Coraliewasawomanofatypethatexertsatwillapoweroffascinationovermen.Withanovalfaceofdeepivorytint,amouthredasapomegranate,andachinsubtlydelicateinitscontourastheedgeofaporcelaincup,CoraliewasaJewessofthesublimetype.Thejetblackeyesbehindtheircurvinglashesseemedtoscorchhereyelids;youcouldguesshowsofttheymightgrow,orhowsparksoftheheatofthedesertmightflashfromtheminresponsetoasummonsfromwithin.Thecirclesofoliveshadowaboutthemwereboundedbythickarchinglinesofeyebrow.Magnificentmentalpower,well-nighamountingtogenius,seemedtodwellintheswarthyforeheadbeneaththedoublecurveofebonyhairthatlayuponitlikeacrown,andgleamedinthelightlikeavarnishedsurface;butlikemanyanotheractress,Coraliehadlittlewitinspiteofheraptnessatgreenroomrepartee,andscarcelyanyeducationinspiteofherboudoirexperience.Herbrainwaspromptedbyhersenses,herkindnesswastheimpulsivewarm-heartednessofgirlsofherclass.ButwhocouldtroubleoverCoralie'spsychologywhenhiseyesweredazzledbythosesmooth,roundarmsofhers,thespindle-shapedfingers,thefairwhiteshoulders,andbreastcelebratedintheSongofSongs,theflexiblecurvinglinesofthroat,thegraciouslymouldedoutlinesbeneaththescarletsilkstockings?Andthisbeauty,worthyofanEasternpoet,wasbroughtintoreliefbytheconventionalSpanishcostumeofthestage.Coraliewasthedelightofthepit;alleyesdweltontheoutlinesmouldedbytheclingingfoldsofherbodice,andlingeredovertheAndalusiancontourofthehipsfromwhichherskirthung,flutteringwantonlywitheverymovement.ToLucien,watchingthiscreature,whoplayedforhimalone,caringnomoreforCamusotthanastreet-boyinthegallerycaresforanapple-paring,therecameamomentwhenhesetdesireabovelove,andenjoymentabovedesire,andthedemonofLuststirredstrangethoughtsinhim.
　　"Iknownothingofthelovethatwallowsinluxuryandwineandsensualpleasure,"hesaidwithinhimself."Ihavelivedmorewithideasthanwithrealities.Youmustpassthroughallexperienceifyoumeantorenderallexperience.Thiswillbemyfirstgreatsupper,myfirstorgyinanewandstrangeworld;whyshouldInotknow,foronce,thedelightswhichthegreatlordsoftheeighteenthcenturysoughtsoeagerlyofwantonsoftheOpera?Mustonenotfirstlearnofcourtesansandactressesthedelights,theperfections,thetransports,theresources,thesubtletiesoflove,ifonlytotranslatethemafterwardsintotheregionsofahigherlovethanthis?
　　Andwhatisallthis,afterall,butthepoetryofthesenses?Twomonthsagothesewomenseemedtometobegoddessesguardedbydragonsthatnoonedaredapproach;IwasenvyingLousteaujustnow,buthereisanotherhandsomerthanFlorine;whyshouldInotprofitbyherfancy,whenthegreatestnoblesbuyanightwithsuchwomenwiththeirrichesttreasures?Whenambassadorssetfootinthesedepths,theyflingasideallthoughtofyesterdayorto-morrow.Ishouldbeafooltobemoresqueamishthanprinces,especiallyasIlovenooneasyet."
　　LucienhadquiteforgottenCamusot.ToLousteauhehadexpressedtheutmostdisgustforthismosthatefulofallpartitions,andnowhehimselfhadsunktothesamelevel,and,carriedawaybythecasuistryofhisvehementdesire,hadgiventhereinstohisfancy.
　　"Coralieisravingaboutyou,"saidLousteauashecamein."Yourcountenance,worthyofthegreatestGreeksculptors,hasworkedunutterablehavocbehindthescenes.Youareinluckmydearboy.
　　Coralieiseighteenyearsold,andinafewdays'timeshemaybemakingsixtythousandfrancsayearbyherbeauty.Sheisanhonestgirlstill.Sincehermothersoldherthreeyearsagoforsixtythousandfrancs,shehastriedtofindhappiness,andfoundnothingbutannoyance.Shetooktothestageinadesperatemood;shehasahorrorofherfirstpurchaser,deMarsay;andwhenshecameoutofthegalleys,forthekingofdandiessoondroppedher,shepickedupoldCamusot.Shedoesnotcaremuchabouthim,butheislikeafathertoher,andsheendureshimandhislove.Severaltimesalreadyshehasrefusedthehandsomestproposals;sheisfaithfultoCamusot,wholetsherliveinpeace.Soyouareherfirstlove.Thefirstsightofyouwenttoherheartlikeapistol-shot,Florinehasgonetoherdressing-roomtobringthegirltoreason.Sheiscryingoveryourcruelty;shehasforgottenherpart,theplaywillgotopieces,andgood-daytotheengagementattheGymnasewhichCamusothadplannedforher."
