\"IhavenotwrittenalineintheReveilthisweekpast.\"
\"Verywell.Keepmyshortarticlesinmind.Writefiftyofthemstraightoff,andIwillpayyoufortheminalump;buttheymustbeofthesamecolorasthepaper.\"AndFinot,withseemingcarelessness,gaveLucienanedifyinganecdoteoftheKeeperoftheSeals,apieceofcurrentgossip,hesaid,forthesubjectofoneofthepapers.
Eagertoretrievehislossesatplay,Lucienshookoffhisdejection,summoneduphisenergyandyouthfulforce,andwrotethirtyarticlesoftwocolumnseach.Thesefinished,hewenttoDauriat\'s,partlybecausehefeltsureofmeetingFinotthere,andhewishedtogivethearticlestoFinotinperson;partlybecausehewishedforanexplanationofthenon-appearanceoftheMarguerites.Hefoundthebookseller\'sshopfullofhisenemies.Allthetalkimmediatelyceasedasheentered.Putunderthebanofjournalism,hiscouragerose,andoncemorehesaidtohimself,ashehadsaidinthealleyattheLuxembourg,\"Iwilltriumph.\"
Dauriatwasneitheramiableorinclinedtopatronize;hewassarcasticintone,anddeterminednottobateaninchofhisrights.TheMargueritesshouldappearwhenitsuitedhispurpose;heshouldwaituntilLucienwasinapositiontosecurethesuccessofthebook;itwashis,hehadboughtitoutright.WhenLucienