\"Hewillwantthemore.\"
\"Ah?\"
\"Good!\"
\"AsupperamongFrenchjournalistsalwaysfillsmewithdread,\"saidtheGermandiplomatist,withsereneurbanity;helookedashespokeatBlondet,whomhehadmetattheComtessedeMontcornet\'s.\"Itislaiduponyou,gentlemen,tofulfilaprophecyofBlucher\'s.\"
\"Whatprophecy?\"askedNathan.
\"WhenBlucherandSackenarrivedontheheightsofMontmartrein1814
(pardonme,gentlemen,forrecallingadayunfortunateforFrance),Sacken(aroughbrute),remarked,\'NowwewillsetParisalight!\'——
\'Takeverygoodcarethatyoudon\'t,\'saidBlucher.\'FrancewilldieofTHAT,nothingelsecankillher,\'andhewavedhishandovertheglowing,seethingcity,thatlaylikeahugecankerinthevalleyoftheSeine——Therearenojournalistsinourcountry,thankHeaven!\"
continuedtheMinisterafterapause.\"Ihavenotyetrecoveredfromthefrightthatthelittlefellowgaveme,aboyoften,inapapercap,withthesenseofanolddiplomatist.Andto-nightIfeelasifI
weresuppingwithlionsandpanthers,whograciouslysheathetheirclawsinmyhonor.\"
\"Itisclear,\"saidBlondet,\"thatweareatlibertytoinformEuropethataserpentdroppedfromyourExcellency\'slipsthisevening,andthatthevenomouscreaturefailedtoinoculateMlle.Tullia,theprettiestdancerinParis;andtofollowupthestorywithacommentaryonEve,andtheScriptures,andthefirstandlasttransgression.Buthavenofear,youareourguest.\"
\"Itwouldbefunny,\"saidFinot.
\"Wewouldbeginwithascientifictreatiseonalltheserpentsfoundinthehumanheartandhumanbody,andsoproceedtothecorpsdiplomatique,\"saidLousteau.
\"Andwecouldexhibitoneinspirits,inabottleofbrandiedcherries,\"saidVernou.
\"Tillyouyourselfwouldendbybelievinginthestory,\"addedVignon,lookingatthediplomatist.
\"Gentlemen,\"criedtheDucdeRhetore,\"letsleepingclawslie.\"
\"Theinfluenceandpowerofthepressisonlydawning,\"saidFinot.
\"Journalismisinitsinfancy;itwillgrow.Intenyears\'time,everythingwillbebroughtintopublicity.Thelightofthoughtwillbeturnedonallsubjects,and——\"
\"Theblightofthoughtwillbeoveritall,\"correctedBlondet.
\"Hereisanapothegm,\"criedClaudeVignon.
\"Thoughtwillmakekings,\"saidLousteau.
\"Andundomonarchs,\"saidtheGerman.
\"Andtherefore,\"saidBlondet,\"ifthepressdidnotexist,itwouldbenecessarytoinventitforthwith.Butherewehaveit,andlivebyit.\"
\"Youwilldieofit,\"returnedtheGermandiplomatist.\"Canyounotseethatifyouenlightenthemasses,andraisetheminthepoliticalscale,youmakeitalltheharderfortheindividualtoriseabovetheirlevel?Canyounotseethatifyousowtheseedsofreasoningamongtheworking-classes,youwillreaprevolt,andbethefirsttofallvictims?WhatdotheysmashinPariswhenariotbegins?\"
\"Thestreet-lamps!\"saidNathan;\"butwearetoomodesttofearforourselves,weonlyruntheriskofcracks.\"
\"Asanation,youhavetoomuchmentalactivitytoallowanygovernmenttorunitscoursewithoutinterference.Butforthat,youwouldmaketheconquestofEuropeasecondtime,andwinwiththepenallthatyoufailedtokeepwiththesword.\"
\"Journalismisanevil,\"saidClaudeVignon.\"Theevilmayhaveitsuses,butthepresentGovernmentisresolvedtoputitdown.Therewillbeabattleoverit.Whowillgiveway?Thatisthequestion.\"
\"TheGovernmentwillgiveway,\"saidBlondet.\"Ikeeptellingpeoplethatwithallmymight!IntellectualpowerisTHEgreatpowerinFrance;andthepresshasmorewitthanallmenofintellectputtogether,andthehypocrisyofTartufebesides.\"
\"Blondet!Blondet!youaregoingtoofar!\"calledFinot.\"Subscribersarepresent.\"
\"Youaretheproprietorofoneofthosepoisonshops;youhavereasontobeafraid;butIcanlaughatthewholebusiness,evenifIlivebyit.\"
\"Blondetisright,\"saidClaudeVignon.\"Journalism,sofarfrombeinginthehandsofapriesthood,cametobefirstapartyweapon,andthenacommercialspeculation,carriedonwithoutconscienceorscruple,likeothercommercialspeculations.Everynewspaper,asBlondetsays,isashoptowhichpeoplecomeforopinionsoftherightshade.Iftherewereapaperforhunchbacks,itwouldsetforthplainly,morningandevening,initscolumns,thebeauty,theutility,andnecessityofdeformity.Anewspaperisnotsupposedtoenlightenitsreaders,buttosupplythemwithcongenialopinions.Giveanynewspapertimeenough,anditwillbebase,hypocritical,shameless,andtreacherous;theperiodicalpresswillbethedeathofideas,systems,andindividuals;nay,itwillflourishupontheirdecay.Itwilltakethecreditofallcreationsofthebrain;theharmthatitdoesisdoneanonymously.We,forinstance——I,ClaudeVignon;you,Blondet;you,Lousteau;andyou,Finot——weareallPlatos,Aristides,andCatos,Plutarch\'smen,inshort;weareallimmaculate;wemaywashourhandsofalliniquity.Napoleon\'ssublimeaphorism,suggestedbyhisstudyoftheConvention,\'Nooneindividualisresponsibleforacrimecommittedcollectively,\'sumsupthewholesignificanceofaphenomenon,moralorimmoral,whicheveryouplease.Howevershamefullyanewspapermaybehave,thedisgraceattachestonooneperson.\"
\"Theauthoritieswillresorttorepressivelegislation,\"interposedduBruel.\"Alawisgoingtobepassed,infact.\"
\"Pooh!\"retortedNathan.\"WhatisthelawinFranceagainstthespiritinwhichitisreceived,themostsubtleofallsolvents?\"
\"Ideasandopinionscanonlybecounteractedbyopinionsandideas,\"
Vignoncontinued.\"Bysheerterroranddespotism,andbynoothermeans,canyouextinguishthegeniusoftheFrenchnation;forthelanguagelendsitselfadmirablytoallusionandambiguity.Epigrambreaksoutthemoreforrepressivelegislation;itislikesteaminanenginewithoutasafety-valve——TheKing,forexample,doesright;ifanewspaperisagainsthim,theMinistergetsallthecreditofthemeasure,andviceversa.Anewspaperinventsascandalouslibel——ithasbeenmisinformed.Ifthevictimcomplains,thepapergetsoffwithanapologyfortakingsogreatafreedom.Ifthecaseistakenintocourt,theeditorcomplainsthatnobodyaskedhimtorectifythemistake;butaskforredress,andhewilllaughinyourfaceandtreathisoffenceasameretrifle.Thepaperscoffsifthevictimgainstheday;andifheavydamagesareawarded,theplaintiffisheldupasanunpatrioticobscurantistandamenacetothelibertiesofthecountry.
InthecourseofanarticlepurportingtoexplainthatMonsieurSo-
and-soisashonestamanasyouwillfindinthekingdom,youareinformedthatheisnotbetterthanacommonthief.Thesinsofthepress?Pooh!meretrifles;thecurtailersofitslibertiesaremonsters;andgivehimtimeenough,theconstantreaderispersuadedtobelieveanythingyouplease.Everythingwhichdoesnotsuitthenewspaperwillbeunpatriotic,andthepresswillbeinfallible.Onereligionwillbeplayedoffagainstanother,andtheCharteragainsttheKing.Thepresswillholdupthemagistracytoscornformetingoutrigorousjusticetothepress,andapplauditsactionwhenitservesthecauseofpartyhatred.Themostsensationalfictionswillbeinventedtoincreasethecirculation;Journalismwilldescendtomountebanks\'tricksworthyofBobeche;JournalismwouldserveupitsfatherwiththeAtticsaltofitsownwitsoonerthanfailtointerestoramusethepublic;Journalismwilloutdotheactorwhoputhisson\'sashesintotheurntodrawrealtearsfromhiseyes,orthemistresswhosacrificeseverythingtoherlover.\"
\"Journalismis,infact,thePeopleinfolioform,\"interruptedBlondet.
\"Thepeoplewithhypocrisyaddedandgenerositylacking,\"saidVignon.
\"AllrealabilitywillbedrivenoutfromtheranksofJournalism,asAristideswasdrivenintoexilebytheAthenians.Weshallseenewspapersstartedinthefirstinstancebymenofhonor,fallingsoonerorlaterintothehandsofmenofabilitiesevenlowerthantheaverage,butendowedwiththeresistanceofflexibilityofindia-
rubber,qualitiesdeniedtonoblegenius;nay,perhapsthefuturenewspaperproprietorwillbethetradesmanwithcapitalsufficienttobuyvenalpens.Weseesuchthingsalreadyindeed,butintenyears\'
timeeverylittleyoungsterthathasleftschoolwilltakehimselfforagreatman,slashhispredecessorsfromtheloftyheightofanewspapercolumn,dragthemdownbythefeet,andtaketheirplace.
\"Napoleondidwiselywhenhemuzzledthepress.IwouldwagerthattheOppositionpaperswouldbatterdownagovernmentoftheirownsettingup,justastheyarebatteringthepresentgovernment,ifanydemandwasrefused.Themoretheyhave,themoretheywillwantinthewayofconcessions.Theparvenujournalistwillbesucceededbythestarvelinghack.Thereisnosalveforthissore.Itisakindofcorruptionwhichgrowsmoreandmoreobtrusiveandmalignant;thewideritspreads,themorepatientlyitwillbeendured,untilthedaycomeswhennewspapersshallsoincreaseandmultiplyintheearththatconfusionwillbetheresult——asecondBabel.We,allofus,suchasweare,havereasontoknowthatcrownedkingsarelessungratefulthankingsofourprofession;thatthemostsordidmanofbusinessisnotsomercenarynorsokeeninspeculation;thatourbrainsareconsumedtofurnishtheirdailysupplyofpoisonoustrash.Andyetwe,allofus,shallcontinuetowrite,likemenwhoworkinquicksilvermines,knowingthattheyaredoomedtodieoftheirtrade.
\"Lookthere,\"hecontinued,\"atthatyoungmansittingbesideCoralie——whatishisname?Lucien!Hehasabeautifulface;heisapoet;andwhatismore,heiswitty——somuchthebetterforhim.Well,hewillcrossthethresholdofoneofthosedenswhereaman\'sintellectisprostituted;hewillputallhisbestandfinestthoughtintohiswork;hewillblunthisintellectandsullyhissoul;hewillbeguiltyofanonymousmeannesseswhichtaketheplaceofstratagem,pillage,andrattingtotheenemyinthewarfareofcondottieri.Andwhen,likehundredsmore,hehassquanderedhisgeniusintheserviceofotherswhofindthecapitalanddonowork,thosedealersinpoisonswillleavehimtostarveifheisthirsty,andtodieofthirstifheisstarving.\"
\"Thanks,\"saidFinot.
\"But,dearme,\"continuedClaudeVignon,\"_I_knewallthis,yethereamIinthegalleys,andthearrivalofanotherconvictgivesmepleasure.Wearecleverer,BlondetandI,thanMessieursThisandThat,whospeculateinourabilities,yetneverthelesswearealwaysexploitedbythem.Wehaveaheartsomewherebeneaththeintellect;wehaveNOTthegrimqualitiesofthemanwhomakesothersworkforhim.
Weareindolent,weliketolookonatthegame,wearemeditative,andwearefastidious;theywillsweatourbrainsandblameusforimprovidence.\"
\"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoreamusingthanthis!\"saidFlorine.
\"Florineisright,\"saidBlondet;\"letusleavethecureofpublicevilstothosequacksthestatesmen.AsCharletsays,\'Quarrelwithmyownbreadandbutter?NEVER!\'\"
\"DoyouknowwhatVignonputsmeinmindof?\"saidLousteau.\"OfoneofthosefatwomenintheRueduPelicantellingaschoolboy,\'Myboy,youaretooyoungtocomehere.\'\"
Aburstoflaughterfollowedthesally,butitpleasedCoralie.Themerchantsmeanwhileateanddrankandlistened.
\"Whatanationthisis!Youseesomuchgoodinitandsomuchevil,\"
saidtheMinister,addressingtheDucdeRhetore——\"Youareprodigalswhocannotruinyourselves,gentlemen.\"
Andso,bytheblessingofchance,Lucien,standingonthebrinkoftheprecipiceoverwhichhewasdestinedtofall,heardwarningsonallsides.D\'Arthezhadsethimontherightroad,hadshownhimthenoblemethodofwork,andarousedinhimthespiritbeforewhichallobstaclesdisappear.Lousteauhimself(partlyfromselfishmotives)
hadtriedtowarnhimawaybydescribingJournalismandLiteratureintheirpracticalaspects.Lucienhadrefusedtobelievethattherecouldbesomuchhiddencorruption;butnowhehadheardthejournaliststhemselvescryingwoefortheirhurt,hehadseenthemattheirwork,hadwatchedthemtearingtheirfoster-mother\'shearttoreadauguriesofthefuture.
Thateveninghehadseenthingsastheyare.Hebeheldtheveryheart\'scoreofcorruptionofthatPariswhichBluchersoaptlydescribed;andsofarfromshudderingatthesight,hewasintoxicatedwithenjoymentoftheintellectuallystimulatingsocietyinwhichhefoundhimself.
Theseextraordinarymen,cladinarmordamascenedbytheirvices,theseintellectsenvironedbycoldandbrilliantanalysis,seemedsofargreaterinhiseyesthanthegraveandearnestmembersofthebrotherhood.Andbesidesallthis,hewasrevelinginhisfirsttasteofluxury;hehadfallenunderthespell.Hiscapriciousinstinctsawoke;forthefirsttimeinhislifehedrankexquisitewines,thiswashisfirstexperienceofcookerycarriedtothepitchofafineart.Aminister,aduke,andanopera-dancerhadjoinedthepartyofjournalists,andwonderedattheirsinisterpower.Lucienfeltahorriblecravingtoreignoverthesekings,andhethoughtthathehadpowertowinhiskingdom.Finally,therewasthisCoralie,madehappybyafewwordsofhis.Bythebrightlightofthewax-candles,throughthesteamofthedishesandthefumesofwine,shelookedsublimelybeautifultohiseyes,sofairhadshegrownwithlove.Shewastheloveliest,themostbeautifulactressinParis.Thebrotherhood,theheavenofnoblethoughts,fadedawaybeforeatemptationthatappealedtoeveryfibreofhisnature.Howcouldithavebeenotherwise?
Lucien\'sauthor\'svanityhadjustbeengratifiedbythepraisesofthosewhoknow;bytheappreciationofhisfuturerivals;thesuccessofhisarticlesandhisconquestofCoraliemighthaveturnedanolderheadthanhis.
Duringthediscussion,moreover,everyoneattablehadmadearemarkablygoodsupper,andsuchwinesarenotmetwitheveryday.
Lousteau,sittingbesideCamusot,furtivelypouredcherry-brandyseveraltimesintohisneighbor\'swineglass,andchallengedhimtodrink.AndCamusotdrank,allunsuspicious,forhethoughthimself,inhisownway,amatchforajournalist.Thejokesbecamemorepersonalwhendessertappearedandthewinebegantocirculate.TheGermanMinister,akeen-wittedmanoftheworld,madeasigntotheDukeandTullia,andthethreedisappearedwiththefirstsymptomsofvociferousnonsensewhichprecedethegrotesquescenesofanorgyinitsfinalstage.CoralieandLucienhadbeenbehavinglikechildrenalltheevening;assoonasthewinewasuppermostinCamusot\'shead,theymadegoodtheirescapedownthestaircaseandsprangintoacab.
Camusotsubsidedunderthetable;Matifat,lookingroundforhim,thoughtthathehadgonehomewithCoralie,lefthisgueststosmoke,laugh,andargue,andfollowedFlorinetoherroom.Daylightsurprisedtheparty,ormoreaccurately,thefirstdawnoflightdiscoveredonemanstillabletospeak,andBlondet,thatintrepidchampion,wasproposingtotheassembledsleepersahealthtoAuroratherosy-
fingered.
Lucienwasunaccustomedtoorgiesofthiskind.Hisheadwasverytolerablyclearashecamedownthestaircase,butthefreshairwastoomuchforhim;hewashorriblydrunk.WhentheyreachedthehandsomehouseintheRuedeVendome,wheretheactresslived,Coralieandherwaiting-womanwereobligedtoassistthepoettoclimbtothefirstfloor.Lucienwasignominiouslysick,andverynearlyfaintedonthestaircase.
\"Quick,Berenice,sometea!Makesometea,\"criedCoralie.
\"Itisnothing;itistheair,\"Luciengotout,\"andIhavenevertakensomuchbeforeinmylife.\"
\"Poorboy!Heisasinnocentasalamb,\"saidBerenice,astalwartNormanpeasantwomanasuglyasCoraliewaspretty.Lucien,halfunconscious,waslaidatlastinbed.Coralie,withBerenice\'sassistance,undressedthepoetwithallamother\'stendercare.
\"Itisnothing,\"hemurmuredagainandagain.\"Itistheair.Thankyou,mamma.\"
\"Howcharminglyhesays\'mamma,\'\"criedCoralie,puttingakissonhishair.
\"Whathappinesstolovesuchanangel,mademoiselle!Wheredidyoupickhimup?Ididnotthinkamancouldbeasbeautifulasyouare,\"
saidBerenice,whenLucienlayinbed.Hewasverydrowsy;heknewnothingandsawnothing;Coraliemadehimswallowseveralcupsoftea,andlefthimtosleep.
\"Didtheporterseeus?Wasthereanyoneelseabout?\"sheasked.
\"No;Iwassittingupforyou.\"
\"DoesVictoireknowanything?\"
\"Rathernot!\"returnedBerenice.
TenhourslaterLucienawoketomeetCoralie\'seyes.Shehadwatchedbyhimasheslept;heknewit,poetthathewas.Itwasalmostnoon,butshestillworethedelicatedress,abominablystained,whichshemeanttolayupasarelic.Lucienunderstoodalltheself-sacrificeanddelicacyoflove,fainofitsreward.HelookedintoCoralie\'seyes.InamomentshehadflungoffherclothingandslippedlikeaserpenttoLucien\'sside.
Atfiveo\'clockintheafternoonLucienwasstillsleeping,cradledinthisvoluptuousparadise.HehadcaughtglimpsesofCoralie\'schamber,anexquisitecreationofluxury,aworldofrose-colorandwhite.HehadadmiredFlorine\'sapartments,butthissurpassedtheminitsdaintyrefinement.
Coraliehadalreadyrisen;forifshewastoplayherpartastheAndalusian,shemustbeatthetheatrebyseveno\'clock.Yetshehadreturnedtogazeattheunconsciouspoet,lulledtosleepinbliss;
shecouldnotdrinktoodeeplyofthislovethatrosetorapture,drawingclosethebondbetweentheheartandthesenses,tosteepbothinecstasy.Forinthatapotheosisofhumanpassion,whichofthosethatweretwainonearththattheymightknowblisstothefullcreatesonesoultorisetoloveinheaven,layCoralie\'sjustification.Who,moreover,wouldnothavefoundexcuseinLucien\'smorethanhumanbeauty?Totheactresskneelingbythebedside,happyinlovewithinher,itseemedthatshehadreceivedlove\'sconsecration.BerenicebrokeinuponCoralie\'srapture.
\"HerecomesCamusot!\"criedthemaid.\"Andheknowsthatyouarehere.\"
Luciensprangupatonce.InnategenerositysuggestedthathewasdoingCoralieaninjury.Berenicedrewasideacurtain,andhefledintoadaintydressing-room,whitherCoralieandthemaidbroughthisclotheswithmagicalspeed.
Camusotappeared,andonlythendidCoralie\'seyesalightonLucien\'sboots,warminginthefender.Berenicehadprivatelyvarnishedthem,andputthembeforethefiretodry;andbothmistressandmaidalikeforgotthattell-talewitness.BerenicelefttheroomwithascaredglanceatCoralie.Coralieflungherselfintothedepthsofasettee,andbadeCamusotseathimselfinthegondole,around-backedchairthatstoodopposite.ButCoralie\'sadorer,honestsoul,darednotlookhismistressintheface;hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthepairofboots.
\"OughtItomakeasceneandleaveCoralie?\"hepondered.\"Isitworthwhiletomakeafussaboutatrifle?Thereisapairofbootswhereveryougo.Thesewouldbemoreinplaceinashopwindowortakingawalkontheboulevardonsomebody\'sfeet;here,however,withoutapairoffeetinthem,theytellaprettyplaintale.Iamfiftyyearsold,andthatisthetruth;IoughttobeasblindasCupidhimself.\"
Therewasnoexcuseforthismean-spiritedmonologue.Thebootswerenotthehigh-lowsatpresentinvogue,whichanunobservantmanmaybeallowedtodisregarduptoacertainpoint.Theyweretheunmistakable,uncompromisinghessiansthenprescribedbyfashion,apairofextremelyelegantbetasseledboots,whichshoneinglisteningcontrastagainsttight-fittingtrousersinvariablyofsomelightcolor,andreflectedtheirsurroundingslikeamirror.Thebootsstaredthehonestsilk-merceroutofcountenance,and,itmustbeadded,theypainedhisheart.
\"Whatisit?\"askedCoralie.
\"Nothing.\"
\"Ringthebell,\"saidCoralie,smilingtoherselfatCamusot\'swantofspirit——\"Berenice,\"shesaid,whentheNormanhandmaidappeared,\"justbringmeabutton-hook,forImustputontheseconfoundedbootsagain.Don\'tforgettobringthemtomydressing-roomto-night.\"
\"What?YOURboots?\"falteredoutCamusot,breathingmorefreely.
\"Andwhoseshouldtheybe?\"shedemandedhaughtily.\"Wereyoubeginningtobelieve?——greatstupid!Oh!andhewouldbelieveittoo,\"
shewenton,addressingBerenice——\"Ihaveaman\'spartinWhat\'s-his-
name\'spiece,andIhaveneverwornaman\'sclothesinmylifebefore.
ThebootmakerforthetheatrebroughtmethesethingstotryifI
couldwalkinthem,untilapaircanbemadetomeasure.Heputthemon,buttheyhurtmesomuchthatIhavetakenthemoff,andafterallImustwearthem.\"
\"Don\'tputthemonagainiftheyareuncomfortable,\"saidCamusot.
(Thebootshadmadehimfeelsoveryuncomfortablehimself.)
\"Mademoisellewoulddobettertohaveapairmadeofverythinmorocco,sir,insteadoftorturingherselfasshedidjustnow;butthemanagementissostingy.Shewascrying,sir;ifIwasamanandlovedawoman,Iwouldn\'tlethershedatear,Iknow.Yououghttoorderapairforher——\"
\"Yes,yes,\"saidCamusot.\"Areyoujustgettingup,Coralie?\"
\"Justthismoment;Ionlycameinatsixo\'clockafterlookingforyoueverywhere.Iwasobligedtokeepthecabforsevenhours.Somuchforyourcareofme;youforgetmeforawine-bottle.IoughttotakecareofmyselfnowwhenIamtoplayeverynightsolongastheAlcaldedraws.Idon\'twanttofalloffafterthatyoungman\'snoticeofme.\"
\"Thatisahandsomeboy,\"saidCamusot.
\"Doyouthinkso?Idon\'tadmiremenofthatsort;theyaretoomuchlikewomen;andtheydonotunderstandhowtolovelikeyoustupidoldbusinessmen.Youaresoboredwithyourownsociety.\"
\"Ismonsieurdiningwithmadame?\"inquiredBerenice.
\"No,mymouthisclammy.\"
\"Youwerenicelyscrewedyesterday.Ah!PapaCamusot,Idon\'tlikemenwhodrink,Itellyouatonce——\"
\"Youwillgivethatyoungmanapresent,Isuppose?\"interruptedCamusot.
\"Oh!yes.IwouldratherdothatthanpayasFlorinedoes.There,goawaywithyou,good-for-nothingthatoneloves;orgivemeacarriagetosavetimeinfuture.\"
\"Youshallgoinyourowncarriageto-morrowtoyourmanager\'sdinnerattheRocherdeCancale.ThenewpiecewillnotbegivennextSunday.\"
\"Come,Iamjustgoingtodine,\"saidCoralie,hurryingCamusotoutoftheroom.
AnhourlaterBerenicecametoreleaseLucien.Berenice,Coralie\'scompanionsinceherchildhood,hadakeenandsubtlebraininherunwieldyframe.
\"Stayhere,\"shesaid.\"Coralieiscomingbackalone;sheeventalkedofgettingridofCamusotifheisinyourway;butyouaretoomuchofanangeltoruinher,herheart\'sdarlingasyouare.Shewantstoclearoutofthis,shesays;toleavethisparadiseandgoandliveinyourgarret.Oh!therearethosethatarejealousandenviousofyou,andtheyhavetoldherthatyouhaven\'tabrassfarthing,andliveintheLatinQuarter;andIshouldgo,too,yousee,todothehouse-
work——ButIhavejustbeencomfortingher,poorchild!Ihavebeentellingherthatyouweretooclevertodoanythingsosilly.Iwasright,wasn\'tI,sir?Oh!youwillseethatyouareherdarling,herlove,thegodtowhomshegiveshersoul;yonderoldfoolhasnothingbutthebody——IfyouonlyknewhownicesheiswhenIhearhersayherpartover!MyCoralie,mylittlepet,sheis!ShedeservedthatGodinheavenshouldsendheroneofHisangels.Shewassickofthelife——Shewassounhappywithhermotherthatusedtobeather,andsoldher.Yes,sir,soldherownchild!IfIhadadaughter,IwouldwaitonherhandandfootasIwaitonCoralie;sheislikemyownchildtome——ThesearethefirstgoodtimesshehasseensinceIhavebeenwithher;thefirsttimethatshehasbeenreallyapplauded.Youhavewrittensomething,itseems,andtheyhavegotupafamousclaqueforthesecondperformance.Braulardhasbeengoingthroughtheplaywithherwhileyouwereasleep.\"
\"Who?Braulard?\"askedLucien;itseemedtohimthathehadheardthenamebefore.
\"Heistheheadoftheclaqueurs,andshewasarrangingwithhimtheplaceswhereshewishedhimtolookafterher.Florinemighttrytoplayhersomeshabbytrick,andtakeallforherself,forallshecallsherselfherfriend.ThereissuchatalkaboutyourarticleontheBoulevards——Isn\'titabedfitforaprince,\"shesaid,smoothingthelacebed-spread.
Shelightedthewax-candles,andtoLucien\'sbewilderedfancy,thehouseseemedtobesomepalaceintheCabinetdesFees.CamusothadchosenthericheststuffsfromtheGoldenCocoonforthehangingsandwindow-curtains.Acarpetfitforaking\'spalacewasspreaduponthefloor.Thecarvingoftherosewoodfurniturecaughtandimprisonedthelightthatrippledoveritssurface.Pricelesstriflesgleamedfromthewhitemarblechimney-piece.Therugbesidethebedwasofswan\'sskinsborderedwithsable.Apairoflittle,blackvelvetslipperslinedwithpurplesilktoldofhappinessawaitingthepoetofTheMarguerites.Adaintylamphungfromtheceilingdrapedwithsilk.Theroomwasfulloffloweringplants,delicatewhiteheathsandscentlesscamellias,instandsmarvelouslywrought.Everythingcalledupassociationsofinnocence.HowwasitpossibleintheseroomstoseethelifethatCoralieledinitstruecolors?BerenicenoticedLucien\'sbewilderedexpression.
\"Isn\'titnice?\"shesaidcoaxingly.\"Youwouldbemorecomfortablehere,wouldn\'tyou,thaninagarret?——Youwon\'tletherdoanythingrash?\"shecontinued,settingacostlystandbeforehim,coveredwithdishesabstractedfromhermistress\'dinner-table,lestthecookshouldsuspectthathermistresshadaloverinthehouse.
Lucienmadeagooddinner.Berenicewaitingonhim,thedisheswereofwroughtsilver,thepaintedporcelainplateshadcostalouisd\'orapiece.Theluxurywasproducingexactlythesameeffectuponhimthatthesightofagirlwalkingthepavement,withherbareflauntingthroatandneatankles,producesuponaschoolboy.
\"HowluckyCamusotis!\"criedhe.
\"Lucky?\"repeatedBerenice.\"Hewouldwillinglygiveallthatheisworthtobeinyourplace;hewouldbegladtobarterhisgrayhairforyourgoldenhead.\"
ShegaveLucientherichestwinethatBordeauxkeepsforthewealthiestEnglishpurchaser,andpersuadedLucientogotobedtotakeapreliminarynap;andLucien,intruth,wasquitewillingtosleeponthecouchthathehadbeenadmiring.Berenicehadreadhiswish,andfeltgladforhermistress.
Athalf-pasttenthatnightLucienawoketolookintoeyesbrimmingoverwithlove.TherestoodCoralieinmostluxuriousnightattire.
Lucienhadbeensleeping;Lucienwasintoxicatedwithlove,andnotwithwine.Berenicelefttheroomwiththeinquiry,\"Whattimeto-morrowmorning?\"
\"Ateleveno\'clock.Wewillhavebreakfastinbed.Iamnotathometoanybodybeforetwoo\'clock.\"
Attwoo\'clockintheafternoonCoralieandherloverweresittingtogether.Thepoettoallappearancehadcometopayacall.Lucienhadbeenbathedandcombedanddressed.CoraliehadsenttoColliau\'sforadozenfineshirts,adozencravatsandadozenpocket-
handkerchiefsforhim,aswellastwelvepairsofglovesinacedar-
woodbox.Whenacarriagestoppedatthedoor,theybothrushedtothewindow,andwatchedCamusotalightfromahandsomecoupe.
\"Iwouldnothavebelievedthatonecouldsohateamanandluxury——\"
\"Iamtoopoortoallowyoutoruinyourselfforme,\"hereplied.AndthusLucienpassedundertheCaudineForks.
\"Poorpet,\"saidCoralie,holdinghimtightlytoher,\"doyoulovemesomuch?——Ipersuadedthisgentlemantocallonmethismorning,\"shecontinued,indicatingLucientoCamusot,whoenteredtheroom.\"I
thoughtthatwemighttakeadriveintheChampsElyseestotrythecarriage.\"
\"Gowithoutme,\"saidCamusotinamelancholyvoice;\"Ishallnotdinewithyou.Itismywife\'sbirthday,Ihadforgottenthat.\"
\"PoorMusot,howbadlyboredyouwillbe!\"shesaid,puttingherarmsabouthisneck.
ShewaswildwithjoyatthethoughtthatsheandLucienwouldhandselthisgifttogether;shewoulddrivewithhiminthenewcarriage;andinherhappiness,sheseemedtoloveCamusot,shelavishedcaressesuponhim.
\"IfonlyIcouldgiveyouacarriageeveryday!\"saidthepoorfellow.
\"Now,sir,itistwoo\'clock,\"shesaid,turningtoLucien,whostoodindistressandconfusion,butshecomfortedhimwithanadorablegesture.
Downthestairsshewent,severalstepsatatime,drawingLucienafterher;theelderlymerchantfollowingintheirwakelikeasealonland,andquiteunabletocatchthemup.
Lucienenjoyedthemostintoxicatingofpleasures;happinesshadincreasedCoralie\'slovelinesstothehighestpossibledegree;sheappearedbeforealleyesanexquisitevisioninherdaintytoilette.
AllParisintheChampsElyseesbeheldthelovers.
InanavenueoftheBoisdeBoulognetheymetacaleche;Mme.d\'EspardandMme.deBargetonlookedinsurpriseatLucien,andmetascornfulglancefromthepoet.Hesawglimpsesofagreatfuturebeforehim,andwasabouttomakehispowerfelt.Hecouldflingthembackinaglancesomeoftherevengefulthoughtswhichhadgnawedhishearteversincetheyplantedthemthere.Thatmomentwasoneofthesweetestinhislife,andperhapsdecidedhisfate.OnceagaintheFuriesseizedonLucienatthebiddingofPride.HewouldreappearintheworldofParis;hewouldtakeasignalrevenge;allthesocialpettinesshithertotroddenunderfootbytheworker,thememberofthebrotherhood,sprangupagainafreshinhissoul.
NowheunderstoodallthatLousteau\'sattackhadmeant.Lousteauhadservedhispassions;whilethebrotherhood,thatcollectivementor,hadseemedtomortifythemintheinterestsoftiresomevirtuesandworkwhichbegantolookuselessandhopelessinLucien\'seyes.Work!
Whatisitbutdeathtoaneagerpleasure-lovingnature?Andhoweasyitisforthemanofletterstoslideintoafarnienteexistenceofself-indulgence,intotheluxuriouswaysofactressesandwomenofeasyvirtues!Lucienfeltanovermasteringdesiretocontinuetherecklesslifeofthelasttwodays.
ThedinnerattheRocherdeCancalewasexquisite.AllFlorine\'ssupperguestswerethereexcepttheMinister,theDuke,andthedancer;Camusot,too,wasabsent;butthesegapswerefilledbytwofamousactorsandHectorMerlinandhismistress.Thischarmingwoman,whochosetobeknownasMme.duVal-Noble,wasthehandsomestandmostfashionableoftheclassofwomennoweuphemisticallystyledlorettes.
Lucienhadspenttheforty-eighthourssincethesuccessofhisarticleinparadise.Hewasfetedandenvied;hegainedself-
possession;histalksparkled;hewasthebrilliantLuciendeRubemprewhoshoneforafewmonthsintheworldoflettersandart.Finot,withhisinfallibleinstinctfordiscoveringability,scentingitafarasanogremightscenthumanflesh,cajoledLucien,anddidhisbesttosecurearecruitforthesquadronunderhiscommand.AndCoraliewatchedthemanoeuvresofthispurveyorofbrains,sawthatLucienwasnibblingatthebait,andtriedtoputhimonhisguard.
\"Don\'tmakeanyengagement,dearboy;wait.Theywanttoexploityou;
wewilltalkofitto-night.\"
\"Pshaw!\"saidLucien.\"IamsureIamquiteassharpandshrewdastheycanbe.\"
FinotandHectorMerlinevidentlyhadnotfallenoutoverthataffairofthewhitelinesandspacesinthecolumns,foritwasFinotwhointroducedLucientothejournalist.CoralieandMme.duVal-Noblewereoverwhelminglyamiableandpolitetoeachother,andMme.duVal-
NobleaskedLucienandCoralietodinewithher.
HectorMerlin,shortandthin,withlipsalwaystightlycompressed,wasthemostdangerousjournalistpresent.Unboundedambitionandjealousysmoulderedwithinhim;hetookpleasureinthepainofothers,andfomentedstrifetoturnittohisownaccount.Hisabilitieswerebutslender,andhehadlittleforceofcharacter,butthenaturalinstinctwhichdrawstheupstarttowardsmoneyandpowerservedhimaswellasfixityofpurpose.LucienandMerlinatoncetookadisliketooneanother,forreasonsnotfartoseek.Merlin,unfortunately,proclaimedaloudthethoughtsthatLucienkepttohimself.Bythetimethedessertwasputonthetable,themosttouchingfriendshipappearedtoprevailamongthemen,eachoneofwhominhisheartthoughthimselfaclevererfellowthantherest;andLucienasthenewcomerwasmademuchofbythemall.Theychattedfranklyandunrestrainedly.HectorMerlin,alone,didnotjoininthelaughter.Lucienaskedthereasonofhisreserve.
\"Youarejustenteringtheworldofletters,Icansee,\"hesaid.\"Youareajournalistwithallyourillusionsleft.Youbelieveinfriendship.Herewearefriendsorfoes,asithappens;westrikedownafriendwiththeweaponwhichbyrightsshouldonlybeturnedagainstanenemy.Youwillfindout,beforeverylong,thatfinesentimentswilldonothingforyou.Ifyouarenaturallykindly,learntobeill-
natured,tobeconsistentlyspiteful.Ifyouhaveneverheardthisgoldenrulebefore,Igiveityounowinconfidence,anditisnosmallsecret.Ifyouhaveamindtobeloved,neverleaveyourmistressuntilyouhavemadehershedatearortwo;andifyoumeantomakeyourwayinliterature,letotherpeoplecontinuallyfeelyourteeth;makenoexceptionevenofyourfriends;woundtheirsusceptibilities,andeverybodywillfawnuponyou.\"
HectorMerlinwatchedLucienashespoke,sawthathiswordswenttotheneophyte\'sheartlikeastab,andHectorMerlinwasglad.Playfollowed,Lucienlostallhismoney,andCoraliebroughthimaway;andheforgotforawhile,inthedelightsoflove,thefierceexcitementofthegambler,whichwastogainsostrongaholduponhim.
WhenheleftCoralieinthemorningandreturnedtotheLatinQuarter,hetookouthispurseandfoundthemoneyhehadlost.Atfirsthefeltmiserableoverthediscovery,andthoughtofgoingbackatoncetoreturnagiftwhichhumiliatedhim;but——hehadalreadycomeasfarastheRuedelaHarpe;hewouldnotreturnnowthathehadalmostreachedtheHoteldeCluny.HeponderedoverCoralie\'sforethoughtashewent,tillhesawinitaproofofthematernallovewhichisblendedwithpassioninwomenofherstamp.ForCoralieandherlike,passionincludeseveryhumanaffection.Lucienwentfromthoughttothought,andarguedhimselfintoacceptingthegift.\"Iloveher,\"hesaid;\"weshalllivetogetherashusbandandwife;Iwillneverforsakeher!\"
Whatmortal,shortofaDiogenes,couldfailtounderstandLucien\'sfeelingsasheclimbedthedirty,fetidstaircasetohislodging,turnedthekeythatgratedinthelock,andenteredandlookedroundattheunsweptbrickfloor,atthecheerlessgrate,attheuglypovertyandbarenessoftheroom.
Apackageofmanuscriptwaslyingonthetable.Itwashisnovel;anotefromDanield\'Arthezlaybesideit:——
\"Ourfriendsarealmostsatisfiedwithyourwork,dearpoet,\"
d\'Arthezwrote.\"Youwillbeabletopresentitwithmoreconfidencenow,theysay,tofriendsandenemies.WesawyourcharmingarticleonthePanorama-Dramatique;youaresuretoexciteasmuchjealousyintheprofessionasregretamongyourfriendshere.
DANIEL.\"
\"Regrets!Whatdoeshemean?\"exclaimedLucien.Thepolitetoneofthenoteastonishedhim.Washetobehenceforthastrangertothebrotherhood?HehadlearnedtosetahighervalueonthegoodopinionandthefriendshipofthecircleintheRuedesQuatre-VentssincehehadtastedofthedeliciousfruitsofferedtohimbytheEveofthetheatricalunderworld.Forsomemomentshestoodindeepthought;hesawhispresentinthegarret,andforesawhisfutureinCoralie\'srooms.Honorableresolutionstruggledwithtemptationandswayedhimnowthisway,nowthat.Hesatdownandbegantolookthroughhismanuscript,toseeinwhatconditionhisfriendshadreturnedittohim.Whatwashisamazement,ashereadchapterafterchapter,tofindhispovertytransmutedintorichesbythecunningofthepen,andthedevotionoftheunknowngreatmen,hisfriendsofthebrotherhood.
Dialogue,closelypacked,nervous,pregnant,terse,andfullofthespiritoftheage,replacedhisconversations,whichseemedpoorandpointlessprattleincomparison.Hischaracters,alittleuncertaininthedrawing,nowstoodoutinvigorouscontrastofcolorandrelief;
physiologicalobservations,duenodoubttoHoraceBianchon,suppliedlinksofinterpretationsbetweenhumancharacterandthecuriousphenomenaofhumanlife——subtletoucheswhichmadehismenandwomenlive.Hiswordypassagesofdescriptionwerecondensedandvivid.Themisshapen,ill-cladchildofhisbrainhadreturnedtohimasalovelymaiden,withwhiterobesandrosy-huedgirdleandscarf——anentrancingcreation.Nightfellandtookhimbysurprise,readingthroughrisingtears,strickentoearthbysuchgreatnessofsoul,feelingtheworthofsuchalesson,admiringthealternations,whichtaughthimmoreofliteratureandartthanallhisfouryears\'apprenticeshipofstudyandreadingandcomparison.Amaster\'scorrectionofalinemadeuponthestudyalwaysteachesmorethanallthetheoriesandcriticismsintheworld.
\"Whatfriendsarethese!Whathearts!HowfortunateIam!\"hecried,graspinghismanuscripttightly.
Withthequickimpulsivenessofapoeticandmobiletemperament,herushedofftoDaniel\'slodging.Asheclimbedthestairs,andthoughtofthesefriends,whorefusedtoleavethepathofhonor,hefeltconsciousthathewaslessworthyofthemthanbefore.Avoicespokewithinhim,tellinghimthatifd\'ArthezhadlovedCoralie,hewouldhavehadherbreakwithCamusot.And,besidesthis,heknewthatthebrotherhoodheldjournalisminutterabhorrence,andthathehimselfwasalready,tosomesmallextent,ajournalist.Allofthem,exceptMeyraux,whohadjustgoneout,wereind\'Arthez\'sroomwhenheenteredit,andsawthatalltheirfaceswerefullofsorrowanddespair.
\"Whatisit?\"hecried.
