“WhereamItodrive，sir？“demandedtheman，who，bythistime，hadtakenoffhiswhitegloves。
　　“Confoundit！“Eugenesaidtohimself，“Iaminforitnow，andatleastIwillnotspendcab-hirefornothing！——DrivetotheHotelBeauseant。”hesaidaloud。
　　“Which？“askedtheman，aportentouswordthatreducedEugenetoconfusion。Thisyoungmanoffashion，speciesincerta，didnotknowthatthereweretwoHotelsBeauseant；hewasnotawarehowrichhewasinrelationswhodidnotcareabouthim。
　　“TheVicomtedeBeauseant，Rue——“
　　“DeGrenelle。”interruptedthedriver，withajerkofhishead。
　　“Yousee，therearethehotelsoftheMarquisandComtedeBeauseantintheRueSaint-Dominique。”headded，drawingupthestep。
　　“Iknowallaboutthat。”saidEugene，severely——“Everybodyislaughingatmeto-day，itseems！“hesaidtohimself，ashedepositedhishatontheoppositeseat。“Thisescapadewillcostmeaking’sransom，but，atanyrate，Ishallcallonmyso-
　　calledcousininathoroughlyaristocraticfashion。Goriothascostmetenfrancsalready，theoldscoundrel。Myword！IwilltellMme。deBeauseantaboutmyadventure；perhapsitmayamuseher。Doubtlessshewillknowthesecretofthecriminalrelationbetweenthathandsomewomanandtheoldratwithoutatail。Itwouldbebettertofindfavorinmycousin’seyesthantocomeincontactwiththatshamelesswoman，whoseemstometohaveveryexpensivetastes。SurelythebeautifulVicomtesse’spersonalinterestwouldturnthescaleforme，whenthemerementionofhernameproducessuchaneffect。Letuslookhigher。Ifyousetyourselftocarrytheheightsofheaven，youmustfaceGod。”
　　Theinnumerablethoughtsthatsurgedthroughhisbrainmightbesummedupinthesephrases。Hegrewcalmer，andrecoveredsomethingofhisassuranceashewatchedthefallingrain。Hetoldhimselfthatthoughhewasabouttosquandertwoofthepreciousfive-francpiecesthatremainedtohim，themoneywaswelllaidoutinpreservinghiscoat，boots，andhat；andhiscabman’scryof“Gate，ifyouplease。”almostputhiminspirits。
　　ASwiss，inscarletandgold，appeared，thegreatdoorgroanedonitshinges，andRastignac，withsweetsatisfaction，beheldhisequipagepassunderthearchwayandstopbeforetheflightofstepsbeneaththeawning。Thedriver，inablue-and-redgreatcoat，dismountedandletdownthestep。AsEugenesteppedoutofthecab，heheardsmotheredlaughterfromtheperistyle。
　　Threeorfourlackeysweremakingmerryoverthefestalappearanceofthevehicle。Inanothermomentthelawstudentwasenlightenedastothecauseoftheirhilarity；hefeltthefullforceofthecontrastbetweenhisequipageandoneofthesmartestbroughamsinParis；acoachman，withpowderedhair，seemedtofinditdifficulttoholdapairofspiritedhorses，whostoodchafingthebit。InMme。deRestaud’scourtyard，intheChausseed’Antin，hehadseentheneatturnoutofayoungmanofsix-and-twenty；intheFaubourgSaint-Germainhefoundtheluxuriousequipageofamanofrank；thirtythousandfrancswouldnothavepurchasedit。
　　“Whocanbehere？“saidEugenetohimself。Hebegantounderstand，thoughsomewhattardily，thathemustnotexpecttofindmanywomeninPariswhowerenotalreadyappropriated，andthatthecaptureofoneofthesequeenswouldbelikelytocostsomethingmorethanbloodshed。“Confounditall！IexpectmycousinalsohasherMaxime。”
　　Hewentupthesteps，feelingthathewasablightedbeing。Theglassdoorwasopenedforhim；theservantswereassolemnasjackassesunderthecurrycomb。Sofar，EugenehadonlybeenintheballroomonthegroundflooroftheHotelBeauseant；thefetehadfollowedsocloselyontheinvitation，thathehadnothadtimetocallonhiscousin，andhadthereforeneverseenMme。deBeauseant’sapartments；hewasabouttobeholdforthefirsttimeagreatladyamongthewonderfulandelegantsurroundingsthatrevealhercharacterandreflectherdailylife。Hewasthemorecurious，becauseMme。deRestaud’sdrawing-roomhadprovidedhimwithastandardofcomparison。
　　Athalf-pastfourtheVicomtessedeBeauseantwasvisible。Fiveminutesearliershewouldnothavereceivedhercousin，butEugeneknewnothingoftherecognizedroutineofvarioushousesinParis。Hewasconductedupthewide，white-painted，crimson-
　　carpetedstaircase，betweenthegildedbalustersandmassesoffloweringplants，toMme。deBeauseant’sapartments。HedidnotknowtherumorcurrentaboutMme。deBeauseant，oneofthebiographiestold，withvariations，inwhispers，everyeveninginthesalonsofParis。
　　ForthreeyearspasthernamehadbeenspokenofinconnectionwiththatofoneofthemostwealthyanddistinguishedPortuguesenobles，theMarquisd’Ajuda-Pinto。Itwasoneofthoseinnocentliaisonswhichpossesssomuchcharmforthetwothusattachedtoeachotherthattheyfindthepresenceofathirdpersonintolerable。TheVicomtedeBeauseant，therefore，hadhimselfsetanexampletotherestoftheworldbyrespecting，withasgoodagraceasmightbe，thismorganaticunion。AnyonewhocametocallontheVicomtesseintheearlydaysofthisfriendshipwassuretofindtheMarquisd’Ajuda-Pintothere。As，underthecircumstances，Mme。deBeauseantcouldnotverywellshutherdooragainstthesevisitors，shegavethemsuchacoldreception，andshowedsomuchinterestinthestudyoftheceiling，thatnoonecouldfailtounderstandhowmuchheboredher；andwhenitbecameknowninParisthatMme。deBeauseantwasboredbycallersbetweentwoandfouro’clock，shewasleftinperfectsolitudeduringthatinterval。ShewenttotheBouffonsortotheOperawithM。deBeauseantandM。d’Ajuda-Pinto；andM。deBeauseant，likeawell-bredmanoftheworld，alwayslefthiswifeandthePortugueseassoonashehadinstalledthem。ButM。d’Ajuda-Pintomustmarry，andaMlle。deRochefidewastheyounglady。Inthewholefashionableworldtherewasbutonepersonwhoasyetknewnothingofthearrangement，andthatwasMme。deBeauseant。Someofherfriendshadhintedatthepossibility，andshehadlaughedatthem，believingthatenvyhadpromptedthoseladiestotrytomakemischief。Andnow，thoughthebanswereabouttobepublished，andalthoughthehandsomePortuguesehadcomethatdaytobreakthenewstotheVicomtesse，hehadnotfoundcourageasyettosayonewordabouthistreachery。Howwasit？Nothingisdoubtlessmoredifficultthanthenotificationofanultimatumofthiskind。Therearemenwhofeelmoreattheireasewhentheystandupbeforeanothermanwhothreatenstheirliveswithswordorpistolthaninthepresenceofawomanwho，aftertwohoursoflamentationsandreproaches，fallsintoadeadswoonandrequiressalts。Atthismoment，therefore，M。d’Ajuda-Pintowasonthorns，andanxioustotakehisleave。HetoldhimselfthatinsomewayorotherthenewswouldreachMme。deBeauseant；hewouldwrite，itwouldbemuchbettertodoitbyletter，andnottoutterthewordsthatshouldstabhertotheheart。
　　SowhentheservantannouncedM。EugenedeRastignac，theMarquisd’Ajuda-Pintotrembledwithjoy。Tobesure，alovingwomanshowsevenmoreingenuityininventingdoubtsofherloverthaninvaryingthemonotonyofhishappiness；andwhensheisabouttobeforsaken，sheinstinctivelyinterpretseverygestureasrapidlyasVirgil’scourserdetectedthepresenceofhiscompanionbysnuffingthebreeze。Itwasimpossible，therefore，thatMme。deBeauseantshouldnotdetectthatinvoluntarythrillofsatisfaction；slightthoughitwas，itwasappallinginitsartlessness。
　　EugenehadyettolearnthatnooneinParisshouldpresenthimselfinanyhousewithoutfirstmakinghimselfacquaintedwiththewholehistoryofitsowner，andofitsowner’swifeandfamily，sothathemayavoidmakinganyoftheterribleblunderswhichinPolanddrawforththepicturesqueexclamation，“Harnessfivebullockstoyourcart！“probablybecauseyouwillneedthemalltopullyououtofthequagmireintowhichafalsestephasplungedyou。If，downtothepresentday，ourlanguagehasnonamefortheseconversationaldisasters，itisprobablybecausetheyarebelievedtobeimpossible，thepublicitygiveninParistoeveryscandalissoprodigious。AftertheawkwardincidentatMme。deRestaud’s，noonebutEugenecouldhavereappearedinhischaracterofbullock-driverinMme。deBeauseant’sdrawing-room。
