewillkeepthesecret."
　　"HowmuchshallIget?"
　　"Sixhundredfrancs.Signit'LeComteC,threestars.'"
　　"It'sabargain,"saidFelicienVernou.
　　"Soyouareintroducingthecanardtothepoliticalworld,"remarkedLousteau.
　　"ItissimplytheChabotaffaircarriedintotheregionofabstractideas,"saidFinot."FastenintentionsontheGovernment,andthenletloosepublicopinion."
　　"HowaGovernmentcanleavethecontrolofideastosuchapackofscampsasweare,ismatterforperpetualandprofoundastonishmenttome,"saidClaudeVignon.
　　"IftheMinistryblunderssofarastocomedownintothearena,wecangivethemadrubbing.Iftheyarenettledbyit,thethingwillrankleinpeople'sminds,andtheGovernmentwillloseitsholdonthemasses.Thenewspaperrisksnothing,andtheauthoritieshaveeverythingtolose."
　　"Francewillbeacipheruntilnewspapersareabolishedbylaw,"saidClaudeVignon."Youaremakingprogresshourly,"headded,addressingFinot."YouareamodernorderofJesuits,lackingthecreed,thefixedidea,thediscipline,andtheunion."
　　Theywentbacktothecard-tables;andbeforelongthelightofthecandlesgrewfeebleinthedawn.
　　"Lucien,yourfriendsfromtheRuedesQuatre-Ventslookedasdismalascriminalsgoingtobehanged,"saidCoralie.
　　"Theywerethejudges,notthecriminals,"repliedthepoet.
　　"JudgesaremoreamusingthanTHAT,"saidCoralie.
　　ForamonthLucien'swholetimewastakenupwithsupperparties,dinnerengagements,breakfasts,andeveningparties;hewassweptawaybyanirresistiblecurrentintoavortexofdissipationandeasywork.
　　Henolongerthoughtofthefuture.Thepowerofcalculationamidthecomplicationsoflifeisthesignofastrongwillwhichpoets,weaklings,andmenwholiveapurelyintellectuallifecannevercounterfeit.Lucienwaslivingfromhandtomouth,spendinghismoneyasfastashemadeit,likemanyanotherjournalist;nordidhegivesomuchasathoughttothoseperiodicallyrecurrentdaysofreckoningwhichchequerthelifeofthebohemianinParissosadly.
　　Indressandfigurehewasarivalforthegreatdandiesoftheday.
　　Coralie,likeallzealots,lovedtoadornheridol.SheruinedherselftogiveherbelovedpoettheaccoutrementswhichhadsostirredhisenvyintheGardenoftheTuileries.Lucienhadwonderfulcanes,andacharmingeyeglass;hehaddiamondstuds,andscarf-rings,andsignet-
　　rings,besidesanassortmentofwaistcoatsmarveloustobehold,andinsufficientnumbertomatcheverycolorinavarietyofcostumes.Histransitiontotheestateofdandyswiftlyfollowed.WhenhewenttotheGermanMinister'sdinner,alltheyoungmenregardedhimwithsuppressedenvy;yetdeMarsay,Vandenesse,Ajuda-Pinto,MaximedeTrailles,Rastignac,Beaudenord,Manerville,andtheDucdeMaufrigneusegaveplacetononeinthekingdomoffashion.Menoffashionareasjealousamongthemselvesaswomen,andinthesameway.
　　LucienwasplacedbetweenMme.deMontcornetandMme.d'Espard,inwhosehonorthedinnerwasgiven;bothladiesoverwhelmedhimwithflatteries.
　　"Whydidyouturnyourbackonsocietywhenyouwouldhavebeensowellreceived?"askedtheMarquise."Everyonewaspreparedtomakemuchofyou.AndIhaveaquarrelwithyoutoo.Youowedmeacall——I
　　amstillwaitingtoreceiveit.IsawyouattheOperatheotherday,andyouwouldnotdeigntocometoseemenortotakeanynoticeofme."
　　"Yourcousin,madame,sounmistakablydismissedme——"
　　"Oh!youdonotknowwomen,"theMarquised'Espardbrokeinuponhim.
　　"Youhavewoundedthemostangelicheart,thenoblestnaturethatI
　　know.YoudonotknowallthatLouisewastryingtodoforyou,norhowtactfullyshelaidherplansforyou——Oh!andshewouldhavesucceeded,"theMarquisecontinued,replyingtoLucien'smuteincredulity."Herhusbandisdeadnow;died,ashewasboundtodie,ofanindigestion;couldyoudoubtthatshewouldbefreesoonerorlater?AndcanyousupposethatshewouldliketobeMadameChardon?
　　ItwasworthwhiletotakesometroubletogainthetitleofComtessedeRubempre.Love,yousee,isagreatvanity,whichrequiresthelesservanitiestobeinharmonywithitself——especiallyinmarriage.
　　Imightloveyoutomadness——whichistosay,sufficientlytomarryyou——andyetIshouldfinditveryunpleasanttobecalledMadameChardon.Youcanseethat.AndnowthatyouunderstandthedifficultiesofParislife,youwillknowhowmanyroundaboutwaysyoumusttaketoreachyourend;verywell,then,youmustadmitthatLouisewasaspiringtoanallbutimpossiblepieceofCourtfavor;shewasquiteunknown,sheisnotrich,andthereforeshecouldnotaffordtoneglectanymeansofsuccess.
　　"Youareclever,"theMarquised'Espardcontinued;"butwewomen,whenwelove,areclevererthanthecleverestman.MycousintriedtomakethatabsurdChateletuseful——Oh!"shebrokeoff,"Iowenotalittleamusementtoyou;yourarticlesonChateletmademelaughheartily."
　　Lucienknewnotwhattothinkofallthis.Ofthetreacheryandbadfaithofjournalismhehadhadsomeexperience;butinspiteofhisperspicacity,hescarcelyexpectedtofindbadfaithortreacheryinsociety.Thereweresomesharplessonsinstoreforhim.
　　"But,madame,"heobjected,forherwordsarousedalivelycuriosity,"isnottheHeronunderyourprotection?"
　　"Oneisobligedtobeciviltoone'sworstenemiesinsociety,"
　　protestedshe;"onemaybebored,butonemustlookasifthetalkwasamusing,andnotseldomoneseemstosacrificefriendsthebettertoservethem.Areyoustillanovice?Youmeantowrite,andyetyouknownothingofcurrentdeceit?MycousinapparentlysacrificedyoutotheHeron,buthowcouldshedispensewithhisinfluenceforyou?Ourfriendstandswellwiththepresentministry;andwehavemadehimseethatyourattackswilldohimservice——uptoacertainpoint,forwewantyoutomakeitupagainsomeofthesedays.Chatelethasreceivedcompensationsforhistroubles;for,asdesLupeaulxsaid,'WhilethenewspapersaremakingChateletridiculous,theywillleavetheMinistryinpeace.'"
　　Therewasapause;theMarquiseleftLucientohisownreflections.
　　"M.BlondetledmetohopethatIshouldhavethepleasureofseeingyouinmyhouse,"saidtheComtessedeMontcornet."Youwillmeetafewartistsandmenofletters,andsomeoneelsewhohasthekeenestdesiretobecomeacquaintedwithyou——Mlle.desTouches,theowneroftalentsrareamongoursex.Youwillgotoherhouse,nodoubt.Mlle.
　　deTouchesorCamilleMaupin,ifyoupreferitisprodigiouslyrich,andpresidesoveroneofthemostremarkablesalonsinParis.Shehasheardthatyouareashandsomeasyouareclever,andisdyingtomeetyou."
　　LuciencouldonlypouroutincoherentthanksandglanceenviouslyatEmileBlondet.TherewasasgreatadifferencebetweenagreatladylikeMme.deMontcornetandCoralieasbetweenCoralieandagirloutofthestreets.TheCountesswasyoungandwittyandbeautiful,withtheverywhitefairnessofwomenofthenorth.HermotherwasthePrincessScherbellof,andtheMinisterbeforedinnerhadpaidherthemostrespectfulattention.
　　BythistimetheMarquisehadmadeanendoftriflingdisdainfullywiththewingofachicken.
　　"MypoorLouisefeltsomuchaffectionforyou,"shesaid."Shetookmeintoherconfidence;Iknewherdreamsofagreatcareerforyou.
　　Shewouldhaveborneagreatdeal,butwhatscornyoushowedherwhenyousentbackherletters!Crueltywecanforgive;thosewhohurtusmusthavestillsomefaithinus;butindifference!Indifferenceislikepolarsnows,itextinguishesalllife.So,youmustseethatyouhavelostapreciousaffectionthroughyourownfault.Whybreakwithher?Evenifshehadscornedyou,youhadyourwaytomake,hadyounot?——yournametowinback?Louisethoughtofallthat."
　　"Thenwhywasshesilent?"
　　"EH!monDieu!"criedtheMarquise,"itwasImyselfwhoadvisedhernottotakeyouintoherconfidence.Betweenourselves,youknow,youseemedsolittleusedtothewaysoftheworld,thatItookalarm.I
　　wasafraidthatyourinexperienceandrashardormightwreckourcarefully-madeschemes.Canyourecollectyourselfasyouwerethen?
　　Youmustadmitthatifyoucouldseeyourdoubleto-day,youwouldsaythesameyourself.Youarenotlikethesameman.Thatwasourmistake.Butwouldonemaninathousandcombinesuchintellectualgiftswithsuchwonderfulaptitudefortakingthetoneofsociety?I
　　didnotthinkthatyouwouldbesuchanastonishingexception.Youweretransformedsoquickly,youacquiredthemannerofParissoeasily,thatIdidnotrecognizeyouintheBoisdeBoulogneamonthago."
　　Lucienheardthegreatladywithinexpressiblepleasure;theflatterieswerespokenwithsuchapetulant,childlike,confidingair,andsheseemedtotakesuchadeepinterestinhim,thathethoughtofhisfirsteveningatthePanorama-Dramatique,andbegantofancythatsomesuchmiraclewasabouttotakeplaceasecondtime.Everythinghadsmileduponhimsincethathappyevening;hisyouth,hethought,wasthetalismanthatworkedthischange.Hewouldprovethisgreatlady;sheshouldnottakehimunawares.
　　"Then,whatweretheseschemeswhichhaveturnedtochimeras,madame?"
　　askedhe.
　　"LouisemeanttoobtainaroyalpatentpermittingyoutobearthenameandtitleofRubempre.ShewishedtoputChardonoutofsight.Youropinionshaveputthatoutofthequestionnow,butTHENitwouldnothavebeensohardtomanage,andatitlewouldmeanafortuneforyou.
　　"Youwilllookonthesethingsastriflesandvisionaryideas,"shecontinued;"butweknowsomethingoflife,andweknow,too,allthesolidadvantagesofaCount'stitlewhenitisbornebyafashionableandextremelycharmingyoungman.Announce'M.Chardon'and'M.leComtedeRubempre'beforeheiressesorEnglishgirlswithamilliontotheirfortune,andnotethedifferenceoftheeffect.TheCountmightbeindebt,buthewouldfindopenhearts;hisgoodlooks,broughtintoreliefbyhistitle,wouldbelikeadiamondinarichsetting;
　　M.Chardonwouldnotbesomuchasnoticed.WEhavenotinventedthesenotions;theyareeverywhereintheworld,evenamongtheburgeois.
　　Youareturningyourbackonfortuneatthisminute.Doyouseethatgood-lookingyoungman?HeistheVicomteFelixdeVandenesse,oneoftheKing'sprivatesecretaries.TheKingisfondenoughofyoungmenoftalent,andVandenessecamefromtheprovinceswithbaggagenearlyaslightasyours.Youareathousandtimesclevererthanhe;butdoyoubelongtoagreatfamily,haveyouaname?YouknowdesLupeaulx;
　　hisnameisverymuchlikeyours,forhewasbornaChardin;well,hewouldnotsellhislittlefarmofLupeaulxforamillion,hewillbeComtedesLupeaulxsomeday,andperhapshisgrandsonmaybeaduke——
　　Youhavemadeafalsestart;andifyoucontinueinthatway,itwillbealloverwithyou.SeehowmuchwiserM.EmileBlondethasbeen!HeisengagedonaGovernmentnewspaper;heiswelllookedonbythoseinauthority;hecanaffordtomixwithLiberals,forheholdssoundopinions;andsoonorlaterhewillsucceed.Butthenheunderstoodhowtochoosehisopinionsandhisprotectors.
　　"Yourcharmingneighbor"Mme.d'EspardglancedatMme.deMontcornet
　　"wasaTroisville;therearetwopeersofFranceinthefamilyandtwodeputies.Shemadeawealthymarriagewithhername;sheseesagreatdealofsocietyatherhouse;shehasinfluence,shewillmovethepoliticalworldforyoungM.Blondet.WherewillaCoralietakeyou?
　　Inafewyears'timeyouwillbehopelesslyindebtandwearyofpleasure.Youhavechosenbadlyinlove,andyouarearrangingyourlifeill.ThewomanwhomyoudelighttowoundwasattheOperatheothernight,andthiswashowshespokeofyou.Shedeploredthewayinwhichyouwerethrowingawayyourtalentandtheprimeofyouth;
　　shewasthinkingofyou,andnotofherself,allthewhile."
　　"Ah!ifyouwereonlytellingmethetruth,madame!"criedLucien.
　　"WhatobjectshouldIhaveintellinglies?"returnedtheMarquise,withaglanceofcolddisdainwhichannihilatedhim.Hewassodashedbyit,thattheconversationdropped,fortheMarquisewasoffended,andsaidnomore.
　　Lucienwasnettledbyhersilence,buthefeltthatitwasduetohisownclumsiness,andpromisedhimselfthathewouldrepairhiserror.
　　HeturnedtoMme.deMontcornetandtalkedtoherofBlondet,extollingthatyoungwriterforherbenefit.TheCountesswasgracioustohim,andaskedhimatasignfromMme.d'Espardtospendaneveningatherhouse.Itwastobeasmallandquietgatheringtowhichonlyfriendswereinvited——Mme.deBargetonwouldbethereinspiteofhermourning;Lucienwouldbepleased,shewassure,tomeetMme.deBargeton.
　　"Mme.laMarquisesaysthatallthewrongisonmyside,"saidLucien;
　　"sosurelyitrestswithhercousin,doesitnot,todecidewhethershewillmeetme?"
　　"Putanendtothoseridiculousattacks,whichonlycouplehernamewiththenameofamanforwhomshedoesnotcareatall,andyouwillsoonsignatreatyofpeace.Youthoughtthatshehadusedyouill,I
　　amtold,butImyselfhaveseenherinsadnessbecauseyouhadforsakenher.Isittruethatshelefttheprovincesonyouraccount?"
　　Luciensmiled;hedidnotventuretomakeanyotherreply.
　　"Oh!howcouldyoudoubtthewomanwhomadesuchsacrificesforyou?
　　Beautifulandintellectualassheis,shedeservesbesidestobelovedforherownsake;andMme.deBargetoncaredlessforyouthanforyourtalents.Believeme,womenvalueintellectmorethangoodlooks,"
　　addedtheCountess,stealingaglanceatEmileBlondet.
　　IntheMinister'shotelLuciencouldseethedifferencesbetweenthegreatworldandthatotherworldbeyondthepaleinwhichhehadlatelybeenliving.Therewasnosortofresemblancebetweenthetwokindsofsplendor,nosinglepointincommon.TheloftinessanddispositionoftheroomsinoneofthehandsomesthousesintheFaubourgSaint-Germain,theancientgilding,thebreadthofdecorativestyle,thesubduedrichnessoftheaccessories,allthiswasstrangeandnewtohim;butLucienhadlearnedveryquicklytotakeluxuryforgranted,andheshowednosurprise.Hisbehaviorwasasfarremovedfromassuranceorfatuityontheonehandasfromcomplacencyandservilityupontheother.Hismannerwasgood;hefoundfavorintheeyesofallwhowerenotpreparedtobehostile,liketheyoungermen,whoresentedhissuddenintrusionintothegreatworld,andfeltjealousofhisgoodlooksandhissuccess.
　　Whentheyrosefromtable,heofferedhisarmtoMme.d'Espard,andwasnotrefused.Rastignac,watchinghim,sawthattheMarquisewasgracioustoLucien,andcameinthecharacterofafellow-countrymantoremindthepoetthattheyhadmetoncebeforeatMme.duVal-
　　Noble's.Theyoungpatricianseemedanxioustofindanallyinthegreatmanfromhisownprovince,askedLucientobreakfastwithhimsomemorning,andofferedtointroducehimtosomeyoungmenoffashion.Lucienwasnothingloath.
　　"ThedearBlondetiscoming,"saidRastignac.
　　ThetwowerestandingneartheMarquisdeRonquerolles,theDucdeRhetore,deMarsay,andGeneralMontriveau.TheMinistercameacrosstojointhegroup.
　　"Well,"saidhe,addressingLucienwithabluffGermanheartinessthatconcealedhisdangeroussubtlety;"well,soyouhavemadeyourpeacewithMme.d'Espard;sheisdelightedwithyou,andweallknow,"headded,lookingroundthegroup,"howdifficultitistopleaseher."
　　"Yes,butsheadoresintellect,"saidRastignac,"andmyillustriousfellow-countrymanhaswitenoughtosell."
　　"Hewillsoonfindoutthatheisnotdoingwellforhimself,"Blondetputinbriskly."Hewillcomeover;hewillsoonbeoneofus."
　　ThosewhostoodaboutLucienrangthechangesonthistheme;theolderandresponsiblemenlaiddownthelawwithoneortwoprofoundremarks;theyoungeronesmademerryattheexpenseoftheLiberals.
　　"HesimplytossedupheadortailsforRightorLeft,Iamsure,"
　　remarkedBlondet,"butnowhewillchooseforhimself."
　　Lucienburstoutlaughing;hethoughtofhistalkwithLousteauthateveningintheLuxembourgGardens.
　　"Hehastakenonabear-leader,"continuedBlondet,"oneEtienneLousteau,anewspaperhackwhoseesafive-francpieceinacolumn.
　　Lousteau'spoliticsconsistinabeliefthatNapoleonwillreturn,andandthisseemstometobestillmoresimpleinaconfidenceinthegratitudeandpatriotismoftheirworshipsthegentlemenoftheLeft.
　　AsaRubempre,Lucien'ssympathiesshouldleantowardsthearistocracy;asajournalist,heoughttobeforauthority,orhewillneverbeeitherRubempreorasecretary-general."
　　TheMinisternowaskedLucientotakeahandatwhist;but,tothegreatastonishmentofthosepresent,hedeclaredthathedidnotknowthegame.
　　"Comeearlytomeonthedayofthatbreakfastaffair,"Rastignacwhispered,"andIwillteachyoutoplay.YouareadiscredittotheroyalcityofAngouleme;and,torepeatM.deTalleyrand'ssaying,youarelayingupanunhappyoldageforyourself."
　　DesLupeaulxwasannounced.HerememberedLucien,whomhehadmetatMme.duVal-Noble's,andbowedwithasemblanceoffriendlinesswhichthepoetcouldnotdoubt.DesLupeaulxwasinfavor,hewasaMasterofRequests,anddidtheMinistrysecretservices;hewas,moreover,cunningandambitious,slippinghimselfineverywhere;hewaseverybody'sfriend,forheneverknewwhomhemightneed.Hesawplainlythatthiswasayoungjournalistwhosesocialsuccesswouldprobablyequalhissuccessinliterature;saw,too,thatthepoetwasambitious,andoverwhelmedhimwithprotestationsandexpressionsoffriendshipandinterest,tillLucienfeltasiftheywereoldfriendsalready,andtookhispromisesandspeechesformorethantheirworth.
　　DesLupeaulxmadeapointofknowingamanthoroughlywellifhewantedtogetridofhimorfearedhimasarival.So,toallappearance,Lucienwaswellreceived.HeknewthatmuchofhissuccesswasowingtotheDucdeRhetore,theMinister,Mme.d'Espard,andMme.
　　deMontcornet,andwenttospendafewmomentswiththetwoladiesbeforetakingleave,andtalkedhisverybestforthem.
　　"Whatacoxcomb!"saiddesLupeaulx,turningtotheMarquisewhenhehadgone.
　　"Hewillberottenbeforeheisripe,"deMarsayadded,smiling."Youmusthaveprivatereasonsofyourown,madame,forturninghisheadinthisway."
　　WhenLuciensteppedintothecarriageinthecourtyard,hefoundCoraliewaitingforhim.Shehadcometofetchhim.Thelittleattentiontouchedhim;hetoldherthehistoryofhisevening;and,tohisnosmallastonishment,thenewnotionswhichevennowwererunninginhisheadmetwithCoralie'sapproval.Shestronglyadvisedhimtoenlistundertheministerialbanner.
　　"YouhavenothingtoexpectfromtheLiberalsbuthardknocks,"shesaid."Theyplotandconspire;theymurderedtheDucdeBerri.WilltheyupsettheGovernment?Never!Youwillnevercometoanythingthroughthem,whileyouwillbeComtedeRubempreifyouthrowinyourlotwiththeotherside.YoumightrenderservicestotheState,andbeapeerofFrance,andmarryanheiress.BeanUltra.Itistheproperthingbesides,"sheadded,thisbeingthelastwordwithheronallsubjects."IdinedwiththeVal-Noble;shetoldmethatTheodoreGaillardisreallygoingtostarthislittleRoyalistRevue,soastoreplytoyourwitticismsandthejokesintheMiroir.Tohearthemtalk,M.Villele'spartywillbeinofficebeforetheyearisout.Trytoturnthechangetoaccountbeforetheycometopower;andsaynothingtoEtienneandyourfriends,fortheyarequiteequaltoplayingyousomeillturn."
　　Aweeklater,LucienwenttoMme.deMontcornet'shouse,andsawthewomanwhomhehadsoloved,whomlaterhehadstabbedtotheheartwithajest.Hefeltthemostviolentagitationatthesightofher,forLouisealsohadundergoneatransformation.ShewastheLouisethatshewouldalwayshavebeenbutforherdetentionintheprovinces——shewasagreatlady.Therewasagraceandrefinementinhermourningdresswhichtoldthatshewasahappywidow;Lucienfanciedthatthiscoquetrywasaimedinsomedegreeathim,andhewasright;
　　but,likeanogre,hehadtastedflesh,andallthateveninghevacillatedbetweenCoralie'swarm,voluptuousbeautyandthedried-up,haughty,cruelLouise.Hecouldnotmakeuphismindtosacrificetheactresstothegreatlady;andMme.deBargeton——alltheoldfeelingrevivinginheratthesightofLucien,Lucien'sbeauty,Lucien'scleverness——waswaitingandexpectingthatsacrificeallevening;andafterallherinsinuatingspeechesandherfascinations,shehadhertroubleforherpains.Shelefttheroomwithafixeddeterminationtoberevenged.
　　"Well,dearLucien,"shehadsaid,andinherkindnesstherewasbothgenerosityandParisiangrace;"well,dearLucien,soyou,thatweretohavebeenmypride,tookmeforyourfirstvictim;andIforgaveyou,mydear,forIfeltthatinsucharevengetherewasatraceoflovestillleft."
　　Withthatspeech,andthequeenlywayinwhichitwasuttered,Mme.deBargetonrecoveredherposition.Lucien,convincedthathewasathousandtimesintheright,feltthathehadbeenputinthewrong.
　　Notonewordofthecausesoftherupture!notonesyllableoftheterriblefarewellletter!Awomanoftheworldhasawonderfulgeniusfordiminishingherfaultsbylaughingatthem;shecanobliteratethemallwithasmileoraquestionoffeignedsurprise,andsheknowsthis.Sheremembersnothing,shecanexplaineverything;sheisamazed,asksquestions,comments,amplifies,andquarrelswithyou,tillintheendhersinsdisappearlikestainsontheapplicationofalittlesoapandwater;blackasinkyouknewthemtobe;andlo!inamoment,youbeholdimmaculatewhiteinnocence,andluckyareyouifyoudonotfindthatyouyourselfhavesinnedinsomewaybeyondredemption.
　　InamomentoldillusionsregainedtheirpoweroverLucienandLouise;
　　theytalkedlikefriends,asbefore;butwhenthelady,withahesitatingsigh,putthequestion,"Areyouhappy?"Lucienwasnotreadywithaprompt,decidedanswer;hewasintoxicatedwithgratifiedvanity;Coralie,wholetusadmitithadmadelifeeasyforhim,hadturnedhishead.Amelancholy"No"wouldhavemadehisfortune,buthemustneedsbegintoexplainhispositionwithregardtoCoralie.Hesaidthathewaslovedforhisownsake;hesaidagoodmanyfoolishthingsthatamanwillsaywhenheissmittenwithatenderpassion,andthoughtthewhilethathewasdoingacleverthing.
　　Mme.deBargetonbitherlips.Therewasnomoretobesaid.Mme.
　　d'EspardbroughtMme.deMontcornettohercousin,andLucienbecametheherooftheevening,sotospeak.Hewasflattered,petted,andmademuchofbythethreewomen;hewasentangledwithartwhichnowordscandescribe.Hissocialsuccessinthisfineandbrilliantcirclewasatleastasgreatashistriumphsinjournalism.BeautifulMlle.desTouches,sowellknownas"CamilleMaupin,"askedhimtooneofherWednesdaydinners;hisbeauty,nowsojustlyfamous,seemedtohavemadeanimpressionuponher.Lucienexertedhimselftoshowthathiswitequaledhisgoodlooks,andMlle.desTouchesexpressedheradmirationwithaplayfuloutspokennessandaprettyfervoroffriendshipwhichdeceivesthosewhodonotknowlifeinParistoitsdepths,norsuspecthowcontinualenjoymentwhetstheappetitefornovelty.
　　"IfsheshouldlikemeasmuchasIlikeher,wemightabridgetheromance,"saidLucien,addressingdeMarsayandRastignac.
　　"Youbothofyouwriteromancestoowelltocaretolivethem,"
　　returnedRastignac."Canmenandwomenwhowriteeverfallinlovewitheachother?Atimeissuretocomewhentheybegintomakelittlecuttingremarks."
　　"Itwouldnotbeabaddreamforyou,"laugheddeMarsay."Thecharmingyoungladyisthirtyyearsold,itistrue,butshehasanincomeofeightythousandlivres.Sheisadorablycapricious,andherstyleofbeautywearswell.Coralieisasillylittlefool,mydearboy,wellenoughforastart,forayoungsparkmusthaveamistress;
　　butunlessyoumakesomegreatconquestinthegreatworld,anactresswilldoyouharminthelongrun.Now,myboy,goandcutoutConti.
　　Hereheis,justabouttosingwithCamilleMaupin.Poetryhastakenprecedenceofmusiceversincetimebegan."
　　ButwhenLucienheardMlle.desTouches'voiceblendingwithConti's,hishopesfled.
　　"Contisingstoowell,"hetolddesLupeaulx;andhewentbacktoMme.
　　deBargeton,whocarriedhimofftoMme.d'Espardinanotherroom.
　　"Well,willyounotinterestyourselfinhim?"askedMme.deBargeton.
　　TheMarquisespokewithanairhalfkindly,halfinsolent."LetM.
　　Chardonfirstputhimselfinsuchapositionthathewillnotcompromisethosewhotakeaninterestinhim,"shesaid."Ifhewishestodrophispatronymicandtobearhismother'sname,heshouldatanyratebeontherightside,shouldhenot?"
　　"InlessthantwomonthsIwillarrangeeverything,"saidLucien.
　　"Verywell,"returnedMme.d'Espard."Iwillspeaktomyfatheranduncle;theyareinwaiting,theywillspeaktotheChancellorforyou."
　　ThediplomatistandthetwowomenhadverysoondiscoveredLucien'sweakside.Thepoet'sheadwasturnedbythegloryofthearistocracy;
　　everymanwhoenteredtheroomsboreasoundingnamemountedinaglitteringtitle,andhehimselfwasplainChardon.Unspeakablemortificationfilledhimatthesoundofit.Whereverhehadbeenduringthelastfewdays,thatpanghadbeenconstantlypresentwithhim.Hefelt,moreover,asensationquiteasunpleasantwhenhewentbacktohisdeskafteraneveningspentinthegreatworld,inwhichhemadeatolerablefigure,thankstoCoralie'scarriageandCoralie'sservants.
　　Helearnedtoride,inordertoescortMme.d'Espard,Mlle.desTouches,andtheComtessedeMontcornetwhentheydroveintheBois,aprivilegewhichhehadenviedotheryoungmensogreatlywhenhefirstcametoParis.Finotwasdelightedtogivehisright-handmananorderfortheOpera,soLucienwastedmanyaneveningthere,andthenceforwardhewasamongtheexquisitesoftheday.
　　ThepoetaskedRastignacandhisnewassociatestoabreakfast,andmadetheblunderofgivingitinCoralie'sroomsintheRuedeVendome;hewastooyoung,toomuchofapoet,tooself-confident,todiscerncertainshadesanddistinctionsinconduct;andhowshouldanactress,agood-heartedbutuneducatedgirl,teachhimlife?Hisguestswereanythingbutcharitablydisposedtowardshim;itwasclearlyproventotheirmindsthatLucienthecriticandtheactresswereincollusionfortheirmutualinterests,andalloftheyoungmenwerejealousofanarrangementwhichallofthemstigmatized.ThemostpitilessofthosewholaughedthateveningatLucien'sexpensewasRastignachimself.Rastignachadmadeandheldhispositionbyverysimilarmeans;butsocarefulhadhebeenofappearances,thathecouldaffordtotreatscandalasslander.
　　Lucienprovedanaptpupilatwhist.Playbecameapassionwithhim;
　　andsofarfromdisapproving,Coralieencouragedhisextravagancewiththepeculiarshort-sightednessofanall-absorbinglove,whichseesnothingbeyondthemoment,andisreadytosacrificeanything,eventhefuture,tothepresentenjoyment.Coralielookedoncardsasasafe-guardagainstrivals.Agreatlovehasmuchincommonwithchildhood——achild'sheedless,careless,spendthriftways,achild'slaughterandtears.
　　Inthosedaystherelivedandflourishedasetofyoungmen,someofthemrich,somepoor,andallofthemidle,called"free-livers"
　　viveurs;and,indeed,theylivedwithincredibleinsolence——
　　unabashedandunproductiveconsumers,andyetmoreintrepiddrinkers.
　　Thesespendthriftsmingledtheroughestpracticaljokeswithalifenotsomuchrecklessassuicidal;theydrewbackfromnoimpossibility,andgloriedinprankswhich,nevertheless,wereconfinedwithincertainlimits;andastheyshowedthemostoriginalwitintheirescapades,itwasimpossiblenottopardonthem.
　　NosignofthetimesmoreplainlydiscoveredthehelotismtowhichtheRestorationhadcondemnedtheyoungmanhoodoftheepoch.Theyoungermen,beingatalosstoknowwhattodowiththemselves,werecompelledtofindotheroutletsfortheirsuperabundantenergybesidesjournalism,orconspiracy,orart,orletters.Theysquanderedtheirstrengthinthewildestexcesses,suchsapandluxuriantpowerwasthereinyoungFrance.Thehardworkersamongthesegildedyouthswantedpowerandpleasure;theartistswishedformoney;theidlesoughttostimulatetheirappetitesorwishedforexcitement;oneandallofthemwantedaplace,andoneandallwereshutoutfrompoliticsandpubliclife.Nearlyallthe"free-livers"weremenofunusualmentalpowers;someheldoutagainsttheenervatinglife,otherswereruinedbyit.ThemostcelebratedandthecleverestamongthemwasEugeneRastignac,whoentered,withdeMarsay'shelp,uponapoliticalcareer,inwhichhehassincedistinguishedhimself.Thepracticaljokes,inwhichthesetindulgedbecamesofamous,thatnotafewvaudevilleshavebeenfoundeduponthem.
　　BlondetintroducedLucientothissocietyofprodigals,ofwhichhebecameabrilliantornament,rankingnexttoBixiou,oneofthemostmischievousanduntiringscoffingwitsofhistime.AllthroughthatwinterLucien'slifewasonelongfitofintoxication,withintervalsofeasywork.Hecontinuedhisseriesofsketchesofcontemporarylife,andveryoccasionallymadegreateffortstowriteafewpagesofseriouscriticism,onwhichhebroughthisutmostpowerofthoughttobear.Butstudywastheexception,nottherule,andonlyundertakenatthebiddingofnecessity;dinnersandbreakfasts,partiesofpleasureandplay,tookupmostofhistime,andCoralieabsorbedallthatwasleft.Hewouldnotthinkofthemorrow.Hesawbesidesthathisso-calledfriendswereleadingthesamelife,earningmoneyeasilybywritingpublishers'prospectusesandarticlespaidforbyspeculators;allofthemlivedbeyondtheirincomes,noneofthemthoughtseriouslyofthefuture.
　　Lucienhadbeenadmittedintotheranksofjournalismandofliteratureontermsofequality;heforesawimmensedifficultiesinthewayifheshouldtrytoriseabovetherest.Everyonewaswillingtolookuponhimasanequal;noonewouldhavehimforasuperior.
　　Unconsciouslyhegaveuptheideaofwinningfameinliterature,foritseemedeasiertogainsuccessinpolitics.
　　"Intrigueraiseslessoppositionthantalent,"duChatelethadsaidonedayforLucienandtheBaronhadmadeuptheirquarrel;"aplotbelowthesurfacerousesnoone'sattention.Intrigue,moreover,issuperiortotalent,foritmakessomethingoutofnothing;while,forthemostpart,theimmenseresourcesoftalentonlyinjureaman."
　　SoLucienneverlostsightofhisprincipalidea;andthoughto-morrow,followingcloseupontheheelsofto-dayinthemidstofanorgy,neverfoundthepromisedworkaccomplished,Lucienwasassiduousinsociety.HepaidcourttoMme.deBargeton,theMarquised'Espard,andtheComtessedeMontcornet;henevermissedasinglepartygivenbyMlle.desTouches,appearinginsocietyafteradinnergivenbyauthorsorpublishers,andleavingthesalonsforasuppergiveninconsequenceofabet.Thedemandsofconversationandtheexcitementofplayabsorbedalltheideasandenergyleftbyexcess.Thepoethadlostthelucidityofjudgmentandcoolnessofheadwhichmustbepreservedifamanistoseeallthatisgoingonaroundhim,andnevertolosetheexquisitetactwhichtheparvenueneedsateverymoment.HowshouldheknowhowmanyatimeMme.deBargetonlefthimwithwoundedsusceptibilities,howoftensheforgavehimoraddedonemorecondemnationtotherest?
　　Chateletsawthathisrivalhadstillachanceleft,sohebecameLucien'sfriend.Heencouragedthepoetindissipationthatwastedhisenergies.Rastignac,jealousofhisfellow-countryman,andthinking,besides,thatChateletwouldbeasurerandmoreusefulallythanLucien,hadtakenuptheBaron'scause.So,somefewdaysafterthemeetingofthePetrarchandLauraofAngouleme,RastignacbroughtaboutthereconciliationbetweenthepoetandtheelderlybeauatasumptuoussuppergivenattheRocherdeCancale.Lucienneverreturnedhometillmorning,androseinthemiddleoftheday;Coraliewasalwaysathisside,hecouldnotforegoasinglepleasure.Sometimeshesawhisrealposition,andmadegoodresolutions,buttheycametonothinginhisidle,easylife;andthemainspringofwillgrewslack,andonlyrespondedtotheheaviestpressureofnecessity.
　　CoraliehadbeengladthatLucienshouldamusehimself;shehadencouragedhiminthisrecklessexpenditure,becauseshethoughtthatthecravingswhichshefosteredwouldbindherlovertoher.Buttender-heartedandlovingasshewas,shefoundcouragetoadviseLuciennottoforgethiswork,andonceortwicewasobligedtoremindhimthathehadearnedverylittleduringthemonth.Theirdebtsweregrowingfrightfullyfast.Thefifteenhundredfrancswhichremainedfromthepurchase-moneyoftheMargueriteshadbeenswallowedupatonce,togetherwithLucien'sfirstfivehundredlivres.Inthreemonthshehadonlymadeathousandfrancs,yethefeltasthoughhehadbeenworkingtremendouslyhard.ButbythistimeLucienhadadoptedthe"free-livers"pleasanttheoryofdebts.
　　Debtsarebecomingtoayoungman,butaftertheageoffive-and-
　　twentytheyareinexcusable.Itshouldbeobservedthattherearecertainnaturesinwhichareallypoetictemperisunitedwithaweakenedwill;andthesewhileabsorbedinfeeling,thattheymaytransmutepersonalexperience,sensation,orimpressionintosomepermanentformareessentiallydeficientinthemoralsensewhichshouldaccompanyallobservation.Poetspreferrathertoreceivetheirownimpressionsthantoenterintothesoulsofotherstostudythemechanismoftheirfeelingsandthoughts.SoLucienneitheraskedhisassociateswhatbecameofthosewhodisappearedfromamongthem,norlookedintothefuturesofhisso-calledfriends.Someofthemwereheirstoproperty,othershaddefiniteexpectations;yetotherseitherpossessednamesthatwereknownintheworld,oramostrobustbeliefintheirdestinyandafixedresolutiontocircumventthelaw.Lucien,too,believedinhisfutureonthestrengthofvariousprofoundaxiomaticsayingsofBlondet's:"Everythingcomesoutallrightatlast——Ifamanhasnothing,hisaffairscannotbeembarrassed——Wehavenothingtolosebutthefortunethatweseek——Swimwiththestream;itwilltakeyousomewhere——Aclevermanwithafootinginsocietycanmakeafortunewheneverhepleases."
　　Thatwinter,filledasitwaswithsomanypleasuresanddissipations,wasanecessaryintervalemployedinfindingcapitalforthenewRoyalistpaper;TheodoreGaillardandHectorMerlinonlybroughtoutthefirstnumberoftheReveilinMarch1822.TheaffairhadbeensettledatMme.duVal-Noble'shouse.Mme.duval-Nobleexercisedacertaininfluenceoverthegreatpersonages,Royalistwriters,andbankerswhometinhersplendidrooms——"fitforataleoutoftheArabianNights,"astheelegantandclevercourtesanherselfusedtosay——totransactbusinesswhichcouldnotbearrangedelsewhere.TheeditorshiphadbeenpromisedtoHectorMerlin.Lucien,Merlin'sintimate,wasprettycertaintobehisright-handman,andafeuilletoninaMinisterialpaperhadbeenpromisedtohimbesides.
　　AllthroughthedissipationsofthatwinterLucienhadbeensecretlymakingreadyforthischangeoffront.Childashewas,hefanciedthathewasadeeppoliticianbecauseheconcealedthepreparationfortheapproachingtransformation-scene,whilehewascountinguponMinisteriallargessestoextricatehimselffromembarrassmentandtolightenCoralie'ssecretcares.Coraliesaidnothingofherdistress;
　　shesmilednow,asalways;butBerenicewasbolder,shekeptLucieninformedoftheirdifficulties;andthebuddinggreatman,moved,afterthefashionofpoets,bythetaleofdisasters,wouldvowthathewouldbegintoworkinearnest,andthenforgethisresolution,anddrownhisfleetingcaresinexcess.OnedayCoraliesawthepoeticbrowovercast,andscoldedBerenice,andtoldherloverthateverythingwouldbesettled.
　　Mme.d'EspardandMme.deBargetonwerewaitingforLucien'sprofessionofhisnewcreed,sotheysaid,beforeapplyingthroughChateletforthepatentwhichshouldpermitLucientobeartheso-muchdesiredname.LucienhadproposedtodedicatetheMargueritestoMme.
　　d'Espard,andtheMarquiseseemedtobenotalittleflatteredbyacomplimentwhichauthorshavebeensomewhatcharyofpayingsincetheybecameapowerintheland;butwhenLucienwenttoDauriatandaskedafterhisbook,thatworthypublishermethimwithexcellentreasonsforthedelayinitsappearance.Dauriathadthisandthatinhand,whichtookupallhistime;anewvolumebyCanaliswascomingout,andhedidnotwantthetwobookstoclash;M.deLamartine'ssecondseriesofMeditationswasinthepress,andtwoimportantcollectionsofpoetryoughtnottoappeartogether.
　　Bythistime,however,Lucien'sneedsweresopressingthathehadrecoursetoFinot,andreceivedanadvanceonhiswork.When,atasupper-partythatevening,thepoetjournalistexplainedhispositiontohisfriendsinthefastset,theydrownedhisscruplesinchampagne,icedwithpleasantries.Debts!Therewasneveryetamanofanypowerwithoutdebts!Debtsrepresentedsatisfiedcravings,clamorousvices.Amanonlysucceedsunderthepressureoftheironhandofnecessity.Debtsforsooth!
　　"Why,theonepledgeofwhichagreatmancanbesure,isgivenhimbyhisfriendthepawnbroker,"criedBlondet.
　　"Ifyouwanteverything,youmustoweforeverything,"calledBixiou.
　　"No,"correcteddesLupeaulx,"ifyouoweforeverything,youhavehadeverything."