Thepartycontrivedtoconvincethenovicethathisdebtswereagoldenspurtourgeonthehorsesofthechariotofhisfortunes.
ThereisalwaysthestockexampleofJuliusCaesarwithhisdebtoffortymillions,andFriedrichII.onanallowanceofoneducatamonth,andahostofothergreatmenwhosefailingsareheldupforthecorruptionofyouth,whilenotawordissaidoftheirwide-
reachingideas,theircourageequaltoallodds.
CreditorsseizedCoralie\'shorses,carriage,andfurnitureatlast,foranamountoffourthousandfrancs.LucienwenttoLousteauandaskedhisfriendtomeethisbillforthethousandfrancslenttopaygamingdebts;butLousteaushowedhimcertainpiecesofstampedpaper,whichprovedthatFlorinewasinmuchthesamecase.Lousteauwasgrateful,however,andofferedtotakethenecessarystepsforthesaleofLucien\'sArcherofCharlesIX.
\"HowcameFlorinetobeinthisplight?\"askedLucien.
\"TheMatifattookalarm,\"saidLousteau.\"Wehavelosthim;butifFlorinechooses,shecanmakehimpaydearforhistreachery.Iwilltellyouallaboutit.\"
Threedaysafterthisbootlesserrand,LucienandCoraliewerebreakfastinginmelancholyspiritsbesidethefireintheirprettybedroom.Berenicehadcookedadishofeggsforthemoverthegrate;
forthecookhadgone,andthecoachmanandservantshadtakenleave.
Theycouldnotsellthefurniture,forithadbeenattached;therewasnotasingleobjectofanyvalueinthehouse.Agoodlycollectionofpawntickets,formingaveryinstructiveoctavovolume,representedallthegold,silver,andjewelry.Berenicehadkeptbackacoupleofspoonsandforks,thatwasall.
Lousteau\'snewspaperwasofservicenowtoCoralieandLucien,littleastheysuspectedit;forthetailor,dressmaker,andmillinerwereafraidtomeddlewithajournalistwhowasquitecapableofwritingdowntheirestablishments.
EtienneLousteaubrokeinupontheirbreakfastwithashoutof\"Hurrah!LongliveTheArcherofCharlesIX.!AndIhaveconvertedahundredfrancsworthofbooksintocash,children.Wewillgohalves.\"
HehandedfiftyfrancstoCoralie,andsentBereniceoutinquestofamoresubstantialbreakfast.
\"HectorMerlinandIwenttoabooksellers\'tradedinneryesterday,andpreparedthewayforyourromancewithcunninginsinuations.
Dauriatisintreaty,butDauriatishagglingoverit;hewon\'tgivemorethanfourthousandfrancsfortwothousandcopies,andyouwantsixthousandfrancs.WemadeyououttwiceasgreatasSirWalterScott!Oh!youhavesuchnovelsasneverwereintheinwardsofyou.
Itisnotamerebookforsale,itisabigbusiness;youarenotsimplythewriterofonemoreorlessingeniousnovel,youaregoingtowriteawholeseries.Theword\'series\'didit!So,mindyou,don\'tforgetthatyouhaveagreathistoricalseriesonhand——LaGrandeMademoiselle,orTheFranceofLouisQuatorze;CotillonI.,ortheEarlyDaysofLouisQuinze;TheQueenandtheCardinal,orParisandtheFronde;TheSonoftheConcini,orRichelieu\'sIntrigue.Thesenovelswillbeannouncedonthewrapperofthebook.Wecallthismanoeuvre\'givingasuccessatossinthecoverlet,\'forthetitlesarealltoappearonthecover,tillyouwillbebetterknownforthebooksthatyouhavenotwrittenthanfortheworkyouhavedone.And\'InthePress\'isawayofgainingcreditinadvanceforworkthatyouwilldo.Come,now,letushavealittlefun!Herecomesthechampagne.Youcanunderstand,Lucien,thatourmenopenedeyesasbigassaucers.Bytheby,Iseethatyouhavesaucersstillleft.\"
\"Theyareattached,\"explainedCoralie.
\"Iunderstand,andIresume.Showapublisheronemanuscriptvolumeandhewillbelieveinalltherest.Apublisheraskstoseeyourmanuscript,andgivesyoutounderstandthatheisgoingtoreadit.
Whydisturbhisharmlessvanity?Theyneverreadamanuscript;theywouldnotpublishsomanyiftheydid.Well,HectorandIallowedittoleakoutthatyoumightconsideranofferoffivethousandfrancsforthreethousandcopies,intwoeditions.LetmehaveyourArcher;
thedayafterto-morrowwearetobreakfastwiththepublishers,andwewillgettheupperhandofthem.\"
\"Whoarethey?\"askedLucien.
\"TwopartnersnamedFendantandCavalier;theyaretwogoodfellows,prettystraightforwardinbusiness.OneofthemusedtobewithVidalandPorchon,theotheristhecleveresthandontheQuaidesAugustins.Theyonlystartedinbusinesslastyear,andhavelostalittleontranslationsofEnglishnovels;sonowmygentlemenhaveamindtoexploitthenativeproduct.Thereisarumorcurrentthatthosedealersinspoiledwhitepaperaretradingonotherpeople\'scapital;butIdon\'tthinkitmattersverymuchtoyouwhofindsthemoney,solongasyouarepaid.\"
Twodayslater,thepairwenttoabreakfastintheRueSerpente,inLucien\'soldquarterofParis.LousteaustillkepthisroomintheRuedelaHarpe;anditwasinthesamestateasbefore,butthistimeLucienfeltnosurprise;hehadbeeninitiatedintothelifeofjournalism;heknewallitsupsanddowns.SincethateveningofhisintroductiontotheWoodenGalleries,hehadbeenpaidformanyanarticle,andgambledawaythemoneyalongwiththedesiretowrite.Hehadfilledcolumns,notoncebutmanytimes,intheingeniouswaysdescribedbyLousteauonthatmemorableeveningastheywenttothePalaisRoyal.HewasdependentuponBarbetandBraulard;hetraffickedinbooksandtheatre-tickets;heshranknolongerfromanyattack,fromwritinganypanegyric;andatthismomenthewasinsomesortrejoicingtomakeallhecouldoutofLousteaubeforeturninghisbackontheLiberals.Hisintimateknowledgeofthepartywouldstandhimingoodsteadinfuture.AndLousteau,onhisside,wasprivatelyreceivingfivehundredfrancsofpurchase-money,underthenameofcommission,fromFendantandCavalierforintroducingthefutureSirWalterScotttotwoenterprisingtradesmeninsearchofaFrenchAuthorof\"Waverley.\"
ThefirmofFendantandCavalierhadstartedinbusinesswithoutanycapitalwhatsoever.Agreatmanypublishinghouseswereestablishedatthattimeinthesameway,andarelikelytobeestablishedsolongaspapermakersandprinterswillgivecreditforthetimerequiredtoplaysomesevenoreightofthegamesofchancecalled\"newpublications.\"Atthattime,asatpresent,theauthor\'scopyrightwaspaidforinbillsatsix,nine,andtwelvemonths——amethodofpaymentdeterminedbythecustomofthetrade,forbooksellerssettleaccountsbetweenthemselvesbybillsatevenlongerdates.Papermakersandprintersarepaidinthesameway,sothatinpracticethepublisher-
booksellerhasadozenorascoreofworksonsaleforatwelvemonthbeforehepaysforthem.Evenifonlytwoorthreeofthesehitthepublictaste,theprofitablespeculationspayforthebad,andthepublisherpayshiswaybygrafting,asitwere,onebookuponanother.
Butifallofthemturnoutbadly;orif,forhismisfortune,thepublisher-booksellerhappenstobringoutsomereallygoodliteraturewhichstaysonhanduntiltherightpublicdiscoversandappreciatesit;orifitcoststoomuchtodiscountthepaperthathereceives,then,resignedly,hefileshisschedule,andbecomesabankruptwithanuntroubledmind.Hewaspreparedallalongforsomethingofthekind.So,allthechancesbeinginfavorofthepublishers,theystakedotherpeople\'smoney,nottheirownuponthegaming-tableofbusinessspeculation.
ThiswasthecasewithFendantandCavalier.Cavalierbroughthisexperience,Fendanthisindustry;thecapitalwasajoint-stockaffair,andveryaccuratelydescribedbythatword,foritconsistedinafewthousandfrancsscrapedtogetherwithdifficultybythemistressesofthepair.Outofthisfundtheyallowedeachotherafairlyhandsomesalary,andscrupulouslyspentitallindinnerstojournalistsandauthors,oratthetheatre,wheretheirbusinesswastransacted,astheysaid.Thisquestionablyhonestcouplewerebothsupposedtobeclevermenofbusiness,butFendantwasmoreslipperythanCavalier.Cavalier,truetohisname,traveledabout,FendantlookedafterbusinessinParis.Apartnershipbetweentwopublishersisalwaysmoreorlessofaduel,andsoitwaswithFendantandCavalier.
Theyhadbroughtoutplentyofromancesalready,suchastheTourduNord,LeMarchanddeBenares,LaFontaineduSepulcre,andTekeli,translationsoftheworksofGalt,anEnglishnovelistwhoneverattainedmuchpopularityinFrance.ThesuccessoftranslationsofScotthadcalledtheattentionofthetradetoEnglishnovels.Theraceofpublishers,allagogforasecondNormanconquest,wereseekingindustriouslyforasecondScott,justasataratherlaterdayeveryonemustneedslookforasphaltinstonysoil,orbitumeninmarshes,andspeculateinprojectedrailways.ThestupidityofthePariscommercialworldisconspicuousintheseattemptstodothesamethingtwice,forsuccessliesincontraries;andinParis,ofallplacesintheworld,successspoilssuccess.SobeneaththetitleofStrelitz,orRussiaaHundredYearsAgo,FendantandCavalierrashlyaddedinbiglettersthewords,\"InthestyleofScott.\"
FendantandCavalierwereingreatneedofasuccess.Asinglegoodbookmightfloattheirsunkenbales,theythought;andtherewasthealluringprospectbesidesofarticlesinthenewspapers,thegreatwayofpromotingsalesinthosedays.Abookisveryseldomboughtandsoldforitsjustvalue,andpurchasesaredeterminedbyconsiderationsquiteotherthanthemeritsofthework.SoFendantandCavalierthoughtofLucienasajournalist,andofhisbookasasalablearticle,whichwouldhelpthemtotideovertheirmonthlysettlement.
Thepartnersoccupiedthegroundfloorofoneofthegreatold-
fashionedhousesintheRueSerpente;theirprivateofficehadbeencontrivedatthefurtherendofasuiteoflargedrawing-rooms,nowconvertedintowarehousesforbooks.LucienandEtiennefoundthepublishersintheiroffice,theagreementdrawnup,andthebillsready.Lucienwonderedatsuchpromptaction.
Fendantwasshortandthin,andbynomeansreassuringofaspect.Withhislow,narrowforehead,sunkennose,andhardmouth,helookedlikeaKalmuckTartar;apairofsmall,wide-awakeblackeyes,thecrabbedirregularoutlineofhiscountenance,avoicelikeacrackedbell——theman\'swholeappearance,infact,combinedtogivetheimpressionthatthiswasaconsummaterascal.Ahoneyedtonguecompensatedforthesedisadvantages,andhegainedhisendsbytalk.Cavalier,astout,thick-setyoungfellow,lookedmorelikethedriverofamailcoachthanapublisher;hehadhairofasandycolor,afieryredcountenance,andtheheavybuildanduntiringtongueofacommercialtraveler.
\"Thereisnoneedtodiscussthisaffair,\"saidFendant,addressingLucienandLousteau.\"Ihavereadthework,itisveryliterary,andsoexactlythekindofthingwewant,thatIhavesentitoffasitistotheprinter.Theagreementisdrawnonthelineslaiddown,andbesides,wealwaysmakethesamestipulationsinallcases.Thebillsfalldueinsix,nine,andtwelvemonthsrespectively;youwillmeetwithnodifficultyindiscountingthem,andwewillrefundyouthediscount.Wehavereservedtherightofgivinganewtitletothebook.Wedon\'tcareforTheArcherofCharlesIX.;itdoesn\'tticklethereader\'scuriositysufficiently;therewereseveralkingsofthatname,yousee,andthereweresomanyarchersintheMiddleAges.IfyouhadonlycalledittheSoldierofNapoleon,now!ButTheArcherofCharlesIX.!——why,Cavalierwouldhavetogiveacourseofhistorylessonsbeforehecouldplaceacopyanywhereintheprovinces.\"
\"Ifyoubutknewtheclassofpeoplethatwehavetodowith!\"
exclaimedCavalier.
\"SaintBartholomewwouldsuitbetter,\"continuedFendant.
\"Catherinede\'Medici,orFranceunderCharlesIX.,wouldsoundmorelikeoneofScott\'snovels,\"addedCavalier.
\"Wewillsettleitwhentheworkisprinted,\"saidFendant.
\"Doasyouplease,solongasIapproveyourtitle,\"saidLucien.
Theagreementwasreadover,signedinduplicate,andeachofthecontractingpartiestooktheircopy.Lucienputthebillsinhispocketwithunequaledsatisfaction,andthefourrepairedtoFendant\'sabode,wheretheybreakfastedonbeefsteaksandoysters,kidneysinchampagne,andBriecheese;butifthefarewassomethingofthehomeliest,thewineswereexquisite;Cavalierhadanacquaintanceatravelerinthewinetrade.Justastheysatdowntotabletheprinterappeared,toLucien\'ssurprise,withthefirsttwoproof-sheets.
\"Wewanttogetonwithit,\"Fendantsaid;\"wearecountingonyourbook;wewantasuccessconfoundedlybadly.\"
Thebreakfast,begunatnoon,lastedtillfiveo\'clock.
\"Whereshallwegetcashforthesethings?\"askedLucienastheycameaway,somewhatheatedandflushedwiththewine.
\"WemighttryBarbet,\"suggestedEtienne,andtheyturneddowntotheQuaidesAugustins.
\"CoralieisastonishedtothehighestdegreeoverFlorine\'sloss.
Florineonlytoldheraboutityesterday;sheseemedtolaytheblameofitonyou,andwassovexed,thatshewasreadytothrowyouover.\"
\"That\'strue,\"saidLousteau.Winehadgotthebetterofprudence,andheunbosomedhimselftoLucien,endingupwith:\"Myfriend——foryouaremyfriend,Lucien;youlentmeathousandfrancs,andyouhaveonlyonceaskedmeforthemoney——shunplay!IfIhadnevertouchedacard,Ishouldbeahappyman.Iowemoneyallround.AtthismomentI
havethebailiffsatmyheels;indeed,whenIgotothePalaisRoyal,Ihavedangerouscapestodouble.\"
Inthelanguageofthefastset,doublingacapemeantdodgingacreditor,orkeepingoutofhisway.Lucienhadnotheardtheexpressionbefore,buthewasfamiliarwiththepracticebythistime.
\"Areyourdebtssoheavy?\"
\"Ameretrifle,\"saidLousteau.\"Athousandcrownswouldpullmethrough.Ihaveresolvedtoturnsteadyandgiveupplay,andIhavedonealittle\'chantage\'topaymydebts.\"
\"Whatis\'chantage\'?\"askedLucien.
\"ItisanEnglishinventionrecentlyimported.A\'chanteur\'isamanwhocanmanagetoputaparagraphinthepapers——neveraneditornoraresponsibleman,fortheyarenotsupposedtoknowanythingaboutit,andthereisalwaysaGiroudeauoraPhilippeBridautobefound.A
bravoofthisstampfindsupsomebodywhohashisownreasonsfornotwantingtobetalkedabout.Plentyofpeoplehaveafewpeccadilloes,orsomemoreorlessoriginalsin,upontheirconsciences;thereareplentyoffortunesmadeinwaysthatwouldnotbearlookinginto;
sometimesamanhaskepttheletterofthelaw,andsometimeshehasnot;andineithercase,thereisatidbitoftattlefortheinquirer,as,forinstance,thattaleofFouche\'spolicesurroundingthespiesofthePrefectofPolice,who,notbeinginthesecretofthefabricationofforgedEnglishbanknotes,werejustabouttopounceontheclandestineprintersemployedbytheMinister,orthereisthestoryofPrinceGalathionne\'sdiamonds,theMaubreuileaffair,orthePombretonwillcase.The\'chanteur\'getspossessionofsomecompromisingletter,asksforaninterview;andifthemanthatmadethemoneydoesnotbuysilence,the\'chanteur\'drawsapictureofthepressreadytotakethematterupandunravelhisprivateaffairs.Therichmanisfrightened,hecomesdownwiththemoney,andthetricksucceeds.
\"Youarecommittedtosomeriskyventure,whichmighteasilybewrittendowninaseriesofarticles;a\'chanteur\'waitsuponyou,andofferstowithdrawthearticles——foraconsideration.\'Chanteurs\'aresenttomeninoffice,whowillbargainthattheiractsandnottheirprivatecharactersaretobeattacked,ortheyareheedlessoftheircharacters,andanxiousonlytoshieldthewomantheylove.Oneofyouracquaintance,thatcharmingMasterofRequestsdesLupeaulx,isakindofagentforaffairsofthissort.Therascalhasmadeapositionforhimselfinthemostmarvelouswayintheverycentreofpower;heisthemiddle-manofthepressandtheambassadoroftheMinisters;heworksuponaman\'sself-love;hebribesnewspaperstopassoveraloaninsilence,ortomakenocommentonacontractwhichwasneverputupforpublictender,andthejackalsofLiberalbankersgetashareoutofit.Thatwasabitof\'chantage\'thatyoudidwithDauriat;hegaveyouathousandcrownstoletNathanalone.Intheeighteenthcentury,whenjournalismwasstillinitsinfancy,thiskindofblackmailwasleviedbypamphleteersinthepayoffavoritesandgreatlords.TheoriginalinventorwasPietroAretino,agreatItalian.Kingswentinfearofhim,asstage-playersgoinfearofanewspaperto-day.\"
\"WhatdidyoudototheMatifattomakethethousandcrowns?\"
\"IattackedFlorineinhalfadozenpapers.FlorinecomplainedtoMatifat.MatifatwenttoBraulardtofindoutwhattheattacksmeant.
Ididmy\'chantage\'forFinot\'sbenefit,andFinotputBraulardonthewrongscent;BraulardtoldthemanofdrugsthatYOUweredemolishingFlorineinCoralie\'sinterest.ThenGiroudeauwentroundtoMatifatandtoldhim(inconfidence)thatthewholebusinesscouldbeaccommodatedifhe(Matifat)wouldconsenttosellhissixthshareinFinot\'sreviewfortenthousandfrancs.Finotwastogivemeathousandcrownsifthedodgesucceeded.Well,Matifatwasonlytoogladtogetbacktenthousandfrancsoutofthethirtythousandinvestedinariskyspeculation,ashethought,forFlorinehadbeentellinghimforseveraldayspastthatFinot\'sreviewwasdoingbadly;
and,insteadofpayingadividend,somethingwassaidofcallingupmorecapital.SoMatifatwasjustabouttoclosewiththeoffer,whenthemanagerofthePanorama-Dramatiquecomestohimwithsomeaccommodationbillsthathewantedtonegotiatebeforefilinghisschedule.ToinduceMatifattotakethemofhim,heletoutawordofFinot\'strick.Matifat,beingashrewdmanofbusiness,tookthehint,heldtighttohissixth,andislaughinginhissleeveatus.FinotandIarehowlingwithdespair.Wehavebeensomisguidedastoattackamanwhohasnoaffectionforhismistress,aheartless,soullesswretch.Unluckily,too,forus,Matifat\'sbusinessisnotamenabletothejurisdictionofthepress,andhecannotbemadetosmartforitthroughhisinterests.Adruggistisnotlikeahatteroramilliner,oratheatreoraworkofart;heisabovecriticism;youcan\'trundownhisopiumanddyewoods,norcocoabeans,paint,andpepper.
Florineisatherwits\'end;thePanoramaclosesto-morrow,andwhatwillbecomeofhershedoesnotknow.\"
\"Coralie\'sengagementattheGymnasebeginsinafewdays,\"saidLucien;\"shemightdosomethingforFlorine.\"
\"Notshe!\"saidLousteau.\"Coralieisnotclever,butsheisnotquitesimpleenoughtohelpherselftoarival.Weareinamesswithavengeance.AndFinotisinsuchahurrytobuybackhissixth——\"
\"Why?\"
\"Itisacapitalbitofbusiness,mydearfellow.Thereisachanceofsellingthepaperforthreehundredthousandfrancs;Finotwouldhaveone-third,andhispartnersbesidesaregoingtopayhimacommission,whichhewillsharewithdesLupeaulx.SoIproposetodoanotherturnof\'chantage.\'\"
\"\'Chantage\'seemstomeanyourmoneyoryourlife?\"
\"Itisbetterthanthat,\"saidLousteau;\"itisyourmoneyoryourcharacter.Ashorttimeagotheproprietorofaminornewspaperwasrefusedcredit.ThedaybeforeyesterdayitwasannouncedinhiscolumnsthatagoldrepeatersetwithdiamondsbelongingtoacertainnotabilityhadfounditswayinacuriousfashionintothehandsofaprivatesoldierintheGuards;thestorypromisedtothereadersmighthavecomefromtheArabianNights.Thenotabilitylostnotimeinaskingthateditortodinewithhim;theeditorwasdistinctlyagainerbythetransaction,andcontemporaryhistoryhaslostananecdote.Wheneverthepressmakesvehementonslaughtsuponsomeoneinpower,youmaybesurethatthereissomerefusaltodoaservicebehindit.BlackmailingwithregardtoprivatelifeistheterroroftherichestEnglishman,andagreatsourceofwealthtothepressinEngland,whichisinfinitelymorecorruptthanours.Wearechildrenincomparison!InEnglandtheywillpayfiveorsixthousandfrancsforacompromisinglettertosellagain.\"
\"ThenhowcanyoulayholdofMatifat?\"askedLucien.
\"Mydearboy,thatlowtradesmanwrotethequeerestletterstoFlorine;thespelling,style,andmatterofthemisludicroustothelastdegree.WecanstrikehimintheverymidstofhisLaresandPenates,wherehefeelshimselfsafest,withoutsomuchasmentioninghisname;andhecannotcomplain,forhelivesinfearandterrorofhiswife.ImaginehiswrathwhenheseesthefirstnumberofalittleserialentitledtheAmoursofaDruggist,andisgivenfairwarningthathislove-lettershavefallenintothehandsofcertainjournalists.Hetalksaboutthe\'littlegodCupid,\'hetellsFlorinethatsheenableshimtocrossthedesertoflife(whichlooksasifhetookherforacamel),andspells\'never\'withtwov\'s.Thereisenoughinthatimmenselyfunnycorrespondencetobringaninfluxofsubscribersforafortnight.Hewillshakeinhisshoeslestananonymouslettershouldsupplyhiswifewiththekeytotheriddle.
ThequestioniswhetherFlorinewillconsenttoappeartopersecuteMatifat.Shehassomeprinciples,whichistosay,somehopes,stillleft.Perhapsshemeanstokeepthelettersandmakesomethingforherselfoutofthem.Sheiscunning,asbefitsmypupil.Butassoonasshefindsoutthatabailiffisnolaughingmatter,orFinotgivesherasuitablepresentorhopesofanengagement,shewillgivemetheletters,andIwillsellthemtoFinot.Finotwillputthecorrespondenceinhisuncle\'shands,andGiroudeauwillbringMatifattoterms.\"
TheseconfidencessoberedLucien.Hisfirstthoughtwasthathehadsomeextremelydangerousfriends;hissecond,thatitwouldbeimpolitictobreakwiththem;forifMme.d\'Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andChateletshouldfailtokeeptheirwordwithhim,hemightneedtheirterriblepoweryet.BythistimeEtienneandLucienhadreachedBarbet\'smiserablebookshopontheQuai.EtienneaddressedBarbet:
\"Wehavefivethousandfrancs\'worthofbillsatsix,nine,andtwelvemonths,givenbyFendantandCavalier.Areyouwillingtodiscountthemforus?\"
\"Iwillgiveyouthreethousandfrancsforthem,\"saidBarbetwithimperturbablecoolness.
\"Threethousandfrancs!\"echoedLucien.
\"Nobodyelsewillgiveyouasmuch,\"rejoinedthebookseller.\"Thefirmwillgobankruptbeforethreemonthsareout;butIhappentoknowthattheyhavesomegoodbooksthatarehangingonhand;theycannotaffordtowait,soIshallbuytheirstockforcashandpaythemwiththeirownbills,andgetthebooksatareductionoftwothousandfrancs.That\'showitis.\"
\"Doyoumindlosingacoupleofthousandfrancs,Lucien?\"askedLousteau.
\"Yes!\"Lucienansweredvehemently.Hewasdismayedbythisfirstrebuff.
\"Youaremakingamistake,\"saidEtienne.
\"Youwon\'tfindanyonethatwilltaketheirpaper,\"saidBarbet.
\"Yourbookistheirlaststake,sir.Theprinterwillnottrustthem;
theyareobligedtoleavethecopiesinpawnwithhim.Iftheymakeahitnow,itwillonlystaveoffbankruptcyforanother
discounter\'sbusinesstoknowwhetherthethreenamesonabillareeachgoodforthirtypercentincaseofbankruptcy.Andhereattheoutsetyouonlyoffertwosignatures,andneitherofthemworthtenpercent.\"
Thetwojournalistsexchangedglancesinsurprise.Herewasalittlescrubofabooksellerputtingtheessenceoftheartandmysteryofbill-discountinginthesefewwords.
\"Thatwilldo,Barbet,\"saidLousteau.\"Canyoutellusofabill-
brokerthatwilllookatus?\"
\"ThereisDaddyChaboisseau,ontheQuaiSaint-Michel,youknow.HetidedFendantoverhislastmonthlysettlement.Ifyouwon\'tlistentomyoffer,youmightgoandseewhathesaystoyou;butyouwouldonlycomebacktome,andthenIshallofferyoutwothousandfrancsinsteadofthree.\"
EtienneandLucienbetookthemselvestotheQuaiSaint-Michel,andfoundChaboisseauinalittlehousewithapassageentry.Chaboisseau,abill-discounter,whosedealingswereprincipallywiththebooktrade,livedinasecond-floorlodgingfurnishedinthemosteccentricmanner.Abrevet-rankbankerandmillionairetoboot,hehadatastefortheclassicalstyle.Thecornicewasintheclassicalstyle;thebedstead,inthepurestclassicaltaste,datedfromthetimeoftheEmpire,whensuchthingswereinfashion;thepurplehangingsfelloverthewallliketheclassicdraperiesinthebackgroundofoneofDavid\'spictures.Chairsandtables,lampsandsconces,andeveryleastdetailhadevidentlybeensoughtwithpatientcareinfurniturewarehouses.Therewastheeleganceofantiquityabouttheclassicrevivalaswellasitsfragileandsomewhataridgrace.Themanhimself,likehismanneroflife,wasingrotesquecontrastwiththeairymythologicallookofhisrooms;anditmayberemarkedthatthemosteccentriccharactersarefoundamongmenwhogivetheirwholeenergiestomoney-making.
Menofthisstampare,inacertainsense,intellectuallibertines.
Everythingiswithintheirreach,consequentlytheirfancyisjaded,andtheywillmakeimmenseeffortstoshakeofftheirindifference.
Thestudentofhumannaturecanalwaysdiscoversomehobby,someaccessibleweaknessandsensitivespotintheirheart.Chaboisseaumighthaveentrenchedhimselfinantiquityasinanimpregnablecamp.
\"Themanwillbeanantiquetomatch,nodoubt,\"saidEtienne,smiling.
Chaboisseau,alittleoldpersonwithpowderedhair,woreagreenishcoatandsnuff-brownwaistcoat;hewastrickedoutbesidesinblacksmall-clothes,ribbedstockings,andshoesthatcreakedashecameforwardtotakethebills.Afterashortscrutiny,hereturnedthemtoLucienwithaseriouscountenance.
\"MMFendantandCavalieraredelightfulyoungfellows;theyhaveplentyofintelligence;but,Ihavenomoney,\"hesaidblandly.
\"Myfriendherewouldbewillingtomeetyouinthematterofdiscount——\"Etiennebegan.
\"Iwouldnottakethebillsonanyconsideration,\"returnedthelittlebroker.ThewordssliddownuponLousteau\'ssuggestionlikethebladeoftheguillotineonaman\'sneck.
Thetwofriendswithdrew;butasChaboisseauwentprudentlyoutwiththemacrosstheante-chamber,Luciennoticedapileofsecond-handbooks.Chaboisseauhadbeeninthetrade,andthiswasarecentpurchase.Shiningconspicuousamongthem,henoticedacopyofaworkbythearchitectDucereau,whichgivesexceedinglyaccurateplansofvariousroyalpalacesandchateauxinFrance.
\"Couldyouletmehavethatbook?\"heasked.
\"Yes,\"saidChaboisseau,transformedintoabookseller.
\"Howmuch?\"
\"Fiftyfrancs.\"
\"Itisdear,butIwantit.AndIcanonlypayyouwithoneofthebillswhichyourefusetotake.\"
\"Youhaveabillthereforfivehundredfrancsatsixmonths;Iwilltakethatoneofyou,\"saidChaboisseau.
Apparentlyatthelaststatementofaccounts,therehadbeenabalanceoffivehundredfrancsinfavorofFendantandCavalier.
Theywentbacktotheclassicaldepartment.Chaboisseaumadeoutalittlememorandum,interestsomuchandcommissionsomuch,totaldeductionthirtyfrancs,thenhesubtractedfiftyfrancsforDucerceau\'sbook;finally,fromacash-boxfullofcoin,hetookfourhundredandtwentyfrancs.
\"Lookhere,though,M.Chaboisseau,thebillsareeitherallofthemgood,orallbadalike;whydon\'tyoutaketherest?\"
\"Thisisnotdiscounting;Iampayingmyselfforasale,\"saidtheoldman.
EtienneandLucienwerestilllaughingatChaboisseau,withoutunderstandinghim,whentheyreachedDauriat\'sshop,andEtienneaskedGabussontogivethemthenameofabill-broker.GabussonthusappealedtogavethemaletterofintroductiontoabrokerintheBoulevardPoissonniere,tellingthematthesametimethatthiswasthe\"oddestandqueerestparty\"(tousehisownexpression)thathe,Gabusson,hadcomeacross.Thefriendstookacabbythehour,andwenttotheaddress.
\"IfSamanonwon\'ttakeyourbills,\"Gabussonhadsaid,\"nobodyelsewilllookatthem.\"
Asecond-handbookselleronthegroundfloor,asecond-handclothes-
dealeronthefirststory,andasellerofindecentprintsonthesecond,Samanoncarriedonafourthbusiness——hewasamoney-lenderintothebargain.NocharacterinHoffmann\'sromances,nosinister-
broodingmiserofScott\'s,cancomparewiththisfreakofhumanandParisiannature(alwaysadmittingthatSamanonwashuman).Inspiteofhimself,Lucienshudderedatthesightofthedried-uplittleoldcreature,whosebonesseemedtobecuttingaleatherskin,spottedwithallsortsoflittlegreenandyellowpatches,likeaportraitbyTitianorVeronesewhenyoulookatitclosely.OneofSamanon\'seyeswasfixedandglassy,theotherlivelyandbright;heseemedtokeepthatdeadeyeforthebill-discountingpartofhisprofession,andtheotherforthetradeinthepornographiccuriositiesupstairs.Afewstraywhitehairsescapingfromunderasmall,sleek,rustyblackwig,stooderectaboveasallowforeheadwithasuggestionofmenaceaboutit;ahollowtrenchineithercheekdefinedtheoutlineofthejaws;
whileasetofprojectingteeth,stillwhite,seemedtostretchtheskinofthelipswiththeeffectofanequineyawn.Thecontrastbetweentheill-assortedeyesandgrinningmouthgaveSamanonapassablyferociousair;andtheverybristlesontheman\'schinlookedstiffandsharpaspins.
Norwastheretheslightestsignabouthimofanydesiretoredeemasinisterappearancebyattentiontothetoilet;histhreadbarejacketwasallbutdroppingtopieces;acravat,whichhadoncebeenblack,wasfrayedbycontactwithastubblechin,andleftonexhibitionathroataswrinkledasaturkey-gobbler\'s.
ThiswastheindividualwhomEtienneandLuciendiscoveredinhisfilthycounting-house,busilyaffixingticketstothebacksofaparcelofbooksfromarecentsale.Inaglance,thefriendsexchangedtheinnumerablequestionsraisedbytheexistenceofsuchacreature;
thentheypresentedGabusson\'sintroductionandFendantandCavalier\'sbills.Samanonwasstillreadingthenotewhenathirdcomerentered,thewearerofashortjacket,whichseemedinthedimly-lightedshoptobecutoutofapieceofzincroofing,sosolidwasitbyreasonofalloywithallkindsofforeignmatter.Oddlyattiredashewas,themanwasanartistofnosmallintellectualpower,andtenyearslaterhewasdestinedtoassistintheinaugurationofthegreatbutill-
foundedSaint-Simoniansystem.
\"Iwantmycoat,myblacktrousers,andsatinwaistcoat,\"saidthisperson,pressinganumberedticketonSamanon\'sattention.Samanontouchedthebrassbuttonofabell-pull,andawomancamedownfromsomeupperregion,aNormandeapparently,tojudgebyherrich,freshcomplexion.
\"Letthegentlemanhavehisclothes,\"saidSamanon,holdingoutahandtothenewcomer.\"It\'sapleasuretodobusinesswithyou,sir;butthatyoungsterwhomoneofyourfriendsintroducedtometookmeinmostabominably.\"
\"TookHIMin!\"chuckledthenewcomer,pointingoutSamanontothetwojournalistswithanextremelycomicalgesture.Thegreatmandroppedthirtysousintothemoney-lender\'syellow,wrinkledhand;liketheNeapolitanlazzaroni,hewastakinghisbestclothesoutofpawnforastateoccasion.Thecoinsdroppedjinglingintothetill.
\"Whatqueerbusinessareyouupto?\"askedLousteauoftheartist,anopium-eaterwhodweltamongvisionsofenchantedpalacestillheeithercouldnotorwouldnotcreate.
\"HElendsyouagooddealmorethananordinarypawnbrokeronanythingyoupledge;and,besides,heissoawfullycharitable,heallowsyoutotakeyourclothesoutwhenyoumusthavesomethingtowear.IamgoingtodinewiththeKellersandmymistressto-night,\"hecontinued;\"andtomeitiseasiertofindthirtysousthantwohundredfrancs,soIkeepmywardrobehere.Ithasbroughtthecharitableusurerahundredfrancsinthelastsixmonths.Samanonhasdevouredmylibraryalready,volumebyvolume\"(livrealivre).
\"Andsoubysou,\"Lousteausaidwithalaugh.
\"Iwillletyouhavefifteenhundredfrancs,\"saidSamanon,lookingup.
Lucienstarted,asifthebill-brokerhadthrustared-hotskewerthroughhisheart.Samanonwassubjectingthebillsandtheirdatestoaclosescrutiny.
\"Andeventhen,\"headded,\"ImustseeFendantfirst.Heoughttodepositsomebookswithme.Youaren\'tworthmuch\"(turningtoLucien);\"youarelivingwithCoralie,andyourfurniturehasbeenattached.\"
Lousteau,watchingLucien,sawhimtakeuphisbills,anddashoutintothestreet.\"Heisthedevilhimself!\"exclaimedthepoet.Forseveralsecondshestoodoutsidegazingattheshopfront.Thewholeplacewassopitiful,thatapasser-bycouldnotseeitwithoutsmilingatthesight,andwonderingwhatkindofbusinessamancoulddoamongthosemean,dirtyshelvesofticketedbooks.
Averyfewmomentslater,thegreatman,inincognito,cameout,verywelldressed,smiledathisfriends,andturnedtogowiththeminthedirectionofthePassagedesPanoramas,wherehemeanttocompletehistoiletbythepolishingofhisboots.
\"IfyouseeSamanoninabookseller\'sshop,orcallingonapaper-
merchantoraprinter,youmayknowthatitisalloverwiththatman,\"saidtheartist.\"Samanonistheundertakercometotakethemeasurementsforacoffin.\"
\"Youwon\'tdiscountyourbillsnow,Lucien,\"saidEtienne.
\"IfSamanonwillnottakethem,nobodyelsewill;heistheultimaratio,\"saidthestranger.\"HeisoneofGigonnet\'slambs,aspyforPalma,Werbrust,Gobseck,andtherestofthosecrocodileswhoswimintheParismoney-market.Everymanwithafortunetomake,orunmake,issuretocomeacrossoneofthemsoonerorlater.\"
\"Ifyoucannotdiscountyourbillsatfiftypercent,\"remarkedLousteau,\"youmustexchangethemforhardcash.\"
\"How?\"
\"GivethemtoCoralie;Camusotwillcashthemforher——Youaredisgusted,\"addedLousteau,asLuciencuthimshortwithastart.
\"Whatnonsense!Howcanyouallowsuchasillyscrupletoturnthescale,whenyourfutureisinthebalance?\"
\"IshalltakethismoneytoCoralieinanycase,\"beganLucien.
\"Hereismorefolly!\"criedLousteau.\"Youwillnotkeepyourcreditorsquietwithfourhundredfrancswhenyoumusthavefourthousand.Letuskeepalittleandgetdrunkonit,ifwelosetherestatrougeetnoir.\"
\"Thatissoundadvice,\"saidthegreatman.
Thosewords,spokennotfourpacesfromFrascati\'s,weremagneticintheireffect.Thefriendsdismissedtheircabandwentuptothegaming-table.
Attheoutsettheywonthreethousandfrancs,thentheylostandfelltofivehundred;againtheywonthreethousandsevenhundredfrancs,andagaintheylostallbutafive-francpiece.Afteranotherturnoflucktheystakedtwothousandfrancsonanevennumbertodoublethestakeatastroke;anevennumberhadnotturnedupforfivetimesinsuccession,andthiswasthesixthtime.Theypuntedthewholesum,andanoddnumberturneduponcemore.
Aftertwohoursofall-absorbing,frenziedexcitement,thetwodasheddownthestaircasewiththehundredfrancskeptbackforthedinner.
Uponthesteps,betweentwopillarswhichsupportthelittlesheet-
ironverandatowhichsomanyeyeshavebeenupturnedinlongingordespair,LousteaustoppedandlookedintoLucien\'sflushed,excitedface.
\"Letusjusttryfiftyfrancs,\"hesaid.
Andupthestairsagaintheywent.Anhourlatertheyownedathousandcrowns.Blackhadturnedupforthefifthconsecutivetime;theytrustedthattheirpreviousluckwouldnotrepeatitself,andputthewholesumonthered——blackturnedupforthesixthtime.Theyhadlost.Itwasnowsixo\'clock.
\"Letusjusttrytwenty-fivefrancs,\"saidLucien.
Thenewventurewassoonmade——andlost.Thetwenty-fivefrancswentinfivestakes.ThenLucien,inafrenzy,flungdownhislasttwenty-
fivefrancsonthenumberofhisage,andwon.Nowordscandescribehowhishandstrembledasherakedinthecoinswhichthebankpaidhimonebyone.HehandedtenlouistoLousteau.
\"Fly!\"hecried;\"takeittoVery\'s.\"
Lousteautookthehintandwenttoorderdinner.Lucien,leftalone,laidhisthirtylouisontheredandwon.Emboldenedbytheinnervoicewhichagambleralwayshears,hestakedthewholeagainonthered,andagainhewon.Hefeltasiftherewereafurnacewithinhim.
Withoutheedingthevoice,helaidahundredandtwentylouisontheblackandlost.Thentothetorturingexcitementofsuspensesucceededthedeliciousfeelingofreliefknowntothegamblerwhohasnothinglefttolose,andmustperforceleavethepalaceoffireinwhichhisdreamsmeltandvanish.
HefoundLousteauatVery\'s,andflunghimselfuponthecookery(tomakeuseofLafontaine\'sexpression),anddrownedhiscaresinwine.
Bynineo\'clockhisideasweresoconfusedthathecouldnotimaginewhytheportressintheRuedeVendomepersistedinsendinghimtotheRuedelaLune.
\"Mlle.Coraliehasgone,\"saidthewoman.\"Shehastakenlodgingselsewhere.Sheleftheraddresswithmeonthisscrapofpaper.\"
Lucienwastoofargonetobesurprisedatanything.Hewentbacktothecabwhichhadbroughthim,andwasdriventotheRuedelaLune,makingpunstohimselfonthenameofthestreetashewent.
ThenewsofthefailureofthePanorama-Dramatiquehadcomelikeathunder-clap.Coralie,takingalarm,madehastetosellherfurniture(withtheconsentofhercreditors)tolittleoldCardot,whoinstalledFlorentineintheroomsatonce.Thetraditionofthehouseremainedunbroken.Coraliepaidhercreditorsandsatisfiedthelandlord,proceedingwithher\"washing-day,\"asshecalledit,whileBereniceboughttheabsolutelyindispensablenecessariestofurnishafourth-floorlodgingintheRuedelaLune,afewdoorsfromtheGymnase.HereCoraliewaswaitingforLucien\'sreturn.Shehadbroughtherloveunsulliedoutoftheshipwreckandtwelvehundredfrancs.
Lucien,morethanhalfintoxicated,pouredouthiswoestoCoralieandBerenice.
\"Youdidquiteright,myangel,\"saidCoralie,withherarmsabouthisneck.\"BerenicecaneasilynegotiateyourbillswithBraulard.\"
ThenextmorningLucienawoketoanenchantedworldofhappinessmadeabouthimbyCoralie.Shewasmorelovingandtenderinthosedaysthanshehadeverbeen;perhapsshethoughtthatthewealthofloveinherheartshouldmakehimamendsforthepovertyoftheirlodging.Shelookedbewitchinglycharming,withtheloosehairstrayingfromunderthecrushedwhitesilkhandkerchiefaboutherhead;therewassoftlaughterinhereyes;herwordswereasbrightasthefirstraysofsunrisethatshoneinthroughthewindows,pouringafloodofgolduponsuchcharmingpoverty.
Notthattheroomwassqualid.Thewallswerecoveredwithasea-greenpaper,borderedwithred;therewasonemirroroverthechimney-piece,andasecondabovethechestofdrawers.Thebareboardswerecoveredwithacheapcarpet,whichBerenicehadboughtinspiteofCoralie\'sorders,andpaidforoutofherownlittlestore.Awardrobe,withaglassdoorandachest,heldthelovers\'clothing,themahoganychairswerecoveredwithbluecottonstuff,andBerenicehadmanagedtosaveaclockandacoupleofchinavasesfromthecatastrophe,aswellasfourspoonsandforksandhalf-a-dozenlittlespoons.Thebedroomwasenteredfromthedining-room,whichmighthavebelongedtoaclerkwithanincomeoftwelvehundredfrancs.Thekitchenwasnextthelanding,andBerenicesleptaboveinanattic.Therentwasnotmorethanahundredcrowns.
Thedismalhouseboastedashamcarriageentrance,theporter\'sboxbeingcontrivedbehindoneoftheuselessleavesofthegate,andlightedbyapeepholethroughwhichthatpersonagewatchedthecomingsandgoingsofseventeenfamilies,forthishivewasa\"good-payingproperty,\"inauctioneer\'sphrase.
Lucien,lookingroundtheroom,discoveredadesk,aneasy-chair,paper,pens,andink.ThesightofBereniceinhighspirits(shewasbuildinghopesonCoralie\'sdebutattheGymnase),andofCoralieherselfconningherpartwithaknotofblueribbontiedaboutit,droveallcaresandanxietiesfromthesoberedpoet\'smind.
\"Solongasnobodyinsocietyhearsofthissuddencomedown,weshallpullthrough,\"hesaid.\"Afterall,wehavefourthousandfivehundredfrancsbeforeus.IwillturnmynewpositioninRoyalistjournalismtoaccount.To-morrowweshallstarttheReveil;Iamanoldhandnow,andIwillmakesomethingout.\"
AndCoralie,seeingnothingbutloveinthewords,kissedthelipsthatutteredthem.BythistimeBerenicehadsetthetablenearthefireandservedamodestbreakfastofscrambledeggs,acoupleofcutlets,coffee,andcream.Justthentherecameaknockatthedoor,andLucien,tohisastonishment,beheldthreeofhisloyalfriendsofolddays——d\'Arthez,LeonGiraud,andMichelChrestien.Hewasdeeplytouched,andaskedthemtosharethebreakfast.
\"No;wehavecomeonmoreseriousbusinessthancondolence,\"saidd\'Arthez;\"weknowthewholestory,wehavejustcomefromtheRuedeVendome.Youknowmyopinions,Lucien.UnderanyothercircumstancesI
shouldbegladtohearthatyouhadadoptedmypoliticalconvictions;
butsituatedasyouarewithregardtotheLiberalPress,itisimpossibleforyoutogoovertotheUltras.Yourlifewillbesullied,yourcharacterblightedforever.Wehavecometoentreatyouinthenameofourfriendship,weakenedthoughitmaybe,nottosoilyourselfinthisway.YouhavebeenprominentinattackingtheRomantics,theRight,andtheGovernment;youcannotnowdeclarefortheGovernment;theRight,andtheRomantics.\"
\"Myreasonsforthechangearebasedonloftygrounds;theendwilljustifythemeans,\"saidLucien.
\"PerhapsyoudonotfullycomprehendourpositiononthesideoftheGovernment,\"saidLeonGiraud.\"TheGovernment,theCourt,theBourbons,theAbsolutistParty,ortosumupinthegeneralexpression,thewholesystemopposedtotheconstitutionalsystem,maybedivideduponthequestionofthebestmeansofextinguishingtheRevolution,butisunanimousastotheadvisabilityofextinguishingthenewspapers.TheReveil,theFoudre,andtheDrapeauBlanchaveallbeenfoundedfortheexpresspurposeofreplyingtotheslander,gibes,andrailingoftheLiberalpress.Icannotapprovethem,foritispreciselythisfailuretorecognizethegrandeurofourpriesthoodthathasledustobringoutaseriousandself-respectingpaper;
whichperhaps,\"headdedparenthetically,\"mayexerciseaworthyinfluencebeforeverylong,andwinrespect,andcarryweight;butthisRoyalistartilleryisdestinedforafirstattemptatreprisals,theLiberalsaretobepaidbackintheirowncoin——shaftforshaft,woundforwound.
\"WhatcancomeofitLucien?ThemajorityofnewspaperreadersinclinefortheLeft;andinthepress,asinwarfare,thevictoryiswiththebigbattalions.Youwillbeblackguards,liars,enemiesofthepeople;
theothersidewillbedefendersoftheircountry,martyrs,mentobeheldinhonor,thoughtheymaybeevenmorehypocriticalandslipperythantheiropponents.Inthesewaystheperniciousinfluenceofthepresswillbeincreased,whilethemostodiousformofjournalismwillreceivesanction.Insultandpersonalitieswillbecomearecognizedprivilegeofthepress;newspapershavetakenthistoneinthesubscribers\'interests;andwhenbothsideshaverecoursetothesameweapons,thestandardissetandthegeneraltoneofjournalismtakenforgranted.Whentheevilisdevelopedtoitsfullestextent,restrictivelawswillbefollowedbyprohibitions;therewillbeareturnofthecensorshipofthepressimposedaftertheassassinationoftheDucdeBerri,andrepealedsincetheopeningoftheChambers.
