Coraliewasawomanofatypethatexertsatwillapoweroffascinationovermen.Withanovalfaceofdeepivorytint,amouthredasapomegranate,andachinsubtlydelicateinitscontourastheedgeofaporcelaincup,CoraliewasaJewessofthesublimetype.Thejetblackeyesbehindtheircurvinglashesseemedtoscorchhereyelids;youcouldguesshowsofttheymightgrow,orhowsparksoftheheatofthedesertmightflashfromtheminresponsetoasummonsfromwithin.Thecirclesofoliveshadowaboutthemwereboundedbythickarchinglinesofeyebrow.Magnificentmentalpower,well-nighamountingtogenius,seemedtodwellintheswarthyforeheadbeneaththedoublecurveofebonyhairthatlayuponitlikeacrown,andgleamedinthelightlikeavarnishedsurface;butlikemanyanotheractress,Coraliehadlittlewitinspiteofheraptnessatgreenroomrepartee,andscarcelyanyeducationinspiteofherboudoirexperience.Herbrainwaspromptedbyhersenses,herkindnesswastheimpulsivewarm-heartednessofgirlsofherclass.ButwhocouldtroubleoverCoralie\'spsychologywhenhiseyesweredazzledbythosesmooth,roundarmsofhers,thespindle-shapedfingers,thefairwhiteshoulders,andbreastcelebratedintheSongofSongs,theflexiblecurvinglinesofthroat,thegraciouslymouldedoutlinesbeneaththescarletsilkstockings?Andthisbeauty,worthyofanEasternpoet,wasbroughtintoreliefbytheconventionalSpanishcostumeofthestage.Coraliewasthedelightofthepit;alleyesdweltontheoutlinesmouldedbytheclingingfoldsofherbodice,andlingeredovertheAndalusiancontourofthehipsfromwhichherskirthung,flutteringwantonlywitheverymovement.ToLucien,watchingthiscreature,whoplayedforhimalone,caringnomoreforCamusotthanastreet-boyinthegallerycaresforanapple-paring,therecameamomentwhenhesetdesireabovelove,andenjoymentabovedesire,andthedemonofLuststirredstrangethoughtsinhim.
\"Iknownothingofthelovethatwallowsinluxuryandwineandsensualpleasure,\"hesaidwithinhimself.\"Ihavelivedmorewithideasthanwithrealities.Youmustpassthroughallexperienceifyoumeantorenderallexperience.Thiswillbemyfirstgreatsupper,myfirstorgyinanewandstrangeworld;whyshouldInotknow,foronce,thedelightswhichthegreatlordsoftheeighteenthcenturysoughtsoeagerlyofwantonsoftheOpera?Mustonenotfirstlearnofcourtesansandactressesthedelights,theperfections,thetransports,theresources,thesubtletiesoflove,ifonlytotranslatethemafterwardsintotheregionsofahigherlovethanthis?
Andwhatisallthis,afterall,butthepoetryofthesenses?Twomonthsagothesewomenseemedtometobegoddessesguardedbydragonsthatnoonedaredapproach;IwasenvyingLousteaujustnow,buthereisanotherhandsomerthanFlorine;whyshouldInotprofitbyherfancy,whenthegreatestnoblesbuyanightwithsuchwomenwiththeirrichesttreasures?Whenambassadorssetfootinthesedepths,theyflingasideallthoughtofyesterdayorto-morrow.Ishouldbeafooltobemoresqueamishthanprinces,especiallyasIlovenooneasyet.\"
LucienhadquiteforgottenCamusot.ToLousteauhehadexpressedtheutmostdisgustforthismosthatefulofallpartitions,andnowhehimselfhadsunktothesamelevel,and,carriedawaybythecasuistryofhisvehementdesire,hadgiventhereinstohisfancy.
\"Coralieisravingaboutyou,\"saidLousteauashecamein.\"Yourcountenance,worthyofthegreatestGreeksculptors,hasworkedunutterablehavocbehindthescenes.Youareinluckmydearboy.
Coralieiseighteenyearsold,andinafewdays\'timeshemaybemakingsixtythousandfrancsayearbyherbeauty.Sheisanhonestgirlstill.Sincehermothersoldherthreeyearsagoforsixtythousandfrancs,shehastriedtofindhappiness,andfoundnothingbutannoyance.Shetooktothestageinadesperatemood;shehasahorrorofherfirstpurchaser,deMarsay;andwhenshecameoutofthegalleys,forthekingofdandiessoondroppedher,shepickedupoldCamusot.Shedoesnotcaremuchabouthim,butheislikeafathertoher,andsheendureshimandhislove.Severaltimesalreadyshehasrefusedthehandsomestproposals;sheisfaithfultoCamusot,wholetsherliveinpeace.Soyouareherfirstlove.Thefirstsightofyouwenttoherheartlikeapistol-shot,Florinehasgonetoherdressing-roomtobringthegirltoreason.Sheiscryingoveryourcruelty;shehasforgottenherpart,theplaywillgotopieces,andgood-daytotheengagementattheGymnasewhichCamusothadplannedforher.\"
\"Pooh!Poorthing!\"saidLucien.Everyinstinctofvanitywastickledbythewords;hefelthisheartswellhighwithself-conceit.
\"Moreadventureshavebefallenmeinthisoneevening,mydearfellow,thaninallthefirsteighteenyearsofmylife.\"AndLucienrelatedthehistoryofhisloveaffairswithMme.deBargeton,andofthecordialhatredheboretheBaronduChatelet.
\"Staythough!thenewspaperwantsabetenoire;wewilltakehimup.
TheBaronisabuckoftheEmpireandaMinisterialist;heisthemanforus;IhaveseenhimmanyatimeattheOpera.IcanseeyourgreatladyasIsithere;sheisoftenintheMarquised\'Espard\'sbox.TheBaronispayingcourttoyourladylove,acuttlefishbonethatsheis.Wait!Finothasjustsentaspecialmessengerroundtosaythattheyareshortofcopyattheoffice.YoungHectorMerlinhaslefttheminthelurchbecausetheydidnotpayforwhitelines.Finot,indespair,isknockingoffanarticleagainsttheOpera.Wellnow,mydearfellow,youcandothisplay;listentoitandthinkitover,andIwillgotothemanager\'sofficeandthinkoutthreecolumnsaboutyourmanandyourdisdainfulfairone.Theywillbeinnopleasantpredicamentto-morrow.\"
\"Sothisishowanewspaperiswritten?\"saidLucien.
\"Itisalwayslikethis,\"answeredLousteau.\"ThesetenmonthsthatI
havebeenajournalist,theyhavealwaysrunshortofcopyateighto\'clockintheevening.\"
Manuscriptsenttotheprinterisspokenofas\"copy,\"doubtlessbecausethewritersaresupposedtosendinafaircopyoftheirwork;
orpossiblythewordisironicallyderivedfromtheLatinwordcopia,forcopyisinvariablyscarce.
\"Wealwaysmeantohaveafewnumbersreadyinadvance,agrandideathatwillneverberealized,\"continuedLousteau.\"Itisteno\'clock,yousee,andnotalinehasbeenwritten.IshallaskVernouandNathanforascoreofepigramsondeputies,oron\'ChancellorCruzoe,\'
orontheMinistry,oronfriendsofoursifitneedsmustbe.Amaninthispasswouldslaughterhisparent,justasaprivateerwillloadhisgunswithsilverpiecestakenoutofthebootysoonerthanperish.
Writeabrilliantarticle,andyouwillmakebrilliantprogressinFinot\'sestimation;forFinothasalivelysenseofbenefitstocome,andthatsortofgratitudeisbetterthananykindofpledge,pawnticketsalwaysexcepted,fortheyinvariablyrepresentsomethingsolid.\"
\"Whatkindofmencanjournalistsbe?Areyoutositdownatatableandbewittytoorder?\"
\"Justexactlyasalampbeginstoburnwhenyouapplyamatch——solongasthereisanyoilinit.\"
Lousteau\'shandwasonthelockwhenduBruelcameinwiththemanager.
\"Permitme,monsieur,totakeamessagetoCoralie;allowmetotellherthatyouwillgohomewithheraftersupper,ormyplaywillberuined.Thewretchedgirldoesnotknowwhatsheisdoingorsaying;
shewillcrywhensheoughttolaughandlaughwhensheoughttocry.
Shehasbeenhissedoncealready.Youcanstillsavethepiece,and,afterall,pleasureisnotamisfortune.\"
\"Iamnotaccustomedtorivals,sir,\"Lucienanswered.
\"Praydon\'ttellherthat!\"criedthemanager.\"CoralieisjustthegirltoflingCamusotoverboardandruinherselfingoodearnest.TheproprietoroftheGoldenCocoon,worthyman,allowshertwothousandfrancsamonth,andpaysforallherdressesandclaqueurs.\"
\"Asyourpromisepledgesmetonothing,saveyourplay,\"saidLucien,withasultan\'sairs.
\"Butdon\'tlookasifyoumeanttosnubthatcharmingcreature,\"
pleadedduBruel.
\"Dearme!amItowritethenoticeofyourplayandsmileonyourheroineaswell?\"exclaimedthepoet.
TheauthorvanishedwithasignaltoCoralie,whobegantoactforthwithinamarvelousway.Vignol,whoplayedthepartofthealcalde,andrevealedforthefirsttimehisgeniusasanactorofoldmen,cameforwardamidastormofapplausetomakeanannouncementtothehouse.
\"Thepiecewhichwehavethehonorofplayingforyouthisevening,gentlemen,istheworkofMM.RaoulanddeCursy.\"
\"Why,Nathanispartlyresponsible,\"saidLousteau.\"Idon\'twonderthathelookedin.\"
\"CORALIE!CORALIE!\"shoutedtheenrapturedhouse.\"Florine,too!\"
roaredavoiceofthunderfromtheoppositebox,andothervoicestookupthecry,\"FlorineandCoralie!\"
Thecurtainrose,Vignolreappearedbetweenthetwoactresses;MatifatandCamusotflungwreathsonthestage,andCoraliestoopedforherflowersandheldthemouttoLucien.
Forhimthosetwohoursspentinthetheatreseemedtobeadream.Thespellthatheldhimhadbeguntoworkwhenhewentbehindthescenes;
and,inspiteofitshorrors,theatmosphereoftheplace,itssensualityanddissolutemoralshadaffectedthepoet\'sstilluntaintednature.Asortofmalariathatinfectsthesoulseemstolurkamongthosedark,filthypassagesfilledwithmachinery,andlitwithsmoky,greasylamps.Thesolemnityandrealityoflifedisappear,themostsacredthingsarematterforajest,themostimpossiblethingsseemtobetrue.Lucienfeltasifhehadtakensomenarcotic,andCoraliehadcompletedthework.Heplungedintothisjoyousintoxication.
Thelightsinthegreatchandelierwereextinguished;therewasnooneleftinthehouseexcepttheboxkeepers,busytakingawayfootstoolsandshuttingdoors,thenoisesechoingstrangelythroughtheemptytheatre.Thefootlights,blownoutasonecandle,sentupafetidreekofsmoke.Thecurtainroseagain,alanternwasloweredfromtheceiling,andfiremenandstagecarpentersdepartedontheirrounds.
Thefairyscenesofthestage,therowsoffairfacesintheboxes,thedazzlinglights,themagicalillusionofnewsceneryandcostumehadalldisappeared,anddismaldarkness,emptiness,andcoldreignedintheirstead.Itwashideous.Luciensatoninbewilderment.
\"Well!areyoucoming,myboy?\"Lousteau\'svoicecalledfromthestage.\"Jumpdown.\"
Luciensprangover.HescarcelyrecognizedFlorineandCoralieintheirordinaryquiltedpaletotsandcloaks,withtheirfaceshiddenbyhatsandthickblackveils.Twobutterfliesreturnedtothechrysalisstagecouldnotbemorecompletelytransformed.
\"Willyouhonormebygivingmeyourarm?\"Coralieaskedtremulously.
\"Withpleasure,\"saidLucien.Hecouldfeelthebeatingofherheartthrobbingagainsthislikesomesnaredbirdasshenestledcloselytohisside,withsomethingofthedelightofacatthatrubsherselfagainsthermasterwitheagersilkencaresses.
\"Sowearesuppingtogether!\"shesaid.
ThepartyoffourfoundtwocabswaitingforthematthedoorintheRuedesFosses-du-Temple.CoraliedrewLucientooneofthetwo,inwhichCamusotandhisfather-in-lawoldCardotwereseatedalready.
SheofferedduBruelafifthplace,andthemanagerdroveoffwithFlorine,Matifat,andLousteau.
\"Thesehackneycabsareabominablethings,\"saidCoralie.
\"Whydon\'tyouhaveacarriage?\"returnedduBruel.
\"WHY?\"sheaskedpettishly.\"IdonotliketotellyoubeforeM.
Cardot\'sface;forhetrainedhisson-in-law,nodoubt.Wouldyoubelieveit,littleandoldasheis,M.CardotonlygivesFlorinefivehundredfrancsamonth,justaboutenoughtopayforherrentandhergrubandherclothes.TheoldMarquisdeRochegudeofferedmeabroughamtwomonthsago,andhehassixhundredthousandfrancsayear,butIamanartistandnotacommonhussy.\"
\"Youshallhaveacarriagethedayafterto-morrow,miss,\"saidCamusotbenignly;\"youneveraskedmeforone.\"
\"AsifoneASKEDforsuchathingasthat?What!youloveawomanandletherpaddleaboutinthemudattheriskofbreakingherlegs?
Nobodybutaknightoftheyardsticklikestoseeadraggledskirthem.\"
AssheutteredthesharpwordsthatcutCamusottothequick,shegropedforLucien\'sknee,andpresseditagainstherown,andclaspedherfingersuponhishand.Shewassilent.Allherpowertofeelseemedtobeconcentratedupontheineffablejoyofamomentwhichbringscompensationforthewholewretchedpastofalifesuchasthesepoorcreatureslead,anddevelopswithintheirsoulsapoetryofwhichotherwomen,happilyignorantoftheseviolentrevulsions,knownothing.
\"YouplayedlikeMlle.Marsherselftowardstheend,\"saidduBruel.
\"Yes,\"saidCamusot,\"somethingputheroutatthebeginning;butfromthemiddleofthesecondacttotheveryend,shewasenoughtodriveyouwildwithadmiration.Halfofthesuccessofyourplaywasduetoher.\"
\"Andhalfofhersuccessisduetome,\"saidduBruel.
\"Thisisallmuchadoaboutnothing,\"saidCoralieinanunfamiliarvoice.And,seizinganopportunityinthedarkness,shecarriedLucien\'shandtoherlipsandkisseditanddrencheditwithtears.
Lucienfeltthrilledthroughandthroughbythattouch,forinthehumilityofthecourtesan\'slovethereisamagnificencewhichmightsetanexampletoangels.
\"Areyouwritingthedramaticcriticism,monsieur?\"saidduBruel,addressingLucien;\"youcanwriteacharmingparagraphaboutourdearCoralie.\"
\"Oh!dousthatlittleservice!\"pleadedCamusot,downonhisknees,metaphoricallyspeaking,beforethecritic.\"Youwillalwaysfindmereadytodoyouagoodturnatanytime.\"
\"Doleavehimhisindependence,\"Coralieexclaimedangrily;\"hewillwritewhathepleases.PapaCamusot,buycarriagesformeinsteadofpraises.\"
\"Youshallhavethemonveryeasyterms,\"Lucienansweredpolitely.\"I
haveneverwrittenfornewspapersbefore,soIamnotaccustomedtotheirways,mymaidenpenisatyourdisposal——\"
\"Thatisfunny,\"saidduBruel.
\"HereweareintheRuedeBondy,\"saidCardot.Coralie\'ssallyhadquitecrushedthelittleoldman.
\"Ifyouaregivingmethefirstfruitsofyourpen,thefirstlovethathassprungupinmyheartshallbeyours,\"whisperedCoralieinthebriefinstantthattheyremainedalonetogetherinthecab;thenshewentuptoFlorine\'sbedroomtochangeherdressforatoilettepreviouslysent.
Lucienhadnoideahowlavishlyaprosperousmerchantwillspendmoneyuponanactressoramistresswhenhemeanstoenjoyalifeofpleasure.MatifatwasnotnearlysorichamanashisfriendCamusot,andhehaddonehispartrathershabbily,yetthesightofthedining-
roomtookLucienbysurprise.Thewallswerehungwithgreenclothwithaborderofgildednails,thewholeroomwasartisticallydecorated,lightedbyhandsomelamps,standsfullofflowersstoodineverydirection.Thedrawing-roomwasresplendentwiththefurnitureinfashioninthosedays——aThomirechandelier,acarpetofEasterndesign,andyellowsilkenhangingsrelievedbyabrownborder.Thecandlesticks,fire-irons,andclockwereallingoodtaste;forMatifathadlefteverythingtoGrindot,arisingarchitect,whowasbuildingahouseforhim,andtheyoungmanhadtakengreatpainswiththeroomswhenheknewthatFlorinewastooccupythem.
Matifat,atradesmantothebackbone,wentaboutcarefully,afraidtotouchthenewfurniture;heseemedtohavethetotalsofthebillsalwaysbeforehiseyes,andtolookuponthesplendorsabouthimassomuchjewelryimprudentlywithdrawnfromthecase.
\"AndIshallbeobligedtodoasmuchforFlorentine!\"oldCardot\'seyesseemedtosay.
LucienatoncebegantounderstandLousteau\'sindifferencetothestateofhisgarret.Etiennewastherealkingofthesefestivals;
Etienneenjoyedtheuseofallthesefinethings.Hewasstandingjustnowonthehearthrugwithhisbacktothefire,asifhewerethemasterofthehouse,chattingwiththemanager,whowascongratulatingduBruel.
\"Copy,copy!\"calledFinot,comingintotheroom.\"Thereisnothinginthebox;theprintersaresettingupmyarticle,and
Cardot,Camusot,andMatifatdisappearedinsearchofquills,penknives,andeverythingnecessary.Suddenlythedoorwasflungopen,andTullia,oneoftheprettiestopera-dancersoftheday,dashedintotheroom.
\"Theyagreetotakethehundredcopies,dearboy!\"shecried,addressingFinot;\"theywon\'tcostthemanagementanything,forthechorusandtheorchestraandthecorpsdeballetaretotakethemwhethertheylikeitornot;butyourpaperissocleverthatnobodywillgrumble.Andyouaregoingtohaveyourboxes.Hereisthesubscriptionforthefirstquarter,\"shecontinued,holdingoutacoupleofbanknotes;\"sodon\'tcutmeup!\"
\"Itisalloverwithme!\"groanedFinot;\"Imustsuppressmyabominablediatribe,andIhaven\'tanothernotioninmyhead.\"
\"Whatahappyinspiration,divineLais!\"exclaimedBlondet,whohadfollowedtheladyupstairsandbroughtNathan,VernouandClaudeVignonwithhim.\"Stoptosupper,thereisadear,orIwillcrushthee,butterflyasthouart.Therewillbenoprofessionaljealousies,asyouareadancer;andastobeauty,youhaveallofyoutoomuchsensetoshowjealousyinpublic.\"
\"Ohdear!\"criedFinot,\"Nathan,Blondet,duBruel,helpfriends!I
wantfivecolumns.\"
\"Icanmaketwooftheplay,\"saidLucien.
\"Ihaveenoughforone,\"addedLousteau.
\"Verywell;Nathan,Vernou,andduBruelwillmakethejokesattheend;andBlondet,goodfellow,surelywillvouchsafeacoupleofshortcolumnsforthefirstsheet.Iwillrunroundtotheprinter.Itisluckythatyoubroughtyourcarriage,Tullia.\"
\"Yes,buttheDukeiswaitingbelowinit,andhehasaGermanMinisterwithhim.\"
\"AsktheDukeandtheMinistertocomeup,\"saidNathan.
\"AGerman?Theyaretheonestodrink,andtheylistentoo;heshallhearsomeastonishingthingstosendhometohisGovernment,\"criedBlondet.
\"Isthereanysufficientlyseriouspersonagetogodowntospeaktohim?\"askedFinot.\"Here,duBruel,youareanofficial;bringuptheDucdeRhetoreandtheMinister,andgiveyourarmtoTullia.Dearme!
Tullia,howhandsomeyouareto-night!\"
\"Weshallbethirteenattable!\"exclaimedMatifat,palingvisibly.
\"No,fourteen,\"saidavoiceinthedoorway,andFlorentineappeared.
\"Ihavecometolookafter\'milordCardot,\'\"sheadded,speakingwithaburlesqueEnglishaccent.
\"Andbesides,\"saidLousteau,\"ClaudeVignoncamewithBlondet.\"
\"Ibroughthimheretodrink,\"returnedBlondet,takingupaninkstand.\"Lookhere,allofyou,youmustuseallyourwitbeforethosefifty-sixbottlesofwinedriveitout.And,ofallthings,stirupduBruel;heisavaudevillist,heiscapableofmakingbadjokesifyougethimtoconcertpitch.\"
AndLucienwrotehisfirstnewspaperarticleattheroundtableinFlorine\'sboudoir,bythelightofthepinkcandleslightedbyMatifat;beforesucharemarkableaudiencehewaseagertoshowwhathecoulddo.
THEPANORAMA-DRAMATIQUE.
FirstperformanceoftheAlcaldeinaFix,animbrogliointhreeacts——FirstappearanceofMademoiselleFlorine——MademoiselleCoralie——Vignol.
Peoplearecomingandgoing,walkingandtalking,everybodyislookingforsomething,nobodyfindsanything.Generalhubbub.TheAlcaldehaslosthisdaughterandfoundhiscap,butthecapdoesnotfit;itmustbelongtosomethief.Whereisthethief?Peoplewalkandtalk,andcomeandgomorethanever.FinallytheAlcaldefindsamanwithouthisdaughter,andhisdaughterwithouttheman,whichissatisfactoryforthemagistrate,butnotfortheaudience.Quietbeingresorted,theAlcaldetriestoexaminetheman.BeholdavenerableAlcalde,sittinginanAlcalde\'sgreatarmchair,arrangingthesleevesofhisAlcalde\'sgown.OnlyinSpaindoAlcaldesclingtotheirenormoussleevesandwearplaitedlawnrufflesaboutthemagisterialthroat,agoodhalfofanAlcalde\'sbusinessonthestageinParis.ThisparticularAlcalde,wheezingandwaddlingaboutlikeanasthmaticoldman,isVignol,onwhomPotier\'smantlehasfallen;ayoungactorwhopersonatesoldagesoadmirablythattheoldestmenintheaudiencecannothelplaughing.Withthatquaveringvoiceofhis,thatbaldforehead,andthosespindleshankstremblingundertheweightofasenileframe,hemaylookforwardtoalongcareerofdecrepitude.
Thereissomethingalarmingabouttheyoungactor\'soldage;heissoveryold;youfeelnervouslestsenilityshouldbeinfectious.
AndwhatanadmirableAlcaldehemakes!Whatadelightful,uneasysmile!whatpompousstupidity!whatwoodendignity!whatjudicialhesitation!Howwellthemanknowsthatblackmaybewhite,orwhiteblack!HoweminentlywellheisfittedtobeMinistertoaconstitutionalmonarch!Thestrangeranswerseveryoneofhisinquiriesbyaquestion;Vignolretortsinsuchafashion,thatthepersonunderexaminationelicitsallthetruthfromtheAlcalde.Thispieceofpurecomedy,withabreathofMolierethroughout,putsthehouseingoodhumor.Thepeopleonthestageallseemedtounderstandwhattheywereabout,butIamquiteunabletoclearupthemystery,ortosaywhereinitlay;fortheAlcalde\'sdaughterwasthere,personifiedbyaliving,breathingAndalusian,aSpaniardwithaSpaniard\'seyes,aSpaniard\'scomplexion,aSpaniard\'sgaitandfigure,aSpaniardfromtoptotoe,withherponiardinhergarter,loveinherheart,andacrossontheribbonaboutherneck.Whentheactwasover,andsomebodyaskedmehowthepiecewasgoing,Ianswered,\"Shewearsscarletstockingswithgreenclockstothem;shehasalittlefoot,nolargerthanTHAT,inherpatentleathershoes,andtheprettiestpairofanklesinAndalusia!\"Oh!thatAlcalde\'sdaughterbringsyourheartintoyourmouth;shetantalizesyousohorribly,thatyoulongtospringuponthestageandofferheryourthatchedhovelandyourheart,orthirtythousandlivresperannumandyourpen.TheAndalusianistheloveliestactressinParis.Coralie,forshemustbecalledbyherrealname,canbeacountessoragrisette,andinwhichpartshewouldbemorecharmingonecannottell.Shecanbeanythingthatshechooses;
sheisborntoachieveallpossibilities;canmorebesaidofaboulevardactress?
Withthesecondact,aParisianSpaniardappeareduponthescene,withherfeaturescutlikeacameoandherdangerouseyes.\"Wheredoesshecomefrom?\"Iaskedinmyturn,andwastoldthatshecamefromthegreenroom,andthatshewasMademoiselleFlorine;
but,uponmyword,Icouldnotbelieveasyllableofit,suchspiritwasthereinhergestures,suchfrenzyinherlove.SheistherivaloftheAlcalde\'sdaughter,andmarriedtoagrandeecutouttowearanAlmaviva\'scloak,withstuffsufficientinitforahundredboulevardnoblemen.Mlle.Florineworeneitherscarletstockingswithgreenclocks,norpatentleathershoes,butsheappearedinamantilla,aveilwhichsheputtoadmirableuses,likethegreatladythatsheis!Sheshowedtoadmirationthatthetigresscanbeacat.Ibegantounderstand,fromthesparklingtalkbetweenthetwo,thatsomedramaofjealousywasgoingon;
andjustaseverythingwasputright,theAlcalde\'sstupidityembroiledeverybodyagain.Torchbearers,richmen,footmen,Figaros,grandees,alcaldes,dames,anddamsels——thewholecompanyonthestagebegantoeddyabout,andcomeandgo,andlookforoneanother.Theplotthickened,againIleftittothicken;forFlorinethejealousandthehappyCoraliehadentangledmeoncemoreinthefoldsofmantillaandbasquina,andtheirlittlefeetweretwinklinginmyeyes.
Imanaged,however,toreachthethirdactwithoutanymishap.Thecommissaryofpolicewasnotcompelledtointerfere,andIdidnothingtoscandalizethehouse,whereforeIbegintobelieveintheinfluenceofthat\"publicandreligiousmorality,\"aboutwhichtheChamberofDeputiesissoanxious,thatanyonemightthinktherewasnomoralityleftinFrance.Ievencontrivedtogatherthatamanwasinlovewithtwowomenwhofailedtoreturnhisaffection,orelsethattwowomenwereinlovewithamanwholovedneitherofthem;themandidnotlovetheAlcalde,ortheAlcaldehadnolovefortheman,whowasneverthelessagallantgentleman,andinlovewithsomebody,withhimself,perhaps,orwithheaven,iftheworstcametotheworst,forhebecomesamonk.Andifyouwanttoknowanymore,youcangotothePanorama-Dramatique.Youareherebygivenfairwarning——youmustgooncetoaccustomyourselftothoseirresistiblescarletstockingswiththegreenclocks,tolittlefeetfullofpromises,toeyeswitharayofsunlightshiningthroughthem,tothesubtlecharmofaParisiennedisguisedasanAndalusiangirl,andofanAndalusianmasqueradingasaParisienne.Youmustgoasecondtimetoenjoytheplay,toshedtearsoverthelove-distractedgrandee,anddieoflaughingattheoldAlcalde.Theplayistwiceasuccess.Theauthor,whowritesit,itissaid,incollaborationwithoneofthegreatpoetsoftheday,wascalledbeforethecurtain,andappearedwithalove-distraughtdamseloneacharm,andfairlybroughtdowntheexcitedhouse.Thetwodancersseemedtohavemorewitintheirlegsthantheauthorhimself;butwhenoncethefairrivalsleftthestage,thedialogueseemedwittyatonce,atriumphantproofoftheexcellenceofthepiece.Theapplauseandcallsfortheauthorcausedthearchitectsomeanxiety;butM.deCursy,theauthor,beingaccustomedtovolcaniceruptionsofthereelingVesuviusbeneaththechandelier,feltnotremor.Asfortheactresses,theydancedthefamousboleroofSeville,whichoncefoundfavorinthesightofacouncilofreverendfathers,andescapedecclesiasticalcensureinspiteofitswantondangerousgrace.Theboleroinitselfwouldbeenoughtoattractoldagewhilethereisanylingeringheatofyouthintheveins,andoutofcharityIwarnthesepersonstokeepthelensesoftheiropera-glasseswellpolished.
WhileLucienwaswritingacolumnwhichwastosetanewfashioninjournalismandrevealafreshandoriginalgift,Lousteauinditedanarticleofthekinddescribedasmoeurs——asketchofcontemporarymanners,entitledTheElderlyBeau.
\"ThebuckoftheEmpire,\"hewrote,\"isinvariablylong,slender,andwellpreserved.HewearsacorsetandtheCrossoftheLegionofHonor.HisnamewasoriginallyPotelet,orsomethingverylikeit;buttostandwellwiththeCourt,heconferredaduuponhimself,andduPoteletheisuntilanotherrevolution.AbaronoftheEmpire,amanoftwoends,ashisname(Potelet,apost)implies,heispayinghiscourttotheFaubourgSaint-Germain,afterayouthgloriouslyandusefullyspentastheagreeabletrainbearerofasisterofthemanwhomdecencyforbidsmetomentionbyname.DuPotelethasforgottenthathewasonceinwaitinguponHerImperialHighness;buthestillsingsthesongscomposedforthebenefactresswhotooksuchatenderinterestinhiscareer,\"andsoforthandsoforth.Itwasatissueofpersonalities,sillyenoughforthemostpart,suchastheyusedtowriteinthosedays.Otherpapers,andnotablytheFigaro,havebroughtthearttoacuriousperfectionsince.LousteaucomparedtheBarontoaheron,andintroducedMme.deBargeton,towhomhewaspayinghiscourt,asacuttlefishbone,aburlesqueabsurditywhichamusedreaderswhoknewneitherofthepersonages.AtaleofthelovesoftheHeron,whotriedinvaintoswallowtheCuttlefishbone,whichbrokeintothreepieceswhenhedroppedit,wasirresistiblyludicrous.EverybodyremembersthesensationwhichthepleasantrymadeintheFaubourgSaint-Germain;itwasthefirstofaseriesofsimilararticles,andwasoneofthethousandandonecauseswhichprovokedtherigorouspresslegislationofCharlesX.
Anhourlater,Blondet,Lousteau,andLuciencamebacktothedrawing-
room,wheretheotherguestswerechatting.TheDukewasthereandtheMinister,thefourwomen,thethreemerchants,themanager,andFinot.
Aprinter\'sdevil,withapapercaponhishead,waswaitingeventhenforcopy.
\"Themenarejustgoingoff,ifIhavenothingtotakethem,\"hesaid.
\"Stayabit,herearetenfrancs,andtellthemtowait,\"saidFinot.
\"IfIgivethemthemoney,sir,theywouldtaketotippleography,andgood-nighttothenewspaper.\"
\"Thatboy\'scommon-senseisappallingtome,\"remarkedFinot;andtheMinisterwasinthemiddleofapredictionofabrilliantfuturefortheurchin,whenthethreecamein.BlondetreadaloudanextremelycleverarticleagainsttheRomantics;Lousteau\'sparagraphdrewlaughter,andbytheDucdeRhetore\'sadviceanindirecteulogiumofMme.d\'Espardwasslippedin,lestthewholeFaubourgSaint-Germainshouldtakeoffence.
\"WhathaveYOUwritten?\"askedFinot,turningtoLucien.
AndLucienread,quakingforfear,buttheroomrangwithapplausewhenhefinished;theactressesembracedtheneophyte;andthetwomerchants,followingsuit,halfchokedthebreathoutofhim.ThereweretearsinduBruel\'seyesashegraspedhiscritic\'shand,andthemanagerinvitedhimtodinner.
\"Therearenochildrennowadays,\"saidBlondet.\"SinceM.deChateaubriandcalledVictorHugoa\'sublimechild,\'Icanonlytellyouquitesimplythatyouhavespiritandtaste,andwritelikeagentleman.\"
\"Heisonthenewspaper,\"saidFinot,ashethankedEtienne,andgavehimashrewdglance.
\"Whatjokeshaveyoumade?\"inquiredLousteau,turningtoBlondetandduBruel.
\"HereareduBruel\'s,\"saidNathan.
***\"Now,thatM.leVicomted\'A——isattractingsomuchattention,theywillperhapsletMEalone,\"M.leVicomteDemostheneswasheardtosayyesterday.
***AnUltra,condemningM.Pasquier\'sspeech,saidhisprogrammewasonlyacontinuationofDecaze\'spolicy.\"Yes,\"saidalady,\"buthestandsonaMonarchicalbasis,hehasjustthekindoflegforaCourtsuit.\"
\"Withsuchabeginning,Idon\'taskmoreofyou,\"saidFinot;\"itwillbeallright——Runroundwiththis,\"headded,turningtotheboy;
\"thepaperisnotexactlyagenuinearticle,butitisourbestnumberyet,\"andheturnedtothegroupofwriters.AlreadyLucien\'scolleagueswereprivatelytakinghismeasure.
\"Thatfellowhasbrains,\"saidBlondet.
\"Hisarticleiswellwritten,\"saidClaudeVignon.
\"Supper!\"criedMatifat.
TheDukegavehisarmtoFlorine,CoraliewentacrosstoLucien,andTulliawentintosupperbetweenEmileBlondetandtheGermanMinister.
\"IcannotunderstandwhyyouaremakinganonslaughtonMme.deBargetonandtheBaronduChatelet;theysaythatheisprefect-
designateoftheCharente,andwillbeMasterofRequestssomeday.\"
\"Mme.deBargetonshowedLucienthedoorasifhehadbeenanimposter,\"saidLousteau.
\"Suchafineyoungfellow!\"exclaimedtheMinister.
Supper,servedwithnewplate,Sevresporcelain,andwhitedamask,wasredolentofopulence.ThedisheswerefromChevet,thewinesfromacelebratedmerchantontheQuaiSaint-Bernard,apersonalfriendofMatifat\'s.ForthefirsttimeLucienbeheldtheluxuryofParisdisplayed;hewentfromsurprisetosurprise,buthekepthisastonishmenttohimself,likeamanwhohadspiritandtasteandwrotelikeagentleman,asBlondethadsaid.
Astheycrossedthedrawing-room,CoraliebenttoFlorine,\"MakeCamusotsodrunkthathewillbecompelledtostophereallnight,\"
shewhispered.
\"Soyouhavehookedyourjournalist,haveyou?\"returnedFlorine,usingtheidiomofwomenofherclass.
\"No,dear;Ilovehim,\"saidCoralie,withanadorablelittleshrugoftheshoulders.
ThosewordsranginLucien\'sears,bornetothembythefifthdeadlysin.Coraliewasperfectlydressed.Everywomanpossessessomepersonalcharminperfection,andCoralie\'stoilettebroughthercharacteristicbeautyintoprominence.Herdress,moreover,likeFlorine\'s,wasofsomeexquisitestuff,unknownasyettothepublic,amousselinedesoie,withwhichCamusothadbeensuppliedafewdaysbeforetherestoftheworld;for,asowneroftheGoldenCocoon,hewasakindofProvidenceinParistotheLyonssilkweavers.
Loveandtoiletarelikecolorandperfumeforawoman,andCoralieinherhappinesslookedlovelierthanever.Alooked-fordelightwhichcannoteludethegrasppossessesanimmensecharmforyouth;perhapsintheireyesthesecretoftheattractionofahouseofpleasureliesinthecertaintyofgratification;perhapsmanyalongfidelityisattributabletothesamecause.Loveforlove\'ssake,firstloveindeed,hadblentwithoneofthestrangeviolentfancieswhichsometimespossessthesepoorcreatures;andloveandadmirationofLucien\'sgreatbeautytaughtCoralietoexpressthethoughtsinherheart.
\"Ishouldloveyouifyouwereillandugly,\"shewhisperedastheysatdown.
Whatasayingforapoet!Camusotutterlyvanished,Lucienhadforgottenhisexistence,hesawCoralie,andhadeyesfornothingelse.Howshouldhedrawback——thiscreature,allsensation,allenjoymentoflife,tiredofthemonotonyofexistenceinacountrytown,wearyofpoverty,harassedbyenforcedcontinence,impatientoftheclaustrallifeoftheRuedeCluny,oftoilingwithoutreward?ThefascinationoftheunderworldofPariswasuponhim;howshouldheriseandleavethisbrilliantgathering?LucienstoodwithonefootinCoralie\'schamberandtheotherinthequicksandsofJournalism.Aftersomuchvainsearch,andclimbingofsomanystairs,afterstandingaboutandwaitingintheRuedeSentier,hehadfoundJournalismajollybooncompanion,joyousoverthewine.Hiswrongshadjustbeenavenged.Thereweretwoforwhomhehadvainlystriventofillthecupofhumiliationandpainwhichhehadbeenmadetodrinktothedregs,andnowto-morrowtheyshouldreceiveastabintheirveryhearts.
\"Hereisarealfriend!\"hethought,ashelookedatLousteau.ItnevercrossedhismindthatLousteaualreadyregardedhimasadangerousrival.Hehadmadeablunder;hehaddonehisverybestwhenacolorlessarticlewouldhaveservedhimadmirablywell.Blondet\'sremarktoFinotthatitwouldbebettertocometotermswithamanofthatcalibre,hadcounteractedLousteau\'sgnawingjealousy.HereflectedthatitwouldbeprudenttokeepongoodtermswithLucien,and,atthesametime,toarrangewithFinottoexploitthisformidablenewcomer——hemustbekeptinpoverty.Thedecisionwasmadeinamoment,andthebargainmadeinafewwhisperedwords.
\"Hehastalent.\"