　　ButifMme。deRestaudandM。deTrailleshadfoundhimhorriblyintheway，M。d’Ajudahailedhiscomingwithrelief。
　　“Good-bye。”saidthePortuguese，hurryingtothedoor，asEugenemadehisentranceintoadaintylittlepink-and-graydrawing-
　　room，whereluxuryseemednothingmorethangoodtaste。
　　“Untilthisevening。”saidMme。deBeauseant，turningherheadtogivetheMarquisaglance。“WearegoingtotheBouffons，arewenot？“
　　“Icannotgo。”hesaid，withhisfingersonthedoorhandle。
　　Mme。deBeauseantroseandbeckonedtohimtoreturn。ShedidnotpaytheslightestattentiontoEugene，whostoodtheredazzledbythesparklingmarvelsaroundhim；hebegantothinkthatthiswassomestoryoutoftheArabianNightsmadereal，anddidnotknowwheretohidehimself，whenthewomanbeforehimseemedtobeunconsciousofhisexistence。TheVicomtessehadraisedtheforefingerofherrighthand，andgracefullysignedtotheMarquistoseathimselfbesideher。TheMarquisfelttheimperiousswayofpassioninhergesture；hecamebacktowardsher。Eugenewatchedhim，notwithoutafeelingofenvy。
　　“Thatistheownerofthebrougham！“hesaidtohimself。“Butisitnecessarytohaveapairofspiritedhorses，servantsinlivery，andtorrentsofgoldtodrawaglancefromawomanhereinParis？“
　　Thedemonofluxurygnawedathisheart，greedburnedinhisveins，histhroatwasparchedwiththethirstofgold。
　　Hehadahundredandthirtyfrancseveryquarter。Hisfather，mother，brothers，sisters，andauntdidnotspendtwohundredfrancsamonthamongthem。Thisswiftcomparisonbetweenhispresentconditionandtheaimshehadinviewhelpedtobenumbhisfaculties。
　　“Whynot？“theVicomtessewassaying，asshesmiledatthePortuguese。“WhycannotyoucometotheItaliens？“
　　“Affairs！IamtodinewiththeEnglishAmbassador。”
　　“Throwhimover。”
　　Whenamanonceentersonacourseofdeception，heiscompelledtoaddlietolie。M。d’Ajudathereforesaid，smiling，“Doyoulayyourcommandsonme？“
　　“Yes，certainly。”
　　“ThatwaswhatIwantedtohaveyousaytome。”heanswered，dissemblinghisfeelingsinaglancewhichwouldhavereassuredanyotherwoman。
　　HetooktheVicomtesse’shand，kissedit，andwent。
　　Eugeneranhisfingersthroughhishair，andconstrainedhimselftobow。HethoughtthatnowMme。deBeauseantwouldgivehimherattention；butsuddenlyshesprangforward，rushedtoawindowinthegallery，andwatchedM。d’Ajudastepintohiscarriage；shelistenedtotheorderthathegave，andheardtheSwissrepeatittothecoachman：
　　“ToM。deRochefide’shouse。”
　　Thosewords，andthewayinwhichM。d’Ajudaflunghimselfbackinthecarriage，werelikealightningflashandathunderboltforher；shewalkedbackagainwithadeadlyfeargnawingatherheart。Themostterriblecatastrophesonlyhappenamongtheheights。TheVicomtessewenttoherownroom，satdownatatable，andtookupasheetofdaintynotepaper。
　　“When，insteadofdiningwiththeEnglishAmbassador。”
　　shewrote，“yougototheRochefides，youowemeanexplanation，whichIamwaitingtohear。”
　　Sheretracedseveraloftheletters，forherhandwastremblingsothattheywereindistinct；thenshesignedthenotewithaninitialCfor“ClairedeBourgogne。”andrangthebell。
　　“Jacques。”shesaidtotheservant，whoappearedimmediately，“takethisnotetoM。deRochefide’shouseathalf-pastsevenandaskfortheMarquisd’Ajuda。IfM。d’Ajudaisthere，leavethenotewithoutwaitingforananswer；ifheisnotthere，bringthenotebacktome。”
　　“MadamelaVicomtess，thereisavisitorinthedrawing-room。”
　　“Ah！yes，ofcourse。”shesaid，openingthedoor。
　　Eugenewasbeginningtofeelveryuncomfortable，butatlasttheVicomtesseappeared；shespoketohim，andthetremuloustonesofhervoicevibratedthroughhisheart。
　　“Pardonme，monsieur。”shesaid；“Ihadalettertowrite。NowI
　　amquiteatliberty。”
　　Shescarcelyknewwhatshewassaying，forevenasshespokeshethought，“Ah！hemeanstomarryMlle。deRochefide？Butishestillfree？Thiseveningthemarriageshallbebrokenoff，orelse……Butbeforeto-morrowIshallknow。”
　　“Cousin……”thestudentreplied。
　　“Eh？“saidtheCountess，withaninsolentglancethatsentacoldshudderthroughEugene；heunderstoodwhatthat“Eh？“meant；hehadlearnedagreatdealinthreehours，andhiswitswereonthealert。Hereddened：
　　“Madame……”hebegan；hehesitatedamoment，andthenwenton。
　　“Pardonme；Iaminsuchneedofprotectionthatthenearestscrapofrelationshipcoulddomenoharm。”
　　Mme。deBeauseantsmiledbuttherewassadnessinhersmile；evennowshefeltforebodingsofthecomingpain，theairshebreathedwasheavywiththestormthatwasabouttoburst。
　　“Ifyouknewhowmyfamilyaresituated。”hewenton，“youwouldlovetoplaythepartofabeneficentfairygodmotherwhograciouslyclearstheobstaclesfromthepathofherprotege。”
　　“Well，cousin。”shesaid，laughing，“andhowcanIbeofservicetoyou？“
　　“ButdoIknoweventhat？Iamdistantlyrelatedtoyou，andthisobscureandremoterelationshipisevennowaperfectgodsendtome。Youhaveconfusedmyideas；IcannotrememberthethingsthatImeanttosaytoyou。IknownooneelsehereinParis……
　　Ah！ifIcouldonlyaskyoutocounselme，askyoutolookuponmeasapoorchildwhowouldfainclingtothehemofyourdress，whowouldlaydownhislifeforyou。”
　　“Wouldyoukillamanforme？“
　　“Two。”saidEugene。
　　“You，child。Yes，youareachild。”shesaid，keepingbackthetearsthatcametohereyes；“youwouldlovesincerely。”
　　“Oh！“hecried，flinginguphishead。
　　Theaudacityofthestudent’sanswerinterestedtheVicomtesseinhim。Thesouthernbrainwasbeginningtoschemeforthefirsttime。BetweenMme。deRestaud’sblueboudoirandMme。deBeauseant’srose-coloreddrawing-roomhehadmadeathreeyears’
　　advanceinakindoflawwhichisnotarecognizedstudyinParis，althoughitisasortofhigherjurisprudence，and，whenwellunderstood，isahighroadtosuccessofeverykind。
　　“Ah！thatiswhatImeanttosay！“saidEugene。“ImetMme。deRestaudatyourball，andthismorningIwenttoseeher。
　　“Youmusthavebeenverymuchintheway。”saidMme。deBeauseant，smilingasshespoke。
　　“Yes，indeed。Iamanovice，andmyblunderswillseteveryoneagainstme，ifyoudonotgivemeyourcounsel。IbelievethatinParisitisverydifficulttomeetwithayoung，beautiful，andwealthywomanoffashionwhowouldbewillingtoteachme，whatyouwomencanexplainsowell——life。IshallfindaM。deTrailleseverywhere。SoIhavecometoyoutoaskyoutogivemeakeytoapuzzle，toentreatyoutotellmewhatsortofblunderImadethismorning。Imentionedanoldman——“
　　“MadamelaDuchessdeLangeais。”Jacquescutthestudentshort；
　　Eugenegaveexpressiontohisintenseannoyancebyagesture。
　　“Ifyoumeantosucceed。”saidtheVicomtesseinalowvoice，“inthefirstplaceyoumustnotbesodemonstrative。”
　　“Ah！goodmorning，dear。”shecontinued，andrisingandcrossingtheroom，shegraspedtheDuchess’handsasaffectionatelyasiftheyhadbeensisters；theDuchessrespondedintheprettiestandmostgraciousway。
　　“Twointimatefriends！“saidRastignactohimself。“HenceforwardIshallhavetwoprotectresses；thosetwowomenaregreatfriends，nodoubt，andthisnewcomerwilldoubtlessinterestherselfinherfriend’scousin。”
　　“TowhathappyinspirationdoIowethispieceofgoodfortune，dearAntoinette？“askedMme。deBeauseant。
　　“Well，IsawM。d’Ajuda-PintoatM。deRochefide’sdoor，soI
　　thoughtthatifIcameIshouldfindyoualone。”
　　Mme。deBeauseant’smouthdidnottighten，hercolordidnotrise，herexpressiondidnotalter，orrather，herbrowseemedtoclearastheDuchessutteredthosedeadlywords。
　　“IfIhadknownthatyouwereengaged——“thespeakeradded，glancingatEugene。
　　“ThisgentlemanisM。EugenedeRastignac，oneofmycousins。”
　　saidtheVicomtesse。“HaveyouanynewsofGeneraldeMontriveau？“shecontinued。“Serizytoldmeyesterdaythathenevergoesanywherenow；hashebeentoseeyouto-day？“
　　ItwasbelievedthattheDuchesswasdesperatelyinlovewithM。
　　deMontriveau，andthathewasafaithlesslover；shefeltthequestioninherveryheart，andherfaceflushedassheanswered：
　　“HewasattheElyseeyesterday。”
　　“Inattendance？“
　　“Claire。”returnedtheDuchess，andhatredoverflowedintheglancesshethrewatMme。deBeauseant；“ofcourseyouknowthatM。d’Ajuda-PintoisgoingtomarryMlle。deRochefide；thebanswillbepublishedto-morrow。”
　　Thisthrustwastoocruel；theVicomtesse’sfacegrewwhite，butsheanswered，laughing，“Oneofthoserumorsthatfoolsamusethemselveswith。WhatshouldinduceM。d’AjudatotakeoneofthenoblestnamesinPortugaltotheRochefides？TheRochefideswereonlyennobledyesterday。”
　　“ButBerthawillhavetwohundredthousandlivresayear，theysay。”
　　“M。d’Ajudaistoowealthytomarryformoney。”
　　“But，mydear，Mlle。deRochefideisacharminggirl。”
　　“Indeed？“
　　“And，asamatteroffact，heisdiningwiththemto-day；thethingissettled。Itisverysurprisingtomethatyoushouldknowsolittleaboutit。”
　　Mme。deBeauseantturnedtoRastignac。“Whatwastheblunderthatyoumade，monsieur？“sheasked。“Thepoorboyisonlyjustlaunchedintotheworld，Antoinette，sothatheunderstandsnothingofallthisthatwearespeakingof。Bemercifultohim，andletusfinishourtalkto-morrow。Everythingwillbeannouncedto-morrow，youknow，andyourkindinformalcommunicationcanbeaccompaniedbyofficialconfirmation。”
　　TheDuchessgaveEugeneoneofthoseinsolentglancesthatmeasureamanfromheadtofoot，andleavehimcrushedandannihilated。
　　“Madame，IhaveunwittinglyplungedadaggerintoMme。deRestaud’sheart；unwittingly——thereinliesmyoffence。”saidthestudentoflaw，whosekeenbrainhadservedhimsufficientlywell，forhehaddetectedthebitingepigramsthatlurkedbeneaththisfriendlytalk。“Youcontinuetoreceive，possiblyyoufear，thosewhoknowtheamountofpainthattheydeliberatelyinflict；
　　butaclumsyblundererwhohasnoideahowdeeplyhewoundsislookeduponasafoolwhodoesnotknowhowtomakeuseofhisopportunities，andeveryonedespisehim。”
　　Mme。deBeauseantgavethestudentaglance，oneofthoseglancesinwhichagreatsoulcanmingledignityandgratitude。Itwaslikebalmtothelawstudent，whowasstillsmartingundertheDuchess’insolentscrutiny；shehadlookedathimasanauctioneermightlookatsomearticletoappraiseitsvalue。
　　“Imagine，too，thatIhadjustmadesomeprogresswiththeComtedeRestaud；forIshouldtellyou，madame。”hewenton，turningtotheDuchesswithamixtureofhumilityandmaliceinhismanner，“thatasyetIamonlyapoordevilofastudent，verymuchaloneintheworld，andverypoor——“
　　“Youshouldnottellusthat，M。deRastignac。Wewomennevercareaboutanythingthatnooneelsewilltake。”
　　“Bah！“saidEugene。“Iamonlytwo-and-twenty，andImustmakeupmymindtothedrawbacksofmytimeoflife。Besides，Iamconfessingmysins，anditwouldbeimpossibletokneelinamorecharmingconfessional；youcommityoursinsinonedrawing-room，andreceiveabsolutionfortheminanother。”
　　TheDuchess’expressiongrewcolder，shedidnotliketheflippanttoneoftheseremarks，andshowedthatsheconsideredthemtobeinbadtastebyturningtotheVicomtessewith——“Thisgentlemanhasonlyjustcome——“
　　Mme。deBeauseantbegantolaughoutrightathercousinandattheDuchessboth。
　　“HehasonlyjustcometoParis，dear，andisinsearchofsomeonewhowillgivehimlessonsingoodtaste。”
　　“Mme。laDuchesse。”saidEugene，“isitnotnaturaltowishtobeinitiatedintothemysterieswhichcharmus？““Come，now。”hesaidtohimself，“mylanguageissuperfinelyelegant，I’msure。”
　　“ButMme。deRestaudisherself，Ibelieve，M。deTrailles’
　　pupil。”saidtheDuchess。
　　“OfthatIhadnoidea，madame。”answeredthelawstudent，“soI
　　rashlycamebetweenthem。Infact，Igotonverywellwiththelady’shusband，andhiswifetoleratedmeforatimeuntilItookitintomyheadtotellthemthatIknewsomeoneofwhomIhadjustcaughtaglimpseashewentoutbyabackstaircase，amanwhohadgiventheCountessakissattheendofapassage。”
　　“Whowasit？“bothwomenaskedtogether。
　　“AnoldmanwholivesattherateoftwolouisamonthintheFaubourgSaint-Marceau，whereI，apoorstudent，lodgelikewise。
　　Heisatrulyunfortunatecreature，everybodylaughsathim——weallcallhim’FatherGoriot。’“
　　“Why，childthatyouare。”criedtheVicomtesse，“Mme。deRestaudwasaMlle。Goriot！“
　　“Thedaughterofavermicellimanufacturer。”theDuchessadded；
　　“andwhenthelittlecreaturewenttoCourt，thedaughterofapastry-cookwaspresentedonthesameday。Doyouremember，Claire？TheKingbegantolaugh，andmadesomejokeinLatinaboutflour。People——whatwasit？——people——“
　　“Ejusdemfarinae。”saidEugene。
　　“Yes，thatwasit。”saidtheDuchess。
　　“Oh！isthatherfather？“thelawstudentcontinued，aghast。
　　“Yes，certainly；theoldmanhadtwodaughters；hedotesonthem，sotospeak，thoughtheywillscarcelyacknowledgehim。”
　　“Didn’ttheseconddaughtermarryabankerwithaGermanname？“
　　theVicomtesseasked，turningtoMme。deLangeais，“aBarondeNucingen？AndhernameisDelphine，isitnot？Isn’tsheafair-
　　hairedwomanwhohasaside-boxattheOpera？ShecomessometimestotheBouffons，andlaughsloudlytoattractattention。”
　　TheDuchesssmiledandsaid：
　　“Iwonderatyou，dear。Whydoyoutakesomuchinterestinpeopleofthatkind？OnemusthavebeenasmadlyinloveasRestaudwas，tobeinfatuatedwithMlle。Anastasieandherfloursacks。Oh！hewillnotfindheragoodbargain！SheisinM。deTrailles’hands，andhewillruinher。”
　　“Andtheydonotacknowledgetheirfather！“Eugenerepeated。
　　“Oh！well，yes，theirfather，thefather，afather。”repliedtheVicomtesse，“akindfatherwhogavethemeachfiveorsixhundredthousandfrancs，itissaid，tosecuretheirhappinessbymarryingthemwell；whileheonlykepteightortenthousandlivresayearforhimself，thinkingthathisdaughterswouldalwaysbehisdaughters，thinkingthatinthemhewouldlivehislifetwiceoveragain，thatintheirhousesheshouldfindtwohomes，wherehewouldbelovedandlookedupto，andmademuchof。Andintwoyears’timebothhissons-in-lawhadturnedhimoutoftheirhousesasifhewereoneofthelowestoutcasts。”
　　TearscameintoEugene’seyes。Hewasstillunderthespellofyouthfulbeliefs，hehadjustlefthome，pureandsacredfeelingshadbeenstirredwithinhim，andthiswashisfirstdayonthebattlefieldofcivilizationinParis。Genuinefeelingissoinfectiousthatforamomentthethreelookedateachotherinsilence。
　　“Eh，monDieu！“saidMme。deLangeais；“yes，itseemsveryhorrible，andyetweseesuchthingseveryday。Istherenotareasonforit？Tellme，dear，haveyoueverreallythoughtwhatason-in-lawis？Ason-in-lawisthemanforwhomwebringup，youandI，adearlittleone，boundtousverycloselyininnumerableways；forseventeenyearsshewillbethejoyofherfamily，its’whitesoul，’asLamartinesays，andsuddenlyshewillbecomeitsscourge。WhenHEcomesandtakesherfromus，hislovefromtheverybeginningislikeanaxelaidtotherootofalltheoldaffectioninourdarling’sheart，andallthetiesthatboundhertoherfamilyaresevered。Butyesterdayourlittledaughterthoughtofnoonebuthermotherandfather，aswehadnothoughtthatwasnotforher；byto-morrowshewillhavebecomeahostilestranger。Thetragedyisalwaysgoingonunderoureyes。Ontheonehandyouseeafatherwhohassacrificedhimselftohisson，andhisdaughter-in-lawshowshimthelastdegreeofinsolence。
　　Ontheotherhand，itistheson-in-lawwhoturnshiswife’smotheroutofthehouse。Isometimeshearitsaidthatthereisnothingdramaticaboutsocietyinthesedays；buttheDramaoftheSon-in-lawisappalling，tosaynothingofourmarriages，whichhavecometobeverypoorfarces。Icanexplainhowitallcameaboutintheoldvermicellimaker’scase。IthinkI
　　recollectthatForiot——“
　　“Goriot，madame。”
　　“Yes，thatMoriotwasoncePresidentofhisSectionduringtheRevolution。Hewasinthesecretofthefamousscarcityofgrain，andlaidthefoundationofhisfortuneinthosedaysbysellingflourfortentimesitscost。Hehadasmuchflourashewanted。
　　Mygrandmother’sstewardsoldhimimmensequantities。NodoubtNoriotsharedtheplunderwiththeCommitteeofPublicSalvation，asthatsortofpersonalwaysdid。IrecollectthestewardtellingmygrandmotherthatshemightliveatGrandvilliersincompletesecurity，becausehercornwasasgoodasacertificateofcivism。Well，then，thisLoriot，whosoldcorntothosebutchers，hasneverhadbutonepassion，theysay——heidolizeshisdaughters。HesettledoneofthemunderRestaud’sroof，andgraftedtheotherintotheNucingenfamilytree，theBarondeNucingenbeingarichbankerwhohadturnedRoyalist。YoucanquiteunderstandthatsolongasBonapartewasEmperor，thetwosons-in-lawcouldmanagetoputupwiththeoldNinety-three；butaftertherestorationoftheBourbons，M。deRestaudfeltboredbytheoldman’ssociety，andthebankerwasstillmoretiredofit。Hisdaughterswerestillfondofhim；theywanted’tokeepthegoatandthecabbage，’sotheyusedtoseeJoriotwhenevertherewasnoonethere，underpretenceofaffection。’Cometo-
　　day，papa，weshallhaveyoualltoourselves，andthatwillbemuchnicer！’andallthatsortofthing。Asforme，dear，I
　　believethatlovehassecond-sight：poorNinety-three；hisheartmusthavebled。Hesawthathisdaughterswereashamedofhim，thatiftheylovedtheirhusbandshisvisitsmustmakemischief。
　　Soheimmolatedhimself。Hemadethesacrificebecausehewasafather；hewentintovoluntaryexile。Hisdaughtersweresatisfied，sohethoughtthathehaddonethebestthinghecould；butitwasafamilycrime，andfatheranddaughterswereaccomplices。Youseethissortofthingeverywhere。WhatcouldthisoldDoriothavebeenbutasplashofmudinhisdaughters’
　　drawing-rooms？Hewouldonlyhavebeenintheway，andboredotherpeople，besidesbeingboredhimself。AndthisthathappenedbetweenfatheranddaughtersmayhappentotheprettiestwomaninParisandthemanshelovesthebest；ifherlovegrowstiresome，hewillgo；hewilldescendtothebasesttrickerytoleaveher。
　　Itisthesamewithallloveandfriendship。Ourheartisatreasury；ifyoupouroutallitswealthatonce，youarebankrupt。Weshownomoremercytotheaffectionthatrevealsitsutmostextentthanwedotoanotherkindofprodigalwhohasnotapennyleft。Theirfatherhadgiventhemallhehad。Fortwentyyearshehadgivenhiswholehearttothem；then，oneday，hegavethemallhisfortunetoo。Thelemonwassqueezed；thegirlslefttherestinthegutter。”
　　“Theworldisverybase。”saidtheVicomtesse，pluckingatthethreadsofhershawl。Shedidnotraiseherheadasshespoke；
　　thewordsthatMme。deLangeaishadmeantforherinthecourseofherstoryhadcuthertothequick。
　　“Base？Oh，no。”answeredtheDuchess；“theworldgoesitsownway，thatisall。IfIspeakinthisway，itisonlytoshowthatIamnotdupedbyit。Ithinkasyoudo。”shesaid，pressingtheVicomtesse’shand。“Theworldisaslough；letustrytoliveontheheightsaboveit。”
　　SherosetoherfeetandkissedMme。deBeauseantontheforeheadasshesaid：“Youlookverycharmingto-day，dear。Ihaveneverseensuchalovelycolorinyourcheeksbefore。”
　　Thenshewentoutwithaslightinclinationoftheheadtothecousin。
　　“FatherGoriotissublime！“saidEugenetohimself，asherememberedhowhehadwatchedhisneighborworkthesilvervesselintoashapelessmassthatnight。
　　Mme。deBeauseantdidnothearhim；shewasabsorbedinherownthoughts。Forseveralminutesthesilenceremainedunbrokentillthelawstudentbecamealmostparalyzedwithembarrassment，andwasequallyafraidtogoorstayorspeakaword。
　　“Theworldisbaselyungratefulandill-natured。”saidtheVicomtesseatlast。“Nosoonerdoesatroublebefallyouthanafriendisreadytobringthetidingsandtoprobeyourheartwiththepointofadaggerwhilecallingonyoutoadmirethehandle。
　　Epigramsandsarcasmsalready！Ah！Iwilldefendmyself！“
　　Sheraisedherheadlikethegreatladythatshewas，andlightningsflashedfromherproudeyes。
　　“Ah！“shesaid，asshesawEugene，“areyouthere？“
　　“Still。”hesaidpiteously。
　　“Well，then，M。deRastignac，dealwiththeworldasitdeserves。
　　Youaredeterminedtosucceed？Iwillhelpyou。Youshallsoundthedepthsofcorruptioninwoman；youshallmeasuretheextentofman’spitifulvanity。DeeplyasIamversedinsuchlearning，therewerepagesinthebookoflifethatIhadnotread。NowI
　　knowall。Themorecold-bloodedyourcalculations，thefurtheryouwillgo。Strikeruthlessly；youwillbefeared。Menandwomenforyoumustbenothingmorethanpost-horses；takeafreshrelay，andleavethelasttodropbytheroadside；inthiswayyouwillreachthegoalofyourambition。Youwillbenothinghere，yousee，unlessawomaninterestsherselfinyou；andshemustbeyoungandwealthy，andawomanoftheworld。Yet，ifyouhaveaheart，lockitcarefullyawaylikeatreasure；donotletanyonesuspectit，oryouwillbelost；youwouldceasetobetheexecutioner，youwouldtakethevictim’splace。Andifeveryoushouldlove，neverletyoursecretescapeyou！Trustnooneuntilyouareverysureofthehearttowhichyouopenyourheart。Learntomistrusteveryone；takeeveryprecautionforthesakeofthelovewhichdoesnotexistasyet。Listen，Miguel“——
　　thenameslippedfromhersonaturallythatshedidnotnoticehermistake——“thereissomethingstillmoreappallingthantheingratitudeofdaughterswhohavecastofftheiroldfatherandwishthatheweredead，andthatisarivalrybetweentwosisters。Restaudcomesofagoodfamily，hiswifehasbeenreceivedintotheircircle；shehasbeenpresentedatcourt；andhersister，herwealthysister，Mme。DelphinedeNucingen，thewifeofagreatcapitalist，isconsumedwithenvy，andreadytodieofspleen。Thereisgulfsetbetweenthesisters——indeed，theyaresistersnolonger——thetwowomenwhorefusetoacknowledgetheirfatherdonotacknowledgeeachother。SoMme。
　　deNucingenwouldlapupallthemudthatliesbetweentheRueSaint-LazareandtheRuedeGrenelletogainadmittancetomysalon。ShefanciedthatsheshouldgainherendthroughdeMarsay；shehasmadeherselfdeMarsay’sslave，andsheboreshim。DeMarsaycaresverylittleabouther。Ifyouwillintroducehertome，youwillbeherdarling，herBenjamin；shewillidolizeyou。If，afterthat，youcanloveher，doso；ifnot，makeheruseful。Iwillaskhertocomeonceortwicetooneofmygreatcrushes，butIwillneverreceiveherhereinthemorning。IwillbowtoherwhenIseeher，andthatwillbequitesufficient。YouhaveshuttheComtessedeRestaud’sdooragainstyoubymentioningFatherGoriot’sname。Yes，mygoodfriend，youmaycallatherhousetwentytimes，andeverytimeoutofthetwentyyouwillfindthatsheisnotathome。Theservantshavetheirorders，andwillnotadmityou。Verywell，then，nowletFatherGoriotgaintherightofentryintohersister’shouseforyou。ThebeautifulMme。deNucingenwillgivethesignalforabattle。Assoonasshesinglesyouout，otherwomenwillbegintolosetheirheadsaboutyou，andherenemiesandrivalsandintimatefriendswillalltrytotakeyoufromher。Therearewomenwhowillfallinlovewithamanbecauseanotherwomanhaschosenhim；likethecitymadams，poorthings，whocopyourmillinery，andhopetherebytoacquireourmanners。Youwillhaveasuccess，andinParissuccessiseverything；itisthekeyofpower。Ifthewomencredityouwithwitandtalent，themenwillfollowsuitsolongasyoudonotundeceivethemyourself。Therewillbenothingyoumaynotaspireto；youwillgoeverywhere，andyouwillfindoutwhattheworldis——anassemblageoffoolsandknaves。Butyoumustbeneithertheonenortheother。IamgivingyoumynamelikeAriadne’sclueofthreadtotakewithyouintothelabyrinth；makenounworthyuseofit。”shesaid，withaqueenlyglanceandcurveofherthroat；“giveitbacktomeunsullied。Andnow，go；leaveme。Wewomenalsohaveourbattlestofight。”
　　“Andifyoushouldeverneedsomeonewhowouldgladlysetamatchtoatrainforyou——“
　　“Well？“sheasked。
　　Hetappedhisheart，smiledinanswertohiscousin’ssmile，andwent。
　　Itwasfiveo’clock，andEugenewashungry；hewasafraidlestheshouldnotbeintimefordinner，amisgivingwhichmadehimfeelthatitwaspleasanttobebornesoquicklyacrossParis。Thissensationofphysicalcomfortlefthismindfreetograpplewiththethoughtsthatassailedhim。Amortificationusuallysendsayoungmanofhisageintoafuriousrage；heshakeshisfistatsociety，andvowsvengeancewhenhisbeliefinhimselfisshaken。
　　JustthenRastignacwasoverwhelmedbythewords，“YouhaveshuttheCountess’dooragainstyou。”
　　“Ishallcall！“hesaidtohimself，“andifMme。deBeauseantisright，ifIneverfindherathome——I……well，Mme。deRestaudshallmeetmeineverysaloninParis。Iwilllearntofenceandhavesomepistolpractice，andkillthatMaximeofhers！“
　　“Andmoney？“criedaninwardmonitor。“Howaboutmoney，whereisthattocomefrom？“AndallatoncethewealthdisplayedintheCountessdeRestaud’sdrawing-roomrosebeforehiseyes。ThatwastheluxurywhichGoriot’sdaughterhadlovedtoowell，thegilding，theostentatioussplendor，theunintelligentluxuryoftheparvenu，theriotousextravaganceofacourtesan。ThentheattractivevisionsuddenlywentunderaneclipseasherememberedthestatelygrandeuroftheHoteldeBeauseant。AshisfancywanderedamongtheseloftyregionsinthegreatworldofParis，innumerabledarkthoughtsgatheredinhisheart；hisideaswidened，andhisconsciencegrewmoreelastic。Hesawtheworldasitis；sawhowtherichlivedbeyondthejurisdictionoflawandpublicopinion，andfoundinsuccesstheultimaratiomundi。
　　“Vautrinisright，successisvirtue！“hesaidtohimself。
　　ArrivedintheRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevieve，herusheduptohisroomfortenfrancswherewithtosatisfythedemandsofthecabman，andwentintodinner。Heglancedroundthesqualidroom，sawtheeighteenpoverty-strickencreaturesabouttofeedlikecattleintheirstalls，andthesightfilledhimwithloathing。
　　Thetransitionwastoosudden，andthecontrastwassoviolentthatitcouldnotbutactasapowerfulstimulant；hisambitiondevelopedandgrewbeyondallsocialbounds。Ontheonehand，hebeheldavisionofsociallifeinitsmostcharmingandrefinedforms，ofquick-pulsedyouth，offair，impassionedfacesinvestedwithallthecharmofpoetry，framedinamarveloussettingofluxuryorart；and，ontheotherhand，hesawasombrepicture，themiryvergebeyondthesefaces，inwhichpassionwasextinctandnothingwasleftofthedramabutthecordsandpulleysandbaremechanism。Mme。deBeauseant’scounsels，thewordsutteredinangerbytheforsakenlady，herpetulantoffer，cametohismind，andpovertywasareadyexpositor。Rastignacdeterminedtoopentwoparalleltrenchessoastoinsuresuccess；hewouldbealearneddoctoroflawandamanoffashion。Clearlyhewasstillachild！Thosetwolinesareasymptotes，andwillnevermeet。
　　“Youareverydull，mylordMarquis。”saidVautrin，withoneoftheshrewdglancesthatseemtoreadtheinnermostsecretsofanothermind。
　　“Iamnotinthehumortostandjokesfrompeoplewhocallme’mylordMarquis，’“answeredEugene。“AmarquishereinParis，ifheisnottheveriestsham，oughttohaveahundredthousandlivresayearatleast；andalodgerintheMaisonVauquerisnotexactlyFortune’sfavorite。”
　　Vautrin’sglanceatRastignacwashalf-paternal，half-
　　contemptuous。“Puppy！“itseemedtosay；“Ishouldmakeonemouthfulofhim！“Thenheanswered：
　　“Youareinabadhumor；perhapsyourvisittothebeautifulComtessedeRestaudwasnotasuccess。”
　　“ShehasshutherdooragainstmebecauseItoldherthatherfatherdinedatourtable。”criedRastignac。
　　Glanceswereexchangedallroundtheroom；FatherGoriotlookeddown。
　　“Youhavesentsomesnuffintomyeye。”hesaidtohisneighbor，turningalittleasidetorubhishandoverhisface。
　　“AnyonewhomolestsFatherGoriotwillhavehenceforwardtoreckonwithme。”saidEugene，lookingattheoldman’sneighbor；
　　“heisworthalltherestofusputtogether——Iamnotspeakingoftheladies。”headded，turninginthedirectionofMlle。
　　Taillefer。
　　Eugene’sremarksproducedasensation，andhistonesilencedthedinner-table。Vautrinalonespoke。“IfyouaregoingtochampionFatherGoriot，andsetupforhisresponsibleeditorintothebargain，youhadneedbeacrackshotandknowhowtohandlethefoils。”hesaid，banteringly。
　　“SoIintend。”saidEugene。
　　“Thenyouaretakingthefieldtoday？“
　　“Perhaps。”Rastignacanswered。“ButIowenoaccountofmyselftoanyone，especiallyasIdonottrytofindoutwhatotherpeopledoofanight。”
　　VautrinlookedaskanceatRastignac。
　　“Ifyoudonotmeantobedeceivedbythepuppets，myboy，youmustgobehindandseethewholeshow，andnotpeepthroughholesinthecurtain。Thatisenough。”headded，seeingthatEugenewasabouttoflyintoapassion。“Wecanhavealittletalkwheneveryoulike。”
　　Therewasageneralfeelingofgloomandconstraint。FatherGoriotwassodeeplydejectedbythestudent’sremarkthathedidnotnoticethechangeinthedispositionofhisfellow-lodgers，norknowthathehadmetwithachampioncapableofputtinganendtothepersecution。
　　“Then，M。Goriotsittingthereisthefatherofacountess。”saidMme。Vauquerinalowvoice。
　　“Andofabaroness。”answeredRastignac。
　　“Thatisaboutallheiscapableof。”saidBianchontoRastignac；
　　“Ihavetakenalookathishead；thereisonlyonebump——thebumpofPaternity；hemustbeanETERNALFATHER。”
　　EugenewastoointentonhisthoughtstolaughatBianchon’sjoke。HedeterminedtoprofitbyMme。deBeauseant’scounsels，andwasaskinghimselfhowhecouldobtainthenecessarymoney。
　　Hegrewgrave。Thewidesavannasoftheworldstretchedbeforehiseyes；allthingslaybeforehim，nothingwashis。Dinnercametoanend，theotherswent，andhewasleftinthedining-room。
　　“Soyouhaveseenmydaughter？“Goriotspoketremulously，andthesoundofhisvoicebrokeinuponEugene’sdreams。Theyoungmantooktheelder’shand，andlookedathimwithsomethinglikekindnessinhiseyes。
　　“Youareagoodandnobleman。”hesaid。“Wewillhavesometalkaboutyourdaughtersbyandby。”
　　HerosewithoutwaitingforGoriot’sanswer，andwenttohisroom。Therehewrotethefollowinglettertohismother：——
　　“MyDearMother，——Canyounourishyourchildfromyourbreastagain？Iaminapositiontomakearapidfortune，butIwanttwelvehundredfrancs——Imusthavethematallcosts。Saynothingaboutthistomyfather；perhapshemightmakeobjections，andunlessIhavethemoney，Imaybeledtoputanendtomyself，andsoescapetheclutchesofdespair。IwilltellyoueverythingwhenIseeyou。Iwillnotbegintotrytodescribemypresentsituation；itwouldtakevolumestoputthewholestoryclearlyandfully。Ihavenotbeengambling，mykindmother，Iowenooneapenny；butifyouwouldpreservethelifethatyougaveme，youmustsendmethesumImention。Asamatteroffact，IgotoseetheVicomtessedeBeauseant；sheisusingherinfluenceforme；I
