Mme.deBargetonandLuciendeRubemprehadleftAngoulemebehind,andweretravelingtogetherupontheroadtoParis.Notoneofthepartywhomadethatjourneyalludedtoitafterwards;butitmaybebelievedthataninfatuatedyouthwhohadlookedforwardtothedelightsofanelopement,musthavefoundthecontinualpresenceofGentil,theman-
servant,andAlbertine,themaid,notalittleirksomeontheway.
Lucien,travelingpostforthefirsttimeinhislife,washorrifiedtoseeprettynearlythewholesumonwhichhemeanttoliveinParisforatwelvemonthdroppedalongtheroad.Likeothermenwhocombinegreatintellectualpowerswiththecharmingsimplicityofchildhood,heopenlyexpressedhissurpriseatthenewandwonderfulthingswhichhesaw,andtherebymadeamistake.Amanshouldstudyawomanverycarefullybeforeheallowshertoseehisthoughtsandemotionsastheyariseinhim.Awoman,whosenatureislargeasherheartistender,cansmileuponchildishness,andmakeallowances;butletherhaveeversosmallaspiceofvanityherself,andshecannotforgivechildishness,orlittleness,orvanityinherlover.Manyawomanissoextravagantaworshiperthatshemustalwaysseethegodinheridol;butthereareyetotherswholoveamanforhissakeandnotfortheirown,andadorehisfailingswithhisgreaterqualities.
LucienhadnotguessedasyetthatMme.deBargeton\'slovewasgraftedonpride.HemadeanothermistakewhenhefailedtodiscernthemeaningofcertainsmileswhichflittedoverLouise\'slipsfromtimetotime;andinsteadofkeepinghimselftohimself,heindulgedintheplayfulnessoftheyoungratemergingfromhisholeforthefirsttime.
ThetravelersweresetdownbeforedaybreakatthesignoftheGaillard-BoisintheRuedel\'Echelle,bothsotiredoutwiththejourneythatLouisewentstraighttobedandslept,firstbiddingLucientoengagetheroomimmediatelyoverhead.Luciensleptontillfouro\'clockintheafternoon,whenhewasawakenedbyMme.deBargeton\'sservant,andlearningthehour,madeahastytoiletandhurrieddownstairs.
Louisewassittingintheshabbyinnsitting-room.HotelaccommodationisablotonthecivilizationofParis;forwithallitspretensionstoelegance,thecityasyetdoesnotboastasingleinnwhereawell-
to-dotravelercanfindthesurroundingstowhichheisaccustomedathome.ToLucien\'sjust-awakened,sleep-dimmedeyes,Louisewashardlyrecognizableinthischeerless,sunlessroom,withtheshabbywindow-
curtains,thecomfortlesspolishedfloor,thehideousfurnitureboughtsecond-hand,ormuchtheworseforwear.
Somepeoplenolongerlookthesamewhendetachedfromthebackgroundoffaces,objects,andsurroundingswhichserveasasetting,withoutwhich,indeed,theyseemtolosesomethingoftheirintrinsicworth.
Personalitydemandsitsappropriateatmospheretobringoutitsvalues,justasthefiguresinFlemishinteriorsneedthearrangementoflightandshadeinwhichtheyareplacedbythepainter\'sgeniusiftheyaretoliveforus.Thisisespeciallytrueofprovincials.Mme.
deBargeton,moreover,lookedmorethoughtfulanddignifiedthanwasnecessarynow,whennobarriersstoodbetweenherandhappiness.
GentilandAlbertinewaiteduponthem,andwhiletheywerepresentLuciencouldnotcomplain.Thedinner,sentinfromaneighboringrestaurant,fellfarbelowtheprovincialaverage,bothinquantityandquality;theessentialgoodnessofcountryfarewaswanting,andinpointofquantitytheportionswerecutwithsostrictaneyetobusinessthattheysavoredofshortcommons.InsuchsmallmattersParisdoesnotshowitsbestsidetotravelersofmoderatefortune.
Lucienwaitedtillthemealwasover.SomechangehadcomeoverLouise,hethought,buthecouldnotexplainit.
Andachangehad,infact,takenplace.Eventshadoccurredwhileheslept;forreflectionisaneventinourinnerhistory,andMme.deBargetonhadbeenreflecting.
Abouttwoo\'clockthatafternoon,SixteduChateletmadehisappearanceintheRuedel\'EchelleandaskedforAlbertine.Thesleepingdamselwasroused,andtoherheexpressedhiswishtospeakwithhermistress.Mme.deBargetonhadscarcelytimetodressbeforehecamebackagain.TheunaccountableapparitionofM.duChateletrousedthelady\'scuriosity,forshehadkeptherjourneyaprofoundsecret,asshethought.Atthreeo\'clockthevisitorwasadmitted.
\"Ihaveriskedareprimandfromheadquarterstofollowyou,\"hesaid,ashegreetedher;\"Iforesawcomingevents.ButifIlosemypostforit,YOU,atanyrate,shallnotbelost.\"
\"Whatdoyoumean?\"exclaimedMme.deBargeton.
\"IcanseeplainlythatyouloveLucien,\"hecontinued,withanairoftenderresignation.\"YoumustloveindeedifYOUcanactthusrecklessly,anddisregardtheconventionswhichyouknowsowell.DearadoredNais,canyoureallyimaginethatMme.d\'Espard\'ssalon,oranyothersaloninParis,willnotbeclosedtoyouassoonasitisknownthatyouhavefledfromAngouleme,asitwere,withayoungman,especiallyaftertheduelbetweenM.deBargetonandM.deChandour?
ThefactthatyourhusbandhasgonetotheEscarbaslookslikeaseparation.Undersuchcircumstancesagentlemanfightsfirstandafterwardsleaveshiswifeatliberty.Byallmeans,giveM.deRubempreyourloveandyourcountenance;dojustasyouplease;butyoumustnotliveinthesamehouse.IfanybodyhereinParisknewthatyouhadtraveledtogether,thewholeworldthatyouhaveamindtoseewouldpointthefingeratyou.
\"And,Nais,donotmakethesesacrificesforayoungmanwhomyouhaveasyetcomparedwithnooneelse;he,onhisside,hasbeenputtonoproof;hemayforsakeyouforsomeParisienne,betterable,ashemayfancy,tofurtherhisambitions.Imeannoharmtothemanyoulove,butyouwillpermitmetoputyourowninterestsbeforehis,andtobegyoutostudyhim,tobefullyawareoftheseriousnatureofthisstepthatyouaretaking.And,then,ifyoufindalldoorsclosedagainstyou,andthatnoneofthewomencalluponyou,makesureatleastthatyouwillfeelnoregretforallthatyouhaverenouncedforhim.Beverycertainfirstthatheforwhomyouwillhavegivenupsomuchwillalwaysbeworthyofyoursacrificesandappreciatethem.
\"Justnow,\"continuedChatelet,\"Mme.d\'Espardisthemoreprudishandparticularbecausesheherselfisseparatedfromherhusband,nobodyknowswhy.TheNavarreins,theLenoncourts,theBlamont-Chauvrys,andtherestoftherelationshaveallralliedroundher;themoststrait-
lacedwomenareseenatherhouse,andreceiveherwithrespect,andtheMarquisd\'Espardhasbeenputinthewrong.ThefirstcallthatyoupaywillmakeitcleartoyouthatIamright;indeed,knowingParisasIdo,IcantellyoubeforehandthatyouwillnosoonerentertheMarquise\'ssalonthanyouwillbeindespairlestsheshouldfindoutthatyouarestayingattheGaillard-Boiswithanapothecary\'sson,thoughhemaywishtobecalledM.deRubempre.
\"Youwillhaverivalshere,womenfarmoreastuteandshrewdthanAmelie;theywillnotfailtodiscoverwhoyouare,whereyouare,whereyoucomefrom,andallthatyouaredoing.Youhavecounteduponyourincognito,Isee,butyouareoneofthosewomenforwhomanincognitoisoutofthequestion.YouwillmeetAngoulemeateveryturn.TherearethedeputiesfromtheCharentecomingupfortheopeningofthesession;thereistheCommandantinParisonleave.
Why,thefirstmanorwomanfromAngoulemewhohappenstoseeyouwouldcutyourcareershortinastrangefashion.YouwouldsimplybeLucien\'smistress.
\"Ifyouneedmeatanytime,IamstayingwiththeReceiver-GeneralintheRueduFaubourgSaint-Honore,twostepsawayfromMme.d\'Espard\'s.
IamsufficientlyacquaintedwiththeMarechaledeCarigliano,Mme.deSerizy,andthePresidentoftheCounciltointroduceyoutothosehouses;butyouwillmeetsomanypeopleatMme.d\'Espard\'s,thatyouarenotlikelytorequireme.Sofarfromwishingtogainadmittancetothissetorthat,everyonewillbelongingtomakeyouracquaintance.\"
Chatelettalkedon;Mme.deBargetonmadenointerruption.Shewasstruckwithhisperspicacity.ThequeenofAngoulemehad,infact,counteduponpreservingherincognito.
\"Youareright,mydearfriend,\"shesaidatlength;\"butwhatamItodo?\"
\"Allowmetofindsuitablefurnishedlodgingsforyou,\"suggestedChatelet;\"thatwayoflivingislessexpensivethananinn.Youwillhaveahomeofyourown;and,ifyouwilltakemyadvice,youwillsleepinyournewroomsthisverynight.\"
\"Buthowdidyouknowmyaddress?\"queriedshe.
\"Yourtravelingcarriageiseasilyrecognized;and,besides,Iwasfollowingyou.AtSevresyourpostiliontoldminethathehadbroughtyouhere.Willyoupermitmetoactasyourharbinger?IwillwriteassoonasIhavefoundlodgings.\"
\"Verywell,doso,\"saidshe.Andinthoseseeminglyinsignificantwords,allwassaid.TheBaronduChatelethadspokenthelanguageofworldlywisdomtoawomanoftheworld.Hehadmadehisappearancebeforeherinfaultlessdress,aneatcabwaswaitingforhimatthedoor;andMme.deBargeton,standingbythewindowthinkingovertheposition,chancedtoseetheelderlydandydriveaway.
AfewmomentslaterLucienappeared,halfawakeandhastilydressed.
Hewashandsome,itistrue;buthisclothes,hislastyear\'snankeentrousers,andhisshabbytightjacketwereridiculous.PutAntinousortheApolloBelvederehimselfintoawater-carrier\'sblouse,andhowshallyourecognizethegodlikecreatureoftheGreekorRomanchisel?
Theeyesnoteandcomparebeforethehearthastimetorevisetheswiftinvoluntaryjudgment;andthecontrastbetweenLucienandChateletwassoabruptthatitcouldnotfailtostrikeLouise.
Towardssixo\'clockthatevening,whendinnerwasover,Mme.deBargetonbeckonedLucientositbesideherontheshabbysofa,coveredwithafloweredchintz——ayellowpatternonaredground.
\"Lucienmine,\"shesaid,\"don\'tyouthinkthatifwehavebothofusdoneafoolishthing,suicidalforbothourinterests,itwouldonlybecommonsensetosetmattersright?WeoughtnottolivetogetherinParis,dearboy,andwemustnotallowanyonetosuspectthatwetraveledtogether.YourcareerdependssomuchuponmypositionthatI
oughttodonothingtospoilit.So,to-night,Iamgoingtoremoveintolodgingsnearby.Butyouwillstayonhere,wecanseeeachothereveryday,andnobodycansayawordagainstus.\"
AndLouiseexplainedconventionstoLucien,whoopenedwideeyes.Hehadstilltolearnthatwhenawomanthinksbetterofherfolly,shethinksbetterofherlove;butonethingheunderstood——hesawthathewasnolongertheLucienofAngouleme.Louisetalkedofherself,ofHERinterests,HERreputation,andoftheworld;and,toveilheregoism,shetriedtomakehimbelievethatthiswasallonhisaccount.HehadnoclaimuponLouisethussuddenlytransformedintoMme.deBargeton,and,moreseriousstill,hehadnopoweroverher.
Hecouldnotkeepbackthetearsthatfilledhiseyes.
\"IfIamyourglory,\"criedthepoet,\"youareyetmoretome——youaremyonehope,mywholefuturerestswithyou.Ithoughtthatifyoumeanttomakemysuccessesyours,youwouldsurelymakemyadversityyoursalso,andherewearegoingtopartalready.\"
\"Youarejudgingmyconduct,\"saidshe;\"youdonotloveme.\"
Lucienlookedatherwithsuchadolorousexpression,thatinspiteofherself,shesaid:
\"Darling,Iwillstayifyoulike.Weshallbothberuined,weshallhavenoonetocometoouraid.Butwhenwearebothequallywretched,andeveryoneshutstheirdooruponusboth,whenfailure(forwemustlookallpossibilitiesintheface),whenfailuredrivesusbacktotheEscarbas,thenremember,love,thatIforesawtheend,andthatatthefirstIproposedthatweshouldmakeyourwaybyconformingtoestablishedrules.\"
\"Louise,\"hecried,withhisarmsaroundher,\"youarewise;youfrightenme!RememberthatIamachild,thatIhavegivenmyselfupentirelytoyourdearwill.Imyselfshouldhavepreferredtoovercomeobstaclesandwinmywayamongmenbythepowerthatisinme;butifIcanreachthegoalsoonerthroughyouraid,Ishallbeverygladtooweallmysuccesstoyou.Forgiveme!YoumeansomuchtomethatI
cannothelpfearingallkindsofthings;and,forme,partingmeansthatdesertionisathand,anddesertionisdeath.\"
\"But,mydearboy,theworld\'sdemandsaresoonsatisfied,\"returnedshe.\"Youmustsleephere;thatisall.Alldaylongyouwillbewithme,andnoonecansayaword.\"
AfewkissessetLucien\'smindcompletelyatrest.AnhourlaterGentilbroughtinanotefromChatelet.HetoldMme.deBargetonthathehadfoundlodgingsforherintheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg.Mme.deBargetoninformedherselfoftheexactplace,andfoundthatitwasnotveryfarfromtheRuedel\'Echelle.\"Weshallbeneighbors,\"shetoldLucien.
TwohoursafterwardsLouisesteppedintothehiredcarriagesentbyChateletfortheremovaltothenewrooms.TheapartmentswereoftheclassthatupholsterersfurnishandlettowealthydeputiesandpersonsofconsiderationonashortvisittoParis——showyanduncomfortable.Itwaseleveno\'clockwhenLucienreturnedtohisinn,havingseennothingasyetofParisexceptthepartoftheRueSaint-
HonorewhichliesbetweentheRueNeuve-de-LuxembourgandtheRuedel\'Echelle.Helaydowninhismiserablelittleroom,andcouldnothelpcomparingitinhisownmindwithLouise\'ssumptuousapartments.
JustashecameawaytheBaronduChateletcamein,gorgeouslyarrayedineveningdress,freshfromtheMinisterforForeignAffairs,toinquirewhetherMme.deBargetonwassatisfiedwithallthathehaddoneonherbehalf.Naiswasuneasy.Thesplendorwasalarmingtohermind.Provinciallifehadreacteduponher;shewaspainfullyconscientiousoverheraccounts,andeconomicaltoadegreethatislookeduponasmiserlyinParis.ShehadbroughtwithhertwentythousandfrancsintheshapeofadraftontheReceiver-General,consideringthatthesumwouldmorethancovertheexpensesoffouryearsinParis;shewasafraidalreadylestsheshouldnothaveenough,andshouldrunintodebt;andnowChatelettoldherthatherroomswouldonlycostsixhundredfrancspermonth.
\"Ameretrifle,\"addedhe,seeingthatNaiswasstartled.\"Forfivehundredfrancsamonthyoucanhaveacarriagefromaliverystable;
fiftylouisinall.Youneedonlythinkofyourdress.Awomanmovingingoodsocietycouldnotwelldoless;andifyoumeantoobtainaReceiver-General\'sappointmentforM.deBargeton,orapostintheHousehold,yououghtnottolookpoverty-stricken.Here,inParis,theyonlygivetotherich.ItismostfortunatethatyoubroughtGentiltogooutwithyou,andAlbertineforyourownwoman,forservantsareenoughtoruinyouhere.Butwithyourintroductionsyouwillseldombehometoameal.\"
Mme.deBargetonandtheBarondeChateletchattedaboutParis.
Chateletgaveherallthenewsoftheday,themyriadnothingsthatyouareboundtoknow,underpenaltyofbeinganobody.BeforeverylongtheBaronalsogaveadviceastoshopping,recommendingHerbaultfortoquesandJulietteforhatsandbonnets;headdedtheaddressofafashionabledressmakertosupersedeVictorine.Inshort,hemadetheladyseethenecessityofrubbingoffAngouleme.Thenhetookhisleaveafterafinalflashofhappyinspiration.
\"IexpectIshallhaveaboxatoneofthetheatresto-morrow,\"heremarkedcarelessly;\"IwillcallforyouandM.deRubempre,foryoumustallowmetodothehonorsofParis.\"
\"ThereismoregenerosityinhischaracterthanIthought,\"saidMme.
deBargetontoherselfwhenLucienwasincludedintheinvitation.
InthemonthofJuneministersareoftenpuzzledtoknowwhattodowithboxesatthetheatre;ministerialistdeputiesandtheirconstituentsarebusyintheirvineyardsorharvestfields,andtheirmoreexactingacquaintancesareinthecountryortravelingabout;soitcomestopassthatthebestseatsarefilledatthisseasonwithheterogeneoustheatre-goers,neverseenatanyothertimeofyear,andthehouseisapttolookasifitweretapestriedwithveryshabbymaterial.ChatelethadthoughtalreadythatthiswashisopportunityofgivingNaistheamusementswhichprovincialscravemosteagerly,andthatwithverylittleexpense.
Thenextmorning,theveryfirstmorninginParis,LucienwenttotheRueNueve-de-LuxembourgandfoundthatLouisehadgoneout.Shehadgonetomakesomeindispensablepurchases,totakecounselofthemightyandillustriousauthoritiesinthematterofthefemininetoilette,pointedouttoherbyChatelet,forshehadwrittentotelltheMarquised\'Espardofherarrival.Mme.deBargetonpossessedtheself-confidencebornofalonghabitofrule,butshewasexceedinglyafraidofappearingtobeprovincial.Shehadtactenoughtoknowhowgreatlytherelationsofwomenamongthemselvesdependuponfirstimpressions;andthoughshefeltthatshewasequaltotakingherplaceatonceinsuchadistinguishedsetasMme.ded\'Espard\'s,shefeltalsothatshestoodinneedofgoodwillatherfirstentranceintosociety,andwasresolved,inthefirstplace,thatshewouldleavenothingundonetosecuresuccess.SoshefeltboundlesslythankfultoChateletforpointingoutthesewaysofputtingherselfinharmonywiththefashionableworld.
AsingularchancesoordereditthattheMarquisewasdelightedtofindanopportunityofbeingusefultoaconnectionofherhusband\'sfamily.TheMarquisd\'Espardhadwithdrawnhimselfwithoutapparentreasonfromsociety,andceasedtotakeanyactiveinterestinaffairs,politicalordomestic.Hiswife,thusleftmistressofheractions,felttheneedofthesupportofpublicopinion,andwasgladtotaketheMarquis\'placeandgivehercountenancetooneofherhusband\'srelations.Shemeanttobeostentatiouslygracious,soastoputherhusbandmoreevidentlyinthewrong;andthatverydayshewrote,\"Mme.deBargetonneeNegrepelisse\"acharmingbillet,oneoftheprettilywordedcompositionsofwhichtimealonecandiscovertheemptiness.
\"Shewasdelightedthatcircumstanceshadbroughtarelative,ofwhomshehadheard,whoseacquaintanceshehaddesiredtomake,intocloserconnectionwithherfamily.FriendshipsinPariswerenotsosolidbutthatshelongedtofindonemoretoloveonearth;andifthismightnotbe,therewouldonlybeonemoreillusiontoburywiththerest.
Sheputherselfentirelyathercousin\'sdisposal.Shewouldhavecalleduponherifindispositionhadnotkepthertothehouse,andshefeltthatshelayalreadyunderobligationstothecousinwhohadthoughtofher.\"
Lucien,meanwhile,takinghisfirstramblealongtheRuedelaPaixandthroughtheBoulevards,likeallnewcomers,wasmuchmoreinterestedinthethingsthathesawthaninthepeoplehemet.ThegeneraleffectofParisiswhollyengrossingatfirst.Thewealthintheshopwindows,thehighhouses,thestreamsoftraffic,thecontrasteverywherebetweenthelastextremesofluxuryandwantstruckhimmorethananythingelse.Inhisastonishmentatthecrowdsofstrangefaces,themanofimaginativetemperfeltasifhehimselfhadshrunk,asitwere,immensely.Amanofanyconsequenceinhisnativeplace,wherehecannotgooutbuthemeetswithsomerecognitionofhisimportanceateverystep,doesnotreadilyaccustomhimselftothesuddenandtotalextinctionofhisconsequence.Youaresomebodyinyourowncountry,inParisyouarenobody.Thetransitionbetweenthefirststateandthelastshouldbemadegradually,forthetooabruptfallissomethinglikeannihilation.Pariscouldnotfailtobeanappallingwildernessforayoungpoet,wholookedforanechoforallhissentiments,aconfidantforallhisthoughts,asoultosharehisleastsensations.
Lucienhadnotgoneinsearchofhisluggageandhisbestbluecoat;
andpainfullyconsciousoftheshabbiness,tosaynoworse,ofhisclothes,hewenttoMme.deBargeton,feelingthatshemusthavereturned.HefoundtheBaronduChatelet,whocarriedthembothofftodinnerattheRocherdeCancale.Lucien\'sheadwasdizzywiththewhirlofParis,theBaronwasinthecarriage,hecouldsaynothingtoLouise,buthesqueezedherhand,andshegaveawarmresponsetothemuteconfidence.
AfterdinnerChatelettookhisgueststotheVaudeville.Lucien,inhisheart,wasnotoverwellpleasedtoseeChateletagain,andcursedthechancethathadbroughttheBarontoParis.TheBaronsaidthatambitionhadbroughthimtotown;hehadhopesofanappointmentassecretary-generaltoagovernmentdepartment,andmeanttotakeaseatintheCouncilofStateasMasterofRequests.HehadcometoParistoaskforfulfilmentofthepromisesthathadbeengivenhim,foramanofhisstampcouldnotbeexpectedtoremainacomptrollerallhislife;hewouldratherbenothingatall,andofferhimselfforelectionasdeputy,orre-enterdiplomacy.Chateletgrewvisiblytaller;LuciendimlybegantorecognizeinthiselderlybeauthesuperiorityofthemanoftheworldwhoknowsParis;and,mostofall,hefeltashamedtoowehisevening\'samusementtohisrival.AndwhilethepoetlookedillateaseandawkwardHerRoyalHighness\'
ex-secretarywasquiteinhiselement.Hesmiledathisrival\'shesitations,athisastonishment,atthequestionsheput,atthelittlemistakeswhichthelatterignorantlymade,muchasanoldsaltlaughsatanapprenticewhohasnotfoundhissealegs;butLucien\'spleasureatseeingaplayforthefirsttimeinParisoutweighedtheannoyanceofthesesmallhumiliations.
ThateveningmarkedanepochinLucien\'scareer;heputawayagoodmanyofhisideasastoprovinciallifeinthecourseofit.Hishorizonwidened;societyassumeddifferentproportions.TherewerefairParisiennesinfreshandeleganttoilettesallabouthim;Mme.deBargeton\'scostume,tolerablyambitiousthoughitwas,lookeddowdybycomparison;thematerial,likethefashionandthecolor,wasoutofdate.Thatwayofarrangingherhair,sobewitchinginAngouleme,lookedfrightfullyuglyhereamongthedaintilydevisedcoiffureswhichhesawineverydirection.
\"Willshealwayslooklikethat?\"saidhetohimself,ignorantthatthemorninghadbeenspentinpreparingatransformation.
Intheprovincescomparisonandchoiceareoutofthequestion;whenafacehasgrownfamiliaritcomestopossessacertainbeautythatistakenforgranted.ButtransporttheprettywomanoftheprovincestoParis,andnoonetakestheslightestnoticeofher;herprettinessisofthecomparativedegreeillustratedbythesayingthatamongtheblindtheone-eyedarekings.Lucien\'seyeswerenowbusycomparingMme.deBargetonwithotherwomen,justassheherselfhadcontrastedhimwithChateletonthepreviousday.AndMme.deBargeton,onherpart,permittedherselfsomestrangereflectionsuponherlover.Thepoetcutapoorfigurenotwithstandinghissingularbeauty.Thesleevesofhisjacketweretooshort;withhisill-cutcountryglovesandawaistcoattooscantyforhim,helookedprodigiouslyridiculous,comparedwiththeyoungmeninthebalcony——\"positivelypitiable,\"
thoughtMme.deBargeton.Chatelet,interestedinherwithoutpresumption,takingcareofherinamannerthatrevealedaprofoundpassion;Chatelet,elegant,andasmuchathomeasanactortreadingthefamiliarboardsofhistheatre,intwodayshadrecoveredallthegroundlostinthepastsixmonths.
Ordinarypeoplewillnotadmitthatoursentimentstowardseachothercantotallychangeinamoment,andyetcertainitis,thattwoloversnotseldomflyapartevenmorequicklythantheydrewtogether.InMme.deBargetonandinLucienaprocessofdisenchantmentwasatwork;Pariswasthecause.Lifehadwidenedoutbeforethepoet\'seyes,associetycametowearanewaspectforLouise.Nothingbutanaccidentnowwasneededtoseverfinallythebondthatunitedthem;
norwasthatblow,soterribleforLucien,verylongdelayed.
Mme.deBargetonsetLuciendownathisinn,anddrovehomewithChatelet,totheintensevexationofthelucklesslover.
\"Whatwilltheysayaboutme?\"hewondered,asheclimbedthestairstohisdismalroom.
\"Thatpoorfellowisuncommonlydull,\"saidChatelet,withasmile,whenthedoorwasclosed.
\"Thatisthewaywiththosewhohaveaworldofthoughtsintheirheartandbrain.Menwhohavesomuchinthemtogiveoutingreatworkslongdreamedof,professacertaincontemptforconversation,acommerceinwhichtheintellectspendsitselfinsmallchange,\"
returnedthehaughtyNegrepelisse.ShestillhadcouragetodefendLucien,butlessforLucien\'ssakethanforherown.
\"Igrantityouwillingly,\"repliedtheBaron,\"butwelivewithhumanbeingsandnotwithbooks.There,dearNais!Iseehowitis,thereisnothingbetweenyouyet,andIamdelightedthatitisso.Ifyoudecidetobringaninterestofakindhithertolackingintoyourlife,letitnotbethisso-calledgenius,Iimploreyou.Howifyouhavemadeamistake?Supposethatinafewdays\'time,whenyouhavecomparedhimwithmenwhomyouwillmeet,menofrealability,menwhohavedistinguishedthemselvesingoodearnest;supposethatyoushoulddiscover,dearandfairsiren,thatitisnolyre-bearerthatyouhaveborneintoportonyourdazzlingshoulders,butalittleape,withnomannersandnocapacity;apresumptuousfoolwhomaybeawitinL\'Houmeau,butturnsoutaveryordinaryspecimenofayoungmaninParis?And,afterall,volumesofversecomeouteveryweekhere,theworstofthembetterthanallM.Chardon\'spoetryputtogether.Forpity\'ssake,waitandcompare!To-morrow,Friday,isOperanight,\"hecontinuedasthecarriageturnedintotheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg;
\"Mme.d\'EspardhastheboxoftheFirstGentlemenoftheChamber,andwilltakeyou,nodoubt.IshallgotoMme.deSerizy\'sboxtobeholdyouinyourglory.TheyaregivingLesDanaides.\"
\"Good-bye,\"saidshe.
NextmorningMme.deBargetontriedtoarrangeasuitabletoiletteinwhichtocallonhercousin,Mme.d\'Espard.Theweatherwasratherchilly.LookingthroughthedowdywardrobefromAngouleme,shefoundnothingbetterthanacertaingreenvelvetgown,trimmedfantasticallyenough.Lucien,forhispart,feltthathemustgoatonceforhiscelebratedbluebestcoat;hefeltaghastatthethoughtofhistightjacket,anddeterminedtobewelldressed,lestheshouldmeettheMarquised\'Espardorreceiveasuddensummonstoherhouse.Hemusthavehisluggageatonce,sohetookacab,andintwohours\'timespentthreeorfourfrancs,matterformuchsubsequentreflectiononthescaleofthecostoflivinginParis.Havingdressedhimselfinhisbest,suchasitwas,hewenttotheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg,andonthedoorstepencounteredGentilincompanywithagorgeouslybe-featheredchasseur.
\"Iwasjustgoingroundtoyou,sir,madamegavemealineforyou,\"
saidGentil,ignorantofParisianformsofrespect,andaccustomedtohomelyprovincialways.Thechasseurtookthepoetforaservant.
Lucientoreopenthenote,andlearnedthatMme.deBargetonhadgonetospendthedaywiththeMarquised\'Espard.ShewasgoingtotheOperaintheevening,butshetoldLucientobetheretomeether.Hercousinpermittedhertogivehimaseatinherbox.TheMarquised\'Espardwasdelightedtoprocuretheyoungpoetthatpleasure.
\"Thenshelovesme!myfearswereallnonsense!\"saidLucientohimself.\"Sheisgoingtopresentmetohercousinthisveryevening.\"
Hejumpedforjoy.Hewouldspendthedaythatseparatedhimfromthehappyeveningasjoyouslyasmightbe.HedashedoutinthedirectionoftheTuileries,dreamingofwalkingthereuntilitwastimetodineatVery\'s.Andnow,beholdLucienfriskingandskipping,lightoffootbecauselightofheart,onhiswaytotheTerrassedesFeuillantstotakealookatthepeopleofqualityonpromenadethere.Prettywomenwalkarm-in-armwithmenoffashion,theiradorers,couplesgreeteachotherwithaglanceastheypass;howdifferentitisfromtheterraceatBeaulieu!HowfarfinerthebirdsonthisperchthantheAngoulemespecies!ItisasifyoubeheldallthecolorsthatglowintheplumageofthefeatheredtribesofIndiaandAmerica,insteadofthesoberEuropeanfamilies.
ThoseweretwowretchedhoursthatLucienspentintheGardenoftheTuileries.Aviolentrevulsionsweptthroughhim,andhesatinjudgmentuponhimself.
Inthefirstplace,notasingleoneofthesegildedyouthsworeaswallow-tailcoat.Thefewexceptions,oneortwopoorwretches,aclerkhereandthere,anannuitantfromtheMarais,couldberuledoutonthescoreofage;andharduponthediscoveryofadistinctionbetweenmorningandeveningdress,thepoet\'squicksensibilityandkeeneyessawlikewisethathisshabbyoldclotheswerenotfittobeseen;thedefectsinhiscoatbrandedthatgarmentasridiculous;thecutwasold-fashioned,thecolorwasthewrongshadeofblue,thecollaroutrageouslyungainly,thecoattails,bydintoflongwear,overlappedeachother,thebuttonswerereddened,andtherewerefatalwhitelinesalongtheseams.Thenhiswaistcoatwastooshort,andsogrotesquelyprovincial,thathehastilybuttonedhiscoatoverit;
and,finally,nomanofanypretensiontofashionworenankeentrousers.Well-dressedmenworecharmingfancymaterialsorimmaculatewhite,andeveryonehadstrapstohistrousers,whiletheshrunkenhemsofLucien\'snethergarmentsmanifestedaviolentantipathyfortheheelsofbootswhichtheyweddedwithobviousreluctance.Lucienworeawhitecravatwithembroideredends;hissisterhadseenthatM.
duHautoyandM.deChandourworesuchthings,andhastenedtomakesimilaronesforherbrother.Here,nooneappearedtowearwhitecravatsofamorningexceptafewgraveseniors,elderlycapitalists,andausterepublicfunctionaries,until,inthestreetontheothersideoftherailings,Luciennoticedagrocer\'sboywalkingalongtheRuedeRivoliwithabasketonhishead;himthemanofAngoulemedetectedintheactofsportingacravat,withbothendsadornedbythehandiworkofsomeadoredshop-girl.ThesightwasastabtoLucien\'sbreast;penetratingstraighttothatorganasyetundefined,theseatofoursensibility,theregionwhither,sincesentimenthashadanyexistence,thesonsofmencarrytheirhandsinanyexcessofjoyoranguish.Donotaccusethischronicleofpuerility.Therich,tobesure,neverhavingexperiencedsufferingsofthiskind,maythinkthemincrediblypettyandsmall;buttheagoniesoflessfortunatemortalsareaswellworthourattentionascrisesandvicissitudesinthelivesofthemightyandprivilegedonesofearth.
Isnotthepainequallygreatforeither?Sufferingexaltsallthings.
And,afterall,supposethatwechangethetermsandforasuitofclothes,moreorlessfine,putinsteadaribbon,orastar,oratitle;havenotbrilliantcareersbeentormentedbyreasonofsuchapparenttriflesasthese?Add,moreover,thatforthosepeoplewhomustseemtohavethatwhichtheyhavenot,thequestionofclothesisofenormousimportance,andnotunfrequentlytheappearanceofpossessionistheshortestroadtopossessionatalaterday.
AcoldsweatbrokeoutoverLucienashebethoughthimselfthatto-nighthemustmakehisfirstappearancebeforetheMarquiseinthisdress——theMarquised\'Espard,relativeofaFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber,awomanwhosehousewasfrequentedbythemostillustriousamongillustriousmenineveryfield.
\"Ilooklikeanapothecary\'sson,aregularshop-drudge,\"heragedinwardly,watchingtheyouthoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainpassunderhiseyes;graceful,spruce,fashionablydressed,withacertainuniformityofair,asamenessduetoafinenessofcontour,andacertaindignityofcarriageandexpression;though,atthesametime,eachonedifferedfromtherestinthesettingbywhichhehadchosentobringhispersonalcharacteristicsintoprominence.Eachonemadethemostofhispersonaladvantages.YoungmeninParisunderstandtheartofpresentingthemselvesquiteaswellaswomen.Lucienhadinheritedfromhismothertheinvaluablephysicaldistinctionofrace,butthemetalwasstillintheore,andnotsetfreebythecraftsman\'shand.
Hishairwasbadlycut.Insteadofholdinghimselfuprightwithanelasticcorset,hefeltthathewascoopedupinsideahideousshirt-
collar;hehunghisdejectedheadwithoutresistanceonthepartofalimpcravat.WhatwomancouldguessthatahandsomefootwashiddenbytheclumsybootswhichhehadbroughtfromAngouleme?Whatyoungmancouldenvyhimhisgracefulfigure,disguisedbytheshapelessbluesackwhichhithertohehadmistakenlybelievedtobeacoat?Whatbewitchingstudshesawonthosedazzlingwhiteshirtfronts,hisownlookeddingybycomparison;andhowmarvelouslyalltheseelegantpersonsweregloved,hisowngloveswereonlyfitforapoliceman!
Yonderwasayouthtoyingwithacaneexquisitelymounted;there,anotherwithdaintygoldstudsinhiswristbands.Yetanotherwastwistingacharmingriding-whipwhilehetalkedwithawoman;therewerespecksofmudontheamplefoldsofhiswhitetrousers,heworeclankingspursandatight-fittingjacket,evidentlyhewasabouttomountoneofthetwohorsesheldbyahop-o\'-my-thumbofatiger.A
youngmanwhowentpastdrewawatchnothickerthanafive-francpiecefromhispocket,andlookedatitwiththeairofapersonwhoiseithertooearlyortoolateforanappointment.
Lucien,seeingthesepettytrifles,hithertounimagined,becameawareofawholeworldofindispensablesuperfluities,andshudderedtothinkoftheenormouscapitalneededbyaprofessionalprettyfellow!
Themoreheadmiredthesegayandcarelessbeings,themoreconscioushegrewofhisownoutlandishness;heknewthathelookedlikeamanwhohasnoideaofthedirectionofthestreets,whostandsclosetothePalaisRoyalandcannotfindit,andaskshiswaytotheLouvreofapasser-by,whotellshim,\"Hereyouare.\"Luciensawagreatgulffixedbetweenhimandthisnewworld,andaskedhimselfhowhemightcrossover,forhemeanttobeoneofthesedelicate,slimyouthsofParis,theseyoungpatricianswhobowedbeforewomendivinelydressedanddivinelyfair.Foronekissfromoneofthese,LucienwasreadytobecutinpieceslikeCountPhilipofKonigsmark.Louise\'sfaceroseupsomewhereintheshadowybackgroundofmemory——comparedwiththesequeens,shelookedlikeanoldwoman.Hesawwomenwhosenameswillappearinthehistoryofthenineteenthcentury,womennolessfamousthanthequeensofpasttimesfortheirwit,theirbeauty,ortheirlovers;onewhopassedwastheheroineMlle.desTouches,sowellknownasCamilleMaupin,thegreatwomanofletters,greatbyherintellect,greatnolessbyherbeauty.Heoverheardthenamepronouncedbythosewhowentby.
\"Ah!\"hethoughttohimself,\"sheisPoetry.\"
WhatwasMme.deBargetonincomparisonwiththisangelinallthegloryofyouth,andhope,andpromiseofthefuture,withthatsweetsmileofhers,andthegreatdarkeyeswithallheaveninthem,andtheglowinglightofthesun?ShewaslaughingandchattingwithMme.
Firmiani,oneofthemostcharmingwomeninParis.Avoiceindeedcried,\"Intellectistheleverbywhichtomovetheworld,\"butanothervoicecriednolessloudlythatmoneywasthefulcrum.
Hewouldnotstayanylongeronthesceneofhiscollapseanddefeat,andwenttowardsthePalaisRoyal.Hedidnotknowthetopographyofhisquarteryet,andwasobligedtoaskhisway.ThenhewenttoVery\'sandordereddinnerbywayofaninitiationintothepleasuresofParis,andasolaceforhisdiscouragement.AbottleofBordeaux,oystersfromOstend,adishoffish,apartridge,adishofmacaronianddessert,——thiswastheneplusultraofhisdesire.Heenjoyedthislittledebauch,studyingthewhilehowtogivetheMarquised\'Espardproofofhiswit,andredeemtheshabbinessofhisgrotesqueaccoutrementsbythedisplayofintellectualriches.Thetotalofthebilldrewhimdownfromthesedreams,andlefthimthepoorerbyfiftyofthefrancswhichweretohavegonesuchalongwayinParis.HecouldhavelivedinAngoulemeforamonthonthepriceofthatdinner.
Whereforeheclosedthedoorofthepalacewithawe,thinkingashedidsothatheshouldneversetfootinitagain.
\"Evewasright,\"hesaidtohimself,ashewentbackunderthestonearcadingforsomemoremoney.\"ThereisadifferencebetweenParispricesandpricesinL\'Houmeau.\"
Hegazedinatthetailors\'windowsontheway,andthoughtofthecostumesintheGardenoftheTuileries.
\"No,\"heexclaimed,\"IwillNOTappearbeforeMme.d\'EsparddressedoutasIam.\"
Hefledtohisinn,fleetasastag,rusheduptohisroom,tookoutahundredcrowns,andwentdownagaintothePalaisRoyal,wherehisfutureelegancelayscatteredoverhalfascoreofshops.Thefirsttailorwhosedoorheenteredtriedasmanycoatsuponhimashewouldconsenttoputon,andpersuadedhiscustomerthatallwereintheverylatestfashion.Luciencameouttheownerofagreencoat,apairofwhitetrousers,anda\"fancywaistcoat,\"forwhichoutfithegavetwohundredfrancs.Erelonghefoundaveryelegantpairofready-
madeshoesthatfittedhisfoot;and,finally,whenhehadmadeallnecessarypurchases,heorderedthetradespeopletosendthemtohisaddress,andinquiredforahairdresser.Atseveno\'clockthateveninghecalledacabanddroveawaytotheOpera,curledlikeaSaintJohnofaProcessionDay,elegantlywaistcoatedandgloved,butfeelingalittleawkwardinthiskindofsheathinwhichhefoundhimselfforthefirsttime.
InobediencetoMme.deBargeton\'sinstructions,heaskedfortheboxreservedfortheFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber.Themanattheboxofficelookedathim,andbeholdingLucieninallthegrandeurassumedfortheoccasion,inwhichhelookedlikeabestmanatawedding,askedLucienforhisorder.
\"Ihavenoorder.\"
\"Thenyoucannotgoin,\"saidthemanattheboxofficedrily.
