Butitwasinthepassageknownbythepompoustitleofthe\"GlassGallery\"thattheoddesttradeswerecarriedon.Herewereventriloquistsandcharlatansofeverysort,andsightsofeverydescription,fromthekindwherethereisnothingtoseetopanoramasoftheglobe.Onemanwhohassincemadesevenoreighthundredthousandfrancsbytravelingfromfairtofairbeganherebyhangingoutasignboard,arevolvingsuninablackboard,andtheinscriptioninredletters:\"HereManmayseewhatGodcanneversee.Admittance,twosous.\"Theshowmanatthedoorneveradmittedonepersonalone,normorethantwoatatime.Onceinside,youconfrontedagreatlooking-glass;andavoice,whichmighthaveterrifiedHoffmannofBerlin,suddenlyspokeasifsomespringhadbeentouched,\"Youseehere,gentlemen,somethingthatGodcanneverseethroughalleternity,thatistosay,yourlike.GodhasnotHislike.\"Andoutyouwent,tooshamefacedtoconfesstoyourstupidity.
Voicesissuedfromeverynarrowdoorway,cryingupthemeritsofCosmoramas,viewsofConstantinople,marionettes,automaticchess-
players,andperformingdogswhowouldpickyououttheprettiestwomaninthecompany.TheventriloquistFritz-JamesflourishedhereintheCafeBorelbeforehewenttofightandfallatMontmartrewiththeyoungladsfromtheEcolepolytechnique.Here,too,therewerefruitandflowershops,andafamoustailorwhosegold-laceduniformsshonelikethesunwhentheshopswerelightedatnight.
Ofamorningthegallerieswereempty,dark,anddeserted;theshopkeeperschattedamongthemselves.Towardstwoo\'clockintheafternoonthePalaisbegantofill;atthree,mencameinfromtheBourse,andParis,generallyspeaking,crowdedtheplace.Impecuniousyouth,hungeringafterliterature,tooktheopportunityofturningoverthepagesofthebooksexposedforsaleonthestallsoutsidethebooksellers\'shops;themeninchargecharitablyallowedapoorstudenttopursuehiscourseoffreestudies;andinthiswayaduodecimovolumeofsometwohundredpages,suchasSmarraorPierreSchlemihl,orJeanSbogarorJocko,mightbedevouredinacoupleofafternoons.TherewassomethingveryFrenchinthisalmsgiventotheyoung,hungry,starvedintellect.Circulatinglibrarieswerenotasyet;ifyouwishedtoreadabook,youwereobligedtobuyit,forwhichreasonnovelsoftheearlypartofthecenturyweresoldinnumberswhichnowseemwell-nighfabuloustous.
Butthepoetryofthisterriblemartappearedinallitssplendoratthecloseoftheday.Womenofthetown,flockinginandoutfromtheneighboringstreets,wereallowedtomakeapromenadeoftheWoodenGalleries.ThithercameprostitutesfromeveryquarterofParisto\"dothePalais.\"TheStoneGalleriesbelongedtoprivilegedhouses,whichpaidfortherightofexposingwomendressedlikeprincessesundersuchandsuchanarch,orinthecorrespondingspaceofgarden;buttheWoodenGallerieswerethecommongroundofwomenofthestreets.
ThiswasTHEPalais,awordwhichusedtosignifythetempleofprostitution.Awomanmightcomeandgo,takingawayherpreywhithersoeverseemedgoodtoher.Sogreatwasthecrowdattractedthitheratnightbythewomen,thatitwasimpossibletomoveexceptataslowpace,asinaprocessionoratamaskedball.Nobodyobjectedtotheslowness;itfacilitatedexamination.Thewomendressedinawaythatisneverseennowadays.Thebodicescutextremelylowbothbackandfront;thefantasticalhead-dresses,designedtoattractnotice;hereacapfromthePaysdeCaux,andthereaSpanishmantilla;thehaircrimpedandcurledlikeapoodle\'s,orsmootheddowninbandeauxovertheforehead;theclose-fittingwhitestockingsandlimbs,revealeditwouldnotbeeasytosayhow,butalwaysattherightmoment——allthispoetryofvicehasfled.Thelicenseofquestionandreply,thepubliccynicisminkeepingwiththehaunt,isnowunknownevenatmasqueradesorthefamouspublicballs.
Itwasanappalling,gayscene.Thedazzlingwhitefleshofthewomen\'snecksandshouldersstoodoutinmagnificentcontrastagainstthemen\'salmostinvariablysombrecostumes.Themurmurofvoices,thehumofthecrowd,couldbeheardeveninthemiddleofthegardenasasortofdroningbass,interspersedwithfioritureofshrilllaughterorclamorofsomeraredispute.Yousawgentlemenandcelebritiescheekbyjowlwithgallows-birds.Therewassomethingindescribablypiquantabouttheanomalousassemblage;themostinsensibleofmenfeltitscharm,somuchso,that,untiltheverylastmoment,Pariscamehithertowalkupanddownonthewoodenplankslaidoverthecellarswheremenwereatworkonthenewbuildings;andwhenthesqualidwoodenerectionswerefinallytakendown,greatandunanimousregretwasfelt.
Ladvocatthebooksellerhadopenedashopbutafewdayssinceintheangleformedbythecentralpassagewhichcrossedthegalleries;andimmediatelyoppositeanotherbookseller,nowforgotten,Dauriat,aboldandyouthfulpioneer,whoopenedupthepathsinwhichhisrivalwastoshine.Dauriat\'sshopstoodintherowwhichgaveuponthegarden;Ladvocat\'s,ontheoppositeside,lookedoutuponthecourt.
Dauriat\'sestablishmentwasdividedintotwoparts;hisshopwassimplyagreattradewarehouse,andthesecondroomwashisprivateoffice.
Lucien,onthisfirstvisittotheWoodenGalleries,wasbewilderedbyasightwhichnonovicecanresist.Hesoonlosttheguidewhobefriendedhim.
\"Ifyouwereasgood-lookingasyonderyoungfellow,Iwouldgiveyouyourmoney\'sworth,\"awomansaid,pointingoutLucientoanoldman.
Lucienslunkthroughthecrowdlikeablindman\'sdog,followingthestreaminastateofstupefactionandexcitementdifficulttodescribe.Importunedbyglancesandwhite-roundedcontours,dazzledbytheaudaciousdisplayofbaredthroatandbosom,hegrippedhisrollofmanuscripttightlylestsomebodyshouldstealit——innocentthathewas!
\"Well,whatisit,sir!\"heexclaimed,thinking,whensomeonecaughthimbythearm,thathispoetryhadprovedtoogreatatemptationtosomeauthor\'shonesty,andturning,herecognizedLousteau.
\"Ifeltsurethatyouwouldfindyourwayhereatlast,\"saidhisfriend.
Thepoetwasstandinginthedoorwayofashopcrowdedwithpersonswaitingforanaudiencewiththesultanofthepublishingtrade.
Printers,paper-dealers,anddesignerswerecatechizingDauriat\'sassistantsastopresentorfuturebusiness.
LousteaudrewLucienintotheshop.\"There!thatisFinotwhoeditsmypaper,\"hesaid;\"heistalkingwithFelicienVernou,whohasabilities,butthelittlewretchisasdangerousasahiddendisease.\"
\"Well,oldboy,thereisafirstnightforyou,\"saidFinot,comingupwithVernou.\"Ihavedisposedofthebox.\"
\"SoldittoBraulard?\"
\"Well,andifIdid,whatthen?Youwillgetaseat.WhatdoyouwantwithDauriat?Oh,itisagreedthatwearetopushPauldeKock,Dauriathastakentwohundredcopies,andVictorDucangeisrefusingtogivehimhisnext.Dauriatwantstosetupanothermaninthesameline,hesays.YoumustratePauldeKockaboveDucange.\"
\"ButIhaveapieceonwithDucangeattheGaite,\"saidLousteau.
\"Verywell,tellhimthatIwrotethearticle.ItcanbesupposedthatIwroteaslashingreview,andyoutoneditdown;andhewilloweyouthanks.\"
\"Couldn\'tyougetDauriat\'scashiertodiscountthisbitofabillforahundredfrancs?\"askedEtienneLousteau.\"WearecelebratingFlorine\'shouse-warmingwithasupperto-night,youknow.\"
\"Ah!yes,youaretreatingusall,\"saidFinot,withanapparenteffortofmemory.\"Here,Gabusson,\"headded,handingBarbet\'sbilltothecashier,\"letmehaveninetyfrancsforthisindividual——Fillinyourname,oldman.\"
Lousteausignedhisnamewhilethecashiercountedoutthemoney;andLucien,alleyesandears,lostnotasyllableoftheconversation.
\"Thatisnotall,myfriend,\"Etiennecontinued;\"Idon\'tthankyou,wehaveswornaneternalfriendship.IhavetakenituponmyselftointroducethisgentlemantoDauriat,andyoumustinclinehiseartolistentous.\"
\"Whatisonfoot?\"askedFinot.
\"Avolumeofpoetry,\"saidLucien.
\"Oh!\"saidFinot,withashrugoftheshoulders.
\"Youracquaintancecannothavehadmuchtodowithpublishers,orhewouldhavehiddenhismanuscriptintheloneliestspotinhisdwelling,\"remarkedVernou,lookingatLucienashespoke.
Justatthatmomentagood-lookingyoungmancameintotheshop,gaveahandtoFinotandLousteau,andnoddedslightlytoVernou.ThenewcomerwasEmileBlondet,whohadmadehisfirstappearanceintheJournaldesDebats,witharticlesrevealingcapacitiesoftheveryhighestorder.
\"Comeandhavesupperwithusatmidnight,atFlorine\'s,\"saidLousteau.
\"Verygood,\"saidthenewcomer.\"Butwhoisgoingtobethere?\"
\"Oh,FlorineandMatifatthedruggist,\"saidLousteau,\"andduBruel,theauthorwhogaveFlorinethepartinwhichsheistomakeherfirstappearance,alittleoldfogynamedCardot,andhisson-in-lawCamusot,andFinot,and——\"
\"Doesyourdruggistdothingsproperly?\"
\"Hewillnotgiveusdoctoredwine,\"saidLucien.
\"Youareverywitty,monsieur,\"Blondetreturnedgravely.\"Ishecoming,Lousteau?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Thenweshallhavesomefun.\"
Lucienhadflushedredtothetipsofhisears.BlondettappedonthewindowaboveDauriat\'sdesk.
\"Isyourbusinesslikelytokeepyoulong,Dauriat?\"
\"Iamatyourservice,myfriend.\"
\"That\'sright,\"saidLousteau,addressinghisprotege.\"Thatyoungfellowishardlyanyolderthanyouare,andheisontheDebats!Heisoneoftheprincesofcriticism.Theyareafraidofhim,Dauriatwillfawnuponhim,andthenwecanputinawordaboutourbusinesswiththepashaofvignettesandtype.Otherwisewemighthavewaitedtilleleveno\'clock,andourturnwouldnothavecome.ThecrowdofpeoplewaitingtospeakwithDauriatisgrowingbiggereverymoment.\"
LucienandLousteaufollowedBlondet,Finot,andVernou,andstoodinaknotatthebackoftheshop.
\"Whatishedoing?\"askedBlondetofthehead-clerk,whorosetobidhimgood-evening.
\"Heisbuyingaweeklynewspaper.Hewantstoputnewlifeintoit,andsetuparivaltotheMinerveandtheConservateur;EymeryhasrathertoomuchofhisownwayintheMinerve,andtheConservateuristooblindlyRomantic.\"
\"Ishegoingtopaywell?\"
\"Onlytoomuch——asusual,\"saidthecashier.
Justashespokeanotheryoungmanentered;thiswasthewriterofamagnificentnovelwhichhadsoldveryrapidlyandmetwiththegreatestpossiblesuccess.Dauriatwasbringingoutasecondedition.
Theappearanceofthisoddandextraordinarylookingbeing,sounmistakablyanartist,madeadeepimpressiononLucien\'smind.
\"ThatisNathan,\"Lousteausaidinhisear.
Nathan,thenintheprimeofhisyouth,cameuptothegroupofjournalists,hatinhand;andinspiteofhislookoffiercepridehewasalmosthumbletoBlondet,whomasyetheonlyknewbysight.
Blondetdidnotremovehishat,neitherdidFinot.
\"Monsieur,Iamdelightedtoavailmyselfofanopportunityyieldedbychance——\"
(\"Heissonervousthatheiscommittingapleonasm,\"saidFelicieninanasidetoLousteau.)
\"——togiveexpressiontomygratitudeforthesplendidreviewwhichyouweresogoodastogivemeintheJournaldesDebats.Halfthesuccessofmybookisowingtoyou.\"
\"No,mydearfellow,no,\"saidBlondet,withanairofpatronagescarcelymaskedbygood-nature.\"Youhavetalent,thedeuceyouhave,andI\'mdelightedtomakeyouracquaintance.\"
\"Nowthatyourreviewhasappeared,Ishallnotseemtobecourtingpower;wecanfeelatease.Willyoudomethehonorandthepleasureofdiningwithmeto-morrow?Finotiscoming——Lousteau,oldman,youwillnotrefuseme,willyou?\"addedNathan,shakingEtiennebythehand——\"Ah,youareonthewaytoagreatfuture,monsieur,\"headded,turningagaintoBlondet;\"youwillcarryonthelineofDussaults,Fievees,andGeoffrois!Hoffmannwastalkingaboutyoutoafriendofmine,ClaudeVignon,hispupil;hesaidthathecoulddieinpeace,theJournaldesDebatswouldliveforever.Theyoughttopayyoutremendouslywell.\"
\"Ahundredfrancsacolumn,\"saidBlondet.\"Poorpaywhenoneisobligedtoreadthebooks,andreadahundredbeforeyoufindoneworthinterestingyourselfin,likeyours.Yourworkgavemepleasure,uponmyword.\"
\"Andbroughthiminfifteenhundredfrancs,\"saidLousteauforLucien\'sbenefit.
\"Butyouwritepoliticalarticles,don\'tyou?\"askedNathan.
\"Yes;nowandagain.\"
Lucienfeltlikeanembryoamongthesemen;hehadadmiredNathan\'sbook,hehadreverencedtheauthorasanimmortal;Nathan\'sabjectattitudebeforethiscritic,whosenameandimportancewerebothunknowntohim,stupefiedLucien.
\"HowifIshouldcometobehaveashedoes?\"hethought.\"Isamanobligedtopartwithhisself-respect?——Prayputonyourhatagain,Nathan;youhavewrittenagreatbook,andthecritichasonlywrittenareviewofit.\"
Thesethoughtssetthebloodtinglinginhisveins.Scarceaminutepassedbutsomeyoungauthor,poverty-strickenandshy,camein,askedtospeakwithDauriat,lookedroundthecrowdedshopdespairingly,andwentoutsaying,\"Iwillcomebackagain.\"TwoorthreepoliticianswerechattingovertheconvocationoftheChambersandpublicbusinesswithagroupofwell-knownpublicmen.TheweeklynewspaperforwhichDauriatwasintreatywaslicensedtotreatofmatterspolitical,andthenumberofnewspaperssufferedtoexistwasgrowingsmallerandsmaller,tillapaperwasapieceofpropertyasmuchindemandasatheatre.OneofthelargestshareholdersintheConstitutionnelwasstandinginthemidstoftheknotofpoliticalcelebrities.Lousteauperformedthepartofciceronetoadmiration;witheverysentenceheutteredDauriatrosehigherinLucien\'sopinion.PoliticsandliteratureseemedtoconvergeinDauriat\'sshop.Hehadseenagreatpoetprostitutinghismusetojournalism,humiliatingArt,aswomanwashumiliatedandprostitutedinthoseshamelessgallerieswithout,andtheprovincialtookaterriblelessontoheart.Money!Thatwasthekeytoeveryenigma.Lucienrealizedthefactthathewasunknownandalone,andthatthefragileclueofanuncertainfriendshipwashissoleguidetosuccessandfortune.Heblamedthekindandloyallittlecircleforpaintingtheworldforhiminfalsecolors,forpreventinghimfromplungingintothearena,peninhand.\"IshouldbeaBlondetatthismoment!\"heexclaimedwithinhimself.
OnlyalittlewhileagotheyhadsatlookingoutoverParisfromtheGardensoftheLuxembourg,andLousteauhadutteredthecryofawoundedeagle;thenLousteauhadbeenagreatmaninLucien\'seyes,andnowhehadshrunktoscarcevisibleproportions.Thereallyimportantmanforhimatthismomentwasthefashionablebookseller,bywhomallthesemenlived;andthepoet,manuscriptinhand,feltanervoustremorthatwasalmostlikefear.Henoticedagroupofbustsmountedonwoodenpedestals,paintedtoresemblemarble;Byronstoodthere,andGoetheandM.deCanalis.Dauriatwashopingtopublishavolumebythelast-namedpoet,whomightsee,onhisentranceintotheshop,theestimationinwhichhewasheldbythetrade.UnconsciouslyLucien\'sownself-esteembegantoshrink,andhiscourageebbed.HebegantoseehowlargeapartthisDauriatwouldplayinhisdestinies,andwaitedimpatientlyforhimtoappear.
\"Well,children,\"saidavoice,andashort,stoutmanappeared,withapuffyfacethatsuggestedaRomanpro-consul\'svisage,mellowedbyanairofgood-naturewhichdeceivedsuperficialobservers.\"Well,children,hereamI,theproprietoroftheonlyweeklypaperinthemarket,apaperwithtwothousandsubscribers!\"
\"Oldjoker!Theregisterednumberissevenhundred,andthatisoverthemark,\"saidBlondet.
\"Twelvethousand,onmysacredwordofhonor——Isaidtwothousandforthebenefitoftheprintersandpaper-dealersyonder,\"headded,loweringhisvoice,thenraisingitagain.\"Ithoughtyouhadmoretact,myboy,\"headded.
\"Areyougoingtotakeanypartners?\"inquiredFinot.
\"Thatdepends,\"saidDauriat.\"Willyoutakeathirdatfortythousandfrancs?\"
\"It\'sabargain,ifyouwilltakeEmileBlondethereonthestaff,andClaudeVignon,Scribe,TheodoreLeclercq,FelicienVernou,Jay,Jouy,Lousteau,and——\"
\"AndwhynotLuciendeRubempre?\"theprovincialpoetputinboldly.
\"——andNathan,\"concludedFinot.
\"Whynotthepeopleoutthereinthestreet?\"askedDauriat,scowlingattheauthoroftheMarguerites——\"TowhomhaveIthehonorofspeaking?\"headded,withaninsolentglance.
\"Onemoment,Dauriat,\"saidLousteau.\"Ihavebroughtthisgentlemantoyou.Listentome,whileFinotisthinkingoveryourproposals.\"
LucienwatchedthisDauriat,whoaddressedFinotwiththefamiliartu,whichevenFinotdidnotpermithimselftouseinreply;whocalledtheredoubtableBlondet\"myboy,\"andextendedahandroyallytoNathanwithafriendlynod.Theprovincialpoetfelthisshirtwetwithperspirationwhentheformidablesultanlookedindifferentandillpleased.
\"Anotherpieceofbusiness,myboy!\"exclaimedDauriat.\"Why,Ihaveelevenhundredmanuscriptsonhand,asyouknow!Yes,gentlemen,I
haveelevenhundredmanuscriptssubmittedtomeatthismoment;askGabusson.Ishallsoonbeobligedtostartadepartmenttokeepaccountofthestockofmanuscripts,andaspecialofficeforreadingthem,andacommitteetovoteontheirmerits,withnumberedcountersforthosewhoattend,andapermanentsecretarytodrawuptheminutesforme.ItwillbeakindoflocalbranchoftheAcademie,andtheAcademicianswillbebetterpaidintheWoodenGalleriesthanattheInstitut.\"
\"\'Tisanidea,\"saidBlondet.
\"Abadidea,\"returnedDauriat.\"Itisnotmybusinesstotakestockofthelucubrationsofthoseamongyouwhotaketoliteraturebecausetheycannotbecapitalists,andthereisnoopeningforthemasbootmakers,norcorporals,nordomesticservants,norofficials,norbailiffs.Nobodycomeshereuntilhehasmadeanameforhimself!Makeanameforyourself,andyouwillfindgoldintorrents.Ihavemadethreegreatmeninthelasttwoyears;andloandbeholdthreeexamplesofingratitude!HereisNathantalkingofsixthousandfrancsforthesecondeditionofhisbook,whichcostmethreethousandfrancsinreviews,andhasnotbroughtinathousandyet.IpaidathousandfrancsforBlondet\'stwoarticles,besidesadinner,whichcostmefivehundred——\"
\"Butifallbooksellerstalkedasyoudo,sir,howcouldamanpublishhisfirstbookatall?\"askedLucien.BlondethadgonedowntremendouslyinhisopinionsincehehadheardtheamountgivenbyDauriatforthearticlesintheDebats.
\"Thatisnotmyaffair,\"saidDauriat,lookingdaggersatthishandsomeyoungfellow,whowassmilingpleasantlyathim.\"Idonotpublishbooksforamusement,norrisktwothousandfrancsforthesakeofseeingmymoneybackagain.Ispeculateinliterature,andpublishfortyvolumesoftenthousandcopieseach,justasPanckoukedoesandtheBaudoins.WithmyinfluenceandthearticleswhichIsecure,Icanpushabusinessofahundredthousandcrowns,insteadofasinglevolumeinvolvingacoupleofthousandfrancs.Itisjustasmuchtroubletobringoutanewnameandtoinducethepublictotakeupanauthorandhisbook,astomakeasuccesswiththeTheatresetrangers,VictoiresetConquetes,orMemoiressurlaRevolution,booksthatbringinafortune.Iamnothereasastepping-stonetofuturefame,buttomakemoney,andtofinditformenwithdistinguishednames.
ThemanuscriptsforwhichIgiveahundredthousandfrancspaymebetterthanworkbyanunknownauthorwhoaskssixhundred.IfIamnotexactlyaMaecenas,Ideservethegratitudeofliterature;Ihavedoubledthepricesofmanuscripts.IamgivingyouthisexplanationbecauseyouareafriendofLousteau\'smyboy,\"addedDauriat,clappingLucienontheshoulderwithodiousfamiliarity.\"IfIweretotalktoalltheauthorswhohaveamindthatIshouldbetheirpublisher,Ishouldhavetoshutupshop;Ishouldpassmytimeveryagreeablynodoubt,buttheconversationswouldcosttoomuch.Iamnotrichenoughyettolistentoallthemonologuesofself-conceit.
Nobodydoes,exceptinclassicaltragediesonthestage.\"
TheterribleDauriat\'sgorgeousraimentseemedintheprovincialpoet\'seyestoaddforcetotheman\'sremorselesslogic.
\"Whatisitabout?\"hecontinued,addressingLucien\'sprotector.
\"Itisavolumeofmagnificentpoetry.\"
Atthatword,DauriatturnedtoGabussonwithagestureworthyofTalma.
\"Gabusson,myfriend,\"hesaid,\"fromthisdayforward,whenanybodybeginstotalkofworksinmanuscripthere——Doyouhearthat,allofyou?\"hebrokeinuponhimself;andthreeassistantsatonceemergedfromamongthepilesofbooksatthesoundoftheiremployer\'swrathfulvoice.\"Ifanybodycomesherewithmanuscripts,\"hecontinued,lookingatthefinger-nailsofawell-kepthand,\"askhimwhetheritispoetryorprose;andifhesayspoetry,showhimthedooratonce.Versesmeanreversesinthebooktrade.\"
\"Bravo!wellput,Dauriat,\"criedthechorusofjournalists.
\"Itistrue!\"criedthebookseller,stridingabouthisshopwithLucien\'smanuscriptinhishand.\"Youhavenoidea,gentlemen,oftheamountofharmthatByron,Lamartine,VictorHugo,CasimirDelavigne,Canalis,andBerangerhavedonebytheirsuccess.Thefameofthemhasbroughtdownaninvasionofbarbariansuponus.IknowTHIS:thereareathousandvolumesofmanuscriptpoetrygoingtheroundofthepublishersatthismoment,thingsthatnobodycanmakeheadnortailof,storiesinversethatbegininthemiddle,likeTheCorsairandLara.Theysetuptobeoriginal,forsooth,andindulgeinstanzasthatnobodycanunderstand,anddescriptivepoetryafterthepatternoftheyoungermenwhodiscoveredDelille,andimaginethattheyaredoingsomethingnew.Poetshavebeenswarminglikecockchafersfortwoyearspast.Ihavelosttwentythousandfrancsthroughpoetryinthelasttwelvemonth.YouaskGabusson!Theremaybeimmortalpoetssomewhereintheworld;Iknowofsomethatarebloomingandrosy,andhavenobeardsontheirchinsasyet,\"hecontinued,lookingatLucien;\"butinthetrade,youngman,thereareonlyfourpoets——
Beranger,CasimirDelavigne,Lamartine,andVictorHugo;asforCanalis——heisapoetmadebysheerforceofwritinghimup.\"
Lucienfeltthathelackedthecouragetoholduphisheadandshowhisspiritbeforealltheseinfluentialpersons,whowerelaughingwithalltheirmight.Heknewverywellthatheshouldlookhopelesslyridiculous,andyethefeltconsumedbyafiercedesiretocatchthebooksellerbythethroat,toruffletheinsolentcomposureofhiscravat,tobreakthegoldchainthatglitteredontheman\'schest,tramplehiswatchunderhisfeet,andtearhiminpieces.Mortifiedvanityopenedthedoortothoughtsofvengeance,andinwardlyhesworeeternalenmitytothatbookseller.Buthesmiledamiably.
\"Poetryislikethesun,\"saidBlondet,\"givinglifealiketoprimevalforestsandtoantsandgnatsandmosquitoes.Thereisnovirtuebuthasavicetomatch,andliteraturebreedsthepublisher.\"
\"Andthejournalist,\"saidLousteau.
Dauriatburstoutlaughing.
\"Whatisthisafterall?\"heasked,holdingupthemanuscript.
\"AvolumeofsonnetsthatwillputPetrarchtotheblush,\"saidLousteau.
\"Whatdoyoumean?\"
\"JustwhatIsay,\"answeredLousteau,seeingtheknowingsmilethatwentroundthegroup.Luciencouldnottakeoffencebuthechafedinwardly.
\"Verywell,Iwillreadthem,\"saidDauriat,witharegalgesturethatmarkedthefullextentoftheconcession.\"Ifthesesonnetsofyoursareuptothelevelofthenineteenthcentury,Iwillmakeagreatpoetofyou,myboy.\"
\"Ifhehasbrainstoequalhisgoodlooks,youwillrunnogreatrisks,\"remarkedoneofthegreatestpublicspeakersoftheday,adeputywhowaschattingwiththeeditoroftheMinerve,andawriterfortheConstitutionnel.
\"Famemeanstwelvethousandfrancsinreviews,andathousandmorefordinners,General,\"saidDauriat.\"IfM.BenjamindeConstantmeanstowriteapaperonthisyoungpoet,itwillnotbelongbeforeImakeabargainwithhim.\"
AtthetitleofGeneral,andthedistinguishednameofBenjaminConstant,thebookseller\'sshoptooktheproportionsofOlympusfortheprovincialgreatman.
\"Lousteau,Iwantawordwithyou,\"saidFinot;\"butIshallseeyouagainlater,atthetheatre——Dauriat,Iwilltakeyouroffer,butonconditions.Letusstepintoyouroffice.\"
\"Comein,myboy,\"answeredDauriat,allowingFinottopassbeforehim.Then,intimatingtosometenpersonsstillwaitingforhimthathewasengaged,helikewisewasabouttodisappearwhenLucienimpatientlystoppedhim.
\"Youarekeepingmymanuscript.WhenshallIhaveananswer?\"
\"Oh,comebackinthreeorfourdays,mylittlepoet,andwewillsee.\"
LousteauhurriedLucienaway;hehadnottimetotakeleaveofVernouandBlondetandRaoulNathan,nortosaluteGeneralFoynorBenjaminConstant,whosebookontheHundredDayswasjustabouttoappear.
Lucienscarcelycaughtaglimpseoffairhair,arefinedoval-shapedface,keeneyes,andthepleasant-lookingmouthbelongingtothemanwhohadplayedthepartofaPotemkintoMme.deStaelfortwentyyears,andnowwasatwarwiththeBourbons,ashehadbeenatwarwithNapoleon.Hewasdestinedtowinhiscauseandtodiestrickentoearthbyhisvictory.
\"Whatashop!\"exclaimedLucien,ashetookhisplaceinthecabbesideLousteau.
\"TothePanorama-Dramatique;looksharp,andyoushallhavethirtysous,\"EtienneLousteaucalledtothecabman——\"Dauriatisarascalwhosellsbookstotheamountoffifteenorsixteenhundredthousandfrancseveryyear.HeisakindofMinisterofLiterature,\"Lousteaucontinued.Hisself-conceithadbeenpleasantlytickled,andhewasshowingoffbeforeLucien.\"DauriatisjustasgraspingasBarbet,butitisonawholesalescale.Dauriatcanbecivil,andheisgenerous,buthehasagreatopinionofhimself;asforhiswit,itconsistsinafacultyforpickingupallthathehears,andhisshopisacapitalplacetofrequent.YoumeetallthebestmenatDauriat\'s.Ayoungfellowlearnsmorethereinanhourthanbyporingoverbooksforhalf-a-scoreofyears.Peopletalkaboutarticlesandconcoctsubjects;youmaketheacquaintanceofgreatorinfluentialpeoplewhomaybeusefultoyou.Youmustknowpeopleifyoumeantogetonnowadays——Itisallluck,yousee.Andasforsittingbyyourselfinacorneralonewithyourintellect,itisthemostdangerousthingofall.\"
\"Butwhatinsolence!\"saidLucien.
\"Pshaw!weallofuslaughatDauriat,\"saidEtienne.\"Ifyouareinneedofhim,hetramplesuponyou;ifhehasneedoftheJournaldesDebats,EmileBlondetsetshimspinninglikeatop.Oh,ifyoutaketoliterature,youwillseeagoodmanyqueerthings.Well,whatwasI
tellingyou,eh?\"
\"Yes,youwereright,\"saidLucien.\"MyexperienceinthatshopwasevenmorepainfulthanIexpected,afteryourprogramme.\"
\"Whydoyouchoosetosuffer?Youfindyoursubject,youwearoutyourwitsoveritwithtoilingatnight,youthrowyourverylifeintoit:
andafterallyourjourneyingsinthefieldsofthought,themonumentrearedwithyourlife-bloodissimplyagoodorabadspeculationforapublisher.Yourworkwillselloritwillnotsell;andtherein,forthem,liesthewholequestion.Abookmeanssomuchcapitaltorisk,andthebetterthebook,thelesslikelyitistosell.Amanoftalentrisesabovethelevelofordinaryheads;hissuccessvariesindirectratiowiththetimerequiredforhisworktobeappreciated.
Andnopublisherwantstowait.To-day\'sbookmustbesoldbyto-morrow.Actingonthissystem,publishersandbooksellersdonotcaretotakerealliterature,booksthatcallforthehighpraisethatcomesslowly.\"
\"D\'Arthezwasright,\"exclaimedLucien.
\"Doyouknowd\'Arthez?\"askedLousteau.\"Iknowofnomoredangerouscompanythansolitaryspiritslikethatfellowyonder,whofancythattheycandrawtheworldafterthem.Allofusbeginbythinkingthatwearecapableofgreatthings;andwhenonceayouthfulimaginationisheatedbythissuperstition,thecandidateforposthumoushonorsmakesnoattempttomovetheworldwhilesuchmovingoftheworldisbothpossibleandprofitable;heletsthetimegoby.IamforMahomet\'ssystem——ifthemountaindoesnotcometome,Iamforgoingtothemountain.\"
Thecommon-sensesotrenchantlyputinthissallyleftLucienhaltingbetweentheresignationpreachedbythebrotherhoodandLousteau\'smilitantdoctrine.HesaidnotawordtilltheyreachedtheBoulevardduTemple.
ThePanorama-Dramatiquenolongerexists.Adwelling-housestandsonthesiteoftheoncecharmingtheatreintheBoulevardduTemple,wheretwosuccessivemanagementscollapsedwithoutmakingasinglehit;andyetVignol,whohassincefallenheirtosomeofPotier\'spopularity,madehisdebutthere;andFlorine,fiveyearslateracelebratedactress,madeherfirstappearanceinthetheatreoppositetheRueCharlot.Play-houses,likemen,havetheirvicissitudes.ThePanorama-Dramatiquesufferedfromcompetition.Themachinationsofitsrivals,theAmbigu,theGaite,thePorteSaint-Martin,andtheVaudeville,togetherwithaplethoraofrestrictionsandascarcityofgoodplays,combinedtobringaboutthedownfallofthehouse.NodramaticauthorcaredtoquarrelwithaprosperoustheatreforthesakeofthePanorama-Dramatique,whoseexistencewas,tosaytheleast,problematical.Themanagementatthismoment,however,wascountingonthesuccessofanewmelodramaticcomedybyM.duBruel,ayoungauthorwho,afterworkingincollaborationwithdiverscelebrities,hadnowproducedapieceprofessedlyentirelyhisown.Ithadbeenspeciallycomposedfortheleadinglady,ayoungactresswhobeganherstagecareerasasupernumeraryattheGaite,andhadbeenpromotedtosmallpartsforthelasttwelvemonth.ButthoughMlle.
Florine\'sactinghadattractedsomeattention,sheobtainednoengagement,andthePanoramaaccordinglyhadcarriedheroff.Coralie,anotheractress,wastomakeherdebutatthesametime.
Lucienwasamazedatthepowerwieldedbythepress.\"Thisgentlemaniswithme,\"saidEtienneLousteau,andthebox-officeclerksbowedbeforehimasoneman.
\"Youwillfinditnoeasymattertogetseats,\"saidthehead-clerk.
\"Thereisnothingleftnowbutthestagebox.\"
Acertainamountoftimewaswastedincontroversieswiththebox-
keepersinthelobbies,whenEtiennesaid,\"Letusgobehindthescenes;wewillspeaktothemanager,hewilltakeusintothestage-
box;andbesides,IwillintroduceyoutoFlorine,theheroineoftheevening.\"
AtasignfromEtienneLousteau,thedoorkeeperoftheorchestratookoutalittlekeyandunlockedadoorinthethicknessofthewall.