　　amobligedtogointosociety，andIhavenotapennytolayoutoncleangloves。Icanmanagetoexistonbreadandwater，orgowithoutfood，ifneedbe，butIcannotdowithoutthetoolswithwhichtheycultivatethevineyardsinthiscountry。Imustresolutelymakeupmymindatoncetomakemyway，orstickinthemirefortherestofmydays。Iknowthatallyourhopesaresetonme，andIwanttorealizethemquickly。Sellsomeofyouroldjewelry，mykindmother；Iwillgiveyouotherjewelsverysoon。Iknowenoughofouraffairsathometoknowallthatsuchasacrificemeans，andyoumustnotthinkthatIwouldlightlyaskyoutomakeit；IshouldbeamonsterifIcould。Youmustthinkofmyentreatyasacryforcedfrommebyimperativenecessity。OurwholefutureliesinthesubsidywithwhichImustbeginmyfirstcampaign，forlifeinParisisonecontinualbattle。Ifyoucannototherwiseprocurethewholeofthemoney，andareforcedtosellouraunt’slace，tellherthatIwillsendhersomestillhandsomer。”andsoforth。
　　Hewrotetoaskeachofhissistersfortheirsavings——wouldtheydespoilthemselvesforhim，andkeepthesacrificeasecretfromthefamily？Tohisrequestheknewthattheywouldnotfailtorespondgladly，andheaddedtoitanappealtotheirdelicacybytouchingthechordofhonorthatvibratessoloudlyinyoungandhigh-strungnatures。
　　Yetwhenhehadwrittentheletters，hecouldnothelpfeelingmisgivingsinspiteofhisyouthfulambition；hisheartbeatfast，andhetrembled。Heknewthespotlessnoblenessofthelivesburiedawayinthelonelymanorhouse；heknewwhattroubleandwhatjoyhisrequestwouldcausehissisters，andhowhappytheywouldbeastheytalkedatthebottomoftheorchardofthatdearbrotheroftheirsinParis。Visionsrosebeforehiseyes；asuddenstronglightrevealedhissisterssecretlycountingovertheirlittlestore，devisingsomegirlishstratagembywhichthemoneycouldbesenttohimincognito，essaying，forthefirsttimeintheirlives，apieceofdeceitthatreachedthesublimeinitsunselfishness。
　　“Asister’sheartisadiamondforpurity，adeepseaoftenderness！“hesaidtohimself。Hefeltashamedofthoseletters。
　　Whatpowertheremustbeinthepetitionsputupbysuchhearts；
　　howpurethefervorthatbearstheirsoulstoHeaveninprayer！
　　Whatexquisitejoytheywouldfindinself-sacrifice！Whatapangforhismother’sheartifshecouldnotsendhimallthatheaskedfor！Andthisnobleaffection，thesesacrificesmadeatsuchterriblecost，weretoserveastheladderbywhichhemeanttoclimbtoDelphinedeNucingen。Afewtears，likethelastgrainsofincenseflunguponthesacredalterfireofthehearth，fellfromhiseyes。Hewalkedupanddown，anddespairmingledwithhisemotion。FatherGoriotsawhimthroughthehalf-opendoor。
　　“Whatisthematter，sir？“heaskedfromthethreshold。
　　“Ah！mygoodneighbor，Iamasmuchasonandbrotherasyouareafather。YoudowelltofearfortheComtesseAnastasie；thereisoneM。MaximedeTrailles，whowillbeherruin。”
　　FatherGoriotwithdrew，stammeringsomewords，butEugenefailedtocatchtheirmeaning。
　　ThenextmorningRastignacwentouttoposthisletters。Uptothelastmomenthewaveredanddoubted，butheendedbyflingingthemintothebox。“Ishallsucceed！“hesaidtohimself。Sosaysthegambler；sosaysthegreatcaptain；butthethreewordsthathavebeenthesalvationofsomefew，havebeentheruinofmanymore。
　　AfewdaysafterthisEugenecalledatMme。deRestaud’shouse；
　　shewasnotathome。Threetimeshetriedtheexperiment，andthreetimeshefoundherdoorsclosedagainsthim，thoughhewascarefultochooseanhourwhenM。deTrailleswasnotthere。TheVicomtessewasright。
　　Thestudentstudiednolonger。Heputinanappearanceatlecturessimplytoanswertohisname，andafterthusattestinghispresence，departedforthwith。Hehadbeenthroughareasoningprocessfamiliartomoststudents。Hehadseentheadvisabilityofdeferringhisstudiestothelastmomentbeforegoingupforhisexaminations；hemadeuphismindtocramhissecondandthirdyears’workintothethirdyear，whenhemeanttobegintoworkinearnest，andtocompletehisstudiesinlawwithonegreateffort。InthemeantimehehadfifteenmonthsinwhichtonavigatetheoceanofParis，tospreadthenetsandsetthelinesthatwouldbringhimaprotectressandafortune。TwiceduringthatweekhesawMme。deBeauseant；hedidnotgotoherhouseuntilhehadseentheMarquisd’Ajudadriveaway。
　　Victoryforyetafewmoredayswaswiththegreatlady，themostpoeticfigureintheFaubourgSaint-Germain；andthemarriageoftheMarquisd’Ajuda-PintowithMlle。deRochefidewaspostponed。
　　Thedreadoflosingherhappinessfilledthosedayswithafeverofjoyunknownbefore，buttheendwasonlysomuchthenearer。
　　TheMarquisd’AjudaandtheRochefidesagreedthatthisquarrelandreconciliationwasaveryfortunatething；Mme。deBeauseantsotheyhopedwouldgraduallybecomereconciledtotheideaofthemarriage，andintheendwouldbebroughttosacrificed’Ajuda’smorningvisitstotheexigenciesofaman’scareer，exigencieswhichshemusthaveforeseen。Inspiteofthemostsolemnpromises，dailyrenewed，M。d’Ajudawasplayingapart，andtheVicomtessewaseagertobedeceived。“Insteadoftakingaleapheroicallyfromthewindow，sheisfallingheadlongdownthestaircase。”saidhermostintimatefriend，theDuchessedeLangeais。Yetthisafter-glowofhappinesslastedlongenoughfortheVicomtessetobeofservicetoheryoungcousin。Shehadahalf-superstitiousaffectionforhim。Eugenehadshownhersympathyanddevotionatacrisiswhenawomanseesnopity，norealcomfortinanyeyes；whenifamanisreadywithsoothingflatteries，itisbecausehehasaninterestedmotive。
　　RastignacmadeuphismindthathemustlearnthewholeofGoriot’sprevioushistory；hewouldcometohisbearingsbeforeattemptingtoboardtheMaisondeNucingen。Theresultsofhisinquiriesmaybegivenbrieflyasfollows：——
　　InthedaysbeforetheRevolution，Jean-JoachimGoriotwassimplyaworkmanintheemployofavermicellimaker。Hewasaskilful，thriftyworkman，sufficientlyenterprisingtobuyhismaster’sbusinesswhenthelatterfellachancevictimtothedisturbancesof1789。GoriotestablishedhimselfintheRuedelaJussienne，closetotheCornExchange。HisplaingoodsenseledhimtoacceptthepositionofPresidentoftheSection，soastosecureforhisbusinesstheprotectionofthoseinpoweratthatdangerousepoch。Thisprudentstephadledtosuccess；thefoundationsofhisfortunewerelaidinthetimeoftheScarcityrealorartificial，whenthepriceofgrainofallkindsroseenormouslyinParis。Peopleusedtofightforbreadatthebakers’doors；whileotherpersonswenttothegrocers’shopsandboughtItalianpastefoodswithoutbrawlingoverit。ItwasduringthisyearthatGoriotmadethemoney，which，atalatertime，wastogivehimalltheadvantageofthegreatcapitalistoverthesmallbuyer；hehad，moreover，theusualluckofaverageability；hismediocritywasthesalvationofhim。Heexcitednoone’senvy，itwasnotevensuspectedthathewasrichtilltheperilofbeingrichwasover，andallhisintelligencewasconcentrated，notonpolitical，butoncommercialspeculations。
　　Goriotwasanauthoritysecondtononeonallquestionsrelatingtocorn，flour，and“middlings“；andtheproduction，storage，andqualityofgrain。Hecouldestimatetheyieldoftheharvest，andforeseemarketprices；heboughthiscerealsinSicily，andimportedRussianwheat。Anyonewhohadheardhimholdforthontheregulationsthatcontroltheimportationandexportationofgrain，whohadseenhisgraspofthesubject，hisclearinsightintotheprinciplesinvolved，hisappreciationofweakpointsinthewaythatthesystemworked，wouldhavethoughtthatherewasthestuffofwhichaministerismade。Patient，active，andpersevering，energeticandpromptinaction，hesurveyedhisbusinesshorizonwithaneagleeye。Nothingtheretookhimbysurprise；heforesawallthings，knewallthatwashappening，andkepthisowncounsel；hewasadiplomatistinhisquickcomprehensionofasituation；andintheroutineofbusinesshewasaspatientandploddingasasoldieronthemarch。Butbeyondthisbusinesshorizonhecouldnotsee。Heusedtospendhishoursofleisureonthethresholdofhisshop，leaningagainsttheframeworkofthedoor。Takehimfromhisdarklittlecounting-house，andhebecameoncemoretherough，slow-wittedworkman，amanwhocannotunderstandapieceofreasoning，whoisindifferenttoallintellectualpleasures，andfallsasleepattheplay，aParisianDolibominshort，againstwhosestupidityothermindsarepowerless。
　　Naturesofthiskindarenearlyallalike；inalmostallofthemyouwillfindsomehiddendepthofsublimeaffection。Twoall-
　　absorbingaffectionsfilledthevermicellimaker’shearttotheexclusionofeveryotherfeeling；intothemheseemedtoputalltheforcesofhisnature，asheputthewholepowerofhisbrainintothecorntrade。Hehadregardedhiswife，theonlydaughterofarichfarmerofLaBrie，withadevoutadmiration；hisloveforherhadbeenboundless。Goriothadfeltthecharmofalovelyandsensitivenature，which，initsdelicatestrength，wastheveryoppositeofhisown。Isthereanyinstinctmoredeeplyimplantedintheheartofmanthantheprideofprotection，aprotectionwhichisconstantlyexertedforafragileanddefencelesscreature？Joinlovethereto，thewarmthofgratitudethatallgeneroussoulsfeelforthesourceoftheirpleasures，andyouhavetheexplanationofmanystrangeincongruitiesinhumannature。
　　Aftersevenyearsofuncloudedhappiness，Goriotlosthiswife。
　　Itwasveryunfortunateforhim。Shewasbeginningtogainanascendencyoverhiminotherways；possiblyshemighthavebroughtthatbarrensoilundercultivation，shemighthavewidenedhisideasandgivenotherdirectionstohisthoughts。Butwhenshewasdead，theinstinctoffatherhooddevelopedinhimtillitalmostbecameamania。Alltheaffectionbalkedbydeathseemedtoturntohisdaughters，andhefoundfullsatisfactionforhisheartinlovingthem。Moreorlessbrilliantproposalsweremadetohimfromtimetotime；wealthymerchantsorfarmerswithdaughtersviedwitheachotherinofferinginducementstohimtomarryagain；buthedeterminedtoremainawidower。Hisfather-in-law，theonlymanforwhomhefeltadecidedfriendship，gaveoutthatGoriothadmadeavowtobefaithfultohiswife’smemory。ThefrequentersoftheCornExchange，whocouldnotcomprehendthissublimepieceoffolly，jokedaboutitamongthemselves，andfoundaridiculousnicknameforhim。Oneofthemventuredafteraglassoverabargaintocallhimbyit，andablowfromthevermicellimaker’sfistsenthimheadlongintoagutterintheRueOblin。Hecouldthinkofnothingelsewhenhischildrenwereconcerned；hisloveforthemmadehimfidgetyandanxious；andthiswassowellknown，thatonedayacompetitor，whowishedtogetridofhimtosecurethefieldtohimself，toldGoriotthatDelphinehadjustbeenknockeddownbyacab。Thevermicellimakerturnedghastlypale，lefttheExchangeatonce，anddidnotreturnforseveraldaysafterwards；
　　hewasillinconsequenceoftheshockandthesubsequentreliefondiscoveringthatitwasafalsealarm。Thistime，however，theoffenderdidnotescapewithabruisedshoulder；atacriticalmomentintheman’saffairs，Goriotdrovehimintobankruptcy，andforcedhimtodisappearfromtheCornExchange。
　　Asmighthavebeenexpected，thetwogirlswerespoiled。Withanincomeofsixtythousandfrancs，Goriotscarcelyspenttwelvehundredonhimself，andfoundallhishappinessinsatisfyingthewhimsofthetwogirls。Thebestmasterswereengaged，thatAnastasieandDelphinemightbeendowedwithalltheaccomplishmentswhichdistinguishagoodeducation。Theyhadachaperon——luckilyforthem，shewasawomanwhohadgoodsenseandgoodtaste；——theylearnedtoride；theyhadacarriagefortheiruse；theylivedasthemistressofaricholdlordmightlive；theyhadonlytoexpressawish，theirfatherwouldhastentogivethemtheirmostextravagantdesires，andaskednothingoftheminreturnbutakiss。Goriothadraisedthetwogirlstotheleveloftheangels；and，quitenaturally，hehimselfwasleftbeneaththem。Poorman！helovedthemevenforthepainthattheygavehim。
　　Whenthegirlswereoldenoughtobemarried，theywereleftfreetochooseforthemselves。Eachhadhalfherfather’sfortuneasherdowry；andwhentheComtedeRestaudcametowooAnastasieforherbeauty，hersocialaspirationsledhertoleaveherfather’shouseforamoreexaltedsphere。Delphinewishedformoney；shemarriedNucingen，abankerofGermanextraction，whobecameaBaronoftheHolyRomanEmpire。Goriotremainedavermicellimakerasbefore。Hisdaughtersandhissons-in-lawbegantodemur；theydidnotliketoseehimstillengagedintrade，thoughhiswholelifewasboundupwithhisbusiness。Forfiveyearshestoodoutagainsttheirentreaties，thenheyielded，andconsentedtoretireontheamountrealizedbythesaleofhisbusinessandthesavingsofthelastfewyears。ItwasthiscapitalthatMme。Vauquer，intheearlydaysofhisresidencewithher，hadcalculatedwouldbringineightortenthousandlivresinayear。Hehadtakenrefugeinherlodging-
　　house，driventherebydespairwhenheknewthathisdaughterswerecompelledbytheirhusbandsnotonlytorefusetoreceivehimasaninmateintheirhouses，buteventoseehimnomoreexceptinprivate。
　　ThiswasalltheinformationwhichRastignacgainedfromaM。
　　MuretwhohadpurchasedGoriot’sbusiness，informationwhichconfirmedtheDuchessedeLangeais’suppositions，andherewiththepreliminaryexplanationofthisobscurebutterribleParisiantragedycomestoanend。
　　TowardstheendofthefirstweekinDecemberRastignacreceivedtwoletters——onefromhismother，andonefromhiseldestsister。
　　Hisheartbeatfast，halfwithhappiness，halfwithfear，atthesightofthefamiliarhandwriting。Thosetwolittlescrapsofpapercontainedlifeordeathforhishopes。Butwhilehefeltashiverofdreadasherememberedtheirdirepovertyathome，heknewtheirloveforhimsowellthathecouldnothelpfearingthathewasdrainingtheirverylife-blood。Hismother’sletterranasfollows：——
　　“MyDearChild，——Iamsendingyouthemoneythatyouaskedfor。
　　Makeagooduseofit。EventosaveyourlifeIcouldnotraisesolargeasumasecondtimewithoutyourfather’sknowledge，andtherewouldbetroubleaboutit。Weshouldbeobligedtomortgagetheland。ItisimpossibletojudgeofthemeritsofschemesofwhichIamignorant；butwhatsortofschemescantheybe，thatyoushouldfeartotellmeaboutthem？Volumesofexplanationwouldnothavebeenneeded；wemotherscanunderstandataword，andthatwordwouldhavesparedmetheanguishofuncertainty。I
　　donotknowhowtohidethepainfulimpressionthatyourletterhasmadeuponme，mydearson。Whatcanyouhavefeltwhenyouweremovedtosendthischillofdreadthroughmyheart？ItmusthavebeenverypainfultoyoutowritetheletterthatgavemesomuchpainasIreadit。Towhatcoursesareyoucommitted？Youaregoingtoappeartobesomethingthatyouarenot，andyourwholelifeandsuccessdependsuponthis？Youareabouttoseeasocietyintowhichyoucannotenterwithoutrushingintoexpensethatyoucannotafford，withoutlosingprecioustimethatisneededforyourstudies。Ah！mydearEugene，believeyourmother，crookedwayscannotleadtogreatends。Patienceandendurancearethetwoqualitiesmostneededinyourposition。Iamnotscoldingyou；Idonotwantanytingeofbitternesstospoilouroffering。Iamonlytalkinglikeamotherwhosetrustinyouisasgreatasherforesightforyou。Youknowthestepsthatyoumusttake，andI，formypart，knowthepurityofheart，andhowgoodyourintentionsare；soIcansaytoyouwithoutadoubt，’Goforward，beloved！’IfItremble，itisbecauseIamamother，butmyprayersandblessingswillbewithyouateverystep。Beverycareful，dearboy。Youmusthaveaman’sprudence，foritlieswithyoutoshapethedestiniesoffiveotherswhoaredeartoyou，andmustlooktoyou。Yes，ourfortunesdependuponyou，andyoursuccessisours。WeallpraytoGodtobewithyouinallthatyoudo。YourauntMarcillachasbeenmostgenerousbeyondwordsinthismatter；shesawatoncehowitwas，evendowntoyourgloves。’ButIhaveaweaknessfortheeldest！’shesaidgaily。Youmustloveyourauntverymuch，dearEugene。I
　　shallwaittillyouhavesucceededbeforetellingyouallthatshehasdoneforyou，orhermoneywouldburnyourfingers。You，whoareyoung，donotknowwhatitistopartwithsomethingthatisapieceofyourpast！Butwhatwouldwenotsacrificeforyoursakes？YourauntsaysthatIamtosendyouakissontheforeheadfromher，andthatkissistobringyouluckagainandagain，shesays。Shewouldhavewrittenyouherself，thedearkind-heartedwoman，butsheistroubledwiththegoutinherfingersjustnow。Yourfatherisverywell。Thevintageof1819
　　hasturnedoutbetterthanweexpected。Good-bye，dearboy；I
　　willsaynothingaboutyoursisters，becauseLaureiswritingtoyou，andImustletherhavethepleasureofgivingyouallthehomenews。Heavensendthatyoumaysucceed！Oh！yes，dearEugene，youmustsucceed。Ihavecome，throughyou，toaknowledgeofapainsosharpthatIdonotthinkIcouldendureitasecondtime。Ihavecometoknowwhatitistobepoor，andtolongformoneyformychildren’ssake。There，good-bye！Donotleaveusforlongwithoutnewsofyou；andhere，atthelast，takeakissfromyourmother。”
　　BythetimeEugenehadfinishedtheletterhewasintears。HethoughtofFatherGoriotcrushinghissilverkeepsakeintoashapelessmassbeforehesoldittomeethisdaughter’sbillofexchange。
　　“Yourmotherhasbrokenupherjewelsforyou。”hesaidtohimself；“yourauntshedtearsoverthoserelicsofhersbeforeshesoldthemforyoursake。WhatrighthaveyoutoheapexecrationsonAnastasie？Youhavefollowedherexample；youhaveselfishlysacrificedotherstoyourownfuture，andshesacrificesherfathertoherlover；andofyoutwo，whichistheworse？“
　　Hewasreadytorenouncehisattempts；hecouldnotbeartotakethatmoney。Thefiresofremorseburnedinhisheart，andgavehimintolerablepain，thegeneroussecretremorsewhichmenseldomtakeintoaccountwhentheysitinjudgmentupontheirfellow-men；butperhapstheangelsinheaven，beholdingit，pardonthecriminalwhomourjusticecondemns。Rastignacopenedhissister’sletter；itssimplicityandkindnessrevivedhisheart。
　　“Yourlettercamejustattherighttime，dearbrother。AgatheandIhadthoughtofsomanydifferentwaysofspendingourmoney，thatwedidnotknowwhattobuywithit；andnowyouhavecomein，and，liketheservantwhoupsetallthewatchesthatbelongedtotheKingofSpain，youhaverestoredharmony；for，reallyandtruly，wedidnotknowwhichofallthethingswewantedwewantedmost，andwewerealwaysquarrelingaboutit，neverthinking，dearEugene，ofawayofspendingourmoneywhichwouldsatisfyuscompletely。Agathejumpedforyou。Indeed，wehavebeenliketwomadthingsallday，’tosuchaprodigiousdegree’asauntwouldsay，thatmothersaid，withhersevereexpression，’Whatevercanbethematterwithyou，mesdemoiselles？’Ithinkifwehadbeenscoldedalittle，weshouldhavebeenstillbetterpleased。Awomanoughttobeverygladtosufferforonesheloves！I，however，inmyinmostsoul，wasdolefulandcrossinthemidstofallmyjoy。Ishallmakeabadwife，Iamafraid，Iamtoofondofspending。Ihadboughttwosashesandanicelittlestilettoforpiercingeyelet-holesinmystays，triflesthatIreallydidnotwant，sothatIhavelessthanthatslow-coachAgathe，whoissoeconomical，andhoardshermoneylikeamagpie。Shehadtwohundredfrancs！AndI
　　haveonlyonehundredandfifty！Iamnicelypunished；Icouldthrowmysashdownthewell；itwillbepainfultometowearitnow。Poordear，Ihaverobbedyou。AndAgathewassoniceaboutit。Shesaid，’Letussendthethreehundredandfiftyfrancsinourtwonames！’ButIcouldnothelptellingyoueverythingjustasithappened。
　　“Doyouknowhowwemanagedtokeepyourcommandments？Wetookourglitteringhoard，wewentoutforawalk，andwhenoncefairlyonthehighwayweranallthewaytoRuffec，wherewehandedoverthecoin，withoutmoreado，toM。GrimbertoftheMessageriesRoyales。Wecamebackagainlikeswallowsonthewing。’Don’tyouthinkthathappinesshasmadeuslighter？’
　　Agathesaid。Wesaidallsortsofthings，whichIshallnottellyou，MonsieurleParisien，becausetheywereallaboutyou。Oh，weloveyoudearly，dearbrother；itwasallsummedupinthosefewwords。Asforkeepingthesecret，littlemasqueraderslikeusarecapableofanythingaccordingtoouraunt，evenofholdingourtongues。OurmotherhasbeenonamysteriousjourneytoAngouleme，andtheauntwentwithher，notwithoutsolemncouncils，fromwhichwewereshutout，andM。leBaronlikewise。
　　Theyaresilentastotheweightypoliticalconsiderationsthatpromptedtheirmission，andconjecturesarerifeintheStateofRastignac。TheInfantasareembroideringamuslinrobewithopen-
　　worksprigsforherMajestytheQueen；theworkprogressesinthemostprofoundsecrecy。Therebebuttwomorebreadthstofinish。
　　AdecreehasgoneforththatnowallshallbebuiltonthesideofVerteuil，butthatahedgeshallbeplantedinsteadthereof。
　　Oursubjectsmaysustainsomedisappointmentoffruitandespaliers，butstrangerswillenjoyafairprospect。Shouldtheheir-presumptivelackpocket-handkerchiefs，beitknownuntohimthatthedowagerLadyofMarcillac，exploringtherecessesofherdrawersandboxesknownrespectivelyasPompeiiandHerculaneum，havingbroughttolightafairpieceofcambricwhereofshewottednot，thePrincessesAgatheandLaureplaceattheirbrother’sdisposaltheirthread，theirneedles，andhandssomewhatofthereddest。ThetwoyoungPrinces，DonHenriandDonGabriel，retaintheirfatalhabitsofstuffingthemselveswithgrape-jelly，ofteasingtheirsisters，oftakingtheirpleasurebygoinga-bird-nesting，andofcuttingswitchesforthemselvesfromtheosier-beds，maugrethelawsoftherealm。Moreover，theylistnottolearnnaught，whereforethePapalNunciocalledofthecommonalty，M。leCurethreateneththemwithexcommunication，sincethattheyneglectthesacredcanonsofgrammaticalconstructionfortheconstructionofothercanon，deadlyenginesmadeofthestemsofelder。
　　“Farewell，dearbrother，neverdidlettercarrysomanywishesforyoursuccess，somuchlovefullysatisfied。Youwillhaveagreatdealtotelluswhenyoucomehome！Youwilltellmeeverything，won’tyou？Iamtheoldest。Fromsomethingtheauntletfall，wethinkyoumusthavehadsomesuccess。
　　“Somethingwassaidofalady，butnothingmorewassaid……
　　“Ofcoursenot，inourfamily！Oh，by-the-by，Eugene，wouldyouratherthatwemadethatpieceofcambricintoshirtsforyouinsteadofpocket-handkerchiefs？Ifyouwantsomereallyniceshirtsatonce，weoughttolosenotimeinbeginninguponthem；
　　andifthefashionisdifferentnowinParis，sendusoneforapattern；wewantmoreparticularlytoknowaboutthecuffs。Good-
　　bye！Good-bye！Takemykissontheleftsideofyourforehead，onthetemplethatbelongstome，andtonooneelseintheworld。I
　　amleavingtheothersideofthesheetforAgathe，whohassolemnlypromisednottoreadawordthatIhavewritten；but，allthesame，Imeantositbyhersidewhileshewrites，soastobequitesurethatshekeepsherword——Yourlovingsister，“LauredeRastignac。”
　　“Yes！“saidEugenetohimself。“Yes！Successatallcostsnow！
　　Richescouldnotrepaysuchdevotionasthis。IwishIcouldgivethemeverysortofhappiness！Fifteenhundredandfiftyfrancs。”
　　hewentonafterapause。“Everyshotmustgotothemark！Laureisright。Trustawoman！Ihaveonlycalicoshirts。Wheresomeoneelse’swelfareisconcerned，ayounggirlbecomesasingeniousasathief。Guilelesswheresheherselfisinquestion，andfullofforesightforme，——sheislikeaheavenlyangelforgivingthestrangeincomprehensiblesinsofearth。”