AttheAmbiguthehousewasfull;therewasnotaseatleftforhim.
Indignantcomplaintsbehindthescenesbroughtnoredress;thebox-
officekeeper,whodidnotknowhimasyet,saidthattheyhadsentordersfortwoboxestohispaper,andsenthimabouthisbusiness.
\"IshallspeakoftheplayasIfindit,\"saidLucien,nettledatthis.
\"Whatadunceyouare!\"saidtheleadinglady,addressingthebox-
officekeeper,\"thatisCoralie\'sadorer.\"
Thebox-officekeeperturnedroundimmediatelyatthis.\"Iwillspeaktothemanageratonce,sir,\"hesaid.
InallthesesmalldetailsLuciensawtheimmensepowerwieldedbythepress.Hisvanitywasgratified.ThemanagerappearedtosaythattheDucdeRhetoreandTulliatheopera-dancerwereinthestage-box,andtheyhadconsentedtoallowLucientojointhem.
\"Youhavedriventwopeopletodistraction,\"remarkedtheyoungDuke,mentioningthenamesoftheBaronduChateletandMme.deBargeton.
\"Distraction?Whatwillitbeto-morrow?\"saidLucien.\"Sofar,myfriendshavebeenmereskirmishers,butIhavegiventhemred-hotshotto-night.To-morrowyouwillknowwhywearemakinggameof\'Potelet.\'
Thearticleiscalled\'Poteletfrom1811to1821.\'Chateletwillbeabyword,anameforthetypeofcourtierswhodenytheirbenefactorandrallytotheBourbons.WhenIhavedonewithhim,IamgoingtoMme.
deMontcornet\'s.\"
Lucien\'stalkwassparkling.HewaseagerthatthisgreatpersonageshouldseehowgrossamistakeMesdamesd\'EspardanddeBargetonhadmadewhentheyslightedLuciendeRubempre.ButheshowedthetipofhisearwhenheassertedhisrighttobearthenameofRubempre,theDucdeRhetorehavingpurposelyaddressedhimasChardon.
\"YoushouldgoovertotheRoyalists,\"saidtheDuke.\"Youhaveprovedyourselfamanofability;nowshowyourgoodsense.Theonewayofobtainingapatentofnobilityandtherighttobearthetitleofyourmother\'sfamily,isbyaskingforitinreturnforservicestoberenderedtotheCourt.TheLiberalswillnevermakeacountofyou.
TheRestorationwillgetthebetterofthepress,yousee,inthelongrun,andthepressistheonlyformidablepower.Theyhavebornewithittoolongasitis;thepressissuretobemuzzled.Takeadvantageofthelastmomentsoflibertytomakeyourselfformidable,andyouwillhaveeverything——intellect,nobility,andgoodlooks;nothingwillbeoutofyourreach.SoifyouareaLiberal,letitbesimplyforthemoment,sothatyoucanmakeabetterbargainforyourRoyalism.\"
WiththattheDukeentreatedLucientoacceptaninvitationtodinner,whichtheGermanMinister(ofFlorine\'ssupper-party)wasabouttosend.Lucienfellunderthecharmofthenoblepeer\'sarguments;thesalonsfromwhichhehadbeenexiledforever,ashethought,butafewmonthsago,wouldshortlyopentheirdoorsforhim!Hewasdelighted.Hemarveledatthepowerofthepress;IntellectandthePress,thesethenweretherealpowersinsociety.Anotherthoughtshapeditselfinhismind——WasEtienneLousteausorrythathehadopenedthegateofthetempletoanewcomer?Evennowhe(Lucien)feltonhisownaccountthatitwasstronglyadvisabletoputdifficultiesinthewayofeagerandambitiousrecruitsfromtheprovinces.IfapoetshouldcometohimashehadflunghimselfintoEtienne\'sarms,hedarednotthinkofthereceptionthathewouldgivehim.
TheyouthfulDukemeanwhilesawthatLucienwasdeepinthought,andmadeaprettygoodguessatthematterofhismeditations.Hehimselfhadopenedoutwidehorizonsofpubliclifebeforeanambitiouspoet,withavacillatingwill,itistrue,butnotwithoutaspirations;andthejournalistshadalreadyshowntheneophyte,fromapinnacleofthetemple,allthekingdomsoftheworldoflettersanditsriches.
Lucienhimselfhadnosuspicionofalittleplotthatwasbeingwoven,nordidheimaginethatM.deRhetorehadahandinit.M.deRhetorehadspokenofLucien\'scleverness,andMme.d\'Espard\'ssethadtakenalarm.Mme.deBargetonhadcommissionedtheDuketosoundLucien,andwiththatobjectinview,thenobleyouthhadcometotheAmbigu-
Comique.
Donotbelieveinstoriesofelaboratetreachery.Neitherthegreatworldnortheworldofjournalistslaidanydeepschemes;definiteplansarenotmadebyeither;theirMachiavelismlivesfromhandtomouth,sotospeak,andconsists,forthemostpart,inbeingalwaysonthespot,alwaysonthealerttoturneverythingtoaccount,alwaysonthewatchforthemomentwhenaman\'srulingpassionshalldeliverhimintothehandsofhisenemies.TheyoungDukehadseenthroughLucienatFlorine\'ssupper-party;hehadjusttouchedhisvainsusceptibilities;andnowhewastryinghisfirsteffortsindiplomacyuponthelivingsubject.
LucienhurriedtotheRueSaint-Fiacreaftertheplaytowritehisarticle.Itwasapieceofsavageandbittercriticism,writteninpurewantonness;hewasamusinghimselfbytryinghispower.Themelodrama,asamatteroffact,wasabetterpiecethantheAlcalde;
butLucienwishedtoseewhetherhecoulddamnagoodplayandsendeverybodytoseeabadone,ashisassociateshadsaid.
Heunfoldedthesheetatbreakfastnextmorning,tellingCoralieashedidsothathehadcutuptheAmbigu-Comique;andnotalittleastonishedwashetofindbelowhispaperonMme.deBargetonandChateletanoticeoftheAmbigu,somellowedandsoftenedinthecourseofthenight,thatalthoughthewittyanalysiswasstillpreserved,thejudgmentwasfavorable.Thearticlewasmorelikelytofillthehousethantoemptyit.Nowordscandescribehiswrath.HedeterminedtohaveawordortwowithLousteau.Hehadalreadybeguntothinkhimselfanindespensableman,andhevowedthathewouldnotsubmittobetyrannizedoverandtreatedlikeafool.Toestablishhispowerbeyondcavil,hewrotethearticleforDauriat\'sreview,summingupandweighingallthevariousopinionsconcerningNathan\'sbook;andwhilehewasinthehumor,hehitoffanotherofhisshortsketchesforLousteau\'snewspaper.Inexperiencedjournalists,inthefirsteffervescenceofyouth,makealaborofloveofephemeralwork,andlavishtheirbestthoughtunthriftilythereon.
ThemanagerofthePanorama-Dramatiquegaveafirstperformanceofavaudevillethatnight,sothatFlorineandCoraliemightbefreefortheevening.Thereweretobecardsbeforesupper.Lousteaucamefortheshortnoticeofthevaudeville;ithadbeenwrittenbeforehandafterthegeneralrehearsal,forEtiennewishedtohavethepaperoffhismind.LucienreadoveroneofthecharmingsketchesofParisianwhimsicalitieswhichmadethefortuneofthepaper,andLousteaukissedhimonbotheyelids,andcalledhimtheprovidenceofjournalism.
\"Thenwhydoyouamuseyourselfbyturningmyarticleinsideout?\"
askedLucien.Hehadwrittenhisbrilliantsketchsimplyandsolelytogiveemphasistohisgrievance.
\"I?\"exclaimedLousteau.