　　"Pooh!Poorthing!"saidLucien.Everyinstinctofvanitywastickledbythewords;hefelthisheartswellhighwithself-conceit.
　　"Moreadventureshavebefallenmeinthisoneevening,mydearfellow,thaninallthefirsteighteenyearsofmylife."AndLucienrelatedthehistoryofhisloveaffairswithMme.deBargeton,andofthecordialhatredheboretheBaronduChatelet.
　　"Staythough!thenewspaperwantsabetenoire;wewilltakehimup.
　　TheBaronisabuckoftheEmpireandaMinisterialist;heisthemanforus;IhaveseenhimmanyatimeattheOpera.IcanseeyourgreatladyasIsithere;sheisoftenintheMarquised'Espard'sbox.TheBaronispayingcourttoyourladylove,acuttlefishbonethatsheis.Wait!Finothasjustsentaspecialmessengerroundtosaythattheyareshortofcopyattheoffice.YoungHectorMerlinhaslefttheminthelurchbecausetheydidnotpayforwhitelines.Finot,indespair,isknockingoffanarticleagainsttheOpera.Wellnow,mydearfellow,youcandothisplay;listentoitandthinkitover,andIwillgotothemanager'sofficeandthinkoutthreecolumnsaboutyourmanandyourdisdainfulfairone.Theywillbeinnopleasantpredicamentto-morrow."
　　"Sothisishowanewspaperiswritten?"saidLucien.
　　"Itisalwayslikethis,"answeredLousteau."ThesetenmonthsthatI
　　havebeenajournalist,theyhavealwaysrunshortofcopyateighto'clockintheevening."
　　Manuscriptsenttotheprinterisspokenofas"copy,"doubtlessbecausethewritersaresupposedtosendinafaircopyoftheirwork;
　　orpossiblythewordisironicallyderivedfromtheLatinwordcopia,forcopyisinvariablyscarce.
　　"Wealwaysmeantohaveafewnumbersreadyinadvance,agrandideathatwillneverberealized,"continuedLousteau."Itisteno'clock,yousee,andnotalinehasbeenwritten.IshallaskVernouandNathanforascoreofepigramsondeputies,oron'ChancellorCruzoe,'
　　orontheMinistry,oronfriendsofoursifitneedsmustbe.Amaninthispasswouldslaughterhisparent,justasaprivateerwillloadhisgunswithsilverpiecestakenoutofthebootysoonerthanperish.
　　Writeabrilliantarticle,andyouwillmakebrilliantprogressinFinot'sestimation;forFinothasalivelysenseofbenefitstocome,andthatsortofgratitudeisbetterthananykindofpledge,pawnticketsalwaysexcepted,fortheyinvariablyrepresentsomethingsolid."
　　"Whatkindofmencanjournalistsbe?Areyoutositdownatatableandbewittytoorder?"
　　"Justexactlyasalampbeginstoburnwhenyouapplyamatch——solongasthereisanyoilinit."
　　Lousteau'shandwasonthelockwhenduBruelcameinwiththemanager.
　　"Permitme,monsieur,totakeamessagetoCoralie;allowmetotellherthatyouwillgohomewithheraftersupper,ormyplaywillberuined.Thewretchedgirldoesnotknowwhatsheisdoingorsaying;
　　shewillcrywhensheoughttolaughandlaughwhensheoughttocry.
　　Shehasbeenhissedoncealready.Youcanstillsavethepiece,and,afterall,pleasureisnotamisfortune."
　　"Iamnotaccustomedtorivals,sir,"Lucienanswered.
　　"Praydon'ttellherthat!"criedthemanager."CoralieisjustthegirltoflingCamusotoverboardandruinherselfingoodearnest.TheproprietoroftheGoldenCocoon,worthyman,allowshertwothousandfrancsamonth,andpaysforallherdressesandclaqueurs."
　　"Asyourpromisepledgesmetonothing,saveyourplay,"saidLucien,withasultan'sairs.
　　"Butdon'tlookasifyoumeanttosnubthatcharmingcreature,"
　　pleadedduBruel.
　　"Dearme!amItowritethenoticeofyourplayandsmileonyourheroineaswell?"exclaimedthepoet.
　　TheauthorvanishedwithasignaltoCoralie,whobegantoactforthwithinamarvelousway.Vignol,whoplayedthepartofthealcalde,andrevealedforthefirsttimehisgeniusasanactorofoldmen,cameforwardamidastormofapplausetomakeanannouncementtothehouse.
　　"Thepiecewhichwehavethehonorofplayingforyouthisevening,gentlemen,istheworkofMM.RaoulanddeCursy."
　　"Why,Nathanispartlyresponsible,"saidLousteau."Idon'twonderthathelookedin."
　　"CORALIE!CORALIE!"shoutedtheenrapturedhouse."Florine,too!"
　　roaredavoiceofthunderfromtheoppositebox,andothervoicestookupthecry,"FlorineandCoralie!"
　　Thecurtainrose,Vignolreappearedbetweenthetwoactresses;MatifatandCamusotflungwreathsonthestage,andCoraliestoopedforherflowersandheldthemouttoLucien.
　　Forhimthosetwohoursspentinthetheatreseemedtobeadream.Thespellthatheldhimhadbeguntoworkwhenhewentbehindthescenes;
　　and,inspiteofitshorrors,theatmosphereoftheplace,itssensualityanddissolutemoralshadaffectedthepoet'sstilluntaintednature.Asortofmalariathatinfectsthesoulseemstolurkamongthosedark,filthypassagesfilledwithmachinery,andlitwithsmoky,greasylamps.Thesolemnityandrealityoflifedisappear,themostsacredthingsarematterforajest,themostimpossiblethingsseemtobetrue.Lucienfeltasifhehadtakensomenarcotic,andCoraliehadcompletedthework.Heplungedintothisjoyousintoxication.
　　Thelightsinthegreatchandelierwereextinguished;therewasnooneleftinthehouseexcepttheboxkeepers,busytakingawayfootstoolsandshuttingdoors,thenoisesechoingstrangelythroughtheemptytheatre.Thefootlights,blownoutasonecandle,sentupafetidreekofsmoke.Thecurtainroseagain,alanternwasloweredfromtheceiling,andfiremenandstagecarpentersdepartedontheirrounds.
　　Thefairyscenesofthestage,therowsoffairfacesintheboxes,thedazzlinglights,themagicalillusionofnewsceneryandcostumehadalldisappeared,anddismaldarkness,emptiness,andcoldreignedintheirstead.Itwashideous.Luciensatoninbewilderment.
　　"Well!areyoucoming,myboy?"Lousteau'svoicecalledfromthestage."Jumpdown."
　　Luciensprangover.HescarcelyrecognizedFlorineandCoralieintheirordinaryquiltedpaletotsandcloaks,withtheirfaceshiddenbyhatsandthickblackveils.Twobutterfliesreturnedtothechrysalisstagecouldnotbemorecompletelytransformed.
　　"Willyouhonormebygivingmeyourarm?"Coralieaskedtremulously.
　　"Withpleasure,"saidLucien.Hecouldfeelthebeatingofherheartthrobbingagainsthislikesomesnaredbirdasshenestledcloselytohisside,withsomethingofthedelightofacatthatrubsherselfagainsthermasterwitheagersilkencaresses.
　　"Sowearesuppingtogether!"shesaid.
　　ThepartyoffourfoundtwocabswaitingforthematthedoorintheRuedesFosses-du-Temple.CoraliedrewLucientooneofthetwo,inwhichCamusotandhisfather-in-lawoldCardotwereseatedalready.
　　SheofferedduBruelafifthplace,andthemanagerdroveoffwithFlorine,Matifat,andLousteau.
　　"Thesehackneycabsareabominablethings,"saidCoralie.
　　"Whydon'tyouhaveacarriage?"returnedduBruel.
　　"WHY?"sheaskedpettishly."IdonotliketotellyoubeforeM.
　　Cardot'sface;forhetrainedhisson-in-law,nodoubt.Wouldyoubelieveit,littleandoldasheis,M.CardotonlygivesFlorinefivehundredfrancsamonth,justaboutenoughtopayforherrentandhergrubandherclothes.TheoldMarquisdeRochegudeofferedmeabroughamtwomonthsago,andhehassixhundredthousandfrancsayear,butIamanartistandnotacommonhussy."
　　"Youshallhaveacarriagethedayafterto-morrow,miss,"saidCamusotbenignly;"youneveraskedmeforone."
　　"AsifoneASKEDforsuchathingasthat?What!youloveawomanandletherpaddleaboutinthemudattheriskofbreakingherlegs?
　　Nobodybutaknightoftheyardsticklikestoseeadraggledskirthem."
　　AssheutteredthesharpwordsthatcutCamusottothequick,shegropedforLucien'sknee,andpresseditagainstherown,andclaspedherfingersuponhishand.Shewassilent.Allherpowertofeelseemedtobeconcentratedupontheineffablejoyofamomentwhichbringscompensationforthewholewretchedpastofalifesuchasthesepoorcreatureslead,anddevelopswithintheirsoulsapoetryofwhichotherwomen,happilyignorantoftheseviolentrevulsions,knownothing.
　　"YouplayedlikeMlle.Marsherselftowardstheend,"saidduBruel.
　　"Yes,"saidCamusot,"somethingputheroutatthebeginning;butfromthemiddleofthesecondacttotheveryend,shewasenoughtodriveyouwildwithadmiration.Halfofthesuccessofyourplaywasduetoher."
　　"Andhalfofhersuccessisduetome,"saidduBruel.
　　"Thisisallmuchadoaboutnothing,"saidCoralieinanunfamiliarvoice.And,seizinganopportunityinthedarkness,shecarriedLucien'shandtoherlipsandkisseditanddrencheditwithtears.
　　Lucienfeltthrilledthroughandthroughbythattouch,forinthehumilityofthecourtesan'slovethereisamagnificencewhichmightsetanexampletoangels.
　　"Areyouwritingthedramaticcriticism,monsieur?"saidduBruel,addressingLucien;"youcanwriteacharmingparagraphaboutourdearCoralie."
　　"Oh!dousthatlittleservice!"pleadedCamusot,downonhisknees,metaphoricallyspeaking,beforethecritic."Youwillalwaysfindmereadytodoyouagoodturnatanytime."
　　"Doleavehimhisindependence,"Coralieexclaimedangrily;"hewillwritewhathepleases.PapaCamusot,buycarriagesformeinsteadofpraises."
　　"Youshallhavethemonveryeasyterms,"Lucienansweredpolitely."I
　　haveneverwrittenfornewspapersbefore,soIamnotaccustomedtotheirways,mymaidenpenisatyourdisposal——"
　　"Thatisfunny,"saidduBruel.
　　"HereweareintheRuedeBondy,"saidCardot.Coralie'ssallyhadquitecrushedthelittleoldman.
　　"Ifyouaregivingmethefirstfruitsofyourpen,thefirstlovethathassprungupinmyheartshallbeyours,"whisperedCoralieinthebriefinstantthattheyremainedalonetogetherinthecab;thenshewentuptoFlorine'sbedroomtochangeherdressforatoilettepreviouslysent.
　　Lucienhadnoideahowlavishlyaprosperousmerchantwillspendmoneyuponanactressoramistresswhenhemeanstoenjoyalifeofpleasure.MatifatwasnotnearlysorichamanashisfriendCamusot,andhehaddonehispartrathershabbily,yetthesightofthedining-
　　roomtookLucienbysurprise.Thewallswerehungwithgreenclothwithaborderofgildednails,thewholeroomwasartisticallydecorated,lightedbyhandsomelamps,standsfullofflowersstoodineverydirection.Thedrawing-roomwasresplendentwiththefurnitureinfashioninthosedays——aThomirechandelier,acarpetofEasterndesign,andyellowsilkenhangingsrelievedbyabrownborder.Thecandlesticks,fire-irons,andclockwereallingoodtaste;forMatifathadlefteverythingtoGrindot,arisingarchitect,whowasbuildingahouseforhim,andtheyoungmanhadtakengreatpainswiththeroomswhenheknewthatFlorinewastooccupythem.
　　Matifat,atradesmantothebackbone,wentaboutcarefully,afraidtotouchthenewfurniture;heseemedtohavethetotalsofthebillsalwaysbeforehiseyes,andtolookuponthesplendorsabouthimassomuchjewelryimprudentlywithdrawnfromthecase.
　　"AndIshallbeobligedtodoasmuchforFlorentine!"oldCardot'seyesseemedtosay.
　　LucienatoncebegantounderstandLousteau'sindifferencetothestateofhisgarret.Etiennewastherealkingofthesefestivals;
　　Etienneenjoyedtheuseofallthesefinethings.Hewasstandingjustnowonthehearthrugwithhisbacktothefire,asifhewerethemasterofthehouse,chattingwiththemanager,whowascongratulatingduBruel.
　　"Copy,copy!"calledFinot,comingintotheroom."Thereisnothinginthebox;theprintersaresettingupmyarticle,and
　　Cardot,Camusot,andMatifatdisappearedinsearchofquills,penknives,andeverythingnecessary.Suddenlythedoorwasflungopen,andTullia,oneoftheprettiestopera-dancersoftheday,dashedintotheroom.
　　"Theyagreetotakethehundredcopies,dearboy!"shecried,addressingFinot;"theywon'tcostthemanagementanything,forthechorusandtheorchestraandthecorpsdeballetaretotakethemwhethertheylikeitornot;butyourpaperissocleverthatnobodywillgrumble.Andyouaregoingtohaveyourboxes.Hereisthesubscriptionforthefirstquarter,"shecontinued,holdingoutacoupleofbanknotes;"sodon'tcutmeup!"
　　"Itisalloverwithme!"groanedFinot;"Imustsuppressmyabominablediatribe,andIhaven'tanothernotioninmyhead."
　　"Whatahappyinspiration,divineLais!"exclaimedBlondet,whohadfollowedtheladyupstairsandbroughtNathan,VernouandClaudeVignonwithhim."Stoptosupper,thereisadear,orIwillcrushthee,butterflyasthouart.Therewillbenoprofessionaljealousies,asyouareadancer;andastobeauty,youhaveallofyoutoomuchsensetoshowjealousyinpublic."
