“Hecameoutofthatprettywell！“saidthepublicprosecutor，noddingapproval；“ourspeecheswereallprepared，andhiswasimprovised。”
Atteno’clockthepartybegantobreakup，andlittleknotsofguestswenthometogether。DavidSechardheardtheunwontedmusic。
“WhatisgoingoninL’Houmeau？“heaskedofBasine。
“Theyaregivingadinnertoyourbrother-in-law，Lucien——“
“Iknowthathewouldfeelsorrytomissmethere。”hesaid。
AtmidnightPetit-ClaudwalkedhomewithLucien。AstheyreachedthePlaceduMurier，Luciensaid，“Comelife，comedeath，wearefriends，mydearfellow。”
“Mymarriagecontract。”saidthelawyer，“withMlle。FrancoisedelaHayewillbesignedto-morrowatMme。deSenonches’house；domethepleasureofcoming。Mme。deSenonchesimploredmetobringyou，andyouwillmeetMme。duChatelet；theyaresuretotellherofyourspeech，andshewillfeelflatteredbyit。”
“IknewwhatIwasabout。”saidLucien。
“Oh！youwillsaveDavid。”
“IamsureIshall。”thepoetreplied。
JustatthatmomentDavidappearedasifbymagicinthePlaceduMurier。Thiswashowithadcomeabout。Hefeltthathewasinaratherdifficultposition；hiswifeinsistedthatLucienmustneithergotoDavidnorknowofhishiding-place；andLucienallthewhilewaswritingthemostaffectionateletters，sayingthatinafewdays’timeallshouldbesetright；andevenasBasineClergetexplainedthereasonwhythebandplayed，sheputtwolettersintohishands。ThefirstwasfromEve。
“DEAREST。”shewrote，“doasifLucienwerenothere；donottroubleyourselfintheleast；ourwholesecuritydependsuponthefactthatyourenemiescannotfindyou；getthatideafirmlyintoyourhead。IhavemoreconfidenceinKolbandMarionandBasinethaninmyownbrother；suchismymisfortune。Alas！poorLucienisnottheingenuousandtender-heartedpoetwhomweusedtoknow；
anditissimplybecauseheistryingtointerfereonyourbehalf，andbecauseheimaginesthathecandischargeourdebtsandthisfrompride，myDavid，thatIamafraidofhim。SomefineclotheshavebeensentfromParisforhim，andfivegoldpiecesinaprettypurse。Hegavethemoneytome，andwearelivingonit。
“Wehaveoneenemytheless。Yourfatherhasgone，thankstoPetit-Claud。Petit-Claudunraveledhisdesigns，andputanendtothematoncebytellinghimthatyouwoulddonothingwithoutconsultinghim，andthathePetit-Claudwouldnotallowyoutoconcedeasinglepointinthematteroftheinventionuntilyouhadbeenpromisedanindemnityofthirtythousandfrancs；fifteenthousandtofreeyoufromembarrassment，andfifteenthousandmoretobeyoursinanycase，whetheryourinventionsucceedsorno。I
cannotunderstandPetit-Claud。Iembraceyou，dear，awife’skissforherhusbandintrouble。OurlittleLucieniswell。Howstrangeitistowatchhimgrowrosyandstrong，likeaflower，inthesestormydays！MotherpraysGodforyounow，asalways，andsendsloveonlylesstenderthanmine——Your“EVE。”
Asamatteroffact，Petit-ClaudandtheCointetshadtakenfrightatoldSechard’speasantshrewdness，andgotridofhimsomuchthemoreeasilybecauseitwasnowvintagetimeatMarsac。Eve’sletterenclosedanotherfromLucien：——
“MYDEARDAVID，——Everythingisgoingwell。Iamarmedcap-a-pie；
to-dayIopenthecampaign，andinforty-eighthoursIshallhavemadegreatprogress。HowgladIshallbetoembraceyouwhenyouarefreeagainandmydebtsareallpaid！Mymotherandsisterpersistinmistrustingme；theirsuspicionwoundsmetothequick。
AsifIdidnotknowalreadythatyouarehidingwithBasine，foreverytimethatBasinecomestothehouseIhearnewsofyouandreceiveanswerstomyletters；andbesides，itisplainthatmysistercouldnotfindanyoneelsetotrust。IthurtsmecruellytothinkthatIshallbesonearyouto-day，andyetthatyouwillnotbepresentatthisbanquetinmyhonor。IowemylittletriumphtothevaingloryofAngouleme；inafewdaysitwillbequiteforgotten，andyoualonewouldhavetakenarealpleasureinit。But，afterall，inalittlewhileyouwillpardoneverythingtoonewhocountsitmorethanallthetriumphsintheworldtobeyourbrother，“LUCIEN。”
TwoforcestuggedsharplyatDavid’sheart；headoredhiswife；andifheheldLucieninsomewhatlessesteem，hisfriendshipwasscarcelydiminished。Insolitudeourfeelingshaveunrestrictedplay；andamanpreoccupiedlikeDavid，withall-absorbingthoughts，willgivewaytoimpulsesforwhichordinarylifewouldhaveprovidedasufficientcounterpoise。AshereadLucien’slettertothesoundofmilitarymusic，andheardofthisunlooked-forrecognition，hewasdeeplytouchedbythatexpressionofregret。Hehadknownhowitwouldbe。A
veryslightexpressionoffeelingappealsirresistiblytoasensitivesoul，fortheyareapttocreditotherswithlikedepths。Howshouldthedropfallunlessthecupwerefulltothebrim？
Soatmidnight，inspiteofallBasine’sentreaties，DavidmustgotoseeLucien。
“Nobodywillbeoutinthestreetsatthistimeofnight。”hesaid；“I
shallnotbeseen，andtheycannotarrestme。EvenifIshouldmeetpeople，IcanmakeuseofKolb’swayofgoingintohiding。Andbesides，itissointolerablylongsinceIsawmywifeandchild。”
Thereasoningwasplausibleenough；Basinegaveway，andDavidwent。
Petit-Claudwasjusttakingleaveashecameupandathiscryof“LUCIEN！“thetwobrothersflungtheirarmsabouteachotherwithtearsintheireyes。
Lifeholdsnotmanymomentssuchasthese。Lucien’sheartwentoutinresponsetothisfriendshipforitsownsake。Therewasneverquestionofdebtorandcreditorbetweenthem，andtheoffendermetwithnoreproachessavehisown。David，generousandnoblethathewas，waslongingtobestowpardon；hemeantfirstofalltoreadLucienalecture，andscatterthecloudsthatoverspreadtheloveofthebrotherandsister；andwiththeseendsinview，thelackofmoneyanditsconsequentdangersdisappearedentirelyfromhismind。
“Gohome。”saidPetit-Claud，addressinghisclient；“takeadvantageofyourimprudencetoseeyourwifeandchildagain，atanyrate；andyoumustnotbeseen，mindyou！——Howunlucky！“headded，whenhewasaloneinthePlaceduMurier。“IfonlyCerizetwerehere——“
ThebuildingsmagniloquentlystyledtheAngoulemeLawCourtsweretheninprocessofconstruction。Petit-Claudmutteredthesewordstohimselfashepassedbythehoardings，andheardatapupontheboards，andavoiceissuingfromacrackbetweentwoplanks。
“HereIam。”saidCerizet；“IsawDavidcomingoutofL’Houmeau。Iwasbeginningtohavemysuspicionsabouthisretreat，andnowIamsure；
andIknowwheretohavehim。ButIwanttoknowsomethingofLucien’splansbeforeIsetthesnareforDavid；andhereareyousendinghimintothehouse！Findsomeexcuseforstoppinghere，atleast，andwhenDavidandLuciencomeout，sendthemroundthisway；theywillthinktheyarequitealone，andIshalloverheartheirgood-bye。”
“Youareaverydevil。”mutteredPetit-Claud。
“Well，I’mblessedifamanwouldn’tdoanythingforthethingyoupromisedme。”
Petit-Claudwalkedawayfromthehoarding，andpacedupanddowninthePlaceduMurier；hewatchedthewindowsoftheroomwherethefamilysattogether，andthoughtofhisownprospectstokeepuphiscourage。Cerizet’sclevernesshadgivenhimthechanceofstrikingthefinalblow。Petit-Claudwasadouble-dealeroftheprofoundlycautiousstampthatisnevercaughtbythebaitofapresentsatisfaction，norentangledbyapersonalattachment，afterhisfirstinitiationintothestrategyofself-seekingandtheinstabilityofthehumanheart。
So，fromtheveryfirst，hehadputlittletrustinCointet。Heforesawthathismarriagenegotiationsmightveryeasilybebrokenoff，sawalsothatinthatcasehecouldnotaccuseCointetofbadfaith，andhehadtakenhismeasuresaccordingly。ButsincehissuccessattheHoteldeBargeton，Petit-Claud’sgamewasaboveboard。
Acertainunder-plotofhiswasuselessnow，andevendangeroustoamanwithhispoliticalambitions。Hehadlaidthefoundationsofhisfutureimportanceinthefollowingmanner：——