\"Well,whoelsecanhavealteredmyarticle?\"
\"Youdonotknowalltheinsandoutsyet,dearfellow.TheAmbigupaysforthirtycopies,andonlytakesnineforthemanagerandboxoffice-keeperandtheirmistresses,andforthethreelesseesofthetheatre.EveryoneoftheBoulevardtheatrespayseighthundredfrancsinthiswaytothepaper;andthereisquiteasmuchagaininboxesandordersforFinot,tosaynothingofthecontributionsofthecompany.Andiftheminortheatresdothis,youmayimaginewhatthebigonesdo!Nowyouunderstand?Weareboundtoshowagooddealofindulgence.\"
\"Iunderstandthis,thatIamnotatlibertytowriteasIthink——\"
\"Eh!whatdoesthatmatter,solongasyouturnanhonestpenny?\"
criedLousteau.\"Besides,myboy,whatgrudgehadyouagainstthetheatre?Youmusthavehadsomereasonforit,oryouwouldnothavecutuptheplayasyoudid.Ifyouslashforthesakeofslashing,thepaperwillgetintotrouble,andwhenthereisgoodreasonforhittingharditwillnottell.Didthemanagerleaveyououtinthecold?\"
\"Hehadnotkeptaplaceforme.\"
\"Good,\"saidLousteau.\"Ishalllethimseeyourarticle,andtellhimthatIsofteneditdown;youwillfinditservesyoubetterthanifithadappearedinprint.Goandaskhimforticketsto-morrow,andhewillsignfortyblankorderseverymonth.Iknowamanwhocangetridofthemforyou;Iwillintroduceyoutohim,andhewillbuythemallupathalf-price.Thereisatradedoneintheatretickets,justasBarbettradesinreviewers\'copies.ThisisanotherBarbet,theleaderoftheclaque.Helivesnearby;comeandseehim,thereistimeenough.\"
\"But,mydearfellow,itisascandalousthingthatFinotshouldlevyblackmailinmattersintellectual.Soonerorlater——\"
\"Really!\"criedLousteau,\"wheredoyoucomefrom?ForwhatdoyoutakeFinot?Beneathhispretenceofgood-nature,hisignoranceandstupidity,andthoseTurcaret\'sairsofhis,thereisallthecunningofhisfatherthehatter.DidyounoticeanoldsoldieroftheEmpireinthedenattheoffice?ThatisFinot\'suncle.Theuncleisnotonlyoneoftherightsort,hehasthelucktobetakenforafool;andhetakesallthatkindofbusinessuponhisshoulders.AnambitiousmaninParisiswelloffindeedifhehasawillingscapegoatathand.Inpubliclife,asinjournalism,therearehostsofemergenciesinwhichthechiefscannotaffordtoappear.IfFinotshouldenteronapoliticalcareer,hisunclewouldbehissecretary,andreceiveallthecontributionsleviedinhisdepartmentonbigaffairs.AnybodywouldtakeGiroudeauforafoolatfirstsight,buthehasjustenoughshrewdnesstobeaninscrutableoldfile.Heisonpicketduty;heseesthatwearenotpesteredwithhubbub,beginnerswantingajob,oradvertisements.Nootherpaperhashisequal,Ithink.\"
\"Heplayshispartwell,\"saidLucien;\"Isawhimatwork.\"
EtienneandLucienreachedahandsomehouseintheRueduFaubourg-du-
Temple.
\"IsM.Braulardin?\"Etienneaskedoftheporter.
\"MONSIEUR?\"saidLucien.\"Then,istheleaderoftheclaque\'Monsieur\'?\"
\"Mydearboy,Braulardhastwentythousandfrancsofincome.AllthedramaticauthorsoftheBoulevardsareinhisclutches,andhaveastandingaccountwithhimasifhewereabanker.Ordersandcomplimentaryticketsaresoldhere.Braulardknowswheretogetridofsuchmerchandise.Nowforaturnatstatistics,ausefulscienceenoughinitsway.Attherateoffiftycomplimentaryticketseveryeveningforeachtheatre,youhavetwohundredandfiftyticketsdaily.Suppose,takingonewithanother,thattheyareworthacoupleoffrancsapiece,Braulardpaysahundredandtwenty-fivefrancsdailyforthem,andtakeshischanceofmakingcentpercent.Inthiswayauthors\'ticketsalonebringhiminaboutfourthousandfrancseverymonth,orforty-eightthousandfrancsperannum.Allowtwentythousandfrancsforloss,forhecannotalwaysplaceallhistickets——\"
\"Whynot?\"
\"Oh!thepeoplewhopayatthedoorgoinwiththeholdersofcomplimentaryticketsforunreservedseats,andthetheatrereservestherightofadmittingthosewhopay.Therearefinewarmeveningstobereckonedwithbesides,andpoorplays.Braulardmakes,perhaps,thirtythousandfrancseveryyearinthisway,andhehashisclaqueursbesides,anotherindustry.FlorineandCoraliepaytributetohim;iftheydidnot,therewouldbenoapplausewhentheycomeonorgooff.\"
Lousteaugavethisexplanationinalowvoiceastheywentupthestair.
\"Parisisaqueerplace,\"saidLucien;itseemedtohimthathesawself-interestsquattingineverycorner.
Asmartmaid-servantopenedthedoor.AtthesightofEtienneLousteau,thedealerinordersandticketsrosefromasturdychairbeforealargecylinderdesk,andLucienbeheldtheleaderoftheclaque,Braulardhimself,dressedinagraymolletonjacket,footedtrousers,andredslippers;foralltheworldlikeadoctororasolicitor.Hewasatypicalself-mademan,Lucienthought——avulgar-
lookingfacewithapairofexceedinglycunninggrayeyes,handsmadeforhiredapplause,acomplexionoverwhichhardlivinghadpassedlikerainoveraroof,grizzledhair,andasomewhathuskyvoice.
