Anddoyouknowwhatthenationwillconcludefromthedebate?ThepeoplewillbelievetheinsinuationsoftheLiberalpress;theywillthinkthattheBourbonsmeantoattacktherightsofpropertyacquiredbytheRevolution,andsomefinedaytheywillriseandshakeofftheBourbons.Youarenotonlysoilingyourlife,Lucien,youaregoingovertothelosingside.Youaretooyoung,toolatelyajournalist,toolittleinitiatedintothesecretspringsofmotiveandthetricksofthecraft,youhavearousedtoomuchjealousy,nottofallavictimtothegeneralhueandcrythatwillberaisedagainstyouintheLiberalnewspapers.Youwillbedrawnintothefraybypartyspiritnowstillatfever-heat;thoughthefever,whichspentitselfinviolencein1815and1816,nowappearsindebatesintheChamberandpolemicsinthepapers.\"
\"Iamnotquiteafeatherhead,myfriends,\"saidLucien,\"thoughyoumaychoosetoseeapoetinme.Whatevermayhappen,IshallgainonesolidadvantagewhichnoLiberalvictorycangiveme.Bythetimeyourvictoryiswon,Ishallhavegainedmyend.\"
\"Wewillcutoff——yourhair,\"saidMichelChrestien,withalaugh.
\"Ishallhavemychildrenbythattime,\"saidLucien;\"andifyoucutoffmyhead,itwillnotmatter.\"
ThethreecouldmakenothingofLucien.Intercoursewiththegreatworldhaddevelopedinhimtheprideofcaste,thevanitiesofthearistocrat.Thepoetthought,andnotwithoutreason,thattherewasafortuneinhisgoodlooksandintellect,accompaniedbythenameandtitleofRubempre.Mme.d\'EspardandMme.deBargetonheldhimfastbythisclue,asachildholdsacockchaferbyastring.Lucien\'sflightwascircumscribed.Thewords,\"Heisoneofus,heissound,\"
accidentallyoverheardbutthreedaysagoinMlle.deTouches\'salon,hadturnedhishead.TheDucdeLenoncourt,theDucdeNavarreins,theDucdeGrandlieu,Rastignac,Blondet,thelovelyDuchessedeMaufrigneuse,theComted\'Escrignon,anddesLupeaulx,allthemostinfluentialpeopleatCourtinfact,hadcongratulatedhimonhisconversion,andcompletedhisintoxication.
\"Thenthereisnomoretobesaid,\"d\'Arthezrejoined.\"You,ofallmen,willfindithardtokeepcleanhandsandself-respect.Iknowyou,Lucien;youwillfeelitacutelywhenyouaredespisedbytheverymentowhomyouofferyourself.\"
Thethreetookleave,andnotoneofthemgavehimafriendlyhandshake.Lucienwasthoughtfulandsadforafewminutes.
\"Oh!nevermindthoseninnies,\"criedCoralie,springinguponhiskneeandputtingherbeautifularmsabouthisneck.\"Theytakelifeseriously,andlifeisajoke.Besides,youaregoingtobeCountLuciendeRubempre.IwillwheedletheChancellerieifthereisnootherway.IknowhowtocomeroundthatrakeofadesLupeaulx,whowillsignyourpatent.DidInottellyou,Lucien,thatatthelastyoushouldhaveCoralie\'sdeadbodyforasteppingstone?\"
NextdayLucienallowedhisnametoappearinthelistofcontributorstotheReveil.Hisnamewasannouncedintheprospectuswithaflourishoftrumpets,andtheMinistrytookcarethatahundredthousandcopiesshouldbescatteredabroadfarandwide.TherewasadinneratRobert\'s,twodoorsawayfromFrascati\'s,tocelebratetheinauguration,andthewholebandofRoyalistwritersforthepresswerepresent.Martainvillewasthere,andAugerandDestains,andahostofothers,stillliving,who\"didMonarchyandreligion,\"tousethefamiliarexpressioncoinedforthem.Nathanhadalsoenlistedunderthebanner,forhewasthinkingofstartingatheatre,andnotunreasonablyheldthatitwasbettertohavethelicensingauthoritiesforhimthanagainsthim.
\"WewillpaytheLiberalsout,\"criedMerlin.
\"Gentlemen,\"saidNathan,\"ifweareforwar,letushavewarinearnest;wemustnotcarryitonwithpop-guns.LetusfalluponallClassicalsandLiberalswithoutdistinctionofageorsex,andputthemalltotheswordwithridicule.Theremustbenoquarter.\"
\"Wemustacthonorably;theremustbenobribingwithcopiesofbooksorpresents;notakingmoneyofpublishers.WemustinaugurateaRestorationofJournalism.\"
\"Good!\"saidMartainville.\"Justumettenacempropositivirum!Letusbeimplacableandvirulent.IwillgiveoutLaFayettefortheprinceofharlequinsthatheis!\"
\"AndIwillundertaketheheroesoftheConstitutionnel,\"addedLucien;\"SergeantMercier,M.Jouy\'sCompleteWorks,and\'theillustriousoratorsoftheLeft.\'\"
Awarofexterminationwasunanimouslyresolvedupon,andbyoneo\'clockinthemorningallshadesofopinionweremergedanddrowned,togetherwitheveryglimmerofsense,inaflamingbowlofpunch.
\"WehavehadafineMonarchicalandReligiousjollification,\"remarkedanillustriousrevelerinthedoorwayashewent.
Thatcommentappearedinthenextday\'sissueoftheMiroirthroughthegoodofficesofapublisheramongtheguests,andbecamehistoric.
Lucienwassupposedtobethetraitorwhoblabbed.HisdefectiongavethesignalforaterrifichubbubintheLiberalcamp;LucienwasthebuttoftheOppositionnewspapers,andridiculedunmercifully.Thewholehistoryofhissonnetswasgiventothepublic.Dauriatwassaidtopreferafirstlossofathousandcrownstotheriskofpublishingtheverses;Lucienwascalled\"thePoetsansSonnets;\"andonemorning,inthatverypaperinwhichhehadsobrilliantabeginning,hereadthefollowinglines,significantenoughforhim,butbarelyintelligibletootherreaders:
***\"IfM.DauriatpersistentlywithholdstheSonnetsofthefuturePetrarchfrompublication,wewillactlikegenerousfoes.
Wewillopenourowncolumnstohispoems,whichmustbepiquantindeed,tojudgebythefollowingspecimenobliginglycommunicatedbyafriendoftheauthor.\"
Andcloseuponthatominousprefacefollowedasonnetentitled\"TheThistle\"(leChardon):
Achance-comeseedling,springinguponedayAmongtheflowersinagardenfair,MadeboastthatsplendidcolorsbrightandrareItsclaimstoloftylineageshoulddisplay.
Soforawhiletheysufferedittostay;
Butwithsuchinsolenceitflourishedthere,That,outofpatiencewithitsbraggart\'sair,Theybadeitproveitsclaimswithoutdelay.
Itbloomedforthwith;butne\'erwasblunderingclownUpontheboardsmorepromptlyhooteddown;
Thesisterflowersbegantojeerandlaugh.
Theownerflungitout.AtcloseofdayAsolitaryjackasscametobray——
AcommonThistle\'sfittingepitaph.
Lucienreadthewordsthroughscaldingtears.
VernoutouchedelsewhereonLucien\'sgamblingpropensities,andspokeoftheforthcomingArcherofCharlesIX.as\"anti-national\"initstendency,thewritersidingwithCatholiccut-throatsagainsttheirCalvinistvictims.
Anotherweekfoundthequarrelembittered.LucienhadcounteduponhisfriendEtienne;Etienneowedhimathousandfrancs,andtherehadbeenbesidesaprivateunderstandingbetweenthem;butEtienneLousteauduringtheintervalbecamehisswornfoe,andthiswasthemannerofit.
ForthepastthreemonthsNathanhadbeensmittenwithFlorine\'scharms,andmuchatalosshowtoridhimselfofLousteauhisrival,whowasinfactdependentupontheactress.AndnowcameNathan\'sopportunity,whenFlorinewasfranticwithdistressoverthefailureofthePanorama-Dramatique,whichleftherwithoutanengagement.HewentasLucien\'scolleaguetobegCoralietoaskforapartforFlorineinaplayofhiswhichwasabouttobeproducedattheGymnase.ThenNathanwenttoFlorineandmadecapitalwithheroutoftheservicedonebythepromiseofaconditionalengagement.AmbitionturnedFlorine\'shead;shedidnothesitate.ShehadhadtimetogaugeLousteauprettythoroughly.Lousteau\'scourseswereweakeninghiswill,andherewasNathanwithhisambitionsinpoliticsandliterature,andenergiesstrongashiscravings.Florineproposedtoreappearonthestagewithrenewedeclat,soshehandedoverMatifat\'scorrespondencetoNathan.NathandroveabargainforthemwithMatifat,andtookthesixthshareofFinot\'sreviewinexchangeforthecompromisingbillets.Afterthis,FlorinewasinstalledinsumptuouslyfurnishedapartmentsintheRueHauteville,whereshetookNathanforherprotectorinthefaceofthetheatricalandjournalisticworld.
Lousteauwasterriblyovercome.Hewept(towardsthecloseofadinnergivenbyhisfriendstoconsolehiminhisaffliction).InthecourseofthatbanquetitwasdecidedthatNathanhadnotactedunfairly;
severalwriterspresent——FinotandVernou,forinstance,——knewofFlorine\'sfervidadmirationfordramaticliterature;buttheyallagreedthatLucienhadbehavedveryillwhenhearrangedthatbusinessattheGymnase;hehadindeedbrokenthemostsacredlawsoffriendship.Party-spiritandzealtoservehisnewfriendshadledtheRoyalistpoetontosinbeyondforgiveness.
\"Nathanwascarriedawaybypassion,\"pronouncedBixiou,\"whilethis\'distinguishedprovincial,\'asBlondetcallshim,issimplyschemingforhisownselfishends.\"
Andsoitcametopassthatdeepplotswerelaidbyallpartiesaliketoridthemselvesofthislittleupstartintruderofapoetwhowantedtoeateverybodyup.VernouboreLucienapersonalgrudge,andundertooktokeepatighthandonhim;andFinotdeclaredthatLucienhadbetrayedthesecretofthecombinationagainstMatifat,andtherebyswindledhim(Finot)outoffiftythousandfrancs.Nathan,actingonFlorine\'sadvice,gainedFinot\'ssupportbysellinghimthesixthshareforfifteenthousandfrancs,andLousteauconsequentlylosthiscommission.Histhousandcrownshadvanishedaway;hecouldnotforgiveLucienforthistreacherousblow(ashesupposedit)dealttohisinterests.Thewoundsofvanityrefusetohealifoxideofsilvergetsintothem.
Nowords,noamountofdescription,candepictthewrathofanauthorinaparoxysmofmortifiedvanity,northeenergywhichhediscoverswhenstungbythepoisoneddartsofsarcasm;but,ontheotherhand,themanthatisrousedtofighting-furybyapersonalattackusuallysubsidesverypromptly.Themorephlegmaticrace,whotakethesethingsquietly,laytheiraccountwiththeoblivionwhichspeedilyovertakesthespitefularticle.Thesearethetrulycourageousmenofletters;andiftheweaklingsseematfirsttobethestrongmen,theycannotholdoutforanylengthoftime.
Duringthatfirstfortnight,whilethefurywasuponhim,LucienpouredaperfecthailstormofarticlesintotheRoyalistpapers,inwhichhesharedtheresponsibilitiesofcriticismwithHectorMerlin.
Hewasalwaysinthebreach,poundingawaywithallhismightintheReveil,backedupbyMartainville,theonlyoneamonghisassociateswhostoodbyhimwithoutanafterthought.Martainvillewasnotinthesecretofcertainunderstandingsmadeandratifiedamidafter-dinnerjokes,oratDauriat\'sintheWoodenGalleries,orbehindthescenesattheVaudeville,whenjournalistsofeithersidemetonneutralground.
WhenLucienwenttothegreenroomoftheVaudeville,hemetwithnowelcome;themenofhisownpartyheldoutahandtoshake,theotherscuthim;andallthewhileHectorMerlinandTheodoreGaillardfraternizedunblushinglywithFinot,Lousteau,andVernou,andtherestofthejournalistswhowereknownfor\"goodfellows.\"
ThegreenroomoftheVaudevilleinthosedayswasahotbedofgossip,aswellasaneutralgroundwheremenofeveryshadeofopinioncouldmeet;somuchsothatthePresidentofacourtoflaw,afterreprovingalearnedbrotherinacertaincouncilchamberfor\"sweepingthegreenroomwithhisgown,\"metthesubjectofhisstrictures,gowntogown,inthegreenroomoftheVaudeville.Lousteau,intime,shookhandsagainwithNathan;Finotcamethitheralmosteveryevening;andLucien,wheneverhecouldsparethetime,wenttotheVaudevilletowatchtheenemies,whoshowednosignofrelentingtowardstheunfortunateboy.
InthetimeoftheRestorationpartyhatredwasfarmorebitterthaninourday.Intensityoffeelingisdiminishedinourhigh-pressureage.Thecriticcutsabooktopiecesandshakeshandswiththeauthorafterwards,andthevictimmustkeepongoodtermswithhisslaughterer,orrunthegantletofinnumerablejokesathisexpense.
Ifherefuses,heisunsociable,eatenupwithself-love,heissulkyandrancorous,hebearsmalice,heisabadbed-fellow.To-dayletanauthorreceiveatreacherousstabintheback,lethimavoidthesnaressetforhimwithbasehypocrisy,andendurethemostunhandsometreatment,hemuststillexchangegreetingswithhisassassin,who,forthatmatter,claimstheesteemandfriendshipofhisvictim.
Everythingcanbeexcusedandjustifiedinanagewhichhastransformedviceintovirtueandvirtueintovice.Good-fellowshiphascometobethemostsacredofourliberties;therepresentativesofthemostoppositeopinionscourteouslyblunttheedgeoftheirwords,andfencewithbuttonedfoils.ButinthosealmostforgottendaysthesametheatrecouldscarcelyholdcertainRoyalistandLiberaljournalists;themostmalignantprovocationwasoffered,glanceswerelikepistol-shots,theleastsparkproducedanexplosionofquarrel.
Whohasnotheardhisneighbor\'shalf-smotheredoathontheentranceofsomemanintheforefrontofthebattleontheopposingside?Therewerebuttwoparties——RoyalistsandLiberals,ClassicsandRomantics.
Youfoundthesamehatredmasqueradingineitherform,andnolongerwonderedatthescaffoldsoftheConvention.
LucienhadbeenaLiberalandahotVoltairean;nowhewasarabidRoyalistandaRomantic.Martainville,theonlyoneamonghiscolleagueswhoreallylikedhimandstoodbyhimloyally,wasmorehatedbytheLiberalsthananymanontheRoyalistside,andthisfactdrewdownallthehateoftheLiberalsonLucien\'shead.
Martainville\'sstaunchfriendshipinjuredLucien.Politicalpartiesshowscantygratitudetooutpostsentinels,andleaveleadersofforlornhopestotheirfate;\'tisaruleofwarfarewhichholdsequallygoodinmatterspolitical,tokeepwiththemainbodyofthearmyifyoumeantosucceed.ThespiteofthesmallLiberalpapersfastenedatonceontheopportunityofcouplingthetwonames,andflungthemintoeachother\'sarms.Theirfriendship,realorimaginary,broughtdownuponthembothaseriesofarticleswrittenbypensdippedingall.FelicienVernouwasfuriouswithjealousyofLucien\'ssocialsuccess;andbelieved,likeallhisoldassociates,inthepoet\'sapproachingelevation.
ThefictionofLucien\'streasonwasembellishedwitheverykindofaggravatingcircumstance;hewascalledJudastheLess,MartainvillebeingJudastheGreat,forMartainvillewassupposed(rightlyorwrongly)tohavegivenuptheBridgeofPecqtotheforeigninvaders.
LuciensaidjestinglytodesLupeaulxthathehimself,surely,hadgivenuptheAsses\'Bridge.
Lucien\'sluxuriouslife,hollowthoughitwas,andfoundedonexpectations,hadestrangedhisfriends.Theycouldnotforgivehimforthecarriagewhichhehadputdown——forthemhewasstillrollingaboutinit——noryetforthesplendorsoftheRuedeVendomewhichhehadleft.Allofthemfeltinstinctivelythatnothingwasbeyondthereachofthisyoungandhandsomepoet,withintellectenoughandtospare;theythemselveshadtrainedhimincorruption;and,therefore,theyleftnostoneunturnedtoruinhim.
SomefewdaysbeforeCoralie\'sfirstappearanceattheGymnase,LucienandHectorMerlinwentarm-in-armtotheVaudeville.MerlinwasscoldinghisfriendforgivingahelpinghandtoNathaninFlorine\'saffair.
\"YouthenandtheremadetwomortalenemiesofLousteauandNathan,\"
hesaid.\"Igaveyougoodadvice,andyoutooknonoticeofit.Yougavepraise,youdidthemagoodturn——youwillbewellpunishedforyourkindness.FlorineandCoraliewillneverliveinpeaceonthesamestage;bothwillwishtobefirst.YoucanonlydefendCoralieinourpapers;andNathannotonlyhasapullasadramaticauthor,hecancontrolthedramaticcriticismintheLiberalnewspapers.Hehasbeenajournalistalittlelongerthanyou!\"
ThewordsrespondedtoLucien\'sinwardmisgivings.NeitherNathannorGaillardwastreatinghimwiththefranknesswhichhehadarighttoexpect,butsonewaconvertcouldhardlycomplain.GaillardutterlyconfoundedLucienbysayingroundlythatnewcomersmustgiveproofsoftheirsincerityforsometimebeforetheirpartycouldtrustthem.
TherewasmorejealousythanhehadimaginedintheinnercirclesofRoyalistandMinisterialjournalism.Thejealousyofcursfightingforaboneisapttoappearinthehumanspecieswhenthereisaloaftodivide;thereisthesamegrowlingandshowingofteeth,thesamecharacteristicscomeout.
Ineverypossiblewaythesewritersofarticlestriedtoinjureeachotherwiththoseinpower;theybroughtreciprocalaccusationsoflukewarmzeal;theyinventedthemosttreacherouswaysofgettingridofarival.TherehadbeennoneofthisinternecinewarfareamongtheLiberals;theyweretoofarfrompower,toohopelesslyoutoffavor;
andLucien,amidtheinextricabletangleofambitions,hadneitherthecouragetodrawswordandcuttheknot,orthepatiencetounravelit.
HecouldnotbetheBeaumarchais,theAretino,theFreronofhisepoch;hewasnotmadeofsuchstuff;hethoughtofnothingbuthisonedesire,thepatentofnobility;forhesawclearlythatforhimsucharestorationmeantawealthymarriage,and,thetitleoncesecured,chanceandhisgoodlookswoulddotherest.Thiswasallhisplan,andEtienneLousteau,whohadconfidedsomuchtohim,knewhissecret,knewhowtodealadeathblowtothepoetofAngouleme.Thatverynight,asLucienandMerlinwenttotheVaudeville,Etiennehadlaidaterribletrap,intowhichaninexperiencedboycouldnotbutfall.
\"HereisourhandsomeLucien,\"saidFinot,drawingdesLupeaulxinthedirectionofthepoet,andshakinghandswithfelineamiability.\"I
cannotthinkofanotherexampleofsuchrapidsuccess,\"continuedFinot,lookingfromdesLupeaulxtoLucien.\"TherearetwosortsofsuccessinParis:thereisafortuneinsolidcash,whichanyonecanamass,andthereistheintangiblefortuneofconnections,position,orafootingincertaincirclesinaccessibleforcertainpersons,howeverrichtheymaybe.Nowmyfriendhere——\"
\"Ourfriend,\"interposeddesLupeaulx,smilingblandly.
\"Ourfriend,\"repeatedFinot,pattingLucien\'shand,\"hasmadeabrilliantsuccessfromthispointofview.Truthtotell,Lucienhasmoreinhim,moregift,morewitthantherestofusthatenvyhim,andheisenchantinglyhandsomebesides;hisoldfriendscannotforgivehimforhissuccess——theycallitluck.\"
\"Luckofthatsortnevercomestofoolsorincapables,\"saiddesLupeaulx.\"CanyoucallBonaparte\'sfortuneluck,eh?TherewereascoreofapplicantsforthecommandofthearmyinItaly,justasthereareahundredyoungmenatthismomentwhowouldliketohaveanentrancetoMlle.desTouches\'house;peoplearecouplinghernamewithyoursalreadyinsociety,mydearboy,\"saiddesLupeaulx,clappingLucienontheshoulder.\"Ah!youareinhighfavor.Mme.
d\'Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andMme.deMontcornetarewildaboutyou.
YouaregoingtoMme.Firmiani\'spartyto-night,areyounot,andtotheDuchessedeGrandlieu\'sroutto-morrow?\"
\"Yes,\"saidLucien.
\"Allowmetointroduceayoungbankertoyou,aM.duTillet;yououghttobeacquainted,hehascontrivedtomakeagreatfortuneinashorttime.\"
LucienandduTilletbowed,andenteredintoconversation,andthebankeraskedLucientodinner.FinotanddesLupeaulx,awell-matchedpair,kneweachotherwellenoughtokeepupongoodterms;theyturnedawaytocontinuetheirchatononeofthesofasinthegreenroom,andleftLucienwithduTillet,Merlin,andNathan.
\"Bytheway,myfriend,\"saidFinot,\"tellmehowthingsstand.IstherereallysomebodybehindLucien?Forheisthebetenoireofmystaff;andbeforeallowingthemtoplotagainsthim,IthoughtI
shouldliketoknowwhether,inyouropinion,itwouldbebettertobafflethemandkeepwellwithhim.\"
TheMasterofRequestsandFinotlookedateachotherverycloselyforamomentortwo.
\"Mydearfellow,\"saiddesLupeaulx,\"howcanyouimaginethattheMarquised\'Espard,orChatelet,orMme.deBargeton——whohasprocuredtheBaron\'snominationtotheprefectureandthetitleofCount,soastoreturnintriumphtoAngouleme——howcanyousupposethatanyofthemwillforgiveLucienforhisattacksonthem?TheydroppedhimdownintheRoyalistrankstocrushhimoutofexistence.Atthismomenttheyarelookingroundforanyexcusefornotfulfillingthepromisestheymadetothatboy.Helpthemtosome;youwilldothegreatestpossibleservicetothetwowomen,andsomedayorothertheywillrememberit.Iamintheirsecrets;Iwassurprisedtofindhowmuchtheyhatedthelittlefellow.ThisLucienmighthaveridhimselfofhisbitterestenemy(Mme.deBargeton)bydesistingfromhisattacksontermswhichawomanlovestogrant——doyoutakeme?Heisyoungandhandsome,heshouldhavedrownedherhateintorrentsoflove,hewouldbeComtedeRubemprebythistime;theCuttlefish-bonewouldhaveobtainedsomesinecureforhim,somepostintheRoyalHousehold.LucienwouldhavemadeaveryprettyreadertoLouisXVIII.;hemighthavebeenlibrariansomewhereorother,MasterofRequestsforajoke,MasterofRevels,whatyouplease.Theyoungfoolhasmissedhischance.Perhapsthatishisunpardonablesin.Insteadofimposinghisconditions,hehasacceptedthem.WhenLucienwascaughtwiththebaitofthepatentofnobility,theBaronChateletmadeagreatstep.Coraliehasbeentheruinofthatboy.Ifhehadnothadtheactressforhismistress,hewouldhaveturnedagaintotheCuttlefish-bone;andhewouldhavehadhertoo.\"
\"Thenwecanknockhimover?\"
\"How?\"desLupeaulxaskedcarelessly.HesawawayofgainingcreditwiththeMarquised\'Espardforthisservice.
\"HeisundercontracttowriteforLousteau\'spaper,andwecanthebetterholdhimtohisagreementbecausehehasnotasou.IfwetickleuptheKeeperoftheSealswithafacetiousarticle,andprovethatLucienwroteit,hewillconsiderthatLucienisunworthyoftheKing\'sfavor.Wehaveaplotonhandbesides.Coraliewillberuined,andourdistinguishedprovincialwilllosehisheadwhenhismistressishissedoffthestageandleftwithoutanengagement.Whenoncethepatentissuspended,wewilllaughatthevictim\'saristocraticpretensions,andalludetohismotherthenurseandhisfathertheapothecary.Lucien\'scourageisonlyskindeep,hewillcollapse;wewillsendhimbacktohisprovinces.NathanmadeFlorinesellmeMatifat\'ssixthshareofthereview,Iwasabletobuy;DauriatandI
aretheonlyproprietorsnow;wemightcometoanunderstanding,youandI,andthereviewmightbetakenoverforthebenefitoftheCourt.IstipulatedfortherestitutionofmysixthbeforeIundertooktoprotectNathanandFlorine;theyletmehaveit,andImusthelpthem;butIwishedtoknowfirsthowLucienstood——\"
\"Youdeserveyourname,\"saiddesLupeaulx.\"Ilikeamanofyoursort——\"
\"Verywell.ThencanyouarrangeadefiniteengagementforFlorine?\"
askedFinot.
\"Yes,butridusofLucien,forRastignacanddeMarsayneverwishtohearofhimagain.\"
\"Sleepinpeace,\"returnedFinot.\"NathanandMerlinwillalwayshavearticlesreadyforGaillard,whowillpromisetotakethem;Lucienwillnevergetalineintothepaper.Wewillcutoffhissupplies.
ThereisonlyMartainville\'spaperlefthiminwhichtodefendhimselfandCoralie;whatcanasinglepaperdoagainstsomany?\"
\"IwillletyouknowtheweakpointsoftheMinistry;butgetLucientowritethatarticleandhandoverthemanuscript,\"saiddesLupeaulx,whorefrainedcarefullyfrominformingFinotthatLucien\'spromisedpatentwasnothingbutajoke.
WhendesLupeaulxhadgone,FinotwenttoLucien,andtakingthegood-
naturedtonewhichdeceivessomanyvictims,heexplainedthathecouldnotpossiblyaffordtolosehiscontributor,andatthesametimeheshrankfromtakingproceedingswhichmightruinhimwithhisfriendsoftheotherside.Finothimselflikedamanwhowasstrongenoughtochangehisopinions.Theywereprettysuretocomeacrossoneanother,heandLucien,andmightbemutuallyhelpfulinathousandlittleways.Lucien,besides,neededasuremanintheLiberalpartytoattacktheUltrasandmeninofficewhomightrefusetohelphim.
\"Supposethattheyplayyoufalse,whatwillyoudo?\"Finotended.
\"SupposethatsomeMinisterfanciesthathehasyoufastbythehalterofyourapostasy,andturnsthecoldshoulderonyou?Youwillbegladtosetonafewdogstosnapathislegs,willyounot?Verywell.ButyouhavemadeadeadlyenemyofLousteau;heisthirstingforyourblood.YouandFelicienarenotonspeakingterms.Ionlyremaintoyou.Itisaruleofthecrafttokeepagoodunderstandingwitheverymanofrealability.Intheworldwhichyouareabouttoenteryoucandomeservicesinreturnforminewiththepress.Butbusinessfirst.
Letmehavepurelyliteraryarticles;theywillnotcompromiseyou,andweshallhaveexecutedouragreement.\"
Luciensawnothingbutgood-fellowshipandashrewdeyetobusinessinFinot\'soffer;FinotanddesLupeaulxhadflatteredhim,andhewasinagoodhumor.HeactuallythankedFinot!
Ambitiousmen,likeallthosewhocanonlymaketheirwaybythehelpofothersandofcircumstances,areboundtolaytheirplansverycarefullyandtoadhereverycloselytothecourseofconductonwhichtheydetermine;itisacruelmomentinthelivesofsuchaspirantswhensomeunknownpowerbringsthefabricoftheirfortunestosomeseveretestandeverythinggiveswayatonce;threadsaresnappedorentangled,andmisfortuneappearsoneveryside.Letamanlosehisheadintheconfusion,itisalloverwithhim;butifhecanresistthisfirstrevoltofcircumstances,ifhecanstanderectuntilthetempestpassesover,ormakeasupremeeffortandreachtheserenesphereaboutthestorm——thenheisreallystrong.Toeveryman,unlessheisbornrich,therecomessoonerorlater\"hisfatalweek,\"asitmustbecalled.ForNapoleon,forinstance,thatweekwastheRetreatfromMoscow.IthadbegunnowforLucien.
Socialandliterarysuccesshadcometohimtooeasily;hehadhadsuchluckthathewasboundtoknowreversesandtoseemenandcircumstancesturnagainsthim.
Thefirstblowwastheheaviestandthemostkeenlyfelt,forittouchedLucienwherehethoughthimselfinvulnerable——inhisheartandhislove.Coraliemightnotbeclever,butherswasanoblenature,andshepossessedthegreatactress\'facultyofsuddenlystandingalooffromself.Thisstrangephenomenonissubject,untilitdegeneratesintoahabitwithlongpractice,tothecapricesofcharacter,andnotseldomtoanadmirabledelicacyoffeelinginactresseswhoarestillyoung.Coralie,toallappearanceboldandwanton,asthepartrequired,wasinrealitygirlishandtimid,andlovehadwroughtinherarevulsionofherwoman\'sheartagainstthecomedian\'smask.Art,thesupremeartoffeigningpassionandfeeling,hadnotyettriumphedovernatureinher;sheshrankbeforeagreataudiencefromtheutterancethatbelongstoLovealone;andCoraliesufferedbesidesfromanothertruewoman\'sweakness——sheneededsuccess,bornstagequeenthoughshewas.Shecouldnotconfrontanaudiencewithwhichshewasoutofsympathy;shewasnervouswhensheappearedonthestage,acoldreceptionparalyzedher.Eachnewpartgavehertheterriblesensationsofafirstappearance.Applauseproducedasortofintoxicationwhichgaveherencouragementwithoutflatteringhervanity;atamurmurofdissatisfactionorbeforeasilenthouse,sheflagged;butagreataudiencefollowingattentively,admiringly,willingtobepleased,electrifiedCoralie.Shefeltatonceincommunicationwiththenoblerqualitiesofallthoselisteners;shefeltthatshepossessedthepowerofstirringtheirsoulsandcarryingthemwithher.Butifthisactionandreactionoftheaudienceupontheactressrevealsthenervousorganizationofgenius,itshowsnolessclearlythepoorchild\'ssensitivenessanddelicacy.Lucienhaddiscoveredthetreasuresofhernature;hadlearnedinthepastmonthsthatthiswomanwholovedhimwasstillsomuchofagirl.AndCoraliewasunskilledinthewilesofanactress——
shecouldnotfightherownbattlesnorprotectherselfagainstthemachinationsofjealousybehindthescenes.Florinewasjealousofher,andFlorinewasasdangerousanddepravedasCoraliewassimpleandgenerous.RolesmustcometofindCoralie;shewastooproudtoimploreauthorsortosubmittodishonoringconditions;shewouldnotgiveherselftothefirstjournalistwhopersecutedherwithhisadvancesandthreatenedherwithhispen.Geniusisrareenoughintheextraordinaryartofthestage;butgeniusisonlyoneconditionofsuccessamongmany,andispositivelyhurtfulunlessitisaccompaniedbyageniusforintrigueinwhichCoraliewasutterlylacking.
LucienknewhowmuchhisfriendwouldsufferonherfirstappearanceattheGymnase,andwasanxiousatallcoststoobtainasuccessforher;butallthemoneyremainingfromthesaleofthefurnitureandallLucien\'searningshadbeensunkincostumes,inthefurnitureofadressing-room,andtheexpensesofafirstappearance.
Afewdayslater,Lucienmadeuphismindtoahumiliatingstepforlove\'ssake.HetookFendantandCavalier\'sbills,andwenttotheGoldenCocoonintheRuedesBourdonnais.HewouldaskCamusottodiscountthem.Thepoethadnotfallensolowthathecouldmakethisattemptquitecoolly.Therehadbeenmanyasharpstrugglefirst,andthewaytothatdecisionhadbeenpavedwithmanydreadfulthoughts.
Nevertheless,hearrivedatlastinthedark,cheerlesslittleprivateofficethatlookedoutuponayard,andfoundCamusotseatedgravelythere;thiswasnotCoralie\'sinfatuatedadorer,nottheeasy-natured,indolent,incredulouslibertinewhomhehadknownhithertoasCamusot,butaheavyfatherofafamily,amerchantgrownoldinshrewdexpedientsofbusinessandrespectablevirtues,wearingamagistrate\'smaskofjudicialprudery;thisCamusotwasthecool,business-likeheadofthefirmsurroundedbyclerks,greencardboardboxes,pigeonholes,invoices,andsamples,andfortifiedbythepresenceofawifeandaplainly-dresseddaughter.Lucientrembledfromheadtofootasheapproached;fortheworthymerchant,likethemoney-lenders,turnedcool,indifferenteyesuponhim.
\"Herearetwoorthreebills,monsieur,\"hesaid,standingbesidethemerchant,whodidnotrisefromhisdesk.\"Ifyouwilltakethemofme,youwillobligemeextremely.\"
\"YouhavetakensomethingofME,monsieur,\"saidCamusot;\"Idonotforgetit.\"
Onthis,LucienexplainedCoralie\'spredicament.Hespokeinalowvoice,bendingtomurmurhisexplanation,sothatCamusotcouldheartheheavythrobbingofthehumiliatedpoet\'sheart.ItwasnopartofCamusot\'splansthatCoralieshouldsufferacheck.Helistened,smilingtohimselfoverthesignaturesonthebills(for,asajudgeattheTribunalofCommerce,heknewhowthebooksellersstood),butintheendhegaveLucienfourthousandfivehundredfrancsforthem,stipulatingthatheshouldaddtheformula\"Forvaluereceivedinsilks.\"
LucienwentstraighttoBraulard,andmadearrangementsforagoodreception.Braulardpromisedtocometothedress-rehearsal,todetermineonthepointswherehis\"Romans\"shouldworktheirfleshyclapperstobringdownthehouseinapplause.LuciengavetherestofthemoneytoCoralie(hedidnottellherhowhehadcomebyit),andallayedheranxietiesandthefearsofBerenice,whowassorelytroubledovertheirdailyexpenses.
MartainvillecameseveraltimestohearCoralierehearse,andheknewmoreofthestagethanmostmenofhistime;severalRoyalistwritershadpromisedfavorablearticles;Lucienhadnotasuspicionoftheimpendingdisaster.
AfataleventoccurredontheeveningbeforeCoralie\'sdebut.
D\'Arthez\'sbookhadappeared;andtheeditorofMerlin\'spaper,consideringLucientobethebestqualifiedmanonthestaff,gavehimthebooktoreview.HeowedhisunluckyreputationtothosearticlesonNathan\'swork.Therewereseveralmenintheofficeatthetime,forallthestaffhadbeensummoned;MartainvillewasexplainingthatthepartywarfarewiththeLiberalsmustbewagedoncertainlines.
Nathan,Merlin,allthecontributors,infact,weretalkingofLeonGiraud\'spaper,andremarkingthatitsinfluencewasthemoreperniciousbecausethelanguagewasguarded,cool,moderate.PeoplewerebeginningtospeakofthecircleintheRuedesQuatre-VentsasasecondConvention.IthadbeendecidedthattheRoyalistpapersweretowageasystematicwarofexterminationagainstthesedangerousopponents,who,indeed,atalaterday,weredestinedtosowthedoctrinesthatdrovetheBourbonsintoexile;butthatwasonlyafterthemostbrilliantofRoyalistwritershadjoinedthemforthesakeofameanrevenge.
D\'Arthez\'sabsolutistopinionswerenotknown;itwastakenforgrantedthathesharedtheviewsofhisclique,hefellunderthesameanathema,andhewastobethefirstvictim.Hisbookwastobehonoredwith\"aslashingarticle,\"tousetheconsecratedformula.
Lucienrefusedtowritethearticle.GreatwasthecommotionamongtheleadingRoyalistwritersthusmetinconclave.Lucienwastoldplainlythatarenegadecouldnotdoashepleased;ifitdidnotsuithisviewstotakethesideoftheMonarchyandReligion,hecouldgobacktotheothercamp.MerlinandMartainvilletookhimasideandbeggedhim,ashisfriends,torememberthathewouldsimplyhandCoralieovertothetendermerciesoftheLiberalpapers,forshewouldfindnochampionsontheRoyalistandMinisterialside.Heractingwascertaintoprovokeahotbattle,andthekindofdiscussionwhicheveryactresslongstoarouse.
\"Youdon\'tunderstanditintheleast,\"saidMartainville;\"ifsheplaysforthreemonthsamidacross-fireofcriticism,shewillmakethirtythousandfrancswhenshegoesontourintheprovincesattheendoftheseason;andhereareyouabouttosacrificeCoralieandyourownfuture,andtoquarrelwithyourownbreadandbutter,allforascruplethatwillalwaysstandinyourway,andoughttobegotridofatonce.\"
Lucienwasforcedtochoosebetweend\'ArthezandCoralie.Hismistresswouldberuinedunlesshedealthisfriendadeath-blowintheReveilandthegreatnewspaper.Poorpoet!Hewenthomewithdeathinhissoul;andbythefiresidehesatandreadthatfinestproductionofmodernliterature.Tearsfellfastoveritasthepagesturned.Foralongwhilehehesitated,butatlasthetookupthepenandwroteasarcasticarticleofthekindthatheunderstoodsowell,takingthebookaschildrenmighttakesomebrightbirdtostripitofitsplumageandtortureit.Hissardonicjestsweresuretotell.Againheturnedtothebook,andashereaditoverasecondtime,hisbetterselfawoke.InthedeadofnighthehurriedacrossParis,andstoodoutsided\'Arthez\'shouse.Helookedupatthewindowsandsawthefaintpuregleamoflightinthepanes,ashehadsooftenseenit,withafeelingofadmirationforthenoblesteadfastnessofthattrulygreatnature.Forsomemomentshestoodirresoluteonthecurbstone;
hehadnotcouragetogofurther;buthisgoodangelurgedhimon.Hetappedatthedoorandopened,andfoundd\'Arthezsittingreadinginafirelessroom.
\"Whathashappened?\"askedd\'Arthez,fornewsofsomedreadfulkindwasvisibleinLucien\'sghastlyface.
\"Yourbookissublime,d\'Arthez,\"saidLucien,withtearsinhiseyes,\"andtheyhaveorderedmetowriteanattackuponit.\"
\"Poorboy!thebreadthattheygiveyouishardindeed!\"saidd\'Arthez\"Ionlyaskforonefavor,keepmyvisitasecretandleavemetomyhell,totheoccupationsofthedamned.Perhapsitisimpossibletoattaintosuccessuntiltheheartissearedandcallousineverymostsensitivespot.\"
\"Thesameasever!\"criedd\'Arthez.
\"Doyouthinkmeabasepoltroon?No,d\'Arthez;no,Iamaboyhalfcrazedwithlove,\"andhetoldhisstory.
\"Letuslookatthearticle,\"saidd\'Arthez,touchedbyallthatLuciensaidofCoralie.
Lucienheldoutthemanuscript;d\'Arthezread,andcouldnothelpsmiling.
\"Oh,whatafatalwasteofintellect!\"hebegan.ButatthesightofLucienovercomewithgriefintheoppositearmchair,hecheckedhimself.
\"Willyouleaveitwithmetocorrect?Iwillletyouhaveitagainto-morrow,\"hewenton.\"Flippancydepreciatesawork;seriousandconscientiouscriticismissometimespraiseinitself.Iknowawaytomakeyourarticlemorehonorablebothforyourselfandforme.
Besides,Iknowmyfaultswellenough.\"
\"Whenyouclimbahot,shadowlesshillside,yousometimesfindfruittoquenchyourtorturingthirst;andIhavefoundithereandnow,\"
saidLucien,ashesprangsobbingtod\'Arthez\'sarmsandkissedhisfriendontheforehead.\"ItseemstomethatIamleavingmyconscienceinyourkeeping;somedayIwillcometoyouandaskforitagain.\"
\"Ilookuponaperiodicalrepentanceasgreathypocrisy,\"d\'Arthezsaidsolemnly;\"repentancebecomesasortofindemnityforwrongdoing.
Repentanceisvirginityofthesoul,whichwemustkeepforGod;amanwhorepentstwiceisahorriblesycophant.Iamafraidthatyouregardrepentanceasabsolution.\"
LucienwentslowlybacktotheRuedelaLune,strickendumbbythosewords.
Nextmorningd\'Arthezsentbackhisarticle,recastthroughout,andLuciensentitintothereview;butfromthatdaymelancholypreyeduponhim,andhecouldnotalwaysdisguisehismood.Thatevening,whenthetheatrewasfull,heexperiencedforthefirsttimetheparoxysmofnervousterrorcausedbyadebut;terroraggravatedinhiscasebyallthestrengthofhislove.Vanityofeverykindwasinvolved.Helookedovertherowsoffacesasacriminaleyesthejudgesandthejuryonwhomhislifedepends.Amurmurwouldhavesethimquivering;anyslightincidentuponthestage,Coralie\'sexitsandentrances,theslightestmodulationofthetonesofhervoice,wouldperturbhimbeyondallreason.
TheplayinwhichCoraliemadeherfirstappearanceattheGymnasewasapieceofthekindwhichsometimesfallsflatatfirst,andafterwardshasimmensesuccess.Itfellflatthatnight.Coraliewasnotapplaudedwhenshecameon,andthechillyreceptionreacteduponher.TheonlyapplausecamefromCamusot\'sbox,andvariouspersonspostedinthebalconyandgalleriessilencedCamusotwithrepeatedcriesof\"Hush!\"Thegalleriesevensilencedtheclaqueurswhentheyledoffwithexaggeratedsalvos.Martainvilleapplaudedbravely;
Nathan,Merlin,andthetreacherousFlorinefollowedhisexample;butitwasclearthatthepiecewasafailure.AcrowdgatheredinCoralie\'sdressing-roomandconsoledher,tillshehadnocourageleft.Shewenthomeindespair,lessforherownsakethanforLucien\'s.
\"Braulardhasbetrayedus,\"Luciensaid.
Coraliewasheartstricken.Thenextdayfoundherinahighfever,utterlyunfittoplay,facetofacewiththethoughtthatshehadbeencutshortinhercareer.Lucienhidthepapersfromher,andlookedthemoverinthedining-room.ThereviewersoneandallattributedthefailureofthepiecetoCoralie;shehadoverestimatedherstrength;
shemightbethedelightofaboulevardaudience,butshewasoutofherelementattheGymnase;shehadbeeninspiredbyalaudableambition,butshehadnottakenherpowersintoaccount;shehadchosenaparttowhichshewasquiteunequal.Lucienreadonthroughapileofpenny-a-lining,puttogetheronthesamesystemashisattackuponNathan.MiloofCrotona,whenhefoundhishandsfastintheoakwhichhehimselfhadcleft,wasnotmorefuriousthanLucien.Hegrewhaggardwithrage.HisfriendsgaveCoraliethemosttreacherousadvice,inthelanguageofkindlycounselandfriendlyinterest.Sheshouldplay(accordingtotheseauthorities)allkindofroles,whichthetreacherouswritersoftheseunblushingfeuilletonsknewtobeutterlyunsuitedtohergenius.AndtheseweretheRoyalistpapers,ledoffbyNathan.AsfortheLiberalpress,alltheweaponswhichLucienhadusedwerenowturnedagainsthim.
Coralieheardasob,followedbyanotherandanother.ShesprangoutofbedtofindLucien,andsawthepapers.Nothingwouldsatisfyherbutshemustreadthemall;andwhenshehadreadthem,shewentbacktobed,andlaythereinsilence.
Florinewasintheplot;shehadforeseentheoutcome;shehadstudiedCoralie\'spart,andwasreadytotakeherplace.Themanagement,unwillingtogiveupthepiece,wasreadytotakeFlorineinCoralie\'sstead.Whenthemanagercame,hefoundpoorCoraliesobbingandexhaustedonherbed;butwhenhebegantosay,inLucien\'spresence,thatFlorineknewthepart,andthattheplaymustbegiventhatevening,Coraliesprangupatonce.
\"Iwillplay!\"shecried,andsankfaintingonthefloor.
SoFlorinetookthepart,andmadeherreputationinit;forthepiecesucceeded,thenewspapersallsangherpraises,andfromthattimeforthFlorinewasthegreatactresswhomweallknow.Florine\'ssuccessexasperatedLucientothehighestdegree.
\"Awretchedgirl,whomyouhelpedtoearnherbread!IftheGymnasepreferstodoso,letthemanagementpayyoutocancelyourengagement.IshallbetheComtedeRubempre;Iwillmakemyfortune,andyoushallbemywife.\"
\"Whatnonsense!\"saidCoralie,lookingathimwithwaneyes.
\"Nonsense!\"repeatedhe.\"Verywell,waitafewdays,andyoushallliveinafinehouse,youshallhaveacarriage,andIwillwriteapartforyou!\"
HetooktwothousandfrancsandhurriedtoFrascati\'s.ForsevenhourstheunhappyvictimoftheFurieswatchedhisvaryingluck,andoutwardlyseemedcoolandself-contained.Heexperiencedbothextremesoffortuneduringthatdayandpartofthenightthatfollowed;atonetimehepossessedasmuchasthirtythousandfrancs,andhecameoutatlastwithoutasou.IntheRuedelaLunehefoundFinotwaitingforhimwitharequestforoneofhisshortarticles.Luciensofarforgothimself,thathecomplained.
\"Oh,itisnotallrosy,\"returnedFinot.\"Youmadeyourright-about-
faceinsuchawaythatyouwereboundtolosethesupportoftheLiberalpress,andtheLiberalsarefarstrongerinprintthanalltheMinisterialistandRoyalistpapersputtogether.Amanshouldneverleaveonecampforanotheruntilhehasmadeacomfortableberthforhimself,bywayofconsolationforthelossesthathemustexpect;andinanycase,aprudentpoliticianwillseehisfriendsfirst,andgivethemhisreasonsforgoingover,andtaketheiropinions.Youcanstillacttogether;theysympathizewithyou,andyouagreetogivemutualhelp.NathanandMerlindidthatbeforetheywentover.Hawksdon\'tpikeouthawks\'eyes.Youwereasinnocentasalamb;youwillbeforcedtoshowyourteethtoyournewpartytomakeanythingoutofthem.YouhavebeennecessarilysacrificedtoNathan.Icannotconcealfromyouthatyourarticleond\'Arthezhasrousedaterrifichubbub.
Maratisasaintcomparedwithyou.Youwillbeattacked,andyourbookwillbeafailure.Howfarhavethingsgonewithyourromance?\"
\"Thesearethelastproofsheets.\"
\"Alltheanonymousarticlesagainstthatyoungd\'ArthezintheMinisterialistandUltrapapersaresetdowntoyou.TheReveilispokingfunatthesetintheRuedesQuatre-Vents,andthehitsarethemoretellingbecausetheyarefunny.ThereisawholeseriouspoliticalcoterieatthebackofLeonGiraud\'spaper;theywillcomeintopowertoo,soonerorlater.\"
