Lucien,followinghisfriend,wentsuddenlyoutofthelightedcorridorintotheblackdarknessofthepassagebetweenthehouseandthewings.Ashortflightofdampstepssurmounted,oneofthestrangestofallspectaclesopenedoutbeforetheprovincialpoet\'seyes.Theheightoftheroof,theslendernessoftheprops,theladdershungwithArgandlamps,theatrociousuglinessofscenerybeheldatclosequarters,thethickpaintontheactors\'faces,andtheiroutlandishcostumes,madeofsuchcoarsematerials,thestagecarpentersingreasyjackets,thefiremen,thestagemanagerstruttingaboutwithhishatonhishead,thesupernumerariessittingamongthehangingback-scenes,theropesandpulleys,theheterogeneouscollectionofabsurdities,shabby,dirty,hideous,andgaudy,wassomethingsoaltogetherdifferentfromthestageseenoverthefootlights,thatLucien\'sastonishmentknewnobounds.Thecurtainwasjustabouttofallonagoodold-fashionedmelodramaentitledBertram,aplayadaptedfromatragedybyMaturinwhichCharlesNodier,togetherwithByronandSirWalterScott,heldinthehighestesteem,thoughtheplaywasafailureonthestageinParis.
\"Keepatightholdofmyarm,unlessyouhaveamindtofallthroughatrap-door,orbringdownaforestonyourhead;youwillpulldownapalace,orcarryoffacottage,ifyouarenotcareful,\"saidEtienne——
\"IsFlorineinherdressing-room,mypet?\"headded,addressinganactresswhostoodwaitingforhercue.
\"Yes,love.Thankyouforthethingsyousaidaboutme.YouaresomuchnicersinceFlorinehascomehere.\"
\"Come,don\'tspoilyourentry,littleone.Quickwithyou,looksharp,andsay,\'Stop,wretchedman!\'nicely,fortherearetwothousandfrancsoftakings.\"
Lucienwasstruckwithamazementwhenthegirl\'swholefacesuddenlychanged,andsheshrieked,\"Stop,wretchedman!\"acrythatfrozethebloodinyourveins.Shewasnolongerthesamecreature.
\"Sothisisthestage,\"hesaidtoLousteau.
\"Itislikethebookseller\'sshopintheWoodenGalleries,oraliterarypaper,\"saidEtienneLousteau;\"itisakitchen,neithermorenorless.\"
Nathanappearedatthismoment.
\"Whatbringsyouhere?\"inquiredLousteau.
\"Why,IamdoingtheminortheatresfortheGazetteuntilsomethingbetterturnsup.\"
\"Oh!cometosupperwithusthisevening;speakwellofFlorine,andI
willdoasmuchforyou.\"
\"Verymuchatyourservice,\"returnedNathan.
\"Youknow;sheislivingintheRueduBondynow.\"
\"Lousteau,dearboy,whoisthehandsomeyoungmanthatyouhavebroughtwithyou?\"askedtheactress,nowreturnedtothewings.
\"Agreatpoet,dear,thatwillhaveafamousnameoneofthesedays——
M.Nathan,ImustintroduceM.LuciendeRubempretoyou,asyouaretomeetagainatsupper.\"
\"Youhaveagoodname,monsieur,\"saidNathan.
\"Lucien,M.RaoulNathan,\"continuedEtienne.
\"Ireadyourbooktwodaysago;and,uponmyword,Icannotunderstandhowyou,whohavewrittensuchabook,andsuchpoetry,canbesohumbletoajournalist.\"
\"Waittillyourfirstbookcomesout,\"saidNathan,andashrewdsmileflittedoverhisface.
\"Isay!Isay!hereareUltrasandLiberalsactuallyshakinghands!\"
criedVernou,spyingthetrio.
\"InthemorningIholdtheviewsofmypaper,\"saidNathan,\"intheeveningIthinkasIplease;alljournalistsseedoubleatnight.\"
FelicienVernouturnedtoLousteau.
\"Finotislookingforyou,Etienne;hecamewithme,and——hereheis!\"
\"Ah,bytheby,thereisnotaplaceinthehouse,isthere?\"askedFinot.
\"Youwillalwaysfindaplaceinourhearts,\"saidtheactress,withthesweetestsmileimaginable.
\"Isay,mylittleFlorville,areyoucuredalreadyofyourfancy?TheytoldmethataRussianprincehadcarriedyouoff.\"
\"Whocarriesoffwomeninthesedays\"saidFlorville(shewhohadcried,\"Stop,wretchedman!\").\"WestayedatSaint-Mandefortendays,andmyprincegotoffwithpayingtheforfeitmoneytothemanagement.
ThemanagerwillgodownonhiskneestoprayforsomemoreRussianprinces,\"Florvillecontinued,laughing;\"theforfeitmoneywassomuchcleargain.\"
\"Andasforyou,child,\"saidFinot,turningtoaprettygirlinapeasant\'scostume,\"wheredidyoustealthesediamondear-drops?HaveyouhookedanIndianprince?\"
\"No,ablackingmanufacturer,anEnglishman,whohasgoneoffalready.
Itisnoteverybodywhocanfindmillionaireshopkeepers,tiredofdomesticlife,whenevertheylike,asFlorinedoesandCoralie.Aren\'ttheyjustlucky?\"
\"Florville,youwillmakeabadentry,\"saidLousteau;\"theblackinghasgonetoyourhead!\"
\"Ifyouwantasuccess,\"saidNathan,\"insteadofscreaming,\'Heissaved!\'likeaFury,walkonquitequietly,gotothestaircase,andsay,\'Heissaved,\'inachestvoice,likePasta\'s\'Opatria,\'inTancreda——There,goalong!\"andhepushedhertowardsthestage.
\"Itistoolate,\"saidVernou,\"theeffecthashungfire.\"
\"Whatdidshedo?thehouseisapplaudinglikemad,\"askedLousteau.
\"Wentdownonherkneesandshowedherbosom;thatishergreatresource,\"saidtheblacking-maker\'swidow.
\"Themanagerisgivingupthestageboxtous;youwillfindmetherewhenyoucome,\"saidFinot,asLousteauwalkedoffwithLucien.
Atthebackofthestage,throughalabyrinthofsceneryandcorridors,thepairclimbedseveralflightsofstairsandreachedalittleroomonathirdfloor,NathanandFelicienVernoufollowingthem.
\"Good-dayorgood-night,gentlemen,\"saidFlorine.Then,turningtoashort,stoutmanstandinginacorner,\"Thesegentlemenaretherulersofmydestiny,\"shesaid,myfutureisintheirhands;buttheywillbeunderourtableto-morrowmorning,Ihope,ifM.Lousteauhasforgottennothing——\"
\"Forgotten!YouaregoingtohaveBlondetoftheDebats,\"saidEtienne,\"thegenuineBlondet,theveryBlondet——Blondethimself,inshort.\"
\"Oh!Lousteau,youdearboy!stop,Imustgiveyouakiss,\"andsheflungherarmsaboutthejournalist\'sneck.Matifat,thestoutpersoninthecorner,lookedseriousatthis.
Florinewasthin;herbeauty,likeabud,gavepromiseoftheflowertocome;thegirlofsixteencouldonlydelighttheeyesofartistswhopreferthesketchtothepicture.Allthequicksubtletyofhercharacterwasvisibleinthefeaturesofthecharmingactress,whoatthattimemighthavesatforGoethe\'sMignon.Matifat,awealthydruggistoftheRuedesLombards,hadimaginedthatalittleBoulevardactresswouldhavenoveryexpensivetastes,butinelevenmonthsFlorinehadcosthimsixtythousandfrancs.NothingseemedmoreextraordinarytoLucienthanthesightofanhonestandworthymerchantstandinglikeastatueofthegodTerminusintheactress\'
narrowdressing-room,atinyplacesometenfeetsquare,hungwithaprettywall-paper,andadornedwithafull-lengthmirror,asofa,andtwochairs.Therewasafireplaceinthedressing-closet,acarpetonthefloor,andcupboardsallroundtheroom.AdresserwasputtingthefinishingtouchestoaSpanishcostume;forFlorinewastotakethepartofacountessinanimbroglio.
\"ThatgirlwillbethehandsomestactressinParisinfiveyears\'
time,\"saidNathan,turningtoFelicienVernou.
\"Bytheby,darlings,youwilltakecareofmeto-morrow,won\'tyou?\"
saidFlorine,turningtothethreejournalists.\"Ihaveengagedcabsforto-night,forIamgoingtosendyouhomeastipsyasShroveTuesday.Matifathassentinwines——oh!winesworthyofLouisXVIII.,andengagedthePrussianambassador\'scook.\"
\"Weexpectsomethingenormousfromthelookofthegentleman,\"
remarkedNathan.
\"AndheisquiteawarethatheistreatingthemostdangerousmeninParis,\"addedFlorine.
MatifatwaslookinguneasilyatLucien;hefeltjealousoftheyoungman\'sgoodlooks.
\"ButhereissomeonethatIdonotknow,\"Florinecontinued,confrontingLucien.\"WhichofyouhasimportedtheApolloBelvederefromFlorence?HeisascharmingasoneofGirodet\'sfigures.\"
\"Heisapoet,mademoiselle,fromtheprovinces.Iforgottopresenthimtoyou;youaresobeautifulto-nightthatyouputtheCompleteGuidetoEtiquetteoutofaman\'shead——\"
\"Ishesorichthathecanaffordtowritepoetry?\"askedFlorine.
\"PoorasJob,\"saidLucien.
\"Itisagreattemptationforsomeofus,\"saidtheactress.
Justthentheauthoroftheplaysuddenlyentered,andLucienbeheldM.duBruel,ashort,attenuatedyoungmaninanovercoat,acompositehumanblendofthejack-in-office,theownerofhouse-property,andthestockbroker.
\"Florine,child,\"saidthispersonage,\"areyousureofyourpart,eh?
Noslipsofmemory,youknow.Andmindthatsceneinthesecondact,maketheironytell,bringoutthatsubtletouch;say,\'Idonotloveyou,\'justasweagreed.\"
\"Whydoyoutakepartsinwhichyouhavetosaysuchthings?\"askedMatifat.
Thedruggist\'sremarkwasreceivedwithageneralshoutoflaughter.
\"Whatdoesitmattertoyou,\"saidFlorine,\"solongasIdon\'tsaysuchthingstoyou,greatstupid?——Oh!hisstupidityisthepleasureofmylife,\"shecontinued,glancingatthejournalist.\"Uponmyword,Iwouldpayhimsomuchforeveryblunder,ifitwouldnotbetheruinofme.\"
\"Yes,butyouwilllookatmewhenyousayit,asyoudowhenyouarerehearsing,anditgivesmeaturn,\"remonstratedthedruggist.
\"Verywell,then,IwilllookatmyfriendLousteauhere.\"
Abellrangoutsideinthepassage.
\"Goout,allofyou!\"criedFlorine;\"letmereadmypartoveragainandtrytounderstandit.\"
LucienandLousteauwerethelasttogo.LousteausetakissonFlorine\'sshoulder,andLucienheardhersay,\"Notto-night.
Impossible.Thatstupidoldanimaltoldhiswifethathewasgoingoutintothecountry.\"
\"Isn\'tshecharming?\"saidEtienne,astheycameaway.
\"But——butthatMatifat,mydearfellow——\"
\"Oh!youknownothingofParisianlife,myboy.Somethingscannotbehelped.Supposethatyoufellinlovewithamarriedwoman,itcomestothesamething.Italldependsonthewaythatyoulookatit.\"
EtienneandLucienenteredthestage-box,andfoundthemanagertherewithFinot.Matifatwasintheground-floorboxexactlyoppositewithafriendofhis,asilk-mercernamedCamusot(Coralie\'sprotector),andaworthylittleoldsoul,hisfather-in-law.Allthreeofthesecitymenwerepolishingtheiropera-glasses,andanxiouslyscanningthehouse;certainsymptomsinthepitappearedtodisturbthem.Theusualheterogeneousfirst-nightelementsfilledtheboxes——journalistsandtheirmistresses,lorettesandtheirlovers,asprinklingofthedeterminedplaygoerswhonevermissafirstnightiftheycanhelpit,andaveryfewpeopleoffashionwhocareforthissortofsensation.
Thefirstboxwasoccupiedbytheheadofadepartment,towhomduBruel,makerofvaudevilles,owedasnuglittlesinecureintheTreasury.
LucienhadgonefromsurprisetosurprisesincethedinneratFlicoteaux\'s.FortwomonthsLiteraturehadmeantalifeofpovertyandwant;inLousteau\'sroomhehadseenitatitscynicalworst;intheWoodenGallerieshehadmetLiteratureabjectandLiteratureinsolent.Thesharpcontrastsofheightsanddepths;ofcompromisewithconscience;ofsupremepowerandwantofprinciple;oftreacheryandpleasure;ofmentalelevationandbondage——allthismadehisheadswim,heseemedtobewatchingsomestrangeunheard-ofdrama.
Finotwastalkingwiththemanager.\"DoyouthinkduBruel\'spiecewillpay?\"heasked.
\"DuBruelhastriedtodosomethinginBeaumarchais\'style.Boulevardaudiencesdon\'tcareforthatkindofthing;theylikeharrowingsensations;witisnotmuchappreciatedhere.EverythingdependsonFlorineandCoralieto-night;theyarebewitchinglyprettyandgraceful,wearveryshortskirts,anddanceaSpanishdance,andpossiblytheymaycarryoffthepiecewiththepublic.Thewholeaffairisagamblingspeculation.Afewclevernoticesinthepapers,andImaymakeahundredthousandcrowns,iftheplaytakes.\"
\"Oh!come,itwillonlybeamoderatesuccess,Icansee,\"saidFinot.
\"Threeofthetheatreshavegotupaplot,\"continuedthemanager;
\"theywillevenhissthepiece,butIhavemadearrangementstodefeattheirkindintentions.Ihavesquaredthemenintheirpay;theywillmakeamuddleofit.AcoupleofcitymenyonderhavetakenahundredticketsapiecetosecureatriumphforFlorineandCoralie,andgiventhemtoacquaintancesableandreadytoactaschuckersout.Thefellows,havingbeenpaidtwice,willgoquietly,andasceneofthatsortalwaysmakesagoodimpressiononthehouse.\"
\"Twohundredtickets!Whatinvaluablemen!\"exclaimedFinot.
\"Yes.WithtwomoreactressesashandsomelykeptasFlorineandCoralie,Ishouldmakesomethingoutofthebusiness.\"
ForthepasttwohoursthewordmoneyhadbeensoundinginLucien\'searsasthesolutionofeverydifficulty.Inthetheatreasinthepublishingtrade,andinthepublishingtradeasinthenewspaper-
office——itwaseverywherethesame;therewasnotawordofartorofglory.Thesteadybeatofthegreatpendulum,Money,seemedtofalllikehammer-strokesonhisheartandbrain.Andyetwhiletheorchestraplayedtheoverture,whilethepitwasfullofnoisytumultofapplauseandhisses,unconsciouslyhedrewacomparisonbetweenthissceneandothersthatcameupinhismind.VisionsarosebeforehimofDavidandtheprinting-office,ofthepoetrythathecametoknowinthatatmosphereofpurepeace,whentogethertheybeheldthewondersofArt,thehighsuccessesofgenius,andvisionsofgloryborneonstainlesswings.Hethoughtoftheeveningsspentwithd\'Arthezandhisfriends,andtearsglitteredinhiseyes.
\"Whatisthematterwithyou?\"askedEtienneLousteau.
\"Iseepoetryfallenintothemire.\"
\"Ah!youhavestillsomeillusionsleft,mydearfellow.\"
\"IstherenothingforitbuttocringeandsubmittothickheadslikeMatifatandCamusot,asactressesbowdowntojournalists,andweourselvestothebooksellers?\"
\"Myboy,doyouseethatdull-brainedfellow?\"saidEtienne,loweringhisvoice,andglancingatFinot.\"Hehasneithergeniusnorcleverness,butheiscovetous;hemeanstomakeafortuneatallcosts,andheisakeenmanofbusiness.Didn\'tyouseehowhemadefortypercentoutofmeatDauriat\'s,andtalkedasifheweredoingmeafavor?——Well,hegetslettersfromnotafewunknownmenofgeniuswhogodownontheirkneestohimforahundredfrancs.\"
Thewordsrecalledthepen-and-inksketchthatlayonthetableintheeditor\'sofficeandthewords,\"Finot,myhundredfrancs!\"Lucien\'sinmostsoulshrankfromthemanindisgust.
\"Iwouldsoonerdie,\"hesaid.
\"Soonerlive,\"retortedEtienne.
Thecurtainrose,andthestage-managerwentofftothewingstogiveorders.FinotturnedtoEtienne.
\"Mydearfellow,Dauriathaspassedhisword;Iamproprietorofone-
thirdofhisweeklypaper.Ihaveagreedtogivethirtythousandfrancsincash,onconditionthatIamtobeeditoranddirector.\'Tisasplendidthing.BlondettoldmethattheGovernmentintendstotakerestrictivemeasuresagainstthepress;therewillbenonewpapersallowed;insixmonths\'timeitwillcostamillionfrancstostartanewjournal,soIstruckabargainthoughIhaveonlytenthousandfrancsinhand.Listentome.Ifyoucansellone-halfofmyshare,thatisone-sixthofthepaper,toMatifatforthirtythousandfrancs,youshallbeeditorofmylittlepaperwithasalaryoftwohundredandfiftyfrancspermonth.Iwantinanycasetohavethecontrolofmyoldpaper,andtokeepmyholduponit;butnobodyneedknowthat,andyournamewillappearaseditor.Youwillbepaidattherateoffivefrancspercolumn;youneednotpaycontributorsmorethanthreefrancs,andyoukeepthedifference.Thatmeansanotherfourhundredandfiftyfrancspermonth.But,atthesametime,Ireservetherighttousethepapertoattackordefendmenorcauses,asIplease;andyoumayindulgeyourownlikesanddislikessolongasyoudonotinterferewithmyschemes.PerhapsImaybeaMinisterialist,perhapsUltra,Idonotknowyet;butImeantokeepupmyconnectionswiththeLiberalparty(belowthesurface).Icanspeakoutwithyou;youareagoodfellow.Imight,perhaps,giveyoutheChamberstodoforanotherpaperonwhichIwork;IamafraidIcanscarcelykeeponwithitnow.SoletFlorinedothisbitofjockeying;tellhertoputthescrewonherdruggist.IfIcan\'tfindthemoneywithinforty-eighthours,Imustcryoffmybargain.Dauriatsoldanotherthirdtohisprinterandpaper-dealerforthirtythousandfrancs;sohehashisownthirdgratis,andtenthousandfrancstothegood,forheonlygavefiftythousandforthewholeaffair.Andinanotheryear\'stimethemagazinewillbeworthtwohundredthousandfrancs,iftheCourtbuysitup;iftheCourthasthegoodsensetosuppressnewspapers,astheysay.\"
\"Youarelucky,\"saidLousteau.
\"IfyouhadgonethroughallthatIhaveendured,youwouldnotsaythatofme.Ihadmyfillofmiseryinthosedays,yousee,andtherewasnohelpforit.Myfatherisahatter;hestillkeepsashopintheRueduCoq.Nothingbutmillionsofmoneyorasocialcataclysmcanopenoutthewaytomygoal;andofthetwoalternatives,Idon\'tknownowthattherevolutionisnottheeasier.IfIboreyourfriend\'sname,Ishouldhaveachancetogeton.Hush,herecomesthemanager.Good-bye,\"andFinotrosetohisfeet,\"IamgoingtotheOpera.Ishallverylikelyhaveaduelonmyhandsto-morrow,forI
haveputmyinitialstoaterrificattackonacoupleofdancersundertheprotectionoftwoGenerals.IamgivingitthemhotandstrongattheOpera.\"
\"Aha?\"saidthemanager.
\"Yes.Theyarestingywithme,\"returnedFinot,\"nowcuttingoffabox,andnowdecliningtotakefiftysubscriptions.Ihavesentinmyultimatum;Imeantohaveahundredsubscriptionsoutofthemandaboxfourtimesamonth.Iftheytakemyterms,Ishallhaveeighthundredreadersandathousandpayingsubscribers,soweshallhavetwelvehundredwiththeNewYear.\"
\"Youwillendbyruiningus,\"saidthemanager.
\"YOUarenotmuchhurtwithyourtensubscriptions.IhadtwogoodnoticesputintotheConstitutionnel.\"
\"Oh!Iamnotcomplainingofyou,\"criedthemanager.
\"Good-byetillto-morrowevening,Lousteau,\"saidFinot.\"YoucangivemeyouranswerattheFrancais;thereisanewpieceonthere;andasIshallnotbeabletowritethenotice,youcantakemybox.Iwillgiveyoupreference;youhaveworkedyourselftodeathforme,andI
amgrateful.FelicienVernouofferedtwentythousandfrancsforathirdshareofmylittlepaper,andtoworkwithoutasalaryforatwelvemonth;butIwanttobeabsolutemaster.Good-bye.\"
\"HeisnotnamedFinot\"(finaud,slyboots)\"fornothing,\"saidLucien.
\"Heisagallows-birdthatwillgetonintheworld,\"saidEtienne,carelesswhetherthewilyschemeroverheardtheremarkornot,asheshutthedoorofthebox.
\"HE!\"saidthemanager.\"Hewillbeamillionaire;hewillenjoytherespectofallwhoknowhim;hemayperhapshavefriendssomeday——\"
\"Goodheavens!whataden!\"saidLucien.\"Andareyougoingtodragthatexcellentcreatureintosuchabusiness?\"hecontinued,lookingatFlorine,whogavethemsideglancesfromthestage.
\"Shewillcarryitthroughtoo.Youdonotknowthedevotionandthewilesofthesebelovedbeings,\"saidLousteau.
\"Theyredeemtheirfailingsandexpiatealltheirsinsbyboundlesslove,whentheylove,\"saidthemanager.\"Agreatloveisallthegranderinanactressbyreasonofitsviolentcontrastwithhersurroundings.\"
\"Andhewhofindsit,findsadiamondworthyoftheproudestcrownlyinginthemud,\"returnedLousteau.
\"ButCoralieisnotattendingtoherpart,\"remarkedthemanager.
\"Coralieissmittenwithourfriendhere,allunsuspiciousofhisconquest,andCoraliewillmakeafiasco;sheismissinghercues,thisisthesecondtimeshehadnotheardtheprompter.Pray,gointothecorner,monsieur,\"hecontinued.\"IfCoralieissmittenwithyou,Iwillgoandtellherthatyouhaveleftthehouse.\"
\"No!no!\"criedLousteau;\"tellCoraliethatthisgentlemaniscomingtosupper,andthatshecandoasshelikeswithhim,andshewillplaylikeMlle.Mars.\"
Themanagerwent,andLucienturnedtoEtienne.\"What!doyoumeantosaythatyouwillaskthatdruggist,throughMlle.Florine,topaythirtythousandfrancsforone-halfashare,whenFinotgavenomoreforthewholeofit?Andaskwithouttheslightestscruple?——\"
LousteauinterruptedLucienbeforehehadtimetofinishhisexpostulation.\"Mydearboy,whatcountrycanyoucomefrom?Thedruggistisnotaman;heisastrongboxdeliveredintoourhandsbyhisfancyforanactress.\"
\"Howaboutyourconscience?\"
\"Conscience,mydearfellow,isastickwhicheveryonetakesuptobeathisneighborandnotforapplicationtohisownback.Come,now!
whothedevilareyouangrywith?Inonedaychancehasworkedamiracleforyou,amiracleforwhichIhavebeenwaitingthesetwoyears,andyoumustneedsamuseyourselfbyfindingfaultwiththemeans?What!youappeartometopossessintelligence;youseemtobeinafairwaytoreachthatfreedomfromprejudicewhichisafirstnecessitytointellectualadventurersintheworldwelivein;andareyouwallowinginscruplesworthyofanunwhoaccusesherselfofeatinganeggwithconcupiscence?IfFlorinesucceeds,Ishallbeeditorofanewspaperwithafixedsalaryoftwohundredandfiftyfrancspermonth;IshalltaketheimportantplaysandleavethevaudevillestoVernou,andyoucantakemyplaceanddotheBoulevardtheatres,andsogetafootinthestirrup.Youwillmakethreefrancspercolumnandwriteacolumnaday——thirtycolumnsamonthmeansninetyfrancs;youwillhavesomesixtyfrancsworthofbookstoselltoBarbet;andlastly,youcandemandtenticketsamonthofeachofyourtheatres——thatis,fortyticketsinall——andsellthemforfortyfrancstoaBarbetwhodealsinthem(Iwillintroduceyoutotheman),soyouwillhavetwohundredfrancscomingineverymonth.ThenifyoumakeyourselfusefultoFinot,youmightgetahundredfrancsforanarticleinthisnewweeklyreviewofhis,inwhichcaseyouwouldshowuncommontalent,forallthearticlesaresigned,andyoucannotputinslip-shodworkasyoucanonasmallpaper.Inthatcaseyouwouldbemakingahundredcrownsamonth.Now,mydearboy,therearemenofability,likethatpoord\'Arthez,whodinesatFlicoteaux\'severyday,whomaywaitfortenyearsbeforetheywillmakeahundredcrowns;andyouwillbemakingfourthousandfrancsayearbyyourpen,tosaynothingofthebooksyouwillwriteforthetrade,ifyoudoworkofthatkind.
\"Now,asub-prefect\'ssalaryonlyamountstoathousandcrowns,andtherehestopsinhisarrondissement,wearingawaytimeliketherungofachair.Isaynothingofthepleasureofgoingtothetheatrewithoutpayingforyourseat,forthatisadelightwhichquicklypalls;butyoucangobehindthescenesinfourtheatres.Behardandsarcasticforamonthortwo,andyouwillbesimplyoverwhelmedwithinvitationsfromactresses,andtheiradorerswillpaycourttoyou;
youwillonlydineatFlicoteaux\'swhenyouhappentohavelessthanthirtysousinyourpocketandnodinnerengagement.AttheLuxembourg,atfiveo\'clock,youdidnotknowwhichwaytoturn;now,youareontheeveofenteringaprivilegedclass,youwillbeoneofthehundredpersonswhotellFrancewhattothink.Inthreedays\'
time,ifallgoeswell,youcan,ifyouchoose,makeaman\'slifeacursetohimbyputtingthirtyjokesathisexpenseinprintattherateofthreeaday;youcan,ifyouchoose,drawarevenueofpleasurefromtheactressesatyourtheatres;youcanwreckagoodplayandsendallParisrunningafterabadone.IfDauriatdeclinestopayyouforyourMarguerites,youcanmakehimcometoyou,andmeeklyandhumblyimploreyoutotaketwothousandfrancsforthem.Ifyouhavetheability,andknockofftwoorthreearticlesthatthreatentospoilsomeofDauriat\'sspeculations,ortoruinabookonwhichhecounts,youwillseehimcomeclimbingupyourstairslikeaclematis,andalwaysatthedoorofyourdwelling.Asforyournovel,thebooksellerswhowouldshowyoumoreorlesspolitelytothedooratthismomentwillbestandingoutsideyouratticinastring,andthevalueofthemanuscript,whicholdDoguereauvaluedatfourhundredfrancswillrisetofourthousand.Thesearetheadvantagesofthejournalist\'sprofession.Soletusdoourbesttokeepallnewcomersoutofit.Itneedsanimmenseamountofbrainstomakeyourway,andastillgreateramountofluck.Andhereareyouquibblingoveryourgoodfortune!Ifwehadnotmetto-day,yousee,atFlicoteaux\'s,youmighthavedancedattendanceonthebooksellersforanotherthreeyears,orstarvedliked\'Arthezinagarret.Bythetimethatd\'ArthezisaslearnedasBayleandasgreatawriterofproseasRousseau,weshallhavemadeourfortunes,youandI,andweshallholdhisinourhands——wealthandfametogiveortohold.Finotwillbeadeputyandproprietorofagreatnewspaper,andweshallbewhateverwemeanttobe——peersofFrance,orprisonerfordebtinSainte-Pelagie.\"
\"SoFinotwillsellhispapertothehighestbidderamongtheMinisters,justashesellsfavorablenoticestoMme.BastienneandrunsdownMlle.Virginie,sayingthatMme.Bastienne\'sbonnetsaresuperiortothemillinerywhichtheypraisedatfirst!\"saidLucien,recollectingthatsceneintheoffice.
\"Mydearfellow,youareasimpleton,\"Lousteauremarkeddrily.\"ThreeyearsagoFinotwaswalkingontheuppersofhisboots,diningforeighteensousatTabar\'s,andknockingoffatradesman\'sprospectus(whenhecouldgetit)fortenfrancs.HisclotheshungtogetherbysomemiracleasmysteriousastheImmaculateConception.NOW,Finothasapaperofhisown,worthaboutahundredthousandfrancs.Whatwithsubscriberswhopayandtakenocopies,genuinesubscriptions,andindirecttaxesleviedbyhisuncle,heismakingtwentythousandfrancsayear.Hedinesmostsumptuouslyeveryday;hehassetupacabrioletwithinthelastmonth;andnow,atlast,beholdhimtheeditorofaweeklyreviewwithasixthshare,forwhichhewillnotpayapenny,asalaryoffivehundredfrancspermonth,andanotherthousandfrancsforsupplyingmatterwhichcostshimnothing,andforwhichthefirmpays.Youyourself,tobeginwith,ifFinotconsentstopayyoufiftyfrancspersheet,willbeonlytoogladtolethimhavetwoorthreearticlesfornothing.Whenyouareinhisposition,youcanjudgeFinot;amancanonlybetriedbyhispeers.Andforyou,istherenotanimmensefutureopeningoutbeforeyou,ifyouwillblindlyministertohisenmity,attackatFinot\'sbidding,andpraisewhenhegivestheword?Supposethatyouyourselfwishtoberevengeduponsomebody,youcanbreakafoeorfriendonthewheel.Youhaveonlytosaytome,\'Lousteau,letusputanendtoSo-and-so,\'andwewillkillhimbyaphraseputinthepapermorningbymorning;andafterwardsyoucanslaytheslainwithasolemnarticleinFinot\'sweekly.Indeed,ifitisamatterofcapitalimportancetoyou,Finotwouldallowyoutobludgeonyourmaninabigpaperwithtenortwelvethousandsubscribers,IFyoumakeyourselfindispensabletoFinot.\"
\"ThenareyousurethatFlorinecanbringherdruggisttomakethebargain?\"askedLucien,dazzledbytheseprospects.
\"Quitesure.Nowcomestheinterval,Iwillgoandtellhereverythingatonceinawordortwo;itwillbesettledto-night.IfFlorineoncehasherlessonbyheart,shewillhaveallmywitandherownbesides.\"
\"Andtheresitsthathonesttradesman,gapingwithopen-mouthedadmirationatFlorine,littlesuspectingthatyouareabouttogetthirtythousandfrancsoutofhim!——\"
\"Moretwaddle!Anybodymightthinkthatthemanwasgoingtoberobbed!\"criedLousteau.\"Why,mydearboy,iftheministerbuysthenewspaper,thedruggistmaymaketwentythousandfrancsinsixmonthsonaninvestmentofthirtythousand.Matifatisnotlookingatthenewspaper,butatFlorine\'sprospects.AssoonasitisknownthatMatifatandCamusot——(fortheywillgoshares)——thatMatifatandCamusotareproprietorsofareview,thenewspaperswillbefulloffriendlynoticesofFlorineandCoralie.Florine\'snamewillbemade;
shewillperhapsobtainanengagementinanothertheatrewithasalaryoftwelvethousandfrancs.Infact,Matifatwillsaveathousandfrancseverymonthindinnersandpresentstojournalists.Youknownothingofmen,norofthewaythingsaremanaged.\"
\"Poorman!\"saidLucien,\"heislookingforwardtoanevening\'spleasure.\"
\"AndhewillbesawnintwowithargumentsuntilFlorineseesFinot\'sreceiptforasixthshareofthepaper.Andto-morrowIshallbeeditorofFinot\'spaper,andmakingathousandfrancsamonth.Theendofmytroublesisinsight!\"criedFlorine\'slover.
Lousteauwentout,andLuciensatlikeonebewildered,lostintheinfiniteofthought,soaringabovethiseverydayworld.IntheWoodenGallerieshehadseenthewiresbywhichthetradeinbooksismoved;
hehasseensomethingofthekitchenwheregreatreputationsaremade;
hehadbeenbehindthescenes;hehadseentheseamysideoflife,theconsciencesofmeninvolvedinthemachineryofParis,themechanismofitall.AshewatchedFlorineonthestagehealmostenviedLousteauhisgoodfortune;already,forafewmomentshehadforgottenMatifatinthebackground.Hewasnotleftaloneforlong,perhapsfornotmorethanfiveminutes,butthoseminutesseemedaneternity.
Thoughtsrosewithinhimthatsethissoulonfire,asthespectacleonthestagehadheatedhissenses.Helookedatthewomenwiththeirwantoneyes,allthebrighterfortheredpaintontheircheeks,atthegleamingbarenecks,theluxuriantformsoutlinedbythelasciviousfoldsofthebasquina,theveryshortskirts,thatdisplayedasmuchaspossibleoflimbsencasedinscarletstockingswithgreenclockstothem——adisquietingvisionforthepit.
Adoubleprocessofcorruptionwasworkingwithinhiminparallellines,liketwochannelsthatwillspreadsoonerorlaterinfloodtimeandmakeone.ThatcorruptionwaseatingintoLucien\'ssoul,asheleanedbackinhiscorner,staringvacantlyatthecurtain,onearmrestingonthecrimsonvelvetcushion,andhishanddroopingovertheedge.Hefeltthefascinationofthelifethatwasofferedtohim,ofthegleamsoflightamongitsclouds;andthissomuchthemorekeenlybecauseitshoneoutlikeablazeoffireworksagainsttheblankdarknessofhisownobscure,monotonousdaysoftoil.
Suddenlyhislistlesseyesbecameawareofaburningglancethatreachedhimthrougharentinthecurtain,androusedhimfromhislethargy.ThosewereCoralie\'seyesthatgloweduponhim.HeloweredhisheadandlookedacrossatCamusot,whojustthenenteredtheoppositebox.
Thatamateurwasaworthysilk-merceroftheRuedesBourdonnais,stoutandsubstantial,ajudgeinthecommercialcourt,afatheroffourchildren,andthehusbandofasecondwife.Attheageoffifty-
six,withacapofgrayhaironhishead,hehadthesmugappearanceofamanwhohashiseightythousandfrancsofincome;andhavingbeenforcedtoputupwithagooddealthathedidnotlikeinthewayofbusiness,hasfullymadeuphismindtoenjoytherestofhislife,andnottoquitthisearthuntilhehashadhisshareofcakesandale.Abrowthecoloroffreshbutterandfloridcheekslikeamonk\'sjowlseemedscarcelybigenoughtocontainhisexuberantjubilation.
Camusothadlefthiswifeathome,andtheywereapplaudingCoralietotheskies.Alltherichman\'scitizenvanitywassummedupandgratifiedinCoralie;inCoralie\'slodginghegavehimselftheairsofagreatlordofabygoneday;now,atthismoment,hefeltthathalfofhersuccesswashis;theknowledgethathehadpaidforitconfirmedhiminthisidea.Camusot\'sconductwassanctionedbythepresenceofhisfather-in-law,alittleoldfogywithpowderedhairandleeringeyes,highlyrespectednevertheless.
AgainLucienfeltdisgustrisingwithinhim.HethoughtoftheyearwhenhelovedMme.deBargetonwithanexaltedanddisinterestedlove;
andatthatthoughtlove,asapoetunderstandsit,spreaditswhitewingsabouthim;countlessmemoriesdrewacircleofdistantbluehorizonaboutthegreatmanofAngouleme,andagainhefelltodreaming.
Upwentthecurtain,andtherestoodCoralieandFlorineuponthestage.
\"HeisthinkingaboutasmuchofyouasoftheGrandTurk,mydeargirl,\"FlorinesaidinanasidewhileCoraliewasfinishingherspeech.
Luciencouldnothelplaughing.HelookedatCoralie.ShewasoneofthemostcharmingandcaptivatingactressesinParis,rivalingMme.
PerrinandMlle.Fleuriet,anddestinedlikewisetosharetheirfate.