\"YouhavecomefromMlle.Florine,nodoubt,sir,andthisgentlemanforMlle.Coralie,\"saidBraulard;\"Iknowyouverywellbysight.
Don\'ttroubleyourself,sir,\"hecontinued,addressingLucien;\"IambuyingtheGymnaseconnection,Iwilllookafteryourlady,andIwillgivehernoticeofanytrickstheymaytrytoplayonher.\"
\"Thatisnotanoffertoberefused,mydearBraulard,butwehavecomeaboutthepressordersfortheBoulevardtheatres——Iaseditor,andthisgentlemanasdramaticcritic.\"
\"Oh!——ah,yes!Finothassoldhispaper.Iheardaboutit.Heisgettingon,isFinot.Ihaveaskedhimtodinewithmeattheendoftheweek;ifyouwilldomethehonorandpleasureofcoming,youmaybringyourladies,andtherewillbeagrandjollification.AdeleDupuisiscoming,andDucange,andFredericduPetit-Mere,andMlle.
Millot,mymistress.Weshallhavegoodfunandbetterliquor.\"
\"Ducangemustbeindifficulties.Hehaslosthislawsuit.\"
\"Ihavelenthimtenthousandfrancs;ifCalassucceeds,itwillrepaytheloan,soIhavebeenorganizingasuccess.Ducangeisacleverman;hehasbrains——\"
Lucienfanciedthathemustbedreamingwhenheheardaclaqueurappraisingawriter\'svalue.
\"Coraliehasimproved,\"continuedBraulard,withtheairofacompetentcritic.\"Ifsheisagoodgirl,Iwilltakeherpart,fortheyhavegotupacabalagainstherattheGymnase.ThisishowI
meantodoit.Iwillhaveafewwell-dressedmeninthebalconiestosmileandmakealittlemurmur,andtheapplausewillfollow.Thatisadodgewhichmakesapositionforanactress.IhavealikingforCoralie,andyououghttobesatisfied,forshehasfeeling.Aha!I
canhissanyoneonthestageifIlike.\"
\"Butletussettlethisbusinessaboutthetickets,\"putinLousteau.
\"Verywell,Iwillcometothisgentleman\'slodgingforthematthebeginningofthemonth.Heisafriendofyours,andIwilltreathimasIdoyou.Youhavefivetheatres;youwillgetthirtytickets——thatwillbesomethinglikeseventy-fivefrancsamonth.Perhapsyouwillbewantinganadvance?\"addedBraulard,liftingacash-boxfullofcoinoutofhisdesk.
\"No,no,\"saidLousteau;\"wewillkeepthatshiftagainstarainyday.\"
\"IwillworkwithCoralie,sir,andwewillcometoanunderstanding,\"
saidBraulard,addressingLucien,whowaslookingabouthim,notwithoutprofoundastonishment.TherewasabookcaseinBraulard\'sstudy,therewereframedengravingsandgoodfurniture;andastheypassedthroughthedrawingroom,henoticedthatthefittingswereneithertooluxuriousnoryetmean.Thedining-roomseemedtobethebestorderedroom,heremarkedonthisjokingly.
\"ButBraulardisanepicure,\"saidLousteau;\"hisdinnersarefamousindramaticliterature,andtheyarewhatyoumightexpectfromhiscash-box.\"
\"Ihavegoodwine,\"Braulardrepliedmodestly——\"Ah!herearemylamplighters,\"headded,asasoundofhoarsevoicesandstrangefootstepscameupfromthestaircase.
Lucienonhiswaydownsawamarchpastofclaqueursandretailersoftickets.Itwasanillsmellingsquad,attiredincaps,seedytrousers,andthreadbareovercoats;aflockofgallows-birdswithbluishandgreenishtintsintheirfaces,neglectedbeards,andastrangemixtureofsavageryandsubservienceintheireyes.AhorriblepopulationlivesandswarmsupontheParisboulevards;sellingwatchguardsandbrassjewelryinthestreetsbyday,applaudingunderthechandeliersofthetheatreatnight,andreadytolendthemselvestoanydirtybusinessinthegreatcity.
\"BeholdtheRomans!\"laughedLousteau;\"beholdfameincarnateforactressesanddramaticauthors.Itisnoprettierthanourownwhenyoucometolookatitclose.\"
\"ItisdifficulttokeepillusionsonanysubjectinParis,\"answeredLucienastheyturnedinathisdoor.\"Thereisataxuponeverything——everythinghasitsprice,andanythingcanbemadetoorder——evensuccess.\"
ThirtyguestswereassembledthateveninginCoralie\'srooms,herdiningroomwouldnotholdmore.LucienhadaskedDauriatandthemanagerofthePanorama-Dramatique,MatifatandFlorine,Camusot,Lousteau,Finot,Nathan,HectorMerlinandMme.duVal-Noble,FelicienVernou,Blondet,Vignon,PhilippeBridau,Mariette,Giroudeau,CardotandFlorentine,andBixiou.HehadalsoaskedallhisfriendsoftheRuedesQuatre-Vents.Tulliathedancer,whowasnotunkind,saidgossip,toduBruel,hadcomewithoutherduke.Theproprietorsofthenewspapers,forwhommostofthejournalistswrote,werealsooftheparty.
Ateighto\'clock,whenthelightsofthecandlesinthechandeliersshoneoverthefurniture,thehangings,andtheflowers,theroomsworethefestalairthatgivestoParisianluxurytheappearanceofadream;andLucienfeltindefinablestirringsofhopeandgratifiedvanityandpleasureatthethoughtthathewasthemasterofthehouse.Buthowandbywhomthemagicwandhadbeenwavedhenolongersoughttoremember.FlorineandCoralie,dressedwiththefancifulextravaganceandmagnificentartisticeffectofthestage,smiledonthepoetliketwofairiesatthegatesofthePalaceofDreams.AndLucienwasalmostinadream.
Hislifehadbeenchangedsosuddenlyduringthelastfewmonths;hehadgonesoswiftlyfromthedepthsofpenurytothelastextremeofluxury,thatatmomentshefeltasuncomfortableasadreamingmanwhoknowsthatheisasleep.Andyet,helookedroundatthefairrealityabouthimwithaconfidencetowhichenviousmindsmighthavegiventhenameoffatuity.
Lucienhimselfhadchanged.Hehadgrownpalerduringthesedaysofcontinualenjoyment;languorhadlentahumidlooktohiseyes;inshort,touseMme.d\'Espard\'sexpression,helookedlikeamanwhoisloved.Hewasthehandsomerforit.Consciousnessofhispowersandhisstrengthwasvisibleinhisface,enlightenedasitwasbyloveandexperience.Lookingoutovertheworldoflettersandofmen,itseemedtohimthathemightgotoandfroaslordofitall.Soberreflectionneverenteredhisromanticheadunlessitwasdriveninbythepressureofadversity,andjustnowthepresentheldnotacareforhim.Thebreathofpraiseswelledthesailsofhisskiff;alltheinstrumentsofsuccesslaytheretohishand;hehadanestablishment,amistresswhomallParisenviedhim,acarriage,anduntoldwealthinhisinkstand.Heartandsoulandbrainwerealiketransformedwithinhim;whyshouldhecaretobeoverniceaboutthemeans,whenthegreatresultswerevisiblytherebeforehiseyes.
Assuchastyleoflivingwillseem,andwithgoodreason,tobeanythingbutsecuretoeconomistswhohaveanyexperienceofParis,itwillnotbesuperfluoustogiveaglancetothefoundation,uncertainasitwas,uponwhichtheprosperityofthepairwasbased.
CamusothadgivenCoralie\'stradesmeninstructionstogranthercreditforthreemonthsatleast,andthishadbeendonewithoutherknowledge.Duringthosethreemonths,therefore,horsesandservants,likeeverythingelse,waitedasifbyenchantmentatthebiddingoftwochildren,eagerforenjoyment,andenjoyingtotheirhearts\'
content.
CoraliehadtakenLucien\'shandandgivenhimaglimpseofthetransformationsceneinthedining-room,ofthesplendidlyappointedtable,ofchandeliers,eachfittedwithfortywax-lights,oftheroyallyluxuriousdessert,andamenuofChevet\'s.Lucienkissedherontheforeheadandheldhercloselytohisheart.
\"Ishallsucceed,child,\"hesaid,\"andthenIwillrepayyouforsuchloveanddevotion.\"
\"Pshaw!\"saidCoralie.\"Areyousatisfied?\"
\"IshouldbeveryhardtopleaseifIwerenot.\"
\"Verywell,then,thatsmileofyourspaysforeverything,\"shesaid,andwithaserpentinemovementsheraisedherheadandlaidherlipsagainsthis.
Whentheywentbacktotheothers,Florine,Lousteau,Matifat,andCamusotweresettingoutthecard-tables.Lucien\'sfriendsbegantoarrive,foralreadythesefolkbegantocallthemselves\"Lucien\'sfriends\";andtheysatoverthecardsfromnineo\'clocktillmidnight.
Lucienwasunacquaintedwithasinglegame,butLousteaulostathousandfrancs,andLuciencouldnotrefusetolendhimthemoneywhenheaskedforit.
Michel,Fulgence,andJosephappearedaboutteno\'clock;andLucien,chattingwiththeminacorner,sawthattheylookedsoberandseriousenough,nottosayillatease.D\'Arthezcouldnotcome,hewasfinishinghisbook;LeonGiraudwasbusywiththefirstnumberofhisreview;sothebrotherhoodhadsentthreeartistsamongtheirnumber,thinkingthattheywouldfeellessoutoftheirelementinanuproarioussupperpartythantherest.
\"Well,mydearfellows,\"saidLucien,assumingaslightlypatronizingtone,\"the\'comicalfellow\'maybecomeagreatpubliccharacteryet,yousee.\"
\"IwishImaybemistaken;Idon\'taskbetter,\"saidMichel.
\"AreyoulivingwithCoralieuntilyoucandobetter?\"askedFulgence.
\"Yes,\"saidLucien,tryingtolookunconscious.\"Coraliehadanelderlyadorer,amerchant,andsheshowedhimthedoor,poorfellow.
IambetteroffthanyourbrotherPhilippe,\"headded,addressingJosephBridau;\"hedoesnotknowhowtomanageMariette.\"
\"Youareamanlikeanothernow;inshort,youwillmakeyourway,\"
saidFulgence.
\"Amanthatwillalwaysbethesameforyou,underallcircumstances,\"
returnedLucien.
MichelandFulgenceexchangedincredulousscornfulsmilesatthis.
Luciensawtheabsurdityofhisremark.
\"Coralieiswonderfullybeautiful,\"exclaimedJosephBridau.\"Whatamagnificentportraitshewouldmake!\"
\"Beautifulandgood,\"saidLucien;\"sheisanangel,uponmyword.Andyoushallpaintherportrait;sheshallsittoyouifyoulikeforyourVenetianladybroughtbytheoldwomantothesenator.\"
\"Allwomenwholoveareangelic,\"saidMichelChrestien.
JustatthatmomentRaoulNathanflewuponLucien,andgraspedbothhishandsandshooktheminasuddenaccessofviolentfriendship.
\"Oh,mygoodfriend,youaresomethingmorethanagreatman,youhaveaheart,\"criedhe,\"amuchrarerthingthangeniusinthesedays.Youareadevotedfriend.Iamyours,inshort,throughthickandthin;I
shallneverforgetallthatyouhavedoneformethisweek.\"
Lucien\'sjoyhadreachedthehighestpoint;tobethuscaressedbyamanofwhomeveryonewastalking!Helookedathisthreefriendsofthebrotherhoodwithsomethinglikeasuperiorair.Nathan\'sappearanceuponthescenewastheresultofanoverturefromMerlin,whosenthimaproofofthefavorablereviewtoappearinto-morrow\'sissue.
\"IonlyconsentedtowritetheattackonconditionthatIshouldbeallowedtoreplytoitmyself,\"LuciensaidinNathan\'sear.\"Iamoneofyou.\"Thisincidentwasopportune;itjustifiedtheremarkwhichamusedFulgence.Lucienwasradiant.
\"Whend\'Arthez\'sbookcomesout,\"hesaid,turningtothethree,\"Iaminapositiontobeusefultohim.Thatthoughtinitselfwouldinducemetoremainajournalist.\"
\"Canyoudoasyoulike?\"Michelaskedquickly.
\"Sofarasonecanwhenoneisindispensable,\"saidLucienmodestly.
Itwasalmostmidnightwhentheysatdowntosupper,andthefungrewfastandfurious.TalkwaslessrestrainedinLucien\'shousethanatMatifat\'s,fornoonesuspectedthattherepresentativesofthebrotherhoodandthenewspaperwritershelddivergentopinions.Youngintellects,depravedbyarguingforeitherside,nowcameintoconflictwitheachother,andfearfulaxiomsofthejournalisticjurisprudence,theninitsinfancy,hurtledtoandfro.ClaudeVignon,upholdingthedignityofcriticism,inveighedagainstthetendencyofthesmallernewspapers,sayingthatthewritersofpersonalitiesloweredthemselvesintheend.Lousteau,Merlin,andFinottookupthecudgelsforthesystemknownbythenameofblague;puffery,gossip,andhumbug,saidthey,wasthetestoftalent,andsetthehall-mark,asitwere,uponit.\"Anymanwhocanstandthattesthasrealpower,\"
saidLousteau.
\"Besides,\"criedMerlin,\"whenagreatmanreceivesovations,thereoughttobeachorusininsultstobalance,asinaRomantriumph.\"
\"Oho!\"putinLucien;\"theneveryonehelduptoridiculeinprintwillfancythathehasmadeasuccess.\"
\"Anyonewouldthinkthatthequestioninterestedyou,\"exclaimedFinot.
\"Andhowaboutoursonnets,\"saidMichelChrestien;\"isthatthewaytheywillwinusthefameofasecondPetrarch?\"
\"Lauraalreadycountsforsomethinginhisfame,\"saidDauriat,apun[Laure(l\'or)]receivedwithacclamations.
\"Faciamusexperimentuminanimavili,\"retortedLucienwithasmile.
\"Andwoeuntohimwhomreviewersshallspare,flinginghimcrownsathisfirstappearance,forheshallbeshelvedlikethesaintsintheirshrines,andnomanshallpayhimtheslightestattention,\"saidVernou.
\"Peoplewillsay,\'Lookelsewhere,simpleton;youhavehadyourduealready,\'asChampcenetzsaidtotheMarquisdeGenlis,whowaslookingtoofondlyathiswife,\"addedBlondet.
\"SuccessistheruinofamaninFrance,\"saidFinot.\"Wearesojealousofoneanotherthatwetrytoforget,andtomakeothersforget,thetriumphsofyesterday.\"
\"Contradictionisthelifeofliterature,infact,\"saidClaudeVignon.
\"Inartasinnature,therearetwoprincipleseverywhereatstrife,\"
exclaimedFulgence;\"andvictoryforeithermeansdeath.\"
\"Soitiswithpolitics,\"addedMichelChrestien.
\"Wehaveacaseinpoint,\"saidLousteau.\"DauriatwillsellacoupleofthousandcopiesofNathan\'sbookinthecomingweek.Andwhy?
Becausethebookthatwascleverlyattackedwillbeablydefended.\"
Merlintookuptheproofofto-morrow\'spaper.\"Howcansuchanarticlefailtosellanedition?\"heasked.
\"Readthearticle,\"saidDauriat.\"IamapublisherwhereverIam,evenatsupper.\"
MerlinreadLucien\'striumphantrefutationaloud,andthewholepartyapplauded.
\"Howcouldthatarticlehavebeenwrittenunlesstheattackhadprecededit?\"askedLousteau.
Dauriatdrewtheproofofthethirdarticlefromhispocketandreaditover,Finotlisteningclosely;foritwastoappearinthesecondnumberofhisownreview,andaseditorheexaggeratedhisenthusiasm.
\"Gentlemen,\"saidhe,\"soandnototherwisewouldBossuethavewrittenifhehadlivedinourday.\"
\"Iamsureofit,\"saidMerlin.\"Bossuetwouldhavebeenajournalistto-day.\"
\"ToBossuettheSecond!\"criedClaudeVignon,raisinghisglasswithanironicalbow.
\"TomyChristopherColumbus!\"returnedLucien,drinkingahealthtoDauriat.
\"Bravo!\"criedNathan.
\"Isitanickname?\"Merlininquired,lookingmaliciouslyfromFinottoLucien.
\"Ifyougoonatthispace,youwillbequitebeyondus,\"saidDauriat;\"thesegentlemen\"(indicatingCamusotandMatifat)\"cannotfollowyouasitis.Ajokeislikeabitofthread;ifitisspuntoofine,itbreaks,asBonapartesaid.\"
\"Gentlemen,\"saidLousteau,\"wehavebeeneye-witnessesofastrange,portentous,unheard-of,andtrulysurprisingphenomenon.Admiretherapiditywithwhichourfriendherehasbeentransformedfromaprovincialintoajournalist!\"
\"Heisabornjournalist,\"saidDauriat.
\"Children!\"calledFinot,risingtohisfeet,\"allofusherepresenthaveencouragedandprotectedouramphitryoninhisentranceuponacareerinwhichhehasalreadysurpassedourhopes.Intwomonthshehasshownuswhathecandoinaseriesofexcellentarticlesknowntousall.Iproposetobaptizehiminformasajournalist.\"
\"Acrownofroses!tosignalizeadoubleconquest,\"criedBixiou,glancingatCoralie.
CoraliemadeasigntoBerenice.ThatportlyhandmaidwenttoCoralie\'sdressing-roomandbroughtbackaboxoftumbledartificialflowers.Themoreincapablemembersofthepartyweregrotesquelytrickedoutintheseblossoms,andacrownofroseswassoonwoven.
Finot,ashighpriest,sprinkledafewdropsofchampagneonLucien\'sgoldencurls,pronouncingwithdeliciousgravitythewords——\"InthenameoftheGovernmentStamp,theCaution-money,andtheFine,I
baptizethee,Journalist.Maythyarticlessitlightlyonthee!\"
\"Andmaytheybepaidfor,includingwhitelines!\"criedMerlin.
JustatthatmomentLuciencaughtsightofthreemelancholyfaces.
MichelChrestien,JosephBridau,andFulgenceRidaltookuptheirhatsandwentoutamidastormofinvective.
\"Queercustomers!\"saidMerlin.
\"Fulgenceusedtobeagoodfellow,\"addedLousteau,\"beforetheypervertedhismorals.\"
\"Whoare\'they\'?\"askedClaudeVignon.
\"Someveryseriousyoungmen,\"saidBlondet,\"whomeetataphilosophico-religioussymposiumintheRuedesQuatre-Vents,andworrythemselvesaboutthemeaningofhumanlife——\"
\"Oh!oh!\"
\"Theyaretryingtofindoutwhetheritgoesroundinacircle,ormakessomeprogress,\"continuedBlondet.\"Theywereveryhardputtoitbetweenthestraightlineandthecurve;thetriangle,warrantedbyScripture,seemedtothemtobenonsense,when,lo!therearoseamongthemsomeprophetorotherwhodeclaredforthespiral.\"
\"Menmightmeettoinventmoredangerousnonsensethanthat!\"
exclaimedLucien,makingafaintattempttochampionthebrotherhood.
\"Youtaketheoriesofthatsortforidlewords,\"saidFelicienVernou;
\"butatimecomeswhentheargumentstaketheformofgunshotandtheguillotine.\"
\"Theyhavenotcometothatyet,\"saidBixiou;\"theyhaveonlycomeasfarasthedesignsofProvidenceintheinventionofchampagne,thehumanitariansignificanceofbreeches,andtheblinddeitywhokeepstheworldgoing.TheypickupfallengreatmenlikeVico,Saint-Simon,andFourier.IammuchafraidthattheywillturnpoorJosephBridau\'sheadamongthem.\"
\"Bianchon,myoldschoolfellow,givesmethecoldshouldernow,\"saidLousteau;\"itisalltheirdoing——\"
\"Dotheygivelecturesonorthopedyandintellectualgymnastics?\"
askedMerlin.
\"Verylikely,\"answeredFinot,\"ifBianchonhasanyhandintheirtheories.\"
\"Pshaw!\"saidLousteau;\"hewillbeagreatphysiciananyhow.\"
\"Isn\'td\'Artheztheirvisiblehead?\"askedNathan,\"alittleyoungsterthatisgoingtoswallowallofusup.\"
\"Heisagenius!\"criedLucien.
\"Genius,ishe!Well,givemeaglassofsherry!\"saidClaudeVignon,smiling.
Everyone,thereupon,begantoexplainhischaracterforthebenefitofhisneighbor;andwhenaclevermanfeelsapressingneedofexplaininghimself,andofunlockinghisheart,itisprettyclearthatwinehasgottheupperhand.Anhourlater,allthemeninthecompanywerethebestfriendsintheworld,addressingeachotherasgreatmenandboldspirits,whoheldthefutureintheirhands.
Lucien,inhisqualityofhost,wassufficientlyclearheadedtoapprehendthemeaningofthesophistrieswhichimpressedhimandcompletedhisdemoralization.
\"TheLiberalparty,\"announcedFinot,\"iscompelledtostirupdiscussionsomehow.ThereisnofaulttofindwiththeactionoftheGovernment,andyoumayimaginewhatafixtheOppositionisin.Whichofyounowcarestowriteapamphletinfavorofthesystemofprimogeniture,andraiseacryagainstthesecretdesignsoftheCourt?Thepamphletwillbepaidforhandsomely.\"