　　"Ohdear!"criedFinot,"Nathan,Blondet,duBruel,helpfriends!I
　　wantfivecolumns."
　　"Icanmaketwooftheplay,"saidLucien.
　　"Ihaveenoughforone,"addedLousteau.
　　"Verywell;Nathan,Vernou,andduBruelwillmakethejokesattheend;andBlondet,goodfellow,surelywillvouchsafeacoupleofshortcolumnsforthefirstsheet.Iwillrunroundtotheprinter.Itisluckythatyoubroughtyourcarriage,Tullia."
　　"Yes,buttheDukeiswaitingbelowinit,andhehasaGermanMinisterwithhim."
　　"AsktheDukeandtheMinistertocomeup,"saidNathan.
　　"AGerman?Theyaretheonestodrink,andtheylistentoo;heshallhearsomeastonishingthingstosendhometohisGovernment,"criedBlondet.
　　"Isthereanysufficientlyseriouspersonagetogodowntospeaktohim?"askedFinot."Here,duBruel,youareanofficial;bringuptheDucdeRhetoreandtheMinister,andgiveyourarmtoTullia.Dearme!
　　Tullia,howhandsomeyouareto-night!"
　　"Weshallbethirteenattable!"exclaimedMatifat,palingvisibly.
　　"No,fourteen,"saidavoiceinthedoorway,andFlorentineappeared.
　　"Ihavecometolookafter'milordCardot,'"sheadded,speakingwithaburlesqueEnglishaccent.
　　"Andbesides,"saidLousteau,"ClaudeVignoncamewithBlondet."
　　"Ibroughthimheretodrink,"returnedBlondet,takingupaninkstand."Lookhere,allofyou,youmustuseallyourwitbeforethosefifty-sixbottlesofwinedriveitout.And,ofallthings,stirupduBruel;heisavaudevillist,heiscapableofmakingbadjokesifyougethimtoconcertpitch."
　　AndLucienwrotehisfirstnewspaperarticleattheroundtableinFlorine'sboudoir,bythelightofthepinkcandleslightedbyMatifat;beforesucharemarkableaudiencehewaseagertoshowwhathecoulddo.
　　THEPANORAMA-DRAMATIQUE.
　　FirstperformanceoftheAlcaldeinaFix,animbrogliointhreeacts——FirstappearanceofMademoiselleFlorine——MademoiselleCoralie——Vignol.
　　Peoplearecomingandgoing,walkingandtalking,everybodyislookingforsomething,nobodyfindsanything.Generalhubbub.TheAlcaldehaslosthisdaughterandfoundhiscap,butthecapdoesnotfit;itmustbelongtosomethief.Whereisthethief?Peoplewalkandtalk,andcomeandgomorethanever.FinallytheAlcaldefindsamanwithouthisdaughter,andhisdaughterwithouttheman,whichissatisfactoryforthemagistrate,butnotfortheaudience.Quietbeingresorted,theAlcaldetriestoexaminetheman.BeholdavenerableAlcalde,sittinginanAlcalde'sgreatarmchair,arrangingthesleevesofhisAlcalde'sgown.OnlyinSpaindoAlcaldesclingtotheirenormoussleevesandwearplaitedlawnrufflesaboutthemagisterialthroat,agoodhalfofanAlcalde'sbusinessonthestageinParis.ThisparticularAlcalde,wheezingandwaddlingaboutlikeanasthmaticoldman,isVignol,onwhomPotier'smantlehasfallen;ayoungactorwhopersonatesoldagesoadmirablythattheoldestmenintheaudiencecannothelplaughing.Withthatquaveringvoiceofhis,thatbaldforehead,andthosespindleshankstremblingundertheweightofasenileframe,hemaylookforwardtoalongcareerofdecrepitude.
　　Thereissomethingalarmingabouttheyoungactor'soldage;heissoveryold;youfeelnervouslestsenilityshouldbeinfectious.
　　AndwhatanadmirableAlcaldehemakes!Whatadelightful,uneasysmile!whatpompousstupidity!whatwoodendignity!whatjudicialhesitation!Howwellthemanknowsthatblackmaybewhite,orwhiteblack!HoweminentlywellheisfittedtobeMinistertoaconstitutionalmonarch!Thestrangeranswerseveryoneofhisinquiriesbyaquestion;Vignolretortsinsuchafashion,thatthepersonunderexaminationelicitsallthetruthfromtheAlcalde.Thispieceofpurecomedy,withabreathofMolierethroughout,putsthehouseingoodhumor.Thepeopleonthestageallseemedtounderstandwhattheywereabout,butIamquiteunabletoclearupthemystery,ortosaywhereinitlay;fortheAlcalde'sdaughterwasthere,personifiedbyaliving,breathingAndalusian,aSpaniardwithaSpaniard'seyes,aSpaniard'scomplexion,aSpaniard'sgaitandfigure,aSpaniardfromtoptotoe,withherponiardinhergarter,loveinherheart,andacrossontheribbonaboutherneck.Whentheactwasover,andsomebodyaskedmehowthepiecewasgoing,Ianswered,"Shewearsscarletstockingswithgreenclockstothem;shehasalittlefoot,nolargerthanTHAT,inherpatentleathershoes,andtheprettiestpairofanklesinAndalusia!"Oh!thatAlcalde'sdaughterbringsyourheartintoyourmouth;shetantalizesyousohorribly,thatyoulongtospringuponthestageandofferheryourthatchedhovelandyourheart,orthirtythousandlivresperannumandyourpen.TheAndalusianistheloveliestactressinParis.Coralie,forshemustbecalledbyherrealname,canbeacountessoragrisette,andinwhichpartshewouldbemorecharmingonecannottell.Shecanbeanythingthatshechooses;
　　sheisborntoachieveallpossibilities;canmorebesaidofaboulevardactress?
　　Withthesecondact,aParisianSpaniardappeareduponthescene,withherfeaturescutlikeacameoandherdangerouseyes."Wheredoesshecomefrom?"Iaskedinmyturn,andwastoldthatshecamefromthegreenroom,andthatshewasMademoiselleFlorine;
　　but,uponmyword,Icouldnotbelieveasyllableofit,suchspiritwasthereinhergestures,suchfrenzyinherlove.SheistherivaloftheAlcalde'sdaughter,andmarriedtoagrandeecutouttowearanAlmaviva'scloak,withstuffsufficientinitforahundredboulevardnoblemen.Mlle.Florineworeneitherscarletstockingswithgreenclocks,norpatentleathershoes,butsheappearedinamantilla,aveilwhichsheputtoadmirableuses,likethegreatladythatsheis!Sheshowedtoadmirationthatthetigresscanbeacat.Ibegantounderstand,fromthesparklingtalkbetweenthetwo,thatsomedramaofjealousywasgoingon;
　　andjustaseverythingwasputright,theAlcalde'sstupidityembroiledeverybodyagain.Torchbearers,richmen,footmen,Figaros,grandees,alcaldes,dames,anddamsels——thewholecompanyonthestagebegantoeddyabout,andcomeandgo,andlookforoneanother.Theplotthickened,againIleftittothicken;forFlorinethejealousandthehappyCoraliehadentangledmeoncemoreinthefoldsofmantillaandbasquina,andtheirlittlefeetweretwinklinginmyeyes.
　　Imanaged,however,toreachthethirdactwithoutanymishap.Thecommissaryofpolicewasnotcompelledtointerfere,andIdidnothingtoscandalizethehouse,whereforeIbegintobelieveintheinfluenceofthat"publicandreligiousmorality,"aboutwhichtheChamberofDeputiesissoanxious,thatanyonemightthinktherewasnomoralityleftinFrance.Ievencontrivedtogatherthatamanwasinlovewithtwowomenwhofailedtoreturnhisaffection,orelsethattwowomenwereinlovewithamanwholovedneitherofthem;themandidnotlovetheAlcalde,ortheAlcaldehadnolovefortheman,whowasneverthelessagallantgentleman,andinlovewithsomebody,withhimself,perhaps,orwithheaven,iftheworstcametotheworst,forhebecomesamonk.Andifyouwanttoknowanymore,youcangotothePanorama-Dramatique.Youareherebygivenfairwarning——youmustgooncetoaccustomyourselftothoseirresistiblescarletstockingswiththegreenclocks,tolittlefeetfullofpromises,toeyeswitharayofsunlightshiningthroughthem,tothesubtlecharmofaParisiennedisguisedasanAndalusiangirl,andofanAndalusianmasqueradingasaParisienne.Youmustgoasecondtimetoenjoytheplay,toshedtearsoverthelove-distractedgrandee,anddieoflaughingattheoldAlcalde.Theplayistwiceasuccess.Theauthor,whowritesit,itissaid,incollaborationwithoneofthegreatpoetsoftheday,wascalledbeforethecurtain,andappearedwithalove-distraughtdamseloneacharm,andfairlybroughtdowntheexcitedhouse.Thetwodancersseemedtohavemorewitintheirlegsthantheauthorhimself;butwhenoncethefairrivalsleftthestage,thedialogueseemedwittyatonce,atriumphantproofoftheexcellenceofthepiece.Theapplauseandcallsfortheauthorcausedthearchitectsomeanxiety;butM.deCursy,theauthor,beingaccustomedtovolcaniceruptionsofthereelingVesuviusbeneaththechandelier,feltnotremor.Asfortheactresses,theydancedthefamousboleroofSeville,whichoncefoundfavorinthesightofacouncilofreverendfathers,andescapedecclesiasticalcensureinspiteofitswantondangerousgrace.Theboleroinitselfwouldbeenoughtoattractoldagewhilethereisanylingeringheatofyouthintheveins,andoutofcharityIwarnthesepersonstokeepthelensesoftheiropera-glasseswellpolished.
　　WhileLucienwaswritingacolumnwhichwastosetanewfashioninjournalismandrevealafreshandoriginalgift,Lousteauinditedanarticleofthekinddescribedasmoeurs——asketchofcontemporarymanners,entitledTheElderlyBeau.
　　"ThebuckoftheEmpire,"hewrote,"isinvariablylong,slender,andwellpreserved.HewearsacorsetandtheCrossoftheLegionofHonor.HisnamewasoriginallyPotelet,orsomethingverylikeit;buttostandwellwiththeCourt,heconferredaduuponhimself,andduPoteletheisuntilanotherrevolution.AbaronoftheEmpire,amanoftwoends,ashisnamePotelet,apostimplies,heispayinghiscourttotheFaubourgSaint-Germain,afterayouthgloriouslyandusefullyspentastheagreeabletrainbearerofasisterofthemanwhomdecencyforbidsmetomentionbyname.DuPotelethasforgottenthathewasonceinwaitinguponHerImperialHighness;buthestillsingsthesongscomposedforthebenefactresswhotooksuchatenderinterestinhiscareer,"andsoforthandsoforth.Itwasatissueofpersonalities,sillyenoughforthemostpart,suchastheyusedtowriteinthosedays.Otherpapers,andnotablytheFigaro,havebroughtthearttoacuriousperfectionsince.LousteaucomparedtheBarontoaheron,andintroducedMme.deBargeton,towhomhewaspayinghiscourt,asacuttlefishbone,aburlesqueabsurditywhichamusedreaderswhoknewneitherofthepersonages.AtaleofthelovesoftheHeron,whotriedinvaintoswallowtheCuttlefishbone,whichbrokeintothreepieceswhenhedroppedit,wasirresistiblyludicrous.EverybodyremembersthesensationwhichthepleasantrymadeintheFaubourgSaint-Germain;itwasthefirstofaseriesofsimilararticles,andwasoneofthethousandandonecauseswhichprovokedtherigorouspresslegislationofCharlesX.
　　Anhourlater,Blondet,Lousteau,andLuciencamebacktothedrawing-
　　room,wheretheotherguestswerechatting.TheDukewasthereandtheMinister,thefourwomen,thethreemerchants,themanager,andFinot.
　　Aprinter'sdevil,withapapercaponhishead,waswaitingeventhenforcopy.
　　"Themenarejustgoingoff,ifIhavenothingtotakethem,"hesaid.
　　"Stayabit,herearetenfrancs,andtellthemtowait,"saidFinot.
　　"IfIgivethemthemoney,sir,theywouldtaketotippleography,andgood-nighttothenewspaper."
　　"Thatboy'scommon-senseisappallingtome,"remarkedFinot;andtheMinisterwasinthemiddleofapredictionofabrilliantfuturefortheurchin,whenthethreecamein.BlondetreadaloudanextremelycleverarticleagainsttheRomantics;Lousteau'sparagraphdrewlaughter,andbytheDucdeRhetore'sadviceanindirecteulogiumofMme.d'Espardwasslippedin,lestthewholeFaubourgSaint-Germainshouldtakeoffence.
　　"WhathaveYOUwritten?"askedFinot,turningtoLucien.
　　AndLucienread,quakingforfear,buttheroomrangwithapplausewhenhefinished;theactressesembracedtheneophyte;andthetwomerchants,followingsuit,halfchokedthebreathoutofhim.ThereweretearsinduBruel'seyesashegraspedhiscritic'shand,andthemanagerinvitedhimtodinner.
　　"Therearenochildrennowadays,"saidBlondet."SinceM.deChateaubriandcalledVictorHugoa'sublimechild,'Icanonlytellyouquitesimplythatyouhavespiritandtaste,andwritelikeagentleman."
　　"Heisonthenewspaper,"saidFinot,ashethankedEtienne,andgavehimashrewdglance.
　　"Whatjokeshaveyoumade?"inquiredLousteau,turningtoBlondetandduBruel.
　　"HereareduBruel's,"saidNathan.
　　***"Now,thatM.leVicomted'A——isattractingsomuchattention,theywillperhapsletMEalone,"M.leVicomteDemostheneswasheardtosayyesterday.
　　***AnUltra,condemningM.Pasquier'sspeech,saidhisprogrammewasonlyacontinuationofDecaze'spolicy."Yes,"saidalady,"buthestandsonaMonarchicalbasis,hehasjustthekindoflegforaCourtsuit."
　　"Withsuchabeginning,Idon'taskmoreofyou,"saidFinot;"itwillbeallright——Runroundwiththis,"headded,turningtotheboy;
　　"thepaperisnotexactlyagenuinearticle,butitisourbestnumberyet,"andheturnedtothegroupofwriters.AlreadyLucien'scolleagueswereprivatelytakinghismeasure.
　　"Thatfellowhasbrains,"saidBlondet.
　　"Hisarticleiswellwritten,"saidClaudeVignon.
　　"Supper!"criedMatifat.
　　TheDukegavehisarmtoFlorine,CoraliewentacrosstoLucien,andTulliawentintosupperbetweenEmileBlondetandtheGermanMinister.
　　"IcannotunderstandwhyyouaremakinganonslaughtonMme.deBargetonandtheBaronduChatelet;theysaythatheisprefect-
　　designateoftheCharente,andwillbeMasterofRequestssomeday."
　　"Mme.deBargetonshowedLucienthedoorasifhehadbeenanimposter,"saidLousteau.
　　"Suchafineyoungfellow!"exclaimedtheMinister.
　　Supper,servedwithnewplate,Sevresporcelain,andwhitedamask,wasredolentofopulence.ThedisheswerefromChevet,thewinesfromacelebratedmerchantontheQuaiSaint-Bernard,apersonalfriendofMatifat's.ForthefirsttimeLucienbeheldtheluxuryofParisdisplayed;hewentfromsurprisetosurprise,buthekepthisastonishmenttohimself,likeamanwhohadspiritandtasteandwrotelikeagentleman,asBlondethadsaid.
　　Astheycrossedthedrawing-room,CoraliebenttoFlorine,"MakeCamusotsodrunkthathewillbecompelledtostophereallnight,"
　　shewhispered.
　　"Soyouhavehookedyourjournalist,haveyou?"returnedFlorine,usingtheidiomofwomenofherclass.
　　"No,dear;Ilovehim,"saidCoralie,withanadorablelittleshrugoftheshoulders.
　　ThosewordsranginLucien'sears,bornetothembythefifthdeadlysin.Coraliewasperfectlydressed.Everywomanpossessessomepersonalcharminperfection,andCoralie'stoilettebroughthercharacteristicbeautyintoprominence.Herdress,moreover,likeFlorine's,wasofsomeexquisitestuff,unknownasyettothepublic,amousselinedesoie,withwhichCamusothadbeensuppliedafewdaysbeforetherestoftheworld;for,asowneroftheGoldenCocoon,hewasakindofProvidenceinParistotheLyonssilkweavers.
　　Loveandtoiletarelikecolorandperfumeforawoman,andCoralieinherhappinesslookedlovelierthanever.Alooked-fordelightwhichcannoteludethegrasppossessesanimmensecharmforyouth;perhapsintheireyesthesecretoftheattractionofahouseofpleasureliesinthecertaintyofgratification;perhapsmanyalongfidelityisattributabletothesamecause.Loveforlove'ssake,firstloveindeed,hadblentwithoneofthestrangeviolentfancieswhichsometimespossessthesepoorcreatures;andloveandadmirationofLucien'sgreatbeautytaughtCoralietoexpressthethoughtsinherheart.
　　"Ishouldloveyouifyouwereillandugly,"shewhisperedastheysatdown.
　　Whatasayingforapoet!Camusotutterlyvanished,Lucienhadforgottenhisexistence,hesawCoralie,andhadeyesfornothingelse.Howshouldhedrawback——thiscreature,allsensation,allenjoymentoflife,tiredofthemonotonyofexistenceinacountrytown,wearyofpoverty,harassedbyenforcedcontinence,impatientoftheclaustrallifeoftheRuedeCluny,oftoilingwithoutreward?ThefascinationoftheunderworldofPariswasuponhim;howshouldheriseandleavethisbrilliantgathering?LucienstoodwithonefootinCoralie'schamberandtheotherinthequicksandsofJournalism.Aftersomuchvainsearch,andclimbingofsomanystairs,afterstandingaboutandwaitingintheRuedeSentier,hehadfoundJournalismajollybooncompanion,joyousoverthewine.Hiswrongshadjustbeenavenged.Thereweretwoforwhomhehadvainlystriventofillthecupofhumiliationandpainwhichhehadbeenmadetodrinktothedregs,andnowto-morrowtheyshouldreceiveastabintheirveryhearts.
　　"Hereisarealfriend!"hethought,ashelookedatLousteau.ItnevercrossedhismindthatLousteaualreadyregardedhimasadangerousrival.Hehadmadeablunder;hehaddonehisverybestwhenacolorlessarticlewouldhaveservedhimadmirablywell.Blondet'sremarktoFinotthatitwouldbebettertocometotermswithamanofthatcalibre,hadcounteractedLousteau'sgnawingjealousy.HereflectedthatitwouldbeprudenttokeepongoodtermswithLucien,and,atthesametime,toarrangewithFinottoexploitthisformidablenewcomer——hemustbekeptinpoverty.Thedecisionwasmadeinamoment,andthebargainmadeinafewwhisperedwords.
　　"Hehastalent."