Anddoyouknowwhatthenationwillconcludefromthedebate?ThepeoplewillbelievetheinsinuationsoftheLiberalpress;theywillthinkthattheBourbonsmeantoattacktherightsofpropertyacquiredbytheRevolution,andsomefinedaytheywillriseandshakeofftheBourbons.Youarenotonlysoilingyourlife,Lucien,youaregoingovertothelosingside.Youaretooyoung,toolatelyajournalist,toolittleinitiatedintothesecretspringsofmotiveandthetricksofthecraft,youhavearousedtoomuchjealousy,nottofallavictimtothegeneralhueandcrythatwillberaisedagainstyouintheLiberalnewspapers.Youwillbedrawnintothefraybypartyspiritnowstillatfever-heat;thoughthefever,whichspentitselfinviolencein1815and1816,nowappearsindebatesintheChamberandpolemicsinthepapers."
　　"Iamnotquiteafeatherhead,myfriends,"saidLucien,"thoughyoumaychoosetoseeapoetinme.Whatevermayhappen,IshallgainonesolidadvantagewhichnoLiberalvictorycangiveme.Bythetimeyourvictoryiswon,Ishallhavegainedmyend."
　　"Wewillcutoff——yourhair,"saidMichelChrestien,withalaugh.
　　"Ishallhavemychildrenbythattime,"saidLucien;"andifyoucutoffmyhead,itwillnotmatter."
　　ThethreecouldmakenothingofLucien.Intercoursewiththegreatworldhaddevelopedinhimtheprideofcaste,thevanitiesofthearistocrat.Thepoetthought,andnotwithoutreason,thattherewasafortuneinhisgoodlooksandintellect,accompaniedbythenameandtitleofRubempre.Mme.d'EspardandMme.deBargetonheldhimfastbythisclue,asachildholdsacockchaferbyastring.Lucien'sflightwascircumscribed.Thewords,"Heisoneofus,heissound,"
　　accidentallyoverheardbutthreedaysagoinMlle.deTouches'salon,hadturnedhishead.TheDucdeLenoncourt,theDucdeNavarreins,theDucdeGrandlieu,Rastignac,Blondet,thelovelyDuchessedeMaufrigneuse,theComted'Escrignon,anddesLupeaulx,allthemostinfluentialpeopleatCourtinfact,hadcongratulatedhimonhisconversion,andcompletedhisintoxication.
　　"Thenthereisnomoretobesaid,"d'Arthezrejoined."You,ofallmen,willfindithardtokeepcleanhandsandself-respect.Iknowyou,Lucien;youwillfeelitacutelywhenyouaredespisedbytheverymentowhomyouofferyourself."
　　Thethreetookleave,andnotoneofthemgavehimafriendlyhandshake.Lucienwasthoughtfulandsadforafewminutes.
　　"Oh!nevermindthoseninnies,"criedCoralie,springinguponhiskneeandputtingherbeautifularmsabouthisneck."Theytakelifeseriously,andlifeisajoke.Besides,youaregoingtobeCountLuciendeRubempre.IwillwheedletheChancellerieifthereisnootherway.IknowhowtocomeroundthatrakeofadesLupeaulx,whowillsignyourpatent.DidInottellyou,Lucien,thatatthelastyoushouldhaveCoralie'sdeadbodyforasteppingstone?"
　　NextdayLucienallowedhisnametoappearinthelistofcontributorstotheReveil.Hisnamewasannouncedintheprospectuswithaflourishoftrumpets,andtheMinistrytookcarethatahundredthousandcopiesshouldbescatteredabroadfarandwide.TherewasadinneratRobert's,twodoorsawayfromFrascati's,tocelebratetheinauguration,andthewholebandofRoyalistwritersforthepresswerepresent.Martainvillewasthere,andAugerandDestains,andahostofothers,stillliving,who"didMonarchyandreligion,"tousethefamiliarexpressioncoinedforthem.Nathanhadalsoenlistedunderthebanner,forhewasthinkingofstartingatheatre,andnotunreasonablyheldthatitwasbettertohavethelicensingauthoritiesforhimthanagainsthim.
　　"WewillpaytheLiberalsout,"criedMerlin.
　　"Gentlemen,"saidNathan,"ifweareforwar,letushavewarinearnest;wemustnotcarryitonwithpop-guns.LetusfalluponallClassicalsandLiberalswithoutdistinctionofageorsex,andputthemalltotheswordwithridicule.Theremustbenoquarter."
　　"Wemustacthonorably;theremustbenobribingwithcopiesofbooksorpresents;notakingmoneyofpublishers.WemustinaugurateaRestorationofJournalism."
　　"Good!"saidMartainville."Justumettenacempropositivirum!Letusbeimplacableandvirulent.IwillgiveoutLaFayettefortheprinceofharlequinsthatheis!"
　　"AndIwillundertaketheheroesoftheConstitutionnel,"addedLucien;"SergeantMercier,M.Jouy'sCompleteWorks,and'theillustriousoratorsoftheLeft.'"
　　Awarofexterminationwasunanimouslyresolvedupon,andbyoneo'clockinthemorningallshadesofopinionweremergedanddrowned,togetherwitheveryglimmerofsense,inaflamingbowlofpunch.
　　"WehavehadafineMonarchicalandReligiousjollification,"remarkedanillustriousrevelerinthedoorwayashewent.
　　Thatcommentappearedinthenextday'sissueoftheMiroirthroughthegoodofficesofapublisheramongtheguests,andbecamehistoric.
　　Lucienwassupposedtobethetraitorwhoblabbed.HisdefectiongavethesignalforaterrifichubbubintheLiberalcamp;LucienwasthebuttoftheOppositionnewspapers,andridiculedunmercifully.Thewholehistoryofhissonnetswasgiventothepublic.Dauriatwassaidtopreferafirstlossofathousandcrownstotheriskofpublishingtheverses;Lucienwascalled"thePoetsansSonnets;"andonemorning,inthatverypaperinwhichhehadsobrilliantabeginning,hereadthefollowinglines,significantenoughforhim,butbarelyintelligibletootherreaders:
　　***"IfM.DauriatpersistentlywithholdstheSonnetsofthefuturePetrarchfrompublication,wewillactlikegenerousfoes.
　　Wewillopenourowncolumnstohispoems,whichmustbepiquantindeed,tojudgebythefollowingspecimenobliginglycommunicatedbyafriendoftheauthor."
　　Andcloseuponthatominousprefacefollowedasonnetentitled"TheThistle"leChardon:
　　Achance-comeseedling,springinguponedayAmongtheflowersinagardenfair,MadeboastthatsplendidcolorsbrightandrareItsclaimstoloftylineageshoulddisplay.
　　Soforawhiletheysufferedittostay;
　　Butwithsuchinsolenceitflourishedthere,That,outofpatiencewithitsbraggart'sair,Theybadeitproveitsclaimswithoutdelay.
　　Itbloomedforthwith;butne'erwasblunderingclownUpontheboardsmorepromptlyhooteddown;
　　Thesisterflowersbegantojeerandlaugh.
　　Theownerflungitout.AtcloseofdayAsolitaryjackasscametobray——
　　AcommonThistle'sfittingepitaph.
　　Lucienreadthewordsthroughscaldingtears.
　　VernoutouchedelsewhereonLucien'sgamblingpropensities,andspokeoftheforthcomingArcherofCharlesIX.as"anti-national"initstendency,thewritersidingwithCatholiccut-throatsagainsttheirCalvinistvictims.
　　Anotherweekfoundthequarrelembittered.LucienhadcounteduponhisfriendEtienne;Etienneowedhimathousandfrancs,andtherehadbeenbesidesaprivateunderstandingbetweenthem;butEtienneLousteauduringtheintervalbecamehisswornfoe,andthiswasthemannerofit.
　　ForthepastthreemonthsNathanhadbeensmittenwithFlorine'scharms,andmuchatalosshowtoridhimselfofLousteauhisrival,whowasinfactdependentupontheactress.AndnowcameNathan'sopportunity,whenFlorinewasfranticwithdistressoverthefailureofthePanorama-Dramatique,whichleftherwithoutanengagement.HewentasLucien'scolleaguetobegCoralietoaskforapartforFlorineinaplayofhiswhichwasabouttobeproducedattheGymnase.ThenNathanwenttoFlorineandmadecapitalwithheroutoftheservicedonebythepromiseofaconditionalengagement.AmbitionturnedFlorine'shead;shedidnothesitate.ShehadhadtimetogaugeLousteauprettythoroughly.Lousteau'scourseswereweakeninghiswill,andherewasNathanwithhisambitionsinpoliticsandliterature,andenergiesstrongashiscravings.Florineproposedtoreappearonthestagewithrenewedeclat,soshehandedoverMatifat'scorrespondencetoNathan.NathandroveabargainforthemwithMatifat,andtookthesixthshareofFinot'sreviewinexchangeforthecompromisingbillets.Afterthis,FlorinewasinstalledinsumptuouslyfurnishedapartmentsintheRueHauteville,whereshetookNathanforherprotectorinthefaceofthetheatricalandjournalisticworld.
　　Lousteauwasterriblyovercome.Hewepttowardsthecloseofadinnergivenbyhisfriendstoconsolehiminhisaffliction.InthecourseofthatbanquetitwasdecidedthatNathanhadnotactedunfairly;
　　severalwriterspresent——FinotandVernou,forinstance,——knewofFlorine'sfervidadmirationfordramaticliterature;buttheyallagreedthatLucienhadbehavedveryillwhenhearrangedthatbusinessattheGymnase;hehadindeedbrokenthemostsacredlawsoffriendship.Party-spiritandzealtoservehisnewfriendshadledtheRoyalistpoetontosinbeyondforgiveness.
　　"Nathanwascarriedawaybypassion,"pronouncedBixiou,"whilethis'distinguishedprovincial,'asBlondetcallshim,issimplyschemingforhisownselfishends."
　　Andsoitcametopassthatdeepplotswerelaidbyallpartiesaliketoridthemselvesofthislittleupstartintruderofapoetwhowantedtoeateverybodyup.VernouboreLucienapersonalgrudge,andundertooktokeepatighthandonhim;andFinotdeclaredthatLucienhadbetrayedthesecretofthecombinationagainstMatifat,andtherebyswindledhimFinotoutoffiftythousandfrancs.Nathan,actingonFlorine'sadvice,gainedFinot'ssupportbysellinghimthesixthshareforfifteenthousandfrancs,andLousteauconsequentlylosthiscommission.Histhousandcrownshadvanishedaway;hecouldnotforgiveLucienforthistreacherousblowashesupposeditdealttohisinterests.Thewoundsofvanityrefusetohealifoxideofsilvergetsintothem.
　　Nowords,noamountofdescription,candepictthewrathofanauthorinaparoxysmofmortifiedvanity,northeenergywhichhediscoverswhenstungbythepoisoneddartsofsarcasm;but,ontheotherhand,themanthatisrousedtofighting-furybyapersonalattackusuallysubsidesverypromptly.Themorephlegmaticrace,whotakethesethingsquietly,laytheiraccountwiththeoblivionwhichspeedilyovertakesthespitefularticle.Thesearethetrulycourageousmenofletters;andiftheweaklingsseematfirsttobethestrongmen,theycannotholdoutforanylengthoftime.
　　Duringthatfirstfortnight,whilethefurywasuponhim,LucienpouredaperfecthailstormofarticlesintotheRoyalistpapers,inwhichhesharedtheresponsibilitiesofcriticismwithHectorMerlin.
　　Hewasalwaysinthebreach,poundingawaywithallhismightintheReveil,backedupbyMartainville,theonlyoneamonghisassociateswhostoodbyhimwithoutanafterthought.Martainvillewasnotinthesecretofcertainunderstandingsmadeandratifiedamidafter-dinnerjokes,oratDauriat'sintheWoodenGalleries,orbehindthescenesattheVaudeville,whenjournalistsofeithersidemetonneutralground.
　　WhenLucienwenttothegreenroomoftheVaudeville,hemetwithnowelcome;themenofhisownpartyheldoutahandtoshake,theotherscuthim;andallthewhileHectorMerlinandTheodoreGaillardfraternizedunblushinglywithFinot,Lousteau,andVernou,andtherestofthejournalistswhowereknownfor"goodfellows."
　　ThegreenroomoftheVaudevilleinthosedayswasahotbedofgossip,aswellasaneutralgroundwheremenofeveryshadeofopinioncouldmeet;somuchsothatthePresidentofacourtoflaw,afterreprovingalearnedbrotherinacertaincouncilchamberfor"sweepingthegreenroomwithhisgown,"metthesubjectofhisstrictures,gowntogown,inthegreenroomoftheVaudeville.Lousteau,intime,shookhandsagainwithNathan;Finotcamethitheralmosteveryevening;andLucien,wheneverhecouldsparethetime,wenttotheVaudevilletowatchtheenemies,whoshowednosignofrelentingtowardstheunfortunateboy.
　　InthetimeoftheRestorationpartyhatredwasfarmorebitterthaninourday.Intensityoffeelingisdiminishedinourhigh-pressureage.Thecriticcutsabooktopiecesandshakeshandswiththeauthorafterwards,andthevictimmustkeepongoodtermswithhisslaughterer,orrunthegantletofinnumerablejokesathisexpense.
　　Ifherefuses,heisunsociable,eatenupwithself-love,heissulkyandrancorous,hebearsmalice,heisabadbed-fellow.To-dayletanauthorreceiveatreacherousstabintheback,lethimavoidthesnaressetforhimwithbasehypocrisy,andendurethemostunhandsometreatment,hemuststillexchangegreetingswithhisassassin,who,forthatmatter,claimstheesteemandfriendshipofhisvictim.
　　Everythingcanbeexcusedandjustifiedinanagewhichhastransformedviceintovirtueandvirtueintovice.Good-fellowshiphascometobethemostsacredofourliberties;therepresentativesofthemostoppositeopinionscourteouslyblunttheedgeoftheirwords,andfencewithbuttonedfoils.ButinthosealmostforgottendaysthesametheatrecouldscarcelyholdcertainRoyalistandLiberaljournalists;themostmalignantprovocationwasoffered,glanceswerelikepistol-shots,theleastsparkproducedanexplosionofquarrel.
　　Whohasnotheardhisneighbor'shalf-smotheredoathontheentranceofsomemanintheforefrontofthebattleontheopposingside?Therewerebuttwoparties——RoyalistsandLiberals,ClassicsandRomantics.
　　Youfoundthesamehatredmasqueradingineitherform,andnolongerwonderedatthescaffoldsoftheConvention.
　　LucienhadbeenaLiberalandahotVoltairean;nowhewasarabidRoyalistandaRomantic.Martainville,theonlyoneamonghiscolleagueswhoreallylikedhimandstoodbyhimloyally,wasmorehatedbytheLiberalsthananymanontheRoyalistside,andthisfactdrewdownallthehateoftheLiberalsonLucien'shead.
　　Martainville'sstaunchfriendshipinjuredLucien.Politicalpartiesshowscantygratitudetooutpostsentinels,andleaveleadersofforlornhopestotheirfate;'tisaruleofwarfarewhichholdsequallygoodinmatterspolitical,tokeepwiththemainbodyofthearmyifyoumeantosucceed.ThespiteofthesmallLiberalpapersfastenedatonceontheopportunityofcouplingthetwonames,andflungthemintoeachother'sarms.Theirfriendship,realorimaginary,broughtdownuponthembothaseriesofarticleswrittenbypensdippedingall.FelicienVernouwasfuriouswithjealousyofLucien'ssocialsuccess;andbelieved,likeallhisoldassociates,inthepoet'sapproachingelevation.
　　ThefictionofLucien'streasonwasembellishedwitheverykindofaggravatingcircumstance;hewascalledJudastheLess,MartainvillebeingJudastheGreat,forMartainvillewassupposedrightlyorwronglytohavegivenuptheBridgeofPecqtotheforeigninvaders.
　　LuciensaidjestinglytodesLupeaulxthathehimself,surely,hadgivenuptheAsses'Bridge.
　　Lucien'sluxuriouslife,hollowthoughitwas,andfoundedonexpectations,hadestrangedhisfriends.Theycouldnotforgivehimforthecarriagewhichhehadputdown——forthemhewasstillrollingaboutinit——noryetforthesplendorsoftheRuedeVendomewhichhehadleft.Allofthemfeltinstinctivelythatnothingwasbeyondthereachofthisyoungandhandsomepoet,withintellectenoughandtospare;theythemselveshadtrainedhimincorruption;and,therefore,theyleftnostoneunturnedtoruinhim.
　　SomefewdaysbeforeCoralie'sfirstappearanceattheGymnase,LucienandHectorMerlinwentarm-in-armtotheVaudeville.MerlinwasscoldinghisfriendforgivingahelpinghandtoNathaninFlorine'saffair.
　　"YouthenandtheremadetwomortalenemiesofLousteauandNathan,"
　　hesaid."Igaveyougoodadvice,andyoutooknonoticeofit.Yougavepraise,youdidthemagoodturn——youwillbewellpunishedforyourkindness.FlorineandCoraliewillneverliveinpeaceonthesamestage;bothwillwishtobefirst.YoucanonlydefendCoralieinourpapers;andNathannotonlyhasapullasadramaticauthor,hecancontrolthedramaticcriticismintheLiberalnewspapers.Hehasbeenajournalistalittlelongerthanyou!"
　　ThewordsrespondedtoLucien'sinwardmisgivings.NeitherNathannorGaillardwastreatinghimwiththefranknesswhichhehadarighttoexpect,butsonewaconvertcouldhardlycomplain.GaillardutterlyconfoundedLucienbysayingroundlythatnewcomersmustgiveproofsoftheirsincerityforsometimebeforetheirpartycouldtrustthem.
　　TherewasmorejealousythanhehadimaginedintheinnercirclesofRoyalistandMinisterialjournalism.Thejealousyofcursfightingforaboneisapttoappearinthehumanspecieswhenthereisaloaftodivide;thereisthesamegrowlingandshowingofteeth,thesamecharacteristicscomeout.
　　Ineverypossiblewaythesewritersofarticlestriedtoinjureeachotherwiththoseinpower;theybroughtreciprocalaccusationsoflukewarmzeal;theyinventedthemosttreacherouswaysofgettingridofarival.TherehadbeennoneofthisinternecinewarfareamongtheLiberals;theyweretoofarfrompower,toohopelesslyoutoffavor;
　　andLucien,amidtheinextricabletangleofambitions,hadneitherthecouragetodrawswordandcuttheknot,orthepatiencetounravelit.
　　HecouldnotbetheBeaumarchais,theAretino,theFreronofhisepoch;hewasnotmadeofsuchstuff;hethoughtofnothingbuthisonedesire,thepatentofnobility;forhesawclearlythatforhimsucharestorationmeantawealthymarriage,and,thetitleoncesecured,chanceandhisgoodlookswoulddotherest.Thiswasallhisplan,andEtienneLousteau,whohadconfidedsomuchtohim,knewhissecret,knewhowtodealadeathblowtothepoetofAngouleme.Thatverynight,asLucienandMerlinwenttotheVaudeville,Etiennehadlaidaterribletrap,intowhichaninexperiencedboycouldnotbutfall.
　　"HereisourhandsomeLucien,"saidFinot,drawingdesLupeaulxinthedirectionofthepoet,andshakinghandswithfelineamiability."I
　　cannotthinkofanotherexampleofsuchrapidsuccess,"continuedFinot,lookingfromdesLupeaulxtoLucien."TherearetwosortsofsuccessinParis:thereisafortuneinsolidcash,whichanyonecanamass,andthereistheintangiblefortuneofconnections,position,orafootingincertaincirclesinaccessibleforcertainpersons,howeverrichtheymaybe.Nowmyfriendhere——"
　　"Ourfriend,"interposeddesLupeaulx,smilingblandly.
　　"Ourfriend,"repeatedFinot,pattingLucien'shand,"hasmadeabrilliantsuccessfromthispointofview.Truthtotell,Lucienhasmoreinhim,moregift,morewitthantherestofusthatenvyhim,andheisenchantinglyhandsomebesides;hisoldfriendscannotforgivehimforhissuccess——theycallitluck."
　　"Luckofthatsortnevercomestofoolsorincapables,"saiddesLupeaulx."CanyoucallBonaparte'sfortuneluck,eh?TherewereascoreofapplicantsforthecommandofthearmyinItaly,justasthereareahundredyoungmenatthismomentwhowouldliketohaveanentrancetoMlle.desTouches'house;peoplearecouplinghernamewithyoursalreadyinsociety,mydearboy,"saiddesLupeaulx,clappingLucienontheshoulder."Ah!youareinhighfavor.Mme.
　　d'Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andMme.deMontcornetarewildaboutyou.
　　YouaregoingtoMme.Firmiani'spartyto-night,areyounot,andtotheDuchessedeGrandlieu'sroutto-morrow?"
　　"Yes,"saidLucien.
　　"Allowmetointroduceayoungbankertoyou,aM.duTillet;yououghttobeacquainted,hehascontrivedtomakeagreatfortuneinashorttime."
　　LucienandduTilletbowed,andenteredintoconversation,andthebankeraskedLucientodinner.FinotanddesLupeaulx,awell-matchedpair,kneweachotherwellenoughtokeepupongoodterms;theyturnedawaytocontinuetheirchatononeofthesofasinthegreenroom,andleftLucienwithduTillet,Merlin,andNathan.
　　"Bytheway,myfriend,"saidFinot,"tellmehowthingsstand.IstherereallysomebodybehindLucien?Forheisthebetenoireofmystaff;andbeforeallowingthemtoplotagainsthim,IthoughtI
　　shouldliketoknowwhether,inyouropinion,itwouldbebettertobafflethemandkeepwellwithhim."
　　TheMasterofRequestsandFinotlookedateachotherverycloselyforamomentortwo.
　　"Mydearfellow,"saiddesLupeaulx,"howcanyouimaginethattheMarquised'Espard,orChatelet,orMme.deBargeton——whohasprocuredtheBaron'snominationtotheprefectureandthetitleofCount,soastoreturnintriumphtoAngouleme——howcanyousupposethatanyofthemwillforgiveLucienforhisattacksonthem?TheydroppedhimdownintheRoyalistrankstocrushhimoutofexistence.Atthismomenttheyarelookingroundforanyexcusefornotfulfillingthepromisestheymadetothatboy.Helpthemtosome;youwilldothegreatestpossibleservicetothetwowomen,andsomedayorothertheywillrememberit.Iamintheirsecrets;Iwassurprisedtofindhowmuchtheyhatedthelittlefellow.ThisLucienmighthaveridhimselfofhisbitterestenemyMme.deBargetonbydesistingfromhisattacksontermswhichawomanlovestogrant——doyoutakeme?Heisyoungandhandsome,heshouldhavedrownedherhateintorrentsoflove,hewouldbeComtedeRubemprebythistime;theCuttlefish-bonewouldhaveobtainedsomesinecureforhim,somepostintheRoyalHousehold.LucienwouldhavemadeaveryprettyreadertoLouisXVIII.;hemighthavebeenlibrariansomewhereorother,MasterofRequestsforajoke,MasterofRevels,whatyouplease.Theyoungfoolhasmissedhischance.Perhapsthatishisunpardonablesin.Insteadofimposinghisconditions,hehasacceptedthem.WhenLucienwascaughtwiththebaitofthepatentofnobility,theBaronChateletmadeagreatstep.Coraliehasbeentheruinofthatboy.Ifhehadnothadtheactressforhismistress,hewouldhaveturnedagaintotheCuttlefish-bone;andhewouldhavehadhertoo."
　　"Thenwecanknockhimover?"
　　"How?"desLupeaulxaskedcarelessly.HesawawayofgainingcreditwiththeMarquised'Espardforthisservice.
　　"HeisundercontracttowriteforLousteau'spaper,andwecanthebetterholdhimtohisagreementbecausehehasnotasou.IfwetickleuptheKeeperoftheSealswithafacetiousarticle,andprovethatLucienwroteit,hewillconsiderthatLucienisunworthyoftheKing'sfavor.Wehaveaplotonhandbesides.Coraliewillberuined,andourdistinguishedprovincialwilllosehisheadwhenhismistressishissedoffthestageandleftwithoutanengagement.Whenoncethepatentissuspended,wewilllaughatthevictim'saristocraticpretensions,andalludetohismotherthenurseandhisfathertheapothecary.Lucien'scourageisonlyskindeep,hewillcollapse;wewillsendhimbacktohisprovinces.NathanmadeFlorinesellmeMatifat'ssixthshareofthereview,Iwasabletobuy;DauriatandI
　　aretheonlyproprietorsnow;wemightcometoanunderstanding,youandI,andthereviewmightbetakenoverforthebenefitoftheCourt.IstipulatedfortherestitutionofmysixthbeforeIundertooktoprotectNathanandFlorine;theyletmehaveit,andImusthelpthem;butIwishedtoknowfirsthowLucienstood——"
　　"Youdeserveyourname,"saiddesLupeaulx."Ilikeamanofyoursort——"
　　"Verywell.ThencanyouarrangeadefiniteengagementforFlorine?"
　　askedFinot.
　　"Yes,butridusofLucien,forRastignacanddeMarsayneverwishtohearofhimagain."
　　"Sleepinpeace,"returnedFinot."NathanandMerlinwillalwayshavearticlesreadyforGaillard,whowillpromisetotakethem;Lucienwillnevergetalineintothepaper.Wewillcutoffhissupplies.
　　ThereisonlyMartainville'spaperlefthiminwhichtodefendhimselfandCoralie;whatcanasinglepaperdoagainstsomany?"
　　"IwillletyouknowtheweakpointsoftheMinistry;butgetLucientowritethatarticleandhandoverthemanuscript,"saiddesLupeaulx,whorefrainedcarefullyfrominformingFinotthatLucien'spromisedpatentwasnothingbutajoke.
　　WhendesLupeaulxhadgone,FinotwenttoLucien,andtakingthegood-
　　naturedtonewhichdeceivessomanyvictims,heexplainedthathecouldnotpossiblyaffordtolosehiscontributor,andatthesametimeheshrankfromtakingproceedingswhichmightruinhimwithhisfriendsoftheotherside.Finothimselflikedamanwhowasstrongenoughtochangehisopinions.Theywereprettysuretocomeacrossoneanother,heandLucien,andmightbemutuallyhelpfulinathousandlittleways.Lucien,besides,neededasuremanintheLiberalpartytoattacktheUltrasandmeninofficewhomightrefusetohelphim.
　　"Supposethattheyplayyoufalse,whatwillyoudo?"Finotended.
　　"SupposethatsomeMinisterfanciesthathehasyoufastbythehalterofyourapostasy,andturnsthecoldshoulderonyou?Youwillbegladtosetonafewdogstosnapathislegs,willyounot?Verywell.ButyouhavemadeadeadlyenemyofLousteau;heisthirstingforyourblood.YouandFelicienarenotonspeakingterms.Ionlyremaintoyou.Itisaruleofthecrafttokeepagoodunderstandingwitheverymanofrealability.Intheworldwhichyouareabouttoenteryoucandomeservicesinreturnforminewiththepress.Butbusinessfirst.
　　Letmehavepurelyliteraryarticles;theywillnotcompromiseyou,andweshallhaveexecutedouragreement."
　　Luciensawnothingbutgood-fellowshipandashrewdeyetobusinessinFinot'soffer;FinotanddesLupeaulxhadflatteredhim,andhewasinagoodhumor.HeactuallythankedFinot!
　　Ambitiousmen,likeallthosewhocanonlymaketheirwaybythehelpofothersandofcircumstances,areboundtolaytheirplansverycarefullyandtoadhereverycloselytothecourseofconductonwhichtheydetermine;itisacruelmomentinthelivesofsuchaspirantswhensomeunknownpowerbringsthefabricoftheirfortunestosomeseveretestandeverythinggiveswayatonce;threadsaresnappedorentangled,andmisfortuneappearsoneveryside.Letamanlosehisheadintheconfusion,itisalloverwithhim;butifhecanresistthisfirstrevoltofcircumstances,ifhecanstanderectuntilthetempestpassesover,ormakeasupremeeffortandreachtheserenesphereaboutthestorm——thenheisreallystrong.Toeveryman,unlessheisbornrich,therecomessoonerorlater"hisfatalweek,"asitmustbecalled.ForNapoleon,forinstance,thatweekwastheRetreatfromMoscow.IthadbegunnowforLucien.
　　Socialandliterarysuccesshadcometohimtooeasily;hehadhadsuchluckthathewasboundtoknowreversesandtoseemenandcircumstancesturnagainsthim.
　　Thefirstblowwastheheaviestandthemostkeenlyfelt,forittouchedLucienwherehethoughthimselfinvulnerable——inhisheartandhislove.Coraliemightnotbeclever,butherswasanoblenature,andshepossessedthegreatactress'facultyofsuddenlystandingalooffromself.Thisstrangephenomenonissubject,untilitdegeneratesintoahabitwithlongpractice,tothecapricesofcharacter,andnotseldomtoanadmirabledelicacyoffeelinginactresseswhoarestillyoung.Coralie,toallappearanceboldandwanton,asthepartrequired,wasinrealitygirlishandtimid,andlovehadwroughtinherarevulsionofherwoman'sheartagainstthecomedian'smask.Art,thesupremeartoffeigningpassionandfeeling,hadnotyettriumphedovernatureinher;sheshrankbeforeagreataudiencefromtheutterancethatbelongstoLovealone;andCoraliesufferedbesidesfromanothertruewoman'sweakness——sheneededsuccess,bornstagequeenthoughshewas.Shecouldnotconfrontanaudiencewithwhichshewasoutofsympathy;shewasnervouswhensheappearedonthestage,acoldreceptionparalyzedher.Eachnewpartgavehertheterriblesensationsofafirstappearance.Applauseproducedasortofintoxicationwhichgaveherencouragementwithoutflatteringhervanity;atamurmurofdissatisfactionorbeforeasilenthouse,sheflagged;butagreataudiencefollowingattentively,admiringly,willingtobepleased,electrifiedCoralie.Shefeltatonceincommunicationwiththenoblerqualitiesofallthoselisteners;shefeltthatshepossessedthepowerofstirringtheirsoulsandcarryingthemwithher.Butifthisactionandreactionoftheaudienceupontheactressrevealsthenervousorganizationofgenius,itshowsnolessclearlythepoorchild'ssensitivenessanddelicacy.Lucienhaddiscoveredthetreasuresofhernature;hadlearnedinthepastmonthsthatthiswomanwholovedhimwasstillsomuchofagirl.AndCoraliewasunskilledinthewilesofanactress——
　　shecouldnotfightherownbattlesnorprotectherselfagainstthemachinationsofjealousybehindthescenes.Florinewasjealousofher,andFlorinewasasdangerousanddepravedasCoraliewassimpleandgenerous.RolesmustcometofindCoralie;shewastooproudtoimploreauthorsortosubmittodishonoringconditions;shewouldnotgiveherselftothefirstjournalistwhopersecutedherwithhisadvancesandthreatenedherwithhispen.Geniusisrareenoughintheextraordinaryartofthestage;butgeniusisonlyoneconditionofsuccessamongmany,andispositivelyhurtfulunlessitisaccompaniedbyageniusforintrigueinwhichCoraliewasutterlylacking.
　　LucienknewhowmuchhisfriendwouldsufferonherfirstappearanceattheGymnase,andwasanxiousatallcoststoobtainasuccessforher;butallthemoneyremainingfromthesaleofthefurnitureandallLucien'searningshadbeensunkincostumes,inthefurnitureofadressing-room,andtheexpensesofafirstappearance.
　　Afewdayslater,Lucienmadeuphismindtoahumiliatingstepforlove'ssake.HetookFendantandCavalier'sbills,andwenttotheGoldenCocoonintheRuedesBourdonnais.HewouldaskCamusottodiscountthem.Thepoethadnotfallensolowthathecouldmakethisattemptquitecoolly.Therehadbeenmanyasharpstrugglefirst,andthewaytothatdecisionhadbeenpavedwithmanydreadfulthoughts.
　　Nevertheless,hearrivedatlastinthedark,cheerlesslittleprivateofficethatlookedoutuponayard,andfoundCamusotseatedgravelythere;thiswasnotCoralie'sinfatuatedadorer,nottheeasy-natured,indolent,incredulouslibertinewhomhehadknownhithertoasCamusot,butaheavyfatherofafamily,amerchantgrownoldinshrewdexpedientsofbusinessandrespectablevirtues,wearingamagistrate'smaskofjudicialprudery;thisCamusotwasthecool,business-likeheadofthefirmsurroundedbyclerks,greencardboardboxes,pigeonholes,invoices,andsamples,andfortifiedbythepresenceofawifeandaplainly-dresseddaughter.Lucientrembledfromheadtofootasheapproached;fortheworthymerchant,likethemoney-lenders,turnedcool,indifferenteyesuponhim.
　　"Herearetwoorthreebills,monsieur,"hesaid,standingbesidethemerchant,whodidnotrisefromhisdesk."Ifyouwilltakethemofme,youwillobligemeextremely."
　　"YouhavetakensomethingofME,monsieur,"saidCamusot;"Idonotforgetit."
　　Onthis,LucienexplainedCoralie'spredicament.Hespokeinalowvoice,bendingtomurmurhisexplanation,sothatCamusotcouldheartheheavythrobbingofthehumiliatedpoet'sheart.ItwasnopartofCamusot'splansthatCoralieshouldsufferacheck.Helistened,smilingtohimselfoverthesignaturesonthebillsfor,asajudgeattheTribunalofCommerce,heknewhowthebooksellersstood,butintheendhegaveLucienfourthousandfivehundredfrancsforthem,stipulatingthatheshouldaddtheformula"Forvaluereceivedinsilks."
　　LucienwentstraighttoBraulard,andmadearrangementsforagoodreception.Braulardpromisedtocometothedress-rehearsal,todetermineonthepointswherehis"Romans"shouldworktheirfleshyclapperstobringdownthehouseinapplause.LuciengavetherestofthemoneytoCoraliehedidnottellherhowhehadcomebyit,andallayedheranxietiesandthefearsofBerenice,whowassorelytroubledovertheirdailyexpenses.
　　MartainvillecameseveraltimestohearCoralierehearse,andheknewmoreofthestagethanmostmenofhistime;severalRoyalistwritershadpromisedfavorablearticles;Lucienhadnotasuspicionoftheimpendingdisaster.
　　AfataleventoccurredontheeveningbeforeCoralie'sdebut.
　　D'Arthez'sbookhadappeared;andtheeditorofMerlin'spaper,consideringLucientobethebestqualifiedmanonthestaff,gavehimthebooktoreview.HeowedhisunluckyreputationtothosearticlesonNathan'swork.Therewereseveralmenintheofficeatthetime,forallthestaffhadbeensummoned;MartainvillewasexplainingthatthepartywarfarewiththeLiberalsmustbewagedoncertainlines.
　　Nathan,Merlin,allthecontributors,infact,weretalkingofLeonGiraud'spaper,andremarkingthatitsinfluencewasthemoreperniciousbecausethelanguagewasguarded,cool,moderate.PeoplewerebeginningtospeakofthecircleintheRuedesQuatre-VentsasasecondConvention.IthadbeendecidedthattheRoyalistpapersweretowageasystematicwarofexterminationagainstthesedangerousopponents,who,indeed,atalaterday,weredestinedtosowthedoctrinesthatdrovetheBourbonsintoexile;butthatwasonlyafterthemostbrilliantofRoyalistwritershadjoinedthemforthesakeofameanrevenge.
　　D'Arthez'sabsolutistopinionswerenotknown;itwastakenforgrantedthathesharedtheviewsofhisclique,hefellunderthesameanathema,andhewastobethefirstvictim.Hisbookwastobehonoredwith"aslashingarticle,"tousetheconsecratedformula.
　　Lucienrefusedtowritethearticle.GreatwasthecommotionamongtheleadingRoyalistwritersthusmetinconclave.Lucienwastoldplainlythatarenegadecouldnotdoashepleased;ifitdidnotsuithisviewstotakethesideoftheMonarchyandReligion,hecouldgobacktotheothercamp.MerlinandMartainvilletookhimasideandbeggedhim,ashisfriends,torememberthathewouldsimplyhandCoralieovertothetendermerciesoftheLiberalpapers,forshewouldfindnochampionsontheRoyalistandMinisterialside.Heractingwascertaintoprovokeahotbattle,andthekindofdiscussionwhicheveryactresslongstoarouse.
　　"Youdon'tunderstanditintheleast,"saidMartainville;"ifsheplaysforthreemonthsamidacross-fireofcriticism,shewillmakethirtythousandfrancswhenshegoesontourintheprovincesattheendoftheseason;andhereareyouabouttosacrificeCoralieandyourownfuture,andtoquarrelwithyourownbreadandbutter,allforascruplethatwillalwaysstandinyourway,andoughttobegotridofatonce."
　　Lucienwasforcedtochoosebetweend'ArthezandCoralie.Hismistresswouldberuinedunlesshedealthisfriendadeath-blowintheReveilandthegreatnewspaper.Poorpoet!Hewenthomewithdeathinhissoul;andbythefiresidehesatandreadthatfinestproductionofmodernliterature.Tearsfellfastoveritasthepagesturned.Foralongwhilehehesitated,butatlasthetookupthepenandwroteasarcasticarticleofthekindthatheunderstoodsowell,takingthebookaschildrenmighttakesomebrightbirdtostripitofitsplumageandtortureit.Hissardonicjestsweresuretotell.Againheturnedtothebook,andashereaditoverasecondtime,hisbetterselfawoke.InthedeadofnighthehurriedacrossParis,andstoodoutsided'Arthez'shouse.Helookedupatthewindowsandsawthefaintpuregleamoflightinthepanes,ashehadsooftenseenit,withafeelingofadmirationforthenoblesteadfastnessofthattrulygreatnature.Forsomemomentshestoodirresoluteonthecurbstone;
　　hehadnotcouragetogofurther;buthisgoodangelurgedhimon.Hetappedatthedoorandopened,andfoundd'Arthezsittingreadinginafirelessroom.
　　"Whathashappened?"askedd'Arthez,fornewsofsomedreadfulkindwasvisibleinLucien'sghastlyface.
　　"Yourbookissublime,d'Arthez,"saidLucien,withtearsinhiseyes,"andtheyhaveorderedmetowriteanattackuponit."
　　"Poorboy!thebreadthattheygiveyouishardindeed!"saidd'Arthez"Ionlyaskforonefavor,keepmyvisitasecretandleavemetomyhell,totheoccupationsofthedamned.Perhapsitisimpossibletoattaintosuccessuntiltheheartissearedandcallousineverymostsensitivespot."
　　"Thesameasever!"criedd'Arthez.
　　"Doyouthinkmeabasepoltroon?No,d'Arthez;no,Iamaboyhalfcrazedwithlove,"andhetoldhisstory.
　　"Letuslookatthearticle,"saidd'Arthez,touchedbyallthatLuciensaidofCoralie.
　　Lucienheldoutthemanuscript;d'Arthezread,andcouldnothelpsmiling.
　　"Oh,whatafatalwasteofintellect!"hebegan.ButatthesightofLucienovercomewithgriefintheoppositearmchair,hecheckedhimself.
　　"Willyouleaveitwithmetocorrect?Iwillletyouhaveitagainto-morrow,"hewenton."Flippancydepreciatesawork;seriousandconscientiouscriticismissometimespraiseinitself.Iknowawaytomakeyourarticlemorehonorablebothforyourselfandforme.
　　Besides,Iknowmyfaultswellenough."
　　"Whenyouclimbahot,shadowlesshillside,yousometimesfindfruittoquenchyourtorturingthirst;andIhavefoundithereandnow,"
　　saidLucien,ashesprangsobbingtod'Arthez'sarmsandkissedhisfriendontheforehead."ItseemstomethatIamleavingmyconscienceinyourkeeping;somedayIwillcometoyouandaskforitagain."
　　"Ilookuponaperiodicalrepentanceasgreathypocrisy,"d'Arthezsaidsolemnly;"repentancebecomesasortofindemnityforwrongdoing.
　　Repentanceisvirginityofthesoul,whichwemustkeepforGod;amanwhorepentstwiceisahorriblesycophant.Iamafraidthatyouregardrepentanceasabsolution."
　　LucienwentslowlybacktotheRuedelaLune,strickendumbbythosewords.
　　Nextmorningd'Arthezsentbackhisarticle,recastthroughout,andLuciensentitintothereview;butfromthatdaymelancholypreyeduponhim,andhecouldnotalwaysdisguisehismood.Thatevening,whenthetheatrewasfull,heexperiencedforthefirsttimetheparoxysmofnervousterrorcausedbyadebut;terroraggravatedinhiscasebyallthestrengthofhislove.Vanityofeverykindwasinvolved.Helookedovertherowsoffacesasacriminaleyesthejudgesandthejuryonwhomhislifedepends.Amurmurwouldhavesethimquivering;anyslightincidentuponthestage,Coralie'sexitsandentrances,theslightestmodulationofthetonesofhervoice,wouldperturbhimbeyondallreason.
　　TheplayinwhichCoraliemadeherfirstappearanceattheGymnasewasapieceofthekindwhichsometimesfallsflatatfirst,andafterwardshasimmensesuccess.Itfellflatthatnight.Coraliewasnotapplaudedwhenshecameon,andthechillyreceptionreacteduponher.TheonlyapplausecamefromCamusot'sbox,andvariouspersonspostedinthebalconyandgalleriessilencedCamusotwithrepeatedcriesof"Hush!"Thegalleriesevensilencedtheclaqueurswhentheyledoffwithexaggeratedsalvos.Martainvilleapplaudedbravely;
　　Nathan,Merlin,andthetreacherousFlorinefollowedhisexample;butitwasclearthatthepiecewasafailure.AcrowdgatheredinCoralie'sdressing-roomandconsoledher,tillshehadnocourageleft.Shewenthomeindespair,lessforherownsakethanforLucien's.
　　"Braulardhasbetrayedus,"Luciensaid.
　　Coraliewasheartstricken.Thenextdayfoundherinahighfever,utterlyunfittoplay,facetofacewiththethoughtthatshehadbeencutshortinhercareer.Lucienhidthepapersfromher,andlookedthemoverinthedining-room.ThereviewersoneandallattributedthefailureofthepiecetoCoralie;shehadoverestimatedherstrength;
　　shemightbethedelightofaboulevardaudience,butshewasoutofherelementattheGymnase;shehadbeeninspiredbyalaudableambition,butshehadnottakenherpowersintoaccount;shehadchosenaparttowhichshewasquiteunequal.Lucienreadonthroughapileofpenny-a-lining,puttogetheronthesamesystemashisattackuponNathan.MiloofCrotona,whenhefoundhishandsfastintheoakwhichhehimselfhadcleft,wasnotmorefuriousthanLucien.Hegrewhaggardwithrage.HisfriendsgaveCoraliethemosttreacherousadvice,inthelanguageofkindlycounselandfriendlyinterest.Sheshouldplayaccordingtotheseauthoritiesallkindofroles,whichthetreacherouswritersoftheseunblushingfeuilletonsknewtobeutterlyunsuitedtohergenius.AndtheseweretheRoyalistpapers,ledoffbyNathan.AsfortheLiberalpress,alltheweaponswhichLucienhadusedwerenowturnedagainsthim.
　　Coralieheardasob,followedbyanotherandanother.ShesprangoutofbedtofindLucien,andsawthepapers.Nothingwouldsatisfyherbutshemustreadthemall;andwhenshehadreadthem,shewentbacktobed,andlaythereinsilence.
　　Florinewasintheplot;shehadforeseentheoutcome;shehadstudiedCoralie'spart,andwasreadytotakeherplace.Themanagement,unwillingtogiveupthepiece,wasreadytotakeFlorineinCoralie'sstead.Whenthemanagercame,hefoundpoorCoraliesobbingandexhaustedonherbed;butwhenhebegantosay,inLucien'spresence,thatFlorineknewthepart,andthattheplaymustbegiventhatevening,Coraliesprangupatonce.
　　"Iwillplay!"shecried,andsankfaintingonthefloor.
　　SoFlorinetookthepart,andmadeherreputationinit;forthepiecesucceeded,thenewspapersallsangherpraises,andfromthattimeforthFlorinewasthegreatactresswhomweallknow.Florine'ssuccessexasperatedLucientothehighestdegree.
　　"Awretchedgirl,whomyouhelpedtoearnherbread!IftheGymnasepreferstodoso,letthemanagementpayyoutocancelyourengagement.IshallbetheComtedeRubempre;Iwillmakemyfortune,andyoushallbemywife."
　　"Whatnonsense!"saidCoralie,lookingathimwithwaneyes.
　　"Nonsense!"repeatedhe."Verywell,waitafewdays,andyoushallliveinafinehouse,youshallhaveacarriage,andIwillwriteapartforyou!"
　　HetooktwothousandfrancsandhurriedtoFrascati's.ForsevenhourstheunhappyvictimoftheFurieswatchedhisvaryingluck,andoutwardlyseemedcoolandself-contained.Heexperiencedbothextremesoffortuneduringthatdayandpartofthenightthatfollowed;atonetimehepossessedasmuchasthirtythousandfrancs,andhecameoutatlastwithoutasou.IntheRuedelaLunehefoundFinotwaitingforhimwitharequestforoneofhisshortarticles.Luciensofarforgothimself,thathecomplained.
　　"Oh,itisnotallrosy,"returnedFinot."Youmadeyourright-about-
　　faceinsuchawaythatyouwereboundtolosethesupportoftheLiberalpress,andtheLiberalsarefarstrongerinprintthanalltheMinisterialistandRoyalistpapersputtogether.Amanshouldneverleaveonecampforanotheruntilhehasmadeacomfortableberthforhimself,bywayofconsolationforthelossesthathemustexpect;andinanycase,aprudentpoliticianwillseehisfriendsfirst,andgivethemhisreasonsforgoingover,andtaketheiropinions.Youcanstillacttogether;theysympathizewithyou,andyouagreetogivemutualhelp.NathanandMerlindidthatbeforetheywentover.Hawksdon'tpikeouthawks'eyes.Youwereasinnocentasalamb;youwillbeforcedtoshowyourteethtoyournewpartytomakeanythingoutofthem.YouhavebeennecessarilysacrificedtoNathan.Icannotconcealfromyouthatyourarticleond'Arthezhasrousedaterrifichubbub.
　　Maratisasaintcomparedwithyou.Youwillbeattacked,andyourbookwillbeafailure.Howfarhavethingsgonewithyourromance?"
　　"Thesearethelastproofsheets."
　　"Alltheanonymousarticlesagainstthatyoungd'ArthezintheMinisterialistandUltrapapersaresetdowntoyou.TheReveilispokingfunatthesetintheRuedesQuatre-Vents,andthehitsarethemoretellingbecausetheyarefunny.ThereisawholeseriouspoliticalcoterieatthebackofLeonGiraud'spaper;theywillcomeintopowertoo,soonerorlater."