GanneracandafewofthewealthymenofbusinessinL’HoumeauformedasortofLiberalcliqueinconstantcommunicationthroughcommercialchannelswiththeleadersoftheOpposition。TheVilleleministry，acceptedbythedyingLouisXVIII。，gavethesignalforachangeoftacticsintheOppositioncamp；for，sincethedeathofNapoleon，theliberalshadceasedtoresorttothedangerousexpedientofconspiracy。Theywerebusyorganizingresistancebylawfulmeansthroughouttheprovinces，andaimingatsecuringcontrolofthegreatbulkofelectorsbyconvincingthemasses。Petit-Claud，arabidLiberal，andamanofL’Houmeau，wastheinstigator，thesecretcounselor，andtheverylifeofthismovementinthelowertown，whichgroanedunderthetyrannyofthearistocratsattheupperend。HewasthefirsttoseethedangerofleavingthewholepressofthedepartmentinthecontroloftheCointets；theOppositionmusthaveitsorgan；itwouldnotdotobebehindothercities。
“IfeachoneofusgivesGanneracabillforfivehundredfrancs，hewouldhavesometwentythousandfrancsandmore；wemightbuyupSechard’sprinting-office，andwecoulddoaswelikedwiththemaster-printerifwelenthimthecapital。”Petit-Claudhadsaid。
Othershadtakenuptheidea，andinthiswayPetit-ClaudstrengthenedhispositionwithregardtoDavidontheonesideandtheCointetsontheother。Castingabouthimforatoolforhisparty，henaturallythoughtthatarogueofCerizet’scalibrewastheverymanforthepurpose。
“IfyoucanfindSechard’shiding-placeandputhiminourhands，somebodywilllendyoutwentythousandfrancstobuyhisbusiness，andverylikelytherewillbeanewspapertoprint。So，setaboutit。”hehadsaid。
Petit-ClaudputmorefaithinCerizet’sactivitythaninalltheDoublonsinexistence；andthenitwasthathepromisedCointetthatSechardshouldbearrested。Butnowthatthelittlelawyercherishedhopesofoffice，hesawthathemustturnhisbackupontheLiberals；
and，meanwhile，theamountfortheprinting-officehadbeensubscribedinL’Houmeau。Petit-Clauddecidedtoallowthingstotaketheirnaturalcourse。
“Pooh！“hethought，“Cerizetwillgetintotroublewithhispaper，andgivemeanopportunityofdisplayingmytalents。”
Hewalkeduptothedooroftheprinting-officeandspoketoKolb，thesentinel。“GoupandwarnDavidthathehadbettergonow。”hesaid，“andtakeeveryprecaution。Iamgoinghome；itisoneo’clock。”
MarioncametotakeKolb’splace。LucienandDavidcamedowntogetherandwentout，Kolbahundredpacesaheadofthem，andMarionatthesamedistancebehind。Thetwofriendswalkedpastthehoarding，Lucientalkingeagerlythewhile。
“Myplanisextremelysimple，David；buthowcouldItellyouaboutitwhileEvewasthere？Shewouldneverunderstand。IamquitesurethatatthebottomofLouise’sheartthereisafeelingthatIcanrouse，andIshouldliketoarouseitifitisonlytoavengemyselfuponthatidiottheprefect。Ifourloveaffaironlylastsforaweek，I
willcontrivetosendanapplicationthroughherforthesubventionoftwentythousandfrancsforyou。Iamgoingtoseeheragainto-morrowinthelittleboudoirwhereouroldaffairoftheheartbegan；Petit-
Claudsaysthattheroomisthesameasever；Ishallplaymypartinthecomedy；andIwillsendwordbyBasineto-morrowmorningtotellyouwhethertheactorwashissed。Youmaybeatlibertybythen，whoknows？——NowdoyouunderstandhowitwasthatIwantedclothesfromParis？Onecannotactthelover’spartinrags。”
Atsixo’clockthatmorningCerizetwenttoPetit-Claud。
“Doubloncanbereadytotakehismanto-morrowatnoon，Iwillanswerforit。”hesaid；“IknowoneofMlle。Clerget’sgirls，doyouunderstand？“Cerizetunfoldedhisplan，andPetit-ClaudhurriedtofindCointet。
“IfM。FrancisduHautoywillsettlehispropertyonFrancoise，youshallsignadeedofpartnershipwithSechardintwodays。Ishallnotbemarriedforaweekafterthecontractissigned，soweshallbothbewithinthetermsofourlittleagreement，titfortat。To-night，however，wemustkeepaclosewatchoverLucienandMme。laComtesseduChatelet，forthewholebusinessliesinthat……IfLucienhopestosucceedthroughtheCountess’influence，IhaveDavidsafe——“
“YouwillbeKeeperoftheSealsyet，itismybelief。”saidCointet。
“Andwhynot？NooneobjectstoM。dePeyronnet。”saidPetit-Claud。HehadnotaltogethersloughedhisskinofLiberalism。
Mlle。delaHaye’sambiguouspositionbroughtmostoftheuppertowntothesigningofthemarriagecontract。Thecomparativepovertyoftheyoungcoupleandtheabsenceofacorbeillequickenedtheinterestthatpeoplelovetoexhibit；foritiswithbeneficenceaswithovations，wepreferthedeedsofcharitywhichgratifyself-love。TheMarquisedePimentel，theComtesseduChatelet，M。deSenonches，andoneortwofrequentersofthehousehadgivenFrancoiseafewweddingpresents，whichmadegreattalkinthecity。Theseprettytrifles，togetherwiththetrousseauwhichZephirinehadbeenpreparingforthepasttwelvemonths，thegodfather’sjewels，andtheusualweddinggifts，consoledFrancoiseandrousedthecuriosityofsomemothersofdaughters。
Petit-ClaudandCointethadbothremarkedthattheirpresenceintheAngoulemeOlympuswasenduredratherthancourted。CointetwasFrancoise’strusteeandquasi-guardian；andifPetit-Claudwastosignthecontract，Petit-Claud’spresencewasasnecessaryastheattendanceofthemantobehangedatanexecution；butthough，oncemarried，Mme。Petit-Claudmightkeepherrightofentrytohergodmother’shouse，Petit-Claudforesawsomedifficultyonhisownaccount，andresolvedtobebeforehandwiththesehaughtypersonages。
Hefeltashamedofhisparents。HehadsenthismothertostayatMansle；nowhebeggedhertosaythatshewasoutofhealthandtogiveherconsentinwriting。Sohumiliatingwasittobewithoutrelations，protectors，orwitnessestohissignature，thatPetit-ClaudthoughthimselfinluckthathecouldbringapresentablefriendattheCountess’request。HecalledtotakeupLucien，andtheydrovetotheHoteldeBargeton。
Onthatmemorableeveningthepoetdressedtooutshineeverymanpresent。Mme。deSenoncheshadspokenofhimastheheroofthehour，andafirstinterviewbetweentwoestrangedloversisthekindofscenethatprovincialsparticularlylove。Lucienhadcometobethelionoftheevening；hewassaidtobesohandsome，somuchchanged，sowonderful，thateverywell-bornwomaninAngoulemewascurioustoseehimagain。Followingthefashionofthetransitionperiodbetweentheeighteenthcenturysmallclothesandthevulgarcostumeofthepresentday，heworetight-fittingblacktrousers。Menstillshowedtheirfiguresinthosedays，totheutterdespairoflean，clumsily-
mademortals；andLucienwasanApollo。Theopen-workgraysilkstockings，theneatshoes，andtheblacksatinwaistcoatwerescrupulouslydrawnoverhisperson，andseemedtoclingtohim。Hisforeheadlookedthewhiterbycontrastwiththethick，brightcurlsthatroseaboveitwithstudiedgrace。Theproudeyeswereradiant。
Thehands，smallasawoman’s，nevershowedtobetteradvantagethanwhengloved。HehadmodeledhimselfupondeMarsay，thefamousParisiandandy，holdinghishatandcaneinonehand，andkeepingtheotherfreefortheveryoccasionalgestureswhichillustratedhistalk。
LucienhadquiteintendedtoemulatethefamousfalsemodestyofthosewhobendtheirheadstopassbeneaththePorteSaint-Denis，andtoslipunobservedintotheroom；butPetit-Claud，havingbutonefriend，madehimuseful。HebroughtLucienalmostpompouslythroughacrowdedroomtoMme。deSenonches。Thepoetheardamurmurashepassed；notsoverylongagothathumofvoiceswouldhaveturnedhishead，to-dayhewasquitedifferent；hedidnotdoubtthathehimselfwasgreaterthanthewholeOlympusputtogether。
“Madame。”hesaid，addressingMme。deSenonches，“IhavealreadycongratulatedmyfriendPetit-ClaudamanwiththestuffinhimofwhichKeepersoftheSealsaremadeonthehonorofhisapproachingconnectionwithyou，slightasarethetiesbetweengodmotherandgoddaughter——“thiswiththeairofamanutteringanepigram，bynomeanslostuponanywomanintheroom，foreverywomanwaslisteningwithoutappearingtodoso。“Andasformyself。”hecontinued，“Iamdelightedtohavetheopportunityofpayingmyhomagetoyou。”
Hespokeeasilyandfluently，assomegreatlordmightspeakundertheroofofhisinferiors；andashelistenedtoZephirine’sinvolvedreply，hecastaglanceovertheroomtoconsidertheeffectthathewishedtomake。ThepausegavehimtimetodiscoverFrancisduHautoyandtheprefect；tobowgracefullytoeachwiththepropershadeofdifferenceinhissmile，and，finally，toapproachMme。duChateletasifhehadjustcaughtsightofher。Thatmeetingwastherealeventoftheevening。Noonesomuchasthoughtofthemarriagecontractlyingintheadjoiningbedroom，whitherFrancoiseandthenotaryledguestafterguesttosignthedocument。LucienmadeasteptowardsLouisedeNegrepelisse，andthenspokewiththatgraceofmannernowassociated，forher，withmemoriesofParis。
“DoIowetoyou，madame，thepleasureofaninvitationtodineatthePrefecturethedayafterto-morrow？“hesaid。
“Youoweitsolelytoyourfame，monsieur。”Louiseanswereddrily，somewhattakenabackbytheturnofaphrasebywhichLuciendeliberatelytriedtowoundherpride。
“Ah！MadamelaComtesse，Icannotbringyoutheguestifthemanisindisgrace。”saidLucien，and，withoutwaitingforananswer，heturnedandgreetedtheBishopwithstatelygrace。
“Yourlordship’sprophecyhasbeenpartiallyfulfilled。”hesaid，andtherewasawinningcharminhistones；“Iwillendeavortofulfilittotheletter。Iconsidermyselfveryfortunatesincethiseveningbringsmeanopportunityofpayingmyrespectstoyou。”
LuciendrewtheBishopintoaconversationthatlastedfortenminutes。ThewomenlookedonLucienasaphenomenon。HisunexpectedinsolencehadstruckMme。duChateletdumb；shecouldnotfindananswer。Lookingroundtheroom，shesawthateverywomanadmiredLucien；shewatchedgroupaftergrouprepeatingthephrasesbywhichLuciencrushedherwithseemingdisdain，andherheartcontractedwithaspasmofmortification。
“SupposethatheshouldnotcometothePrefectureafterthis，whattalktherewouldbe！“shethought。“Wheredidhelearnthispride？CanMlle。desToucheshavetakenafancyforhim？……Heissohandsome。
TheysaythatshehurriedtoseehiminParisthedayafterthatactressdied……Perhapshehascometotherescueofhisbrother-in-law，andhappenedtobebehindourcalecheatManslebyaccident。Lucienlookedatusverystrangelythatmorning。”
AcrowdofthoughtscrossedLouise’sbrain，andunluckilyforher，shecontinuedtopondervisiblyasshewatchedLucien。HewastalkingwiththeBishopasifhewerethekingoftheroom；makingnoefforttofindanyoneout，waitingtillotherscametohim，lookingroundabouthimwithvaryingexpression，andasmuchathiseaseashismodeldeMarsay。M。deSenonchesappearedatnogreatdistance，butLucienstillstoodbesidetheprelate。
AttheendoftenminutesLouisecouldcontainherselfnolonger。SheroseandwentovertotheBishopandsaid：
“Whatisbeingsaid，mylord，thatyousmilesooften？“
Luciendrewbackdiscreetly，andleftMme。duChateletwithhislordship。
“Ah！Mme。laComtesse，whatacleveryoungfellowheis！Hewasexplainingtomethatheowedallheistoyou——“
“_I_amnotungrateful，madame。”saidLucien，withareproachfulglancethatcharmedtheCountess。
“Letushaveanunderstanding。”shesaid，beckoninghimwithherfan。
“Comeintotheboudoir。MyLordBishop，youshalljudgebetweenus。”
“Shehasfoundafunnytaskforhislordship。”saidoneoftheChandourcamp，sufficientlyaudibly。
“Judgebetweenus！“repeatedLucien，lookingfromtheprelatetothelady；“then，isoneofusinfault？“
LouisedeNegrepelissesatdownonthesofainthefamiliarboudoir。
ShemadetheBishopsitononesideandLucienontheother，thenshebegantospeak。ButLucien，tothejoyandsurpriseofhisoldlove，honoredherwithinattention；herwordsfellunheededonhisears；hesatlikePastainTancredi，withthewordsOpatria！uponherlips，themusicofthegreatcavatinaDellRizzomighthavepassedintohisface。Indeed，Coralie’spupilhadcontrivedtobringthetearstohiseyes。
“Oh！Louise，howIlovedyou！“hemurmured，carelessoftheBishop’spresence，heedlessoftheconversation，assoonasheknewthattheCountesshadseenthetears。
“Dryyoureyes，oryouwillruinmehereasecondtime。”shesaidinanasidethathorrifiedtheprelate。
“Andonceisenough。”wasLucien’squickretort。“ThatspeechfromMme。d’Espard’scousinwoulddrytheeyesofaweepingMagdalene。Ohme！foralittlemomentoldmemories，andlostillusions，andmytwentiethyearcamebacktome，andyouhave——“
Hislordshiphastilyretreatedtothedrawing-roomatthis；itseemedtohimthathisdignitywasliketobecompromisedbythissentimentalpair。Everyoneostentatiouslyrefrainedfrominterruptingthem，andaquarterofanhourwentby；tillatlastSixteduChatelet，vexedbythelaughterandtalk，andexcursionstotheboudoirdoor，wentinwithacountenancedistinctlyoverclouded，andfoundLouiseandLucientalkingexcitedly。
“Madame。”saidSixteinhiswife’sear，“youknowAngoulemebetterthanIdo，andsurelyyoushouldthinkofyourpositionasMme。laPrefeteandoftheGovernment？“
“Mydear。”saidLouise，scanningherresponsibleeditorwithahaughtinessthatmadehimquake，“IamtalkingwithM。deRubempreofmatterswhichinterestyou。Itisaquestionofrescuinganinventorabouttofallavictimtothebasestmachinations；youwillhelpus。
Astothoseladiesyonder，andtheiropinionofme，youshallseehowIwillfreezethevenomoftheirtongues。”
ShecameoutoftheboudoironLucien’sarm，anddrewhimacrosstosignthecontractwithagreatlady’saudacity。
“Writeyournameaftermine。”shesaid，handinghimthepen。AndLuciensubmissivelysignedintheplaceindicatedbeneathhername。
“M。deSenonches，wouldyouhaverecognizedM。deRubempre？“shecontinued，andtheinsolentsportsmanwascompelledtogreetLucien。
Shereturnedtothedrawing-roomonLucien’sarm，andseatedhimontheawe-inspiringcentralsofabetweenherselfandZephirine。There，enthronedlikeaqueen，shebegan，atfirstinalowvoice，aconversationinwhichepigramevidentlywasnotwanting。Someofheroldfriends，andseveralwomenwhopaidcourttoher，cametojointhegroup，andLuciensoonbecametheheroofthecircle。TheCountessdrewhimoutonthesubjectoflifeinParis；hissatiricaltalkflowedwithspontaneousandincrediblespirit；hetoldanecdotesofcelebrities，thoseconversationalluxurieswhichtheprovincialdevourswithsuchavidity。Hiswitwasasmuchadmiredashisgoodlooks。AndMme。laComtesseSixteduChatelet，preparingLucien’striumphsopatiently，satlikeaplayerenrapturedwiththesoundofhisinstrument；shegavehimopportunitiesforareply；shelookedroundthecircleforapplausesoopenly，thatnotafewofthewomenbegantothinkthattheirreturntogetherwassomethingmorethanacoincidence，andthatLucienandLouise，lovingwithalltheirhearts，hadbeenseparatedbyadoubletreason。Pique，verylikely，hadbroughtaboutthisill-starredmatchwithChatelet。Andareactionsetinagainsttheprefect。
BeforetheCountessrosetogoatoneo’clockinthemorning，sheturnedtoLucienandsaidinalowvoice，“Domethepleasureofcomingpunctuallyto-morrowevening。”Then，withthefriendliestlittlenod，shewent，sayingafewwordstoChatelet，whowaslookingforhishat。
“IfMme。duChatelethasgivenmeacorrectideaofthestateofaffairs，countonme，mydearLucien。”saidtheprefect，preparingtohurryafterhiswife。Shewasgoingawaywithouthim，aftertheParisfashion。“Yourbrother-in-lawmayconsiderthathistroublesareatanend。”headdedashewent。
“M。leComtesurelyowesmesomuch。”smiledLucien。
CointetandPetit-Claudheardthesefarewellspeeches。
“Well，well，wearedonefornow。”Cointetmutteredinhisconfederate’sear。Petit-Claud，thunderstruckbyLucien’ssuccess，amazedbyhisbrilliantwitandvaryingcharm，wasgazingatFrancoisedelaHaye；thegirl’swholefacewasfullofadmirationforLucien。
“Belikeyourfriend。”sheseemedtosaytoherbetrothed。AgleamofjoyflittedoverPetit-Claud’scountenance。
“Westillhaveawholedaybeforetheprefect’sdinner；Iwillanswerforeverything。”
Anhourlater，asPetit-ClaudandLucienwalkedhometogether，Lucientalkedofhissuccess。“Well，mydearfellow，Icame，Isaw，I
conquered！Sechardwillbeveryhappyinafewhours’time。”
“JustwhatIwantedtoknow。”thoughtPetit-Claud。Aloudhesaid——“I
thoughtyouweresimplyapoet，Lucien，butyouareaLauzuntoo，thatistosay——twiceapoet。”andtheyshookhands——forthelasttime，asitproved。
“Goodnews，dearEve。”saidLucien，wakinghissister，“Davidwillhavenodebtsinlessthanamonth！“
“Howisthat？“
“Well，myLouiseisstillhiddenbyMme。duChatelet’spetticoat。Shelovesmemorethanever；shewillsendafavorablereportofourdiscoverytotheMinisteroftheInteriorthroughherhusband。Sowehaveonlytoendureourtroublesforonemonth，whileIavengemyselfontheprefectandcompletethehappinessofhismarriedlife。”
Evelistened，andthoughtthatshemustbedreaming。
“Isawthelittlegraydrawing-roomwhereItrembledlikeachildtwoyearsago；itseemedasifscalesfellfrommyeyeswhenIsawthefurnitureandthepicturesandthefacesagain。HowParischangesone’sideas！“
“Isthatagoodthing？“askedEve，atlastbeginningtounderstand。
“Come，come；youarestillasleep。Wewilltalkaboutitto-morrowafterbreakfast。”
Cerizet’splotwasexceedinglysimple，acommonplacestratagemfamiliartotheprovincialbailiff。Itssuccessentirelydependsuponcircumstances，andinthiscaseitwascertain，sointimatewasCerizet’sknowledgeofthecharactersandhopesofthoseconcerned。
CerizethadbeenakindofDonJuanamongtheyoungwork-girls，rulinghisvictimsbyplayingoneoffagainstanother。SincehehadbeentheCointet’sextraforeman，hehadsingledoutoneofBasineClerget’sassistants，agirlalmostashandsomeasMme。Sechard。HenrietteSignol’sparentsownedasmallvineyardtwoleaguesoutofAngouleme，ontheroadtoSaintes。TheSignols，likeeverybodyelseinthecountry，couldnotaffordtokeeptheironlychildathome；sotheymeanthertogoouttoservice，incountryphrase。Theartofclear-
starchingisapartofeverycountryhousemaid’straining；andsogreatwasMme。Prieur’sreputation，thattheSignolssentHenriettetoherasapprentice，andpaidfortheirdaughter’sboardandlodging。
Mme。Prieurwasoneoftheold-fashionedmistresses，whoconsiderthattheyfillaparent’splacetowardstheirapprentices。Theywerepartofthefamily；shetookthemwithhertochurch，andlookedscrupulouslyafterthem。HenrietteSignolwasatall，fine-lookinggirl，withboldeyes，andlong，thick，darkhair，andthepale，veryfaircomplexionofgirlsintheSouth——whiteasamagnoliaflower。ForwhichreasonsHenriettewasoneofthefirstonwhomCerizetcasthiseyes；butHenriettecameof“honestfarmerfolk。”andonlyyieldedatlasttojealousy，tobadexample，andthetreacherouspromiseofsubsequentmarriage。BythistimeCerizetwastheCointet’sforeman。
WhenhelearnedthattheSignolsownedavineyardworthsometenortwelvethousandfrancs，andatolerablycomfortablecottage，hehastenedtomakeitimpossibleforHenriettetomarryanyoneelse。
AffairshadreachedthispointwhenPetit-Claudheldouttheprospectofaprintingofficeandtwentythousandfrancsofborrowedcapital，whichwastoproveayokeupontheborrower’sneck。Cerizetwasdazzled，theofferturnedhishead；HenrietteSignolwasnowonlyanobstacleinthewayofhisambitions，andheneglectedthepoorgirl。
Henriette，inherdespair，clungmorecloselytoherseducerashetriedtoshakeheroff。WhenCerizetbegantosuspectthatDavidwashidinginBasine’shouse，hisviewswithregardtoHenrietteunderwentanotherchange，thoughhetreatedherasbefore。Akindoffrenzyworksinagirl’sbrainwhenshemustmarryherseducertoconcealherdishonor，andCerizetwasonthewatchtoturnthismadnesstohisownaccount。
DuringthemorningofthedaywhenLucienhadsethimselftoreconquerhisLouise，CerizettoldBasine’ssecrettoHenriette，givinghertounderstandatthesametimethattheirmarriageandfutureprospectsdependeduponthediscoveryofDavid’shiding-place。Thusinstructed，HenrietteeasilymadecertainofthefactthatDavidwasinBasineClerget’sinnerroom。Itneveroccurredtothegirlthatshewasdoingwrongtoactthespy，andCerizetinvolvedherintheguiltofbetrayalbythisfirststep。
LucienwasstillsleepingwhileCerizet，closetedwithPetit-Claud，heardthehistoryoftheimportanttrifleswithwhichallAngoulemepresentlywouldring。
TheCointets’foremangaveasatisfiednodasPetit-Claudcametoanend。“Luciensurelyhaswrittenyoualinesincehecameback，hashenot？“heasked。
“ThisisallthatIhave。”answeredthelawyer，andheheldoutanoteonMme。Sechard’swriting-paper。
“Verywell。”saidCerizet，“letDoublonbeinwaitatthePaletGateabouttenminutesbeforesunset；tellhimtoposthisgendarmes，andyoushallhaveourman。”
“AreyousureofYOURpartofthebusiness？“askedPetit-Claud，scanningCerizet。
“Irelyonchance。”saidtheex-streetboy，“andsheisasaucyhuzzy；
shedoesnotlikehonestfolk。
“Youmustsucceed。”saidCerizet。“Youhavepushedmeintothisdirtybusiness；youmayaswellletmehaveafewbanknotestowipeoffthestains。”——Thendetectingalookthathedidnotlikeintheattorney’sface，hecontinued，withadeadlyglance，“Ifyouhavecheatedme，sir，ifyoudon’tbuytheprinting-officeformewithinaweek——youwillleaveayoungwidow；“heloweredhisvoice。
“IfwehaveDavidonthejailregisteratsixo’clock，comeroundtoM。Gannerac’satnine，andwewillsettleyourbusiness。”saidPetit-
Claudperemptorily。
“Agreed。Yourwillshallbedone，governor。”saidCerizet。
Cerizetunderstoodtheartofwashingpaper，adangerousartfortheTreasury。HewashedoutLucien’sfourlinesandreplacedthem，imitatingthehandwritingwithadexteritywhichauguredillforhisownfuture：——
“MYDEARDAVID，——Yourbusinessissettled；youneednotfeartogototheprefect。Youcangooutatsunset。Iwillcometomeetyouandtellyouwhattodoattheprefecture——Yourbrother，“LUCIEN。”
AtnoonLucienwrotetoDavid，tellinghimofhisevening’ssuccess。
Theprefectwouldbesuretolendhisinfluence，hesaid；hewasfullofenthusiasmovertheinvention，andwasdrawingupareportthatverydaytosendtotheGovernment。MarioncarriedthelettertoBasine，takingsomeofLucien’slinentothelaundryasapretextfortheerrand。
Petit-ClaudhadtoldCerizetthataletterwouldinallprobabilitybesent。CerizetcalledforMlle。Signol，andthetwowalkedbytheCharente。Henriette’sintegritymusthaveheldoutforalongwhile，forthewalklastedfortwohours。Awholefutureofhappinessandeaseandtheinterestsofachildwereatstake，andCerizetaskedameretrifleofher。Hewasverycarefulbesidestosaynothingoftheconsequencesofthattrifle。Shewasonlytocarryaletterandamessage，thatwasall；butitwasthegreatnessoftherewardforthetriflingservicethatfrightenedHenriette。Nevertheless，Cerizetgainedherconsentatlast；shewouldhelphiminhisstratagem。
Atfiveo’clockHenriettemustgooutandcomeinagain，tellingBasineClergetthatMme。Sechardwantedtospeaktoheratonce。
FifteenminutesafterBasine’sdepartureshemustgoupstairs，knockatthedooroftheinnerroom，andgiveDavidtheforgednote。Thatwasall。Cerizetlookedtochancetomanagetherest。
Forthefirsttimeintwelvemonths，Evefelttheirongraspofnecessityrelaxalittle。Shebeganatlasttohope。She，too，wouldenjoyherbrother’svisit；shewouldshowherselfabroadonthearmofamanfetedinhisnativetown，adoredbythewomen，belovedbytheproudComtesseduChatelet。Shedressedherselfprettily，andproposedtowalkoutafterdinnerwithherbrothertoBeaulieu。InSeptemberallAngoulemecomesoutatthathourtobreathethefreshair。
“Oh！thatisthebeautifulMme。Sechard。”voicessaidhereandthere。
“Ishouldneverhavebelieveditofher。”saidawoman。
“Thehusbandisinhiding，andthewifewalksabroad。”saidMme。
PostelforyoungMme。Sechard’sbenefit。
“Oh，letusgohome。”saidpoorEve；“Ihavemadeamistake。”
Afewminutesbeforesunset，thesoundofacrowdrosefromthestepsthatleaddowntoL’Houmeau。Apparentlysomecrimehadbeencommitted，forpersonscomingfromL’Houmeauweretalkingamongthemselves。
CuriositydrewLucienandEvetowardsthesteps。
“Athiefhasjustbeenarrestednodoubt，themanlooksaspaleasdeath。”oneofthesepassers-bysaidtothebrotherandsister。Thecrowdgrewlarger。
LucienandEvewatchedagroupofsomethirtychildren，oldwomenandmen，returningfromwork，clusteringaboutthegendarmes，whosegold-
lacedcapsgleamedabovetheheadsoftherest。Aboutahundredpersonsfollowedtheprocession，thecrowdgatheringlikeastormcloud。
“Oh！itismyhusband！“Evecriedout。
“DAVID！“exclaimedLucien。
“Itishiswife。”saidvoices，andthecrowdmadeway。
“Whatmadeyoucomeout？“askedLucien。
“Yourletter。”saidDavid，haggardandwhite。
“Iknewit！“saidEve，andshefaintedaway。Lucienraisedhissister，andwiththehelpoftwostrangershecarriedherhome；Marionlaidherinbed，andKolbrushedoffforadoctor。Evewasstillinsensiblewhenthedoctorarrived；andLucienwasobligedtoconfesstohismotherthathewasthecauseofDavid’sarrest；forhe，ofcourse，knewnothingoftheforgedletterandCerizet’sstratagem。Thenhewentuptohisroomandlockedhimselfin，struckdumbbythemaledictioninhismother’seyes。
Inthedeadofnighthewroteonemoreletteramidconstantinterruptions；thereadercandivinetheagonyofthewriter’smindfromthosephrases，jerkedout，asitwere，onebyone：——
“MYBELOVEDSISTER，——Wehaveseeneachotherforthelasttime。Myresolutionisfinal，andforthisreason。Inmanyfamiliesthereisoneunluckymember，akindofdiseaseintheirmidst。Iamthatunluckyoneinourfamily。Theobservationisnotmine；itwasmadeatafriendlysupperoneeveningattheRocherdeCancalebyadiplomatewhohasseenagreatdealoftheworld。Whilewelaughedandjoked，heexplainedthereasonwhysomeyoungladyorsomeotherremainedunmarried，totheastonishmentoftheworld——
itwas’atouchofherfather，’hesaid，andwiththatheunfoldedhistheoryofinheritedweaknesses。Hetoldushowsuchandsuchafamilywouldhaveflourishedbutforthemother；howitwasthatasonhadruinedhisfather，orafatherhadstrippedhischildrenofprospectsandrespectability。Itwassaidlaughingly，butwethoughtofsomanycasesinpointintenminutesthatIwasstruckwiththetheory。Theamountoftruthinitfurnishedallsortsofwildparadoxes，whichjournalistsmaintaincleverlyenoughfortheirownamusementwhenthereisnobodyelseathandtomystify。
Ibringbadlucktoourfamily。Myheartisfullofloveforyou，yetIbehavelikeanenemy。Theblowdealtunintentionallyisthecruelestblowofall。WhileIwasleadingabohemianlifeinParis，alifemadeupofpleasureandmisery；takinggoodfellowshipforfriendship，forsakingmytruefriendsforthosewhowishedtoexploitme，andsucceeded；forgetfulofyou，orrememberingyouonlytocauseyoutrouble，——allthatwhileyouwerewalkinginthehumblepathofhardwork，makingyourwayslowlybutsurelytothefortunewhichItriedsomadlytosnatch。
Whileyougrewbetter，Igrewworse；afatalelemententeredintomylifethroughmyownchoice。Yes，unboundedambitionmakesanobscureexistencesimplyimpossibleforme。Ihavetastesandremembrancesofpastpleasuresthatpoisontheenjoymentswithinmyreach；onceIshouldhavebeensatisfiedwiththem，nowitistoolate。Oh，dearEve，noonecanthinkmorehardlyofmethanI
domyself；mycondemnationisabsoluteandpitiless。ThestruggleinParisdemandssteadyeffort；mywillpowerisspasmodic，mybrainworksintermittently。ThefutureissoappallingthatIdonotcaretofaceit，andthepresentisintolerable。
“Iwantedtoseeyouagain。Ishouldhavedonebettertostayinexileallmydays。Butexilewithoutmeansofsubsistencewouldbemadness；Iwillnotaddanotherfollytotherest。Deathisbetterthanamaimedlife；Icannotthinkofmyselfinanypositioninwhichmyoverweeningvanitywouldnotleadmeintofolly。
“Somehumanbeingsarelikethefigure0，anothermustbeputbeforeit，andtheyacquiretentimestheirvalue。Iamnothingunlessastronginexorablewillisweddedtomine。Mme。deBargetonwasintruthmywife；whenIrefusedtoleaveCoralieforherIspoiledmylife。YouandDavidmighthavebeenexcellentpilotsforme，butyouarenotstrongenoughtotamemyweakness，whichinsomesorteludescontrol。Ilikeaneasylife，alifewithoutcares；toclearanobstacleoutofmywayIcandescendtobasenessthatsticksatnothing。Iwasbornaprince。Ihavemorethantherequisiteintellectualdexterityforsuccess，butonlybymoments；andtheprizesofacareersocrowdedbyambitiouscompetitorsaretothosewhoexpendnomorethanthenecessarystrength，andretainasufficientreservewhentheyreachthegoal。
“Ishalldoharmagainwiththebestintentionsintheworld。Somemenarelikeoaks，Iamadelicateshrubitmaybe，andI
forsooth，mustneedsaspiretobeaforestcedar。
“Thereyouhavemybankrupt’sschedule。Thedisproportionbetweenmypowersandmydesires，mywantofbalance，inshort，willbringallmyeffortstonothing。Therearemanysuchcharactersamongmenofletters，manymenwhoseintellectualpowersandcharacterarealwaysatvariance，whowillonethingandwishanother。Whatwouldbecomeofme？Icanseeitallbeforehand，asIthinkofthisandthatgreatlightthatonceshoneonParis，nowutterlyforgotten。OnthethresholdofoldageIshallbeamanolderthanmyage，needyandwithoutaname。Mywholesoulrisesupagainstthethoughtofsuchaclose；Iwillnotbeasocialrag。Ah，dearsister，lovedandworshipedatleastasmuchforyourseverityatthelastasforyourtendernessatthefirst——ifwehavepaidsodearformyjoyatseeingyoualloncemore，youandDavidmayperhapssomedaythinkthatyoucouldgrudgenopricehoweverhighforalittlelasthappinessforanunhappycreaturewholovedyou。
Donottrytofindme，Eve；donotseektoknowwhatbecomesofme。Myintellectforonceshallbebackedbymywill。
Renunciation，myangel，isdailydeathofself；myrenunciationwillonlylastforoneday；Iwilltakeadvantagenowofthatday……
“TWOO’CLOCK。
“Yes，Ihavequitemadeupmymind。Farewellforever，dearEve。
ThereissomethingsweetinthethoughtthatIshallliveonlyinyourheartshenceforth，andIwishnootherburyingplace。Oncemore，farewell……Thatisthelastwordfromyourbrother“LUCIEN。”
Lucienreadtheletterover，creptnoiselesslydownstairs，andleftitinthechild’scradle；amidfallingtearshesetalastkissontheforeheadofhissleepingsister；thenhewentout。Heputouthiscandleinthegraydusk，tookalastlookattheoldhouse，stolesoftlyalongthepassage，andopenedthestreetdoor；butinspiteofhiscaution，heawakenedKolb，whosleptonamattressontheworkshopfloor。
“Whogoesthere？“criedKolb。
“ItisI，Lucien；Iamgoingaway，Kolb。”
“Youvouldhafdonebettergifyouatneferkom。”Kolbmutteredaudibly。
“IshouldhavedonebetterstillifIhadnevercomeintotheworld。”
Lucienanswered。“Good-bye，Kolb；Idon’tbearyouanygrudgeforthinkingasIthinkmyself。TellDavidthatIwassorryIcouldnotbidhimgood-bye，andsaythatthiswasmylastthought。”
BythetimetheAlsacienwasupanddressed，Lucienhadshutthehousedoor，andwasonhiswaytowardstheCharentebythePromenadedeBeaulieu。Hemighthavebeengoingtoafestival，forhehadputonhisnewclothesfromParisandhisdandy’strinketsforadrowningshroud。SomethinginLucien’stonehadstruckKolb。Atfirstthemanthoughtofgoingtoaskhismistresswhethersheknewthatherbrotherhadleftthehouse；butasthedeepestsilenceprevailed，heconcludedthatthedeparturehadbeenarrangedbeforehand，andlaydownagainandslept。
Little，consideringthegravityofthequestion，hasbeenwrittenonthesubjectofsuicide；ithasnotbeenstudied。Perhapsitisadiseasethatcannotbeobserved。Suicideisoneeffectofasentimentwhichwewillcallself-esteem，ifyouwill，topreventconfusionbyusingtheword“honor。”Whenamandespiseshimself，andseesthatothersdespisehim，whenreallifefailstofulfilhishopes，thencomesthemomentwhenhetakeshislife，andtherebydoeshomagetosociety——shornofhisvirtuesorhissplendor，hedoesnotcaretofacehisfellows。Amongatheists——Christiansbeingwithoutthequestionofsuicide——amongatheists，whatevermaybesaidtothecontrary，nonebutabasecowardcantakeupadishonoredlife。
Therearethreekindsofsuicide——thefirstisonlythelastandacutestageofalongillness，andthiskindbelongsdistinctlytopathology；thesecondisthesuicideofdespair；andthethirdthesuicidebasedonlogicalargument。DespairanddeductivereasoninghadbroughtLucientothispass，butbothvarietiesarecurable；itisonlythepathologicalsuicidethatisinevitable。Notinfrequentlyyoufindallthreecausescombined，asinthecaseofJean-JacquesRousseau。
Lucienhavingmadeuphismindfelltoconsideringmethods。Thepoetwouldfaindieasbecameapoet。AtfirsthethoughtofthrowinghimselfintotheCharenteandmakinganendthenandthere；butashecamedownthestepsfromBeaulieuforthelasttime，heheardthewholetowntalkingofhissuicide；hesawthehorridsightofadrowneddeadbody，andthoughtoftherecognitionandtheinquest；
and，likesomeothersuicides，feltthatvanityreachedbeyonddeath。
HerememberedthedayspentatCourtois’mill，andhisthoughtsreturnedtotheroundpoolamongthewillowsthathesawashecamealongbythelittleriver，suchapoolasyouoftenfindonsmallstreams，withastill，smoothsurfacethatconcealsgreatdepthsbeneath。Thewaterisneithergreennorbluenorwhitenortawny；itislikeapolishedsteelmirror。Nosword-grassgrowsaboutthemargin；therearenobluewaterforget-me-nots，norbroadlilyleaves；
thegrassatthebrimisshortandthick，andtheweepingwillowsthatdroopovertheedgegrowpicturesquelyenough。Itiseasytoimagineasheerprecipicebeneathfilledwithwatertothebrim。Anymanwhoshouldhavethecouragetofillhispocketswithpebbleswouldnotfailtofinddeath，andneverbeseenthereafter。
Atthetimewhileheadmiredthelovelyminiatureofalandscape，thepoethadthoughttohimself，“’Tisaspottomakeyourmouthwaterforanoyade。”
HethoughtofitnowashewentdownintoL’Houmeau；andwhenhetookhiswaytowardsMarsac，withthelastsombrethoughtsgnawingathisheart，itwaswiththefirmresolvetohidehisdeath。Thereshouldbenoinquestheldoverhim，hewouldnotbelaidinearth；nooneshouldseehiminthehideousconditionofthecorpsethatfloatsonthesurfaceofthewater。Beforelonghereachedoneoftheslopes，commonenoughonallFrenchhighroads，andcommonestofallbetweenAngoulemeandPoitiers。HesawthecoachfromBordeauxtoPariscomingupatfullspeedbehindhim，andknewthatthepassengerswouldprobablyalighttowalkupthehill。Hedidnotcaretobeseenjustthen。
Turningoffsharplyintoabeatentrack，hebegantopicktheflowersinavineyardhardby。
WhenLuciencamebacktotheroadwithagreatbunchoftheyellowstone-cropwhichgrowseverywhereuponthestonysoilofthevineyards，hecameoutuponatravelerdressedinblackfromheadtofoot。Thestrangerworepowder，thereweresilverbucklesonhisshoesofOrleansleather，andhisbrownfacewasscarredandseamedasifhehadfallenintothefireininfancy。Thetraveler，soobviouslyclericalinhisdress，waswalkingslowlyandsmokingacigar。HeturnedasLucienjumpeddownfromthevineyardintotheroad。Thedeepmelancholyonthehandsomeyoungface，thepoet’ssymbolicalflowers，andhiselegantdressseemedtostrikethestranger。HelookedatLucienwithsomethingoftheexpressionofahunterthathasfoundhisquarryatlastafterlongandfruitlesssearch。HeallowedLucientocomealongsideinnauticalphrase；thenheslackenedhispace，andappearedtolookalongtheroadupthehill；Lucien，followingthedirectionofhiseyes，sawalighttravelingcarriagewithtwohorses，andapost-boystandingbesideit。
“Youhaveallowedthecoachtopassyou，monsieur；youwillloseyourplaceunlessyoucaretotakeaseatinmycalecheandovertakethemail，foritisratherquickertravelingpostthanbythepublicconveyance。”ThetravelerspokewithextremepolitenessandaverymarkedSpanishaccent。
Withoutwaitingforananswer，hedrewacigar-casefromhispocket，openedit，andhelditouttoLucien。
“Iamnotonajourney。”saidLucien，“andIamtooneartheendofmystagetoindulgeinthepleasureofsmoking——“
“Youareveryseverewithyourself。”returnedtheSpaniard。“ThoughI
amacanonofthecathedralofToledo，Ioccasionallysmokeacigarette。Godgaveustobaccotoallayourpassionsandourpains。
Youseemtobedowncast，oratanyrate，youcarrythesymbolicalflowerofsorrowinyourhand，liketheruefulgodHymen。Come！allyourtroubleswillvanishawaywiththesmoke。”andagaintheecclesiasticheldouthislittlestrawcase；therewassomethingfascinatinginhismanner，andkindlinesstowardsLucienlighteduphiseyes。
“Forgiveme，father“Lucienansweredstiffly；“thereisnocigarthatcanscattermytroubles。”Tearscametohiseyesatthewords。
“ItmustsurelybeDivineProvidencethatpromptedmetotakealittleexercisetoshakeoffatraveler’smorningdrowsiness。”saidthechurchman。“Adivinepromptingtofulfilmymissionhereonearthbyconsolingyou——Whatgreattroublecanyouhaveatyourage？“
“Yourconsolations，father，candonothingforme。YouareaSpaniard，IamaFrenchman；youbelieveinthecommandmentsoftheChurch，Iamanatheist。”
“SantaVirgendelPilar！youareanatheist！“criedtheother，layingahandonLucien’sarmwithmaternalsolicitude。“Ah！hereisoneofthecuriousthingsIpromisedmyselftoseeinParis。We，inSpain，donotbelieveinatheists。ThereisnocountrybutFrancewhereonecanhavesuchopinionsatnineteenyears。”
“Oh！Iamanatheistinthefullestsenseoftheword。IhavenobeliefinGod，insociety，inhappiness。Takeagoodlookatme，father；forinafewhours’timelifewillbeoverforme。Mylastsunhasrisen。”saidLucien；withasortofrhetoricaleffecthewavedhishandtowardsthesky。
“Howso；whathaveyoudonethatyoumustdie？Whohascondemnedyoutodie？“
“Atribunalfromwhichthereisnoappeal——Imyself。”
“You，child！“criedthepriest。“Haveyoukilledaman？Isthescaffoldwaitingforyou？Letusreasontogetheralittle。Ifyouareresolved，asyousay，toreturntonothingness，everythingonearthisindifferenttoyou，isitnot？“
Lucienbowedassent。
“Verywell，then；canyounottellmeaboutyourtroubles？Somelittleaffairofthehearthastakenabadturn，nodoubt？“
Lucienshruggedhisshouldersverysignificantly。
“Areyouresolvedtokillyourselftoescapedishonor，ordoyoudespairoflife？Verygood。YoucankillyourselfatPoitiersquiteaseasilyasatAngouleme，andatToursitwillbenoharderthanatPoitiers。ThequicksandsoftheLoirenevergiveuptheirprey——“
“No，father。”saidLucien；“Ihavesettleditall。NotthreeweeksagoIchanceduponthemostcharmingraftthatcanferryamansickandtiredofthislifeintotheotherworld——“
“Theotherworld？Youarenotanatheist。”
“Oh！byanotherworldImeanmynexttransformation，animalorplant。”
“Haveyousomeincurabledisease？“
“Yes，father。”
“Ah！nowwecometothepoint。Whatisit？“
“Poverty。”
ThepriestlookedatLucien。“Thediamonddoesnotknowitsownvalue。”hesaid，andtherewasaninexpressiblecharm，andatouchofsomethinglikeironyinhissmile。
“Nonebutapriestcouldflatterapoormanabouttodie。”exclaimedLucien。
“Youarenotgoingtodie。”theSpaniardreturnedauthoritatively。
“Ihaveheardmanytimesofmenthatwererobbedonthehighroad，butIhaveneveryetheardofonethatfoundafortunethere。”saidLucien。
“Youwillhearofonenow。”saidthepriest，glancingtowardsthecarriagetomeasurethetimestillleftfortheirwalktogether。
“Listentome。”hecontinued，withhiscigarbetweenhisteeth；“ifyouarepoor，thatisnoreasonwhyyoushoulddie。Ineedasecretary，forminehasjustdiedatBarcelona。IaminthesamepositionasthefamousBaronGoertz，ministerofCharlesXII。HewastravelingtowardSwedenjustasIamgoingtoParis，andinsomelittletownorotherhechanceduponthesonofagoldsmith，ayoungmanofremarkablegoodlooks，thoughtheycouldscarcelyequalyours……BaronGoertzdiscernedintelligenceintheyoungmanjustasI
seepoetryonyourbrow；hetookhimintohistravelingcarriage，asIshalltakeyouveryshortly；andofaboycondemnedtospendhisdaysinburnishingspoonsandforksandmakingtrinketsinsomelittletownlikeAngouleme，hemadeafavorite，asyoushallbemine。
“ArrivedatStockholm，heinstalledhissecretaryandoverwhelmedhimwithwork。Theyoungmanspenthisnightsinwriting，and，likeallgreatworkers，hecontractedabadhabit，atrick——hetooktochewingpaper。ThelateM。deMalesherbesusetorappeopleovertheknuckles；
andhedidthisonce，bytheby，tosomebodyorotherwhosesuitdependeduponhim。Thehandsomeyoungsecretarybeganbychewingblankpaper，founditinsipidforawhile，andacquiredatasteformanuscriptashavingmoreflavor。Peopledidnotsmokeasyetinthosedays。Atlast，fromflavortoflavor，hebegantochewparchmentandswallowit。Now，atthattimeatreatywasbeingnegotiatedbetweenRussiaandSweden。TheStates-GeneralinsistedthatCharlesXII。
shouldmakepeacemuchastheytriedinFrancetomakeNapoleontreatforpeacein1814andthebasisofthesenegotiationswasthetreatybetweenthetwopowerswithregardtoFinland。Goertzgavetheoriginalintohissecretary’skeeping；butwhenthetimecameforlayingthedraftbeforetheStates-General，atriflingdifficultyarose；thetreatywasnottobefound。TheStates-GeneralbelievedthattheMinister，panderingtotheKing’swishes，hadtakenitintohisheadtogetridofthedocument。BaronGoertzwas，infact，accusedofthis，andthesecretaryownedthathehadeatenthetreaty。
Hewastriedandconvictedandcondemnedtodeath——Butyouhavenotcometothatyet，sotakeacigarandsmoketillwereachthecaleche。”
Lucientookacigarandlitit，Spanishfashion，atthepriest’scigar。“Heisright。”hethought；“Icantakemylifeatanytime。”
“Itoftenhappensthatayoungman’sfortunestakeaturnwhendespairisdarkest。”theSpaniardcontinued。“ThatiswhatIwishedtotellyou，butIpreferredtoproveitbyacaseinpoint。Herewasthehandsomeyoungsecretarylyingundersentenceofdeath，andhiscasethemoredesperatebecause，ashehadbeencondemnedbytheStates-
General，theKingcouldnotpardonhim，butheconnivedathisescape。
Thesecretarystoleawayinafishing-boatwithafewcrownsinhispocket，andreachedthecourtofCourlandwithaletterofintroductionfromGoertz，explaininghissecretary’sadventuresandhiscrazeforpaper。TheDukeofCourlandwasaspendthrift；hehadastewardandaprettywife——threeseveralcausesofruin。Heplacedthecharmingyoungstrangerwithhissteward。
“Ifyoucanimaginethatthesometimesecretaryhadbeencuredofhisdepravedtastebyasentenceofdeath，youdonotknowthegripthataman’sfailingshaveuponhim；letamandiscoversomesatisfactionforhimself，andtheheadsmanwillnotkeephimfromit——Howisitthatthevicehasthispower？Isitinherentstrengthinthevice，orinherentweaknessinhumannature？Aretherecertaintastesthatshouldberegardedasvergingoninsanity？Formyself，Icannothelplaughingatthemoralistswhotrytoexpelsuchdiseasesbyfinephrases——Well，itsofelloutthatthestewardrefusedademandformoney；andtheDuketakingfrightatthis，calledforanaudit。Sheerimbecility！Nothingeasierthantomakeoutabalance-sheet；thedifficultyneverliesthere。ThestewardgavehissecretaryallthenecessarydocumentsforcompilingascheduleofthecivillistofCourland。Hehadnearlyfinisheditwhen，inthedeadofnight，theunhappypaper-eaterdiscoveredthathewaschewinguponeoftheDuke’sdischargesforaconsiderablesum。Hehadeatenhalfthesignature！Horrorseizeduponhim；hefledtotheDuchess，flunghimselfatherfeet，toldherofhiscraze，andimploredtheaidofhissovereignlady，imploredherinthemiddleofthenight。ThehandsomeyoungfacemadesuchanimpressionontheDuchessthatshemarriedhimassoonasshewasleftawidow。Andsointhemid-
eighteenthcentury，inalandwheretheking-at-armsisking，thegoldsmith’ssonbecameaprince，andsomethingmore。OnthedeathofCatherineI。hewasregent；heruledtheEmpressAnne，andtriedtobetheRichelieuofRussia。Verywell，youngman；nowknowthis——ifyouarehandsomerthanBiron，I，simplecanonthatIam，amworthmorethanaBaronGoertz。Sogetin；wewillfindaduchyofCourlandforyouinParis，orfailingtheduchy，weshallcertainlyfindtheduchess。”
TheSpanishpriestlaidahandonLucien’sarm，andliterallyforcedhimintothetravelingcarriage。Thepostilionshutthedoor。
“Nowspeak；Iamlistening。”saidthecanonofToledo，toLucien’sbewilderment。“Iamanoldpriest；youcantellmeeverything，thereisnothingtofear。Sofarwehaveonlyrunthroughourpatrimonyorsquanderedmamma’smoney。Wehavemadeaflittingfromourcreditors，andwearehonorpersonifieddowntothetipsofourelegantlittleboots……Come，confess，boldly；itwillbejustasifyouweretalkingtoyourself。”
LucienfeltlikethatheroofanEasterntale，thefisherwhotriedtodrownhimselfinmid-ocean，andsankdowntofindhimselfakingofcountriesunderthesea。TheSpanishpriestseemedsoreallyaffectionate，thatthepoethesitatednolonger；betweenAngoulemeandRuffechetoldthestoryofhiswholelife，omittingnoneofhismisdeeds，andendedwiththefinalcatastrophewhichhehadbroughtabout。Thetaleonlygainedinpoeticcharmbecausethiswasthethirdtimehehadtolditinthepastfortnight。JustashemadeanendtheypassedthehouseoftheRastignacfamily。
“YoungRastignacleftthatplaceforParis。”saidLucien；“heiscertainlynotmyequal，buthehashadbetterluck。”
TheSpaniardstartedatthename。“Oh！“hesaid。
“Yes。Thatshylittleplacebelongstohisfather。AsIwastellingyoujustnow，hewastheloverofMme。deNucingen，thefamousbanker’swife。Idriftedintopoetry；hewascleverer，hetookthepracticalside。”
Theprieststoppedthecaleche；andwassofarcuriousastowalkdownthelittleavenuethatledtothehouse，showingmoreinterestintheplacethanLucienexpectedfromaSpanishecclesiastic。
“Then，doyouknowtheRastignacs？“askedLucien。
“IknoweveryoneinParis。”saidtheSpaniard，takinghisplaceagaininthecarriage。“Andsoforwantoftenortwelvethousandfrancs，youwereabouttotakeyourlife；youareachild，youknowneithermennorthings。Aman’sfutureisworththevaluethathechoosestosetuponit，andyouvalueyoursattwelvethousandfrancs！Well，I
willgivemorethanthatforyouanytime。Asforyourbrother-in-
law’simprisonment，itisthemeresttrifle。IfthisdearM。Sechardhasmadeadiscovery，hewillbearichmansomeday，andarichmanhasneverbeenimprisonedfordebt。Youdonotseemtometobestronginhistory。Historyisoftwokinds——thereistheofficialhistorytaughtinschools，alyingcompilationadusumdelphini；andthereisthesecrethistorywhichdealswiththerealcausesofevents——ascandalouschronicle。Letmetellyoubrieflyalittlestorywhichyouhavenotheard。Therewas，onceuponatime，aman，youngandambitious，andapriesttoboot。Hewantedtoenteruponapoliticalcareer，sohefawnedontheQueen’sfavorite；thefavoritetookaninterestinhim，gavehimtherankofminister，andaseatatthecouncilboard。Oneeveningsomebodywrotetotheyoungaspirant，thinkingtodohimaserviceneverdoaservice，bytheby，unlessyouareasked，andtoldhimthathisbenefactor’slifewasindanger。
TheKing’swrathwaskindledagainsthisrival；to-morrow，ifthefavoritewenttothepalace，hewouldcertainlybestabbed；sosaidtheletter。Well，now，youngman，whatwouldyouhavedone？“
“Ishouldhavegoneatoncetowarnmybenefactor。”Lucienexclaimedquickly。
“Youareindeedthechildwhichyourstoryreveals！“saidthepriest。
“Ourmansaidtohimself，’IftheKingisresolvedtogotosuchlengths，itisalloverwithmybenefactor；Imustreceivethislettertoolate；’sohesleptontillthefavoritewasstabbed——“
“Hewasamonster！“saidLucien，suspectingthatthepriestmeanttosoundhim。
“Soareallgreatmen；thisonewastheCardinaldeRichelieu，andhisbenefactorwastheMarechald’Ancre。YoureallydonotknowyourhistoryofFrance，yousee。WasInotrightwhenItoldyouthathistoryastaughtinschoolsissimplyacollectionoffactsanddates，morethandoubtfulinthefirstplace，andwithnobearingwhateveronthegistofthematter。YouaretoldthatsuchapersonasJeanneDarconceexisted；whereistheuseofthat？Haveyouneverdrawnyourownconclusionsfromthatfact？neverseenthatifFrancehadacceptedtheAngevindynastyofthePlantagenets，thetwopeoplesthusreunitedwouldberulingtheworldto-day，andtheislandsthatnowbrewpoliticalstormsforthecontinentwouldbeFrenchprovinces？……Why，haveyousomuchasstudiedthemeansbywhichsimplemerchantsliketheMedicisbecameGrandDukesofTuscany？“
“ApoetinFranceisnotboundtobe’aslearnedasaBenedictine，’“
saidLucien。
“Well，theybecameGrand-DukesasRichelieubecameaminister。Ifyouhadlookedintohistoryforthecausesofeventsinsteadofgettingtheheadingsbyheart，youwouldhavefoundpreceptsforyourguidanceinthislife。Theserealfactstakenatrandomfromamongsomanysupplyyouwiththeaxiom——’Lookuponmen，andonwomenmostofall，asyourinstruments；butneverletthemseethis。’Ifsomeonehigherinplacecanbeusefultoyou，worshiphimasyourgod；andneverleavehimuntilhehaspaidthepriceofyourservilitytothelastfarthing。Inyourintercoursewithmen，inshort，begraspingandmeanasaJew；allthattheJewdoesformoney，youmustdoforpower。Andbesidesallthis，whenamanhasfallenfrompower，carenomoreforhimthanifhehadceasedtoexist。Anddoyouaskwhyyoumustdothesethings？Youmeantoruletheworld，doyounot？Youmustbeginbyobeyingandstudyingit。Scholarsstudybooks；politiciansstudymen，andtheirinterestsandthespringsofaction。Societyandmankindinmassesarefatalists；theybowdownandworshiptheaccomplishedfact。DoyouknowwhyIamgivingyouthislittlehistorylesson？Itseemstomethatyourambitionisboundless——“
“Yes，father。”
“Isawthatmyself。”saidthepriest。“Butatthismomentyouarethinking，’HereisthisSpanishcanoninventinganecdotesandstraininghistorytoprovetomethatIhavetoomuchvirtue——’“
Lucienbegantosmile；histhoughtshadbeenreadsoclearly。
“Verywell，letustakefactsthateveryschoolboyknows。OnedayFranceisalmostentirelyoverrunbytheEnglish；theKinghasonlyasingleprovinceleft。Twofiguresarisefromamongthepeople——apoorherdgirl，thatveryJeanneDarcofwhomwewerespeaking，andaburghernamedJacquesCoeur。Thegirlbringsthepowerofvirginity，thestrengthofherarm；theburghergiveshisgold，andthekingdomissaved。Themaidistakenprisoner，andtheKing，whocouldhaveransomedher，leaveshertobeburnedalive。TheKingallowshiscourtiertoaccusethegreatburgherofcapitalcrime，andtheyrobhimanddivideallhiswealthamongthemselves。Thespoilsofaninnocentman，hunteddown，broughttobay，anddrivenintoexilebytheLaw，wenttoenrichfivenoblehouses；andthefatheroftheArchbishopofBourgesleftthekingdomforeverwithoutonesouofallhispossessionsinFrance，andnoresourcebutmoneysremittedtoArabsandSaracensinEgypt。Itisopentoyoutosaythattheseexamplesareoutofdate，thatthreecenturiesofpubliceducationhavesinceelapsed，andthattheoutlinesofthoseagesaremoreorlessdimfigures。Well，youngman，doyoubelieveinthelastdemi-godofFrance，inNapoleon？Oneofhisgeneralswasindisgraceallthroughhiscareer；Napoleonmadehimamarshalgrudgingly，andneversenthimonserviceifhecouldhelpit。ThatmarshalwasKellermann。
Doyouknowthereasonofthegrudge？……KellermannsavedFranceandtheFirstConsulatMarengobyabrilliantcharge；theranksapplaudedunderfireandinthethickofthecarnage。Thatheroicchargewasnotevenmentionedinthebulletin。Napoleon’scoolnesstowardKellermann，Fouche’sfall，andTalleyrand’sdisgracewereallattributabletothesamecause；itistheingratitudeofaCharlesVII。，oraRichelieu，or——“
“But，father。”saidLucien，“supposethatyoushouldsavemylifeandmakemyfortune，youaremakingthetiesofgratitudesomewhatslight。”
“Littlerogue。”saidtheAbbe，smilingashepinchedLucien’searwithanalmostroyalfamiliarity。“Ifyouareungratefultome，itwillbebecauseyouareastrongman，andIshallbendbeforeyou。Butyouarenotthatjustyet；asasimple’prenticeyouhavetriedtobemastertoosoon，thecommonfaultofFrenchmenofyourgeneration。Napoleon’sexamplehasspoiledthemall。Yousendinyourresignationbecauseyouhavenotthepairofepaulettesthatyoufancied。Buthaveyouattemptedtobringthefullforceofyourwillandeveryactionofyourlifetobearuponyouroneidea？“
“Alas！no。”
“Youhavebeeninconsistent，astheEnglishsay。”smiledthecanon。
“WhatIhavebeenmattersnothingnow。”saidLucien，“ifIcanbenothinginthefuture。”
“Ifatthebackofallyourgoodqualitiesthereispowersempervirens。”continuedthepriest，notaversetoshowthathehadalittleLatin，“nothinginthisworldcanresistyou。Ihavetakenenoughofalikingforyoualready——“
Luciensmiledincredulously。
“Yes。”saidthepriest，inanswertothesmile，“youinterestmeasmuchasifyouhadbeenmyson；andIamstrongenoughtoaffordtotalktoyouasopenlyasyouhavejustdonetome。DoyouknowwhatitisthatIlikeaboutyou？——This：youhavemadeasortoftabularasawithinyourself，andarereadytohearasermononmoralitythatyouwillhearnowhereelse；formankindinthemassareevenmoreconsummatehypocritesthananyoneindividualcanbewhenhisinterestsdemandapieceofacting。Mostofusspendagoodpartofourlivesinclearingourmindsofthenotionsthatsprangupuncheckedduringournonage。Thisiscalled’gettingourexperience。’“
Lucien，listening，thoughtwithinhimself，“Hereissomeoldintriguerdelightedwithachanceofamusinghimselfonajourney。Heispleasedwiththeideaofbringingaboutachangeofopinioninapoorwretchonthebrinkofsuicide；andwhenheistiredofhisamusement，hewilldropme。Stillheunderstandsparadox，andseemstobequiteamatchforBlondetorLousteau。”
Butinspiteofthesesagereflections，thediplomate’spoisonhadsunkdeeplyintoLucien’ssoul；thegroundwasreadytoreceiveit，andthehavocwroughtwasthegreaterbecausesuchfamousexampleswerecited。Lucienfellunderthecharmofhiscompanion’scynicaltalk，andclungthemorewillinglytolifebecausehefeltthatthisarmwhichdrewhimupfromthedepthswasastrongone。