"IhavenotwrittenalineintheReveilthisweekpast."
　　"Verywell.Keepmyshortarticlesinmind.Writefiftyofthemstraightoff,andIwillpayyoufortheminalump;buttheymustbeofthesamecolorasthepaper."AndFinot,withseemingcarelessness,gaveLucienanedifyinganecdoteoftheKeeperoftheSeals,apieceofcurrentgossip,hesaid,forthesubjectofoneofthepapers.
　　Eagertoretrievehislossesatplay,Lucienshookoffhisdejection,summoneduphisenergyandyouthfulforce,andwrotethirtyarticlesoftwocolumnseach.Thesefinished,hewenttoDauriat's,partlybecausehefeltsureofmeetingFinotthere,andhewishedtogivethearticlestoFinotinperson;partlybecausehewishedforanexplanationofthenon-appearanceoftheMarguerites.Hefoundthebookseller'sshopfullofhisenemies.Allthetalkimmediatelyceasedasheentered.Putunderthebanofjournalism,hiscouragerose,andoncemorehesaidtohimself,ashehadsaidinthealleyattheLuxembourg,"Iwilltriumph."
　　Dauriatwasneitheramiableorinclinedtopatronize;hewassarcasticintone,anddeterminednottobateaninchofhisrights.TheMargueritesshouldappearwhenitsuitedhispurpose;heshouldwaituntilLucienwasinapositiontosecurethesuccessofthebook;itwashis,hehadboughtitoutright.WhenLucienassertedthatDauriatwasboundtopublishtheMargueritesbytheverynatureofthecontract,andtherelativepositionsofthepartiestotheagreement,Dauriatflatlycontradictedhim,saidthatnopublishercouldbecompelledbylawtopublishataloss,andthathehimselfwasthebestjudgeoftheexpediencyofproducingthebook.Therewas,besides,aremedyopentoLucien,asanycourtoflawwouldadmit——thepoetwasquitewelcometotakehisversestoaRoyalistpublisherupontherepaymentofthethousandcrowns.
　　Lucienwentaway.Dauriat'smoderatetonehadexasperatedhimevenmorethanhispreviousarroganceattheirfirstinterview.SotheMargueriteswouldnotappearuntilLucienhadfoundahostofformidablesupporters,orgrownformidablehimself!Hewalkedhomeslowly,sooppressedandoutofheartthathefeltreadyforsuicide.
　　Coralielayinbed,lookingwhiteandill.
　　"Shemusthaveapart,orshewilldie,"saidBerenice,asLuciendressedforagreateveningpartyatMlle.desTouches'houseintheRueduMontBlanc.DesLupeaulxandVignonandBlondetweretobethere,aswellasMme.d'EspardandMme.deBargeton.
　　ThepartywasgiveninhonorofConti,thegreatcomposer,ownerlikewiseofoneofthemostfamousvoicesoffthestage,Cinti,Pasta,Garcia,Levasseur,andtwoorthreecelebratedamateursinsocietynotexcepted.LuciensawtheMarquise,hercousin,andMme.deMontcornetsittingtogether,andmadeoneoftheparty.Theunhappyyoungfellowtoallappearanceswaslight-hearted,happy,andcontent;hejested,hewastheLuciendeRubempreofhisdaysofsplendor,hewouldnotseemtoneedhelpfromanyone.HedweltonhisservicestotheRoyalistparty,andcitedthehueandcryraisedafterhimbytheLiberalpressasaproofofhiszeal.
　　"Andyouwillbewellrewarded,myfriend,"saidMme.deBargeton,withagracioussmile."GototheChancelleriethedayafterto-morrowwith'theHeron'anddesLupeaulx,andyouwillfindyourpatentsignedbyHisMajesty.TheKeeperoftheSealswilltakeitto-morrowtotheTuileries,butthereistobeameetingoftheCouncil,andhewillnotcomebacktilllate.Still,ifIheartheresultto-morrowevening,Iwillletyouknow.Whereareyouliving?"
　　"Iwillcometoyou,"saidLucien,ashamedtoconfessthathewaslivingintheRuedelaLune.
　　"TheDucdeLenoncourtandtheDucdeNavarreinshavemadementionofyoutotheKing,"addedtheMarquise;"theypraisedyourabsoluteandentiredevotion,andsaidthatsomedistinctionoughttoavengeyourtreatmentintheLiberalpress.ThenameandtitleofRubempre,towhichyouhaveaclaimthroughyourmother,wouldbecomeillustriousthroughyou,theysaid.TheKinggavehislordshipinstructionsthateveningtoprepareapatentauthorizingtheSieurLucienChardontobearthearmsandtitleoftheComtesdeRubempre,asgrandsonofthelastCountbythemother'sside.'Letusfavorthesongsters'
　　chardonnerets'ofPindus,'saidhisMajesty,afterreadingyoursonnetontheLily,whichmycousinluckilyrememberedtogivetheDuke——'EspeciallywhentheKingcanworkmiracles,andchangethesong-birdintoaneagle,'M.deNavarreinsreplied."
　　Lucien'sexpansionoffeelingwouldhavesoftenedtheheartofanywomanlessdeeplywoundedthanLouised'EsparddeNegrepelisse;butherthirstforvengeancewasonlyincreasedbyLucien'sgraciousness.
　　DesLupeaulxwasright;Lucienwaswantingintact.ItnevercrossedhismindthatthishistoryofthepatentwasoneofthemystificationsatwhichMme.d'Espardwasanadept.EmboldenedwithsuccessandtheflatteringdistinctionshowntohimbyMlle.desTouches,hestayedtilltwoo'clockinthemorningforawordinprivatewithhishostess.LucienhadlearnedinRoyalistnewspaperofficesthatMlle.
　　desToucheswastheauthorofaplayinwhichLapetiteFay,themarvelofthemomentwasabouttoappear.Astheroomsemptied,hedrewMlle.desTouchestoasofaintheboudoir,andtoldthestoryofCoralie'smisfortuneandhisownsotouchingly,thatMlle.desTouchespromisedtogivetheheroine'sparttohisfriend.
　　ThatpromiseputnewlifeintoCoralie.Butthenextday,astheybreakfastedtogether,LucienopenedLousteau'snewspaper,andfoundthatunluckyanecdoteoftheKeeperoftheSealsandhiswife.Thestorywasfulloftheblackestmalicelurkinginthemostcausticwit.
　　LouisXVIII.wasbroughtintothestoryinamasterlyfashion,andhelduptoridiculeinsuchawaythatprosecutionwasimpossible.
　　HereisthesubstanceofafictionforwhichtheLiberalpartyattemptedtowincredence,thoughtheyonlysucceededinaddingonemoretothetaleoftheiringeniouscalumnies.
　　TheKing'spassionforpink-scentednotesandacorrespondencefullofmadrigalsandsparklingwitwasdeclaredtobethelastphaseofthetenderpassion;lovehadreachedtheDoctrinairestage;orhadpassed,inotherwords,fromtheconcretetotheabstract.Theillustriouslady,socruellyridiculedunderthenameofOctaviebyBeranger,hadconceivedsoitwassaidthegravestfears.Thecorrespondencewaslanguishing.ThemoreOctaviedisplayedherwit,thecoolergrewtheroyallover.AtlastOctaviediscoveredthecauseofherdecline;herpowerwasthreatenedbythenoveltyandpiquancyofacorrespondencebetweentheaugustscribeandthewifeofhisKeeperoftheSeals.
　　Thatexcellentwomanwasbelievedtobeincapableofwritinganote;
　　shewassimplyandsolelygodmothertotheeffortsofaudaciousambition.Whocouldbehiddenbehindherpetticoats?Octaviedecided,aftermakingobservationsofherown,thattheKingwascorrespondingwithhisMinister.
　　Shelaidherplans.Withthehelpofafaithfulfriend,shearrangedthatastormydebateshoulddetaintheMinisterattheChamber;thenshecontrivedtosecureatete-a-tete,andtoconvinceoutragedMajestyofthefraud.LouisXVIII.flewintoaroyalandtrulyBourbonpassion,butthetempestbrokeonOctavie'shead.Hewouldnotbelieveher.Octavieofferedimmediateproof,beggingtheKingtowriteanotewhichmustbeansweredatonce.TheunluckywifeoftheKeeperoftheSealssenttotheChamberforherhusband;butprecautionshadbeentaken,andatthatmomenttheMinisterwasonhislegsaddressingtheChamber.Theladyrackedherbrainsandrepliedtothenotewithsuchintellectasshecouldimprovise.
　　"YourChancellorwillsupplytherest,"criedOctavie,laughingattheKing'schagrin.
　　Therewasnotawordoftruthinthestory;butitstruckhometothreepersons——theKeeperoftheSeals,hiswife,andtheKing.ItwassaidthatdesLupeaulxhadinventedthetale,butFinotalwayskepthiscounsel.Thearticlewascausticandclever,theLiberalpapersandtheOrleanistsweredelightedwithit,andLucienhimselflaughed,andthoughtofitmerelyasaveryamusingcanard.
　　HecallednextdayfordesLupeaulxandtheBaronduChatelet.TheBaronhadjustbeentothankhislordship.TheSieurChatelet,newlyappointedCouncillorExtraordinary,wasnowComteduChatelet,withapromiseoftheprefectureoftheCharentesosoonasthepresentprefectshouldhavecompletedthetermofofficenecessarytoreceivethemaximumretiringpension.TheComteDUChateletfortheDUhadbeeninsertedinthepatentdrovewithLucientotheChancellerie,andtreatedhiscompanionasanequal.ButforLucien'sarticles,hesaid,hispatentwouldnothavebeengrantedsosoon;Liberalpersecutionhadbeenastepping-stonetoadvancement.DesLupeaulxwaswaitingforthemintheSecretary-General'soffice.ThatfunctionarystartedwithsurprisewhenLucienappearedandlookedatdesLupeaulx.
　　"What!"heexclaimed,toLucien'sutterbewilderment."Doyoudaretocomehere,sir?Yourpatentwasmadeout,buthislordshiphastornitup.Hereitis!"theSecretary-Generalcaughtupthefirsttornsheetthatcametohand."TheMinisterwishedtodiscovertheauthorofyesterday'satrociousarticle,andhereisthemanuscript,"addedthespeaker,holdingoutthesheetsofLucien'sarticle."YoucallyourselfaRoyalist,sir,andyouareonthestaffofthatdetestablepaperwhichturnstheMinister'shairgray,harassestheCentre,andisdraggingthecountryheadlongtoruin?YoubreakfastontheCorsaire,theMiroir,theConstitutionnel,andtheCourier;youdineontheQuotidienneandtheReveil,andthensupwithMartainville,theworstenemyoftheGovernment!MartainvilleurgestheGovernmentontoAbsolutistmeasures;heismorelikelytobringonanotherRevolutionthanifhehadgoneovertotheextremeLeft.Youareaverycleverjournalist,butyouwillnevermakeapolitician.TheMinisterdenouncedyoutotheKing,andtheKingwassoangrythathescoldedM.leDucdeNavarreins,hisFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber.Yourenemieswillbeallthemoreformidablebecausetheyhavehithertobeenyourfriends.Conductthatoneexpectsfromanenemyisatrociousinafriend."
　　"Why,really,mydearfellow,areyouachild?"saiddesLupeaulx.
　　"Youhavecompromisedme.Mme.d'Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andMme.deMontcornet,whowereresponsibleforyou,mustbefurious.TheDukeissuretohavehandedonhisannoyancetotheMarquise,andtheMarquisewillhavescoldedhercousin.Keepawayfromthemandwait."
　　"Herecomeshislordship——go!"saidtheSecretary-General.
　　LucienwentoutintothePlaceVendome;hewasstunnedbythisbludgeonblow.HewalkedhomealongtheBoulevardstryingtothinkoverhisposition.Hesawhimselfaplaythinginthehandsofenvy,treachery,andgreed.Whatwasheinthisworldofcontendingambitions?Achildsacrificingeverythingtothepursuitofpleasureandthegratificationofvanity;apoetwhosethoughtsneverwentbeyondthemoment,amothflittingfromonebrightgleamingobjecttoanother.Hehadnodefiniteaim;hewastheslaveofcircumstance——
　　meaningwell,doingill.Consciencetorturedhimremorselessly.Andtocrownitall,hewaspennilessandexhaustedwithworkandemotion.
　　HisarticlescouldnotcomparewithMerlin'sorNathan'swork.
　　Hewalkedatrandom,absorbedinthesethoughts.Ashepassedsomeofthereading-roomswhichwerealreadylendingbooksaswellasnewspapers,aplacardcaughthiseyes.Itwasanadvertisementofabookwithagrotesquetitle,butbeneaththeannouncementhesawhisnameinbrilliantletters——"ByLucienChardondeRubempre."Sohisbookhadcomeout,andhehadheardnothingofit!Allthenewspapersweresilent.Hestoodmotionlessbeforetheplacard,hisarmshangingathissides.Hedidnotnoticealittleknotofacquaintances——
　　RastignacanddeMarsayandsomeotherfashionableyoungmen;nordidheseethatMichelChrestienandLeonGiraudwerecomingtowardshim.
　　"AreyouM.Chardon?"ItwasMichelwhospoke,andtherewasthatinthesoundofhisvoicethatsetLucien'sheartstringsvibrating.
　　"Doyounotknowme?"heasked,turningverypale.
　　Michelspatinhisface.
　　"Takethatasyourwagesforyourarticleagainstd'Arthez.IfeverybodywoulddoasIdoonhisownorhisfriend'sbehalf,thepresswouldbeasitoughttobe——aself-respectingandrespectedpriesthood."
　　LucienstaggeredbackandcaughtholdofRastignac.
　　"Gentlemen,"hesaid,addressingRastignacanddeMarsay,"youwillnotrefusetoactasmyseconds.Butfirst,Iwishtomakemattersevenandapologyimpossible."
　　HestruckMichelasudden,unexpectedblowintheface.TherestrushedinbetweentheRepublicanandRoyalist,topreventastreetbrawl.RastignacdraggedLucienofftotheRueTaitbout,onlyafewstepsawayfromtheBoulevarddeGand,wherethisscenetookplace.Itwasthehourofdinner,oracrowdwouldhaveassembledatonce.DeMarsaycametofindLucien,andthepairinsistedthatheshoulddinewiththemattheCafeAnglais,wheretheydrankandmademerry.
　　"Areyouagoodswordsman?"inquireddeMarsay.
　　"Ihaveneverhadafoilinmyhands."
　　"Agoodshot?"
　　"Neverfiredapistolinmylife."
　　"Thenyouhaveluckonyourside.Youareaformidableantagonisttostandupto;youmaykillyourman,"saiddeMarsay.
　　Fortunately,LucienfoundCoralieinbedandasleep.
　　Shehadplayedwithoutrehearsalinaone-actplay,andtakenherrevenge.Shehadmetwithgenuineapplause.Herenemieshadnotbeenpreparedforthissteponherpart,andhersuccesshaddeterminedthemanagertogivehertheheroine'spartinCamilleMaupin'splay.Hehaddiscoveredthecauseofherapparentfailure,andwasindignantwithFlorineandNathan.Coralieshouldhavetheprotectionofthemanagement.
　　Atfiveo'clockthatmorning,RastignaccameforLucien.
　　"Thenameofyourstreetmydearfellow,isparticularlyappropriateforyourlodgings;youareupinthesky,"hesaid,bywayofgreeting."LetusbefirstuponthegroundontheroadtoClignancourt;itisgoodform,andweoughttosetthemanexample."
　　"Hereistheprogramme,"saiddeMarsay,asthecabrattledthroughtheFaubourgSaint-Denis:"Youstandupattwenty-fivepaces,comingnearer,tillyouareonlyfifteenapart.Youhave,eachofyou,fivepacestotakeandthreeshotstofire——nomore.Whateverhappens,thatmustbetheendofit.Weloadforyourantagonist,andhissecondsloadforyou.Theweaponswerechosenbythefoursecondsatagunmaker's.Wehelpedyoutoachance,Iwillpromiseyou;horsepistolsaretobetheweapons."
　　ForLucien,lifehadbecomeabaddream.Hedidnotcarewhetherhelivedordied.Thecourageofsuicidehelpedhiminsomesorttocarrythingsoffwithadashofbravadobeforethespectators.Hestoodinhisplace;hewouldnottakeastep,apieceofrecklessnesswhichtheotherstookfordeliberatecalculation.Theythoughtthepoetanuncommonlycoolhand.MichelChrestiencameasfarashislimit;bothfiredtwiceandatthesametime,foreitherpartywasconsideredtobeequallyinsulted.Michel'sfirstbulletgrazedLucien'schin;
　　Lucien'spassedtenfeetaboveChrestien'shead.ThesecondshothitLucien'scoatcollar,butthebuckramliningfortunatelysaveditswearer.Thethirdbulletstruckhiminthechest,andhedropped.
　　"Ishedead?"askedMichelChrestien.
　　"No,"saidthesurgeon,"hewillpullthrough."
　　"Somuchtheworse,"answeredMichel.
　　"Yes;somuchtheworse,"saidLucien,ashistearsfellfast.
　　Bynoontheunhappyboylayinbedinhisownroom.Withuntoldpainstheyhadmanagedtoremovehim,butithadtakenfivehourstobringhimtotheRuedelaLune.Hisconditionwasnotdangerous,butprecautionswerenecessarylestfevershouldsetinandbringabouttroublesomecomplications.Coraliechokeddownhergriefandanguish.
　　Shesatupwithhimatnightthroughtheanxiousweeksofhisillness,studyingherpartsbyhisbedside.Lucienwasindangerfortwolongmonths;andoftenatthetheatreCoralieactedherfrivolousrolewithonethoughtinherheart,"Perhapsheisdyingatthismoment."
　　Lucienowedhislifetotheskillanddevotionofafriendwhomhehadgrievouslyhurt.Bianchonhadcometotendhimafterhearingthestoryoftheattackfromd'Arthez,whotolditinconfidence,andexcusedtheunhappypoet.Bianchonsuspectedthatd'Arthezwasgenerouslytryingtoscreentherenegade;butonquestioningLucienduringalucidintervalinthedangerousnervousfever,helearnedthathispatientwasonlyresponsiblefortheoneseriousarticleinHectorMerlin'spaper.
　　Beforethefirstmonthwasout,thefirmofFendantandCavalierfiledtheirschedule.BianchontoldCoraliethatLucienmustonnoaccounthearthenews.ThefamousArcherofCharlesIX.,broughtoutwithanabsurdtitle,hadbeenacompletefailure.Fendant,beinganxioustorealizealittlereadymoneybeforegoingintobankruptcy,hadsoldthewholeeditionwithoutCavalier'sknowledgetodealersinprintedpaper.These,intheirturn,haddisposedofitatacheapratetohawkers,andLucien'sbookatthatmomentwasadorningthebookstallsalongtheQuays.ThebooksellersontheQuaidesAugustins,whohadpreviouslytakenaquantityofcopies,nowdiscoveredthatafterthissuddenreductionofthepricetheywereliketoloseheavilyontheirpurchases;thefourduodecimovolumes,forwhichtheyhadpaidfourfrancsfiftycentimes,werebeinggivenawayforfiftysous.Greatwastheoutcryinthetrade;butthenewspaperspreservedaprofoundsilence.Barbethadnotforeseenthis"clearance;"hehadabeliefinLucien'sabilities;foroncehehadbrokenhisruleandtakentwohundredcopies.Theprospectofalossdrovehimfrantic;thethingshesaidofLucienwerefearfultohear.ThenBarbettookaheroicresolution.Hestockedhiscopiesinacornerofhisshop,withtheobstinacyofgreed,andlefthiscompetitorstoselltheirwaresataloss.Twoyearsafterwards,whend'Arthez'sfinepreface,themeritsofthebook,andoneortwoarticlesbyLeonGiraudhadraisedthevalueofthebook,Barbetsoldhiscopies,onebyone,attenfrancseach.
　　Lucienknewnothingofallthis,butBereniceandCoraliecouldnotrefusetoallowHectorMerlintoseehisdyingcomrade,andHectorMerlinmadehimdrink,dropbydrop,thewholeofthebitterdraughtbrewedbythefailureofFendantandCavalier,madebankruptsbyhisfirstill-fatedbook.Martainville,theonefriendwhostoodbyLucienthroughthickandthin,hadwrittenamagnificentarticleonhiswork;
　　butsogreatwasthegeneralexasperationagainsttheeditorofL'Aristarque,L'Oriflamme,andLeDrapeauBlanc,thathischampionshiponlyinjuredLucien.InvaindidtheathletereturntheLiberalinsultstenfold,notanewspapertookupthechallengeinspiteofallhisattacks.
　　Coralie,Berenice,andBianchonmightshutthedooronLucien'sso-
　　calledfriends,whoraisedagreatoutcry,butitwasimpossibletokeepoutcreditorsandwrits.AfterthefailureofFendantandCavalier,theirbillsweretakenintobankruptcyaccordingtothatprovisionoftheCodeofCommercemostinimicaltotheclaimsofthirdparties,whointhiswaylosethebenefitofdelay.
　　LuciendiscoveredthatCamusotwasproceedingagainsthimwithgreatenergy.WhenCoralieheardthename,andforthefirsttimelearnedthedreadfulandhumiliatingstepwhichherpoethadtakenforhersake,theangeliccreaturelovedhimtentimesmorethanbefore,andwouldnotapproachCamusot.Thebailiffbringingthewarrantofarrestshrankbackfromtheideaofdragginghisprisoneroutofbed,andwentbacktoCamusotbeforeapplyingtothePresidentoftheTribunalofCommerceforanordertoremovethedebtortoaprivatehospital.
　　CamusothurriedatoncetotheRuedelaLune,andCoraliewentdowntohim.
　　Whenshecameupagainsheheldthewarrants,inwhichLucienwasdescribedasatradesman,inherhand.HowhadsheobtainedthosepapersfromCamusot?Whatpromisehadshegiven?Coraliekeptasad,gloomysilence,butwhenshereturnedshelookedasifallthelifehadgoneoutofher.SheplayedinCamilleMaupin'splay,andcontributednotalittletothesuccessofthatillustriousliteraryhermaphrodite;butthecreationofthischaracterwasthelastflickerofabright,dyinglamp.Onthetwentiethnight,whenLucienhadsofarrecoveredthathehadregainedhisappetiteandcouldwalkabroad,andtalkedofgettingtoworkagain,Coraliebrokedown;asecrettroublewasweighinguponher.BerenicealwaysbelievedthatshehadpromisedtogobacktoCamusottosaveLucien.
　　Anothermortificationfollowed.CoraliewasobligedtoseeherpartgiventoFlorine.NathanhadthreatenedtheGymnasewithwarifthemanagementrefusedtogivethevacantplacetoCoralie'srival.
　　Coraliehadpersistedtillshecouldplaynolonger,knowingthatFlorinewaswaitingtostepintoherplace.Shehadovertaskedherstrength.TheGymnasehadadvancedsumsduringLucien'sillness,shehadnomoneytodraw;Lucien,eagertoworkthoughhewas,wasnotyetstrongenoughtowrite,andhehelpedbesidestonurseCoralieandtorelieveBerenice.Frompovertytheyhadcometoutterdistress;butinBianchontheyfoundaskilfulanddevoteddoctor,whoobtainedcreditforthemofthedruggist.Thelandlordofthehouseandthetradespeopleknewbythistimehowmattersstood.Thefurniturewasattached.Thetailoranddressmakernolongerstoodinaweofthejournalist,andproceededtoextremes;andatlastnoone,withtheexceptionofthepork-butcherandthedruggist,gavethetwounluckychildrencredit.Foraweekormoreallthreeofthem——Lucien,Berenice,andtheinvalid——wereobligedtoliveonthevariousingeniouspreparationssoldbythepork-butcher;theinflammatorydietwaslittlesuitedtothesickgirl,andCoraliegrewworse.SheerwantcompelledLucientoaskLousteauforareturnoftheloanofathousandfrancslostatplaybythefriendwhohaddesertedhiminhishourofneed.Perhaps,amidallhistroubles,thisstepcosthimmostcruelsuffering.
　　LousteauwasnottobefoundintheRuedelaHarpe.Hunteddownlikeahare,hewaslodgingnowwiththisfriend,nowwiththat.LucienfoundhimatlastatFlicoteaux's;hewassittingattheverytableatwhichLucienhadfoundhimthateveningwhen,forhismisfortune,heforsookd'Arthezforjournalism.Lousteauofferedhimdinner,andLucienacceptedtheoffer.
　　AstheycameoutofFlicoteaux'swithClaudeVignonwhohappenedtobediningtherethatdayandthegreatmaninobscurity,whokepthiswardrobeatSamanon's,thefouramongthemcouldnotproduceenoughspecietopayforacupofcoffeeattheCafeVoltaire.TheyloungedabouttheLuxembourginthehopeofmeetingwithapublisher;and,asitfellout,theymetwithoneofthemostfamousprintersoftheday.
　　Lousteauborrowedfortyfrancsofhim,anddividedthemoneyintofourequalparts.
　　MiseryhadbroughtdownLucien'sprideandextinguishedsentiment;heshedtearsashetoldthestoryofhistroubles,buteachoneofhiscomradeshadataleascruelashisown;andwhenthethreeversionshadbeengiven,itseemedtothepoetthathewastheleastunfortunateamongthefour.Allofthemcravedarespitefromremembranceandthoughtswhichmadetroubledoublyhardtobear.
　　LousteauhurriedtothePalaisRoyaltogamblewithhisremainingninefrancs.Thegreatmanunknowntofame,thoughhehadadivinemistress,mustneedshiehimtoalowhauntofvicetowallowinperilouspleasure.VignonbetookhimselftotheRocherdeCancaletodrownmemoryandthoughtinacoupleofbottlesofBordeaux;Lucienpartedcompanywithhimonthethreshold,decliningtosharethatsupper.Whenheshookhandswiththeonejournalistwhohadnotbeenhostiletohim,itwaswithacruelpanginhisheart.
　　"WhatshallIdo?"heaskedaloud.
　　"Onemustdoasonecan,"thegreatcriticsaid."Yourbookisgood,butitexcitedjealousy,andyourstrugglewillbehardandlong.
　　Geniusisacrueldisease.Everywritercarriesacankerinhisheart,adevouringmonster,likethetapeworminthestomach,whichdestroysallfeelingasitarisesinhim.Whichisthestronger?Themanorthedisease?Onehasneedbeagreatman,truly,tokeepthebalancebetweengeniusandcharacter.Thetalentgrows,theheartwithers.
　　Unlessamanisagiant,unlesshehasthethewsofaHercules,hemustbecontenteithertolosehisgiftortolivewithoutaheart.
　　Youareslenderandfragile,youwillgiveway,"headded,asheturnedintotherestaurant.
　　Lucienreturnedhome,thinkingoverthatterribleverdict.HebeheldthelifeofliteraturebythelightoftheprofoundtruthsutteredbyVignon.
　　"Money!money!"avoicecriedinhisears.
　　Thenhedrewthreebillsofathousandfrancseach,duerespectivelyinone,two,andthreemonths,imitatingthehandwritingofhisbrother-in-law,DavidSechard,withadmirableskill.Heendorsedthebills,andtookthemnextmorningtoMetivier,thepaper-dealerintheRueSerpente,whomadenodifficultyabouttakingthem.Lucienwroteafewlinestogivehisbrother-in-lawnoticeofthisassaultuponhiscash-box,promising,asusualinsuchcases,tobereadytomeetthebillsastheyfelldue.
　　Whenalldebts,hisownandCoralie's,werepaid,heputthethreehundredfrancswhichremainedintoBerenice'shands,biddinghertorefusehimmoneyifheaskedherforit.Hewasafraidofareturnofthegambler'sfrenzy.Lucienworkedawaygloomilyinasortofcold,speechlessfury,puttingforthallhispowersintowittyarticles,writtenbythelightofthelampatCoralie'sbedside.Wheneverhelookedupinsearchofideas,hiseyesfellonthatbelovedface,whiteasporcelain,fairwiththebeautythatbelongstothedying,andhesawasmileonherpalelips,andhereyes,grownbrightwithamoreconsumingpainthanphysicalsuffering,alwaysturnedonhisface.
　　Luciensentinhiswork,buthecouldnotleavethehousetoworryeditors,andhisarticlesdidnotappear.Whenheatlastmadeuphismindtogototheoffice,hemetwithacoolreceptionfromTheodoreGaillard,whohadadvancedhimmoney,andturnedhisliterarydiamondstogoodaccountafterwards.
　　"Takecare,mydearfellow,youarefallingoff,"hesaid."Youmustnotletyourselfdown,yourworkwantsinspiration!"
　　"ThatlittleLucienhaswrittenhimselfoutwithhisromanceandhisfirstarticles,"criedFelicienVernou,Merlin,andthewholechorusofhisenemies,wheneverhisnamecameupatDauriat'sortheVaudeville."Theworkheissendingusispitiable."
　　"Tohavewrittenoneselfout"intheslangofjournalism,isaverdictveryhardtolivedown.Itpassedeverywherefrommouthtomouth,ruiningLucien,allunsuspiciousashewas.And,indeed,hisburdensweretooheavyforhisstrength.Inthemidstofaheavystrainofwork,hewassuedforthebillswhichhehaddrawninDavidSechard'sname.HehadrecoursetoCamusot'sexperience,andCoralie'ssometimeadorerwasgenerousenoughtoassistthemansheloved.Theintolerablesituationlastedfortwowholemonths;thedaysbeingdiversifiedbystampedpapershandedovertoDesroches,afriendofBixiou,Blondet,anddesLupeaulx.
　　EarlyinAugust,BianchontoldthemthatCoralie'sconditionwashopeless——shehadonlyafewdaystolive.ThosedayswerespentintearsbyBereniceandLucien;theycouldnothidetheirgrieffromthedyinggirl,andshewasbroken-heartedforLucien'ssake.
　　SomestrangechangewasworkinginCoralie.ShewouldhaveLucienbringapriest;shemustbereconciledtotheChurchanddieinpeace.
　　CoraliediedasaChristian;herrepentancewassincere.HeragonyanddeathtookallenergyandheartoutofLucien.Hesankintoalowchairatthefootofthebed,andnevertookhiseyesoffhertillDeathbroughttheendofhersuffering.Itwasfiveo'clockinthemorning.Somesinging-birdlightinguponaflower-potonthewindow-
　　sill,twitteredafewnotes.Berenice,kneelingbythebedside,wascoveringahandfastgrowingcoldwithkissesandtears.Onthechimney-piecetherelayelevensous.
　　Lucienwentout.DespairmadehimbegformoneytolayCoralieinhergrave.HehadwildthoughtsofflinginghimselfattheMarquised'Espard'sfeet,ofentreatingtheComteduChatelet,Mme.deBargeton,Mlle.desTouches,nay,thatterribledandyofadeMarsay.
　　Allhispridehadgonewithhisstrength.Hewouldhaveenlistedasacommonsoldieratthatmomentformoney.Hewalkedonwithaslouching,feverishgaitknowntoalltheunhappy,reachedCamilleMaupin'shouse,entered,carelessofhisdisordereddress,andsentinamessage.HeentreatedMlle.desTouchestoseehimforamoment.
　　"Mademoiselleonlywenttobedatthreeo'clockthismorning,"saidtheservant,"andnoonewoulddaretodisturbheruntilsherings."
　　"Whendoesshering?"
　　"Neverbeforeteno'clock."
　　ThenLucienwroteoneofthoseharrowingappealsinwhichthewell-
　　dressedbeggarflingsallprideandself-respecttothewinds.Oneevening,notsoverylongago,whenLousteauhadtoldhimoftheabjectbeggingletterswhichFinotreceived,Lucienhadthoughtitimpossiblethatanycreaturewouldsinksolow;andnow,carriedawaybyhispen,hehadgonefurther,itmaybe,thanotherunluckywretchesuponthesameroad.Hedidnotsuspect,inhisfeverandimbecility,thathehadjustwrittenamasterpieceofpathos.OnhiswayhomealongtheBoulevards,hemetBarbet.
　　"Barbet!"hebegged,holdingouthishand."Fivehundredfrancs!"
　　"No.Twohundred,"returnedtheother.
　　"Ah!thenyouhaveaheart."
　　"Yes;butIamamanofbusinessaswell.Ihavelostalotofmoneythroughyou,"heconcluded,aftergivingthehistoryofthefailureofFendantandCavalier,"willyouputmeinthewayofmakingsome?"
　　Lucienquivered.
　　"Youareapoet.Yououghttounderstandallkindsofpoetry,"
　　continuedthelittlepublisher."Iwantafewrollickingsongsatthismomenttoputalongwithsomemorebydifferentauthors,ortheywillbedownuponmeoverthecopyright.Iwanttohaveagoodcollectiontosellonthestreetsattensous.Ifyoucaretoletmehavetengooddrinking-songsbyto-morrowmorning,orsomethingspicy,——youknowthesortofthing,eh!——Iwillpayyoutwohundredfrancs."
　　WhenLucienreturnedhome,hefoundCoraliestretchedoutstraightandstiffonapallet-bed;Berenice,withmanytears,hadwrappedherinacoarselinensheet,andputlightedcandlesatthefourcornersofthebed.Coralie'sfacehadtakenthatstrange,delicatebeautyofdeathwhichsovividlyimpressesthelivingwiththeideaofabsolutecalm;
　　shelookedlikesomewhitegirlinadecline;itseemedasifthosepale,crimsonlipsmustopenandmurmurthenamewhichhadblendedwiththenameofGodinthelastwordsthatsheutteredbeforeshedied.
　　LucientoldBerenicetoorderafuneralwhichshouldnotcostmorethantwohundredfrancs,includingtheserviceattheshabbylittlechurchoftheBonne-Nouvelle.Assoonasshehadgoneout,hesatdowntoatable,andbesidethedeadbodyofhislovehecomposedtenrollickingsongstofitpopularairs.Theeffortcosthimuntoldanguish,butatlastthebrainbegantoworkatthebiddingofNecessity,asifsufferingwerenot;andalreadyLucienhadlearnedtoputClaudeVignon'sterriblemaximsinpractice,andtoraiseabarrierbetweenheartandbrain.Whatanightthepoorboyspentoverthosedrinkingsongs,writingbythelightofthetallwaxcandleswhilethepriestrecitedtheprayersforthedead!
　　Morningbrokebeforethelastsongwasfinished.Lucientrieditovertoastreet-songoftheday,totheconsternationofBereniceandthepriest,whothoughtthathewasmad:——
　　Lads,'tistediouswasteoftimeTominglesongandreason;
　　Follycallsforlaughingrhyme,Senseisoutofseason.
　　LetApollobeforgotWhenBacchusfillsthedrinking-cup;
　　Anycatchisgood,Iwot,Ifgoodfellowstakeitup.
　　Letphilosophersprotest,Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!
　　AsHippocrateshassaid,Everyjollyfellow,Whenacenturyhassped,Stillisfitandmellow.
　　NomorefollowingofalassWiththepalsyinyourlegs?——
　　Whileyourhandcanholdaglass,Youcandrainittothedregs,Withanundiminishedzest.
　　Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!
　　Whencewecomeweknowfullwell.
　　Whiterarewegoing?
　　Ne'eraoneofuscantell,'Tisathingpastknowing.
　　Faith!whatdoesitsignify,TakethegoodthatHeavensends;
　　Itiscertainthatwedie,Certainthatwelive,myfriends.
　　Lifeisnothingbutajest.
　　Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!
　　Hewasshoutingtherecklessrefrainwhend'ArthezandBianchonarrived,tofindhiminaparoxysmofdespairandexhaustion,utterlyunabletomakeafaircopyofhisverses.Atorrentoftearsfollowed;
　　andwhen,amidhissobs,hehadtoldhisstory,hesawthetearsstandinginhisfriends'eyes.
　　"Thiswipesoutmanysins,"saidd'Arthez.
　　"Happyaretheywhosufferfortheirsinsinthisworld,"thepriestsaidsolemnly.
　　Atthesightofthefair,deadfacesmilingatEternity,whileCoralie'sloverwrotetavern-catchestobuyagraveforher,andBarbetpaidforthecoffin——ofthefourcandleslightedaboutthedeadbodyofherwhohadthrilledagreataudienceasshestoodbehindthefootlightsinherSpanishbasquinaandscarletgreen-clockedstockings;whilebeyondinthedoorway,stoodthepriestwhohadreconciledthedyingactresswithGod,nowabouttoreturntothechurchtosayamassforthesoulofherwhohad"lovedmuch,"——allthegrandeurandthesordidaspectsofthescene,allthatsorrowcrushedunderbyNecessity,frozethebloodofthegreatwriterandthegreatdoctor.Theysatdown;neitherofthemcouldutteraword.
　　JustatthatmomentaservantinliveryannouncedMlle.desTouches.
　　Thatbeautifulandnoblewomanunderstoodeverythingatonce.ShesteppedquicklyacrosstheroomtoLucien,andslippedtwothousand-
　　francnotesintohishandasshegraspedit.
　　"Itistoolate,"hesaid,lookingupatherwithdull,hopelesseyes.
　　ThethreestayedwithLucien,tryingtosoothehisdespairwithcomfortingwords;buteveryspringseemedtobebroken.Atnoonallthebrotherhood,withtheexceptionofMichelChrestienwho,however,hadlearnedthetruthastoLucien'streachery,wasassembledinthepoorlittlechurchoftheBonne-Nouvelle;Mlle.deToucheswaspresent,andBereniceandCoralie'sdresserfromthetheatre,withacoupleofsupernumerariesandthedisconsolateCamusot.Allthemenaccompaniedtheactresstoherlastresting-placeinPereLachaise.
　　Camusot,sheddinghottears,hadsolemnlypromisedLucientobuythegraveinperpetuity,andtoputaheadstoneaboveitwiththewords:
　　CORALIE
　　AGEDNINETEENYEARS
　　August,1822
　　Lucienstayedthere,ontheslopinggroundthatlooksoutoverParis,untilthesunhadset.
　　"Whowilllovemenow?"hethought."Mytruestfriendsdespiseme.
　　WhateverImighthavedone,shewholiesherewouldhavethoughtmewhollynobleandgood.IhavenoonelefttomenowbutmysisterandmotherandDavid.Andwhatdotheythinkofmeathome?"
　　Poordistinguishedprovincial!HewentbacktotheRuedelaLune;butthesightoftheroomswassoacutelypainful,thathecouldnotstayinthem,andhetookacheaplodgingelsewhereinthesamestreet.
　　Mlle.desTouches'twothousandfrancsandthesaleofthefurniturepaidthedebts.
　　Berenicehadtwohundredfrancsleft,onwhichtheylivedfortwomonths.Lucienwasprostrate;hecouldneitherwritenorthink;hegavewaytomorbidgrief.Berenicetookpityuponhim.
　　"Supposethatyouweretogobacktoyourowncountry,howareyoutogetthere?"sheaskedoneday,bywayofreplytoanexclamationofLucien's.
　　"Onfoot."
　　"Butevenso,youmustliveandsleepontheway.Evenifyouwalktwelveleaguesaday,youwillwanttwentyfrancsatleast."
　　"Iwillgetthemtogether,"hesaid.
　　Hetookhisclothesandhisbestlinen,keepingnothingbutstrictnecessaries,andwenttoSamanon,whoofferedfiftyfrancsforhisentirewardrobe.Invainhebeggedthemoney-lendertolethimhaveenoughtopayhisfarebythecoach;Samanonwasinexorable.Inaparoxysmoffury,LucienrushedtoFrascati's,stakedtheproceedsofthesale,andlosteveryfarthing.BackoncemoreinthewretchedroomintheRuedelaLune,heaskedBereniceforCoralie'sshawl.Thegoodgirllookedathim,andknewinamomentwhathemeanttodo.Hehadconfessedtohislossatthegaming-table;andnowhewasgoingtohanghimself.
　　"Areyoumad,sir?Gooutforawalk,andcomebackagainatmidnight.
　　Iwillgetthemoneyforyou;butkeeptotheBoulevards,donotgotowardstheQuais."
　　LucienpacedupanddowntheBoulevards.Hewasstupidwithgrief.Hewatchedthepassers-byandthestreamoftraffic,andfeltthathewasalone,andaverysmallatominthisseethingwhirlpoolofParis,churnedbythestrifeofinnumerableinterests.HisthoughtswentbacktothebanksofhisCharente;acravingforhappinessandhomeawokeinhim;andwiththecraving,cameoneofthesuddenfebrileburstsofenergywhichhalf-femininenatureslikehismistakeforstrength.HewouldnotgiveupuntilhehadpouredouthishearttoDavidSechard,andtakencounselofthethreegoodangelsstilllefttohimonearth.
　　Asheloungedalong,hecaughtsightofBerenice——BereniceinherSundayclothes,speakingtoastrangeratthecorneroftheRuedelaLuneandthefilthyBoulevardBonne-Nouvelle,whereshehadtakenherstand.
　　"Whatareyoudoing?"askedLucien,dismayedbyasuddensuspicion.
　　"Hereareyourtwentyfrancs,"saidthegirl,slippingfourfive-francpiecesintothepoet'shand."Theymaycostdearyet;butyoucango,"
　　andshehadfledbeforeLuciencouldseethewayshewent;for,injusticetohim,itmustbesaidthatthemoneyburnedhishand,hewantedtoreturnit,buthewasforcedtokeepitasthefinalbrandsetuponhimbylifeinParis.
　　ADDENDUM
　　ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy.
　　BarbetAManofBusinessTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMiddleClassesBeaudenord,GodefroiddeTheBallatSceauxTheFirmofNucingenBereniceLostIllusionsBianchon,HoraceFatherGoriotTheAtheist'sMassCesarBirotteauTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsABachelor'sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGovernmentClerksPierretteAStudyofWomanScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeHonorineTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMagicSkinASecondHomeAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheImaginaryMistressTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyTheCountryParsonInaddition,M.Bianchonnarratedthefollowing:
　　AnotherStudyofWomanLaGrandeBretecheBlondet,EmileJealousiesofaCountryTownScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeModesteMignonAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheFirmofNucingenThePeasantryBlondet,VirginieJealousiesofaCountryTownTheSecretsofaPrincessThePeasantryAnotherStudyofWomanTheMemberforArcisADaughterofEveBraulardCousinBettyCousinPonsBridau,JosephThePurseABachelor'sEstablishmentAStartinLifeModesteMignonAnotherStudyofWomanPierreGrassouLettersofTwoBridesCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisBruel,JeanFrancoisduABachelor'sEstablishmentTheGovernmentClerksAStartinLifeAPrinceofBohemiaTheMiddleClassesADaughterofEveBruel,ClaudineChaffaroux,MadameduABachelor'sEstablishmentAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMiddleClassesCabirolle,Agathe-FlorentineAStartinLifeLostIllusionsABachelor'sEstablishmentCamusotABachelor'sEstablishmentCousinPonsTheMuseoftheDepartmentCesarBirotteauAttheSignoftheCatandRacketCanalis,Constant-Cyr-Melchior,BarondeLettersofTwoBridesModesteMignonTheMagicSkinAnotherStudyofWomanAStartinLifeBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsTheMemberforArcisCardot,Jean-Jerome-SeverinAStartinLifeLostIllusionsABachelor'sEstablishmentAttheSignoftheCatandRacketCesarBirotteauCarigliano,DuchessedeAttheSignoftheCatandRacketThePeasantryTheMemberforArcisCavalierTheSeamySideofHistoryChaboisseauTheGovernmentClerksAManofBusinessChatelet,Sixte,BaronduLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeTheThirteenChatelet,Marie-Louise-AnaisdeNegrepelisse,BaronneduLostIllusionsTheGovernmentClerksChrestien,MichelABachelor'sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessCollin,JacquesFatherGoriotLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeTheMemberforArcisColoquinteABachelor'sEstablishmentCoralie,MademoiselleAStartinLifeABachelor'sEstablishmentDauriatScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeModesteMignonDesrochesson
　　ABachelor'sEstablishmentColonelChabertAStartinLifeAWomanofThirtyTheCommissioninLunacyTheGovernmentClerksScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeTheFirmofNucingenAManofBusinessTheMiddleClassesArthez,Danield'
　　LettersofTwoBridesTheMemberforArcisTheSecretsofaPrincessEspard,Jeanne-Clementine-AthenaisdeBlamont-Chauvry,Marquised'
　　TheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeLettersofTwoBridesAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveBeatrixFinot,AndocheCesarBirotteauABachelor'sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeTheGovernmentClerksAStartinLifeGaudissarttheGreatTheFirmofNucingenFoy,Maximilien-SebastienCesarBirotteauGaillard,TheodoreBeatrixScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeTheUnconsciousHumoristsGaillard,MadameTheodoreJealousiesofaCountryTownABachelor'sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsGalathionne,PrinceandPrincessbothnotineachstory
　　TheSecretsofaPrincessTheMiddleClassesFatherGoriotADaughterofEveBeatrixGentilLostIllusionsGiraud,LeonABachelor'sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessTheUnconsciousHumoristsGiroudeauAStartinLifeABachelor'sEstablishmentGrindotCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsAStartinLifeScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeBeatrixTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyLambert,LouisLouisLambertASeasideTragedyListomere,MarquisdeTheLilyoftheValleyAStudyofWomanListomere,MarquisedeTheLilyoftheValleyLostIllusionsAStudyofWomanADaughterofEveLousteau,EtienneABachelor'sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeADaughterofEveBeatrixTheMuseoftheDepartmentCousinBettyAPrinceofBohemiaAManofBusinessTheMiddleClassesTheUnconsciousHumoristsLupeaulx,ClementChardindesTheMuseoftheDepartmentEugenieGrandetABachelor'sEstablishmentTheGovernmentClerksScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeUrsuleMirouetManerville,PaulFrancois-Joseph,ComtedeTheThirteenTheBallatSceauxLostIllusionsAMarriageSettlementMarsay,HenrideTheThirteenTheUnconsciousHumoristsAnotherStudyofWomanTheLilyoftheValleyFatherGoriotJealousiesofaCountryTownUrsuleMirouetAMarriageSettlementLostIllusionsLettersofTwoBridesTheBallatSceauxModesteMignonTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveMatifatwealthydruggist
　　CesarBirotteauABachelor'sEstablishmentLostIllusionsTheFirmofNucingenCousinPonsMeyrauxLouisLambertMontcornet,Marechal,ComtedeDomesticPeaceLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeThePeasantryAManofBusinessCousinBettyMontriveau,GeneralMarquisArmanddeTheThirteenFatherGoriotLostIllusionsAnotherStudyofWomanPierretteTheMemberforArcisNathan,RaoulLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveLettersofTwoBridesTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMuseoftheDepartmentAPrinceofBohemiaAManofBusinessTheUnconsciousHumoristsNathan,MadameRaoulTheMuseoftheDepartmentLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLife.
　　TheGovernmentClerksABachelor'sEstablishmentUrsuleMirouetEugenieGrandetTheImaginaryMistressAPrinceofBohemiaNegrepelisse,DeTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsNucingen,BaronFredericdeTheFirmofNucingenFatherGoriotPierretteCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessAManofBusinessCousinBettyTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsNucingen,BaronneDelphinedeFatherGoriotTheThirteenEugenieGrandetCesarBirotteauMelmothReconciledLostIllusionsTheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeModesteMignonTheFirmofNucingenAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisPalmabanker
　　TheFirmofNucingenCesarBirotteauGobseckLostIllusionsTheBallatSceauxPombreton,MarquisdeLostIllusionsJealousiesofaCountryTownRastignac,EugenedeFatherGoriotScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeTheBallatSceauxTheCommissioninLunacyAStudyofWomanAnotherStudyofWomanTheMagicSkinTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheGondrevilleMysteryTheFirmofNucingenCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisTheUnconsciousHumoristsRhetore,DucAlphonsedeABachelor'sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeLettersofTwoBridesAlbertSavarusTheMemberforArcisRidal,FulgenceABachelor'sEstablishmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsRubempre,Lucien-ChardondeLostIllusionsTheGovernmentClerksUrsuleMirouetScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeSamanonTheGovernmentClerksAManofBusinessCousinBettySechard,DavidLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeSechard,MadameDavidLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeTillet,FerdinandduCesarBirotteauTheFirmofNucingenTheMiddleClassesABachelor'sEstablishmentPierretteMelmothReconciledTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisCousinBettyTheUnconsciousHumoristsTouches,MademoiselleFelicitedesBeatrixLostIllusionsABachelor'sEstablishmentAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveHonorineBeatrixTheMuseoftheDepartmentVandenesse,ComteFelixdeTheLilyoftheValleyLostIllusionsCesarBirotteauLettersofTwoBridesAStartinLifeTheMarriageSettlementTheSecretsofaPrincessAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveVernou,FelicienABachelor'sEstablishmentLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan'sLifeADaughterofEveCousinBettyVignon,ClaudeADaughterofEveHonorineBeatrixCousinBettyTheUnconsciousHumorists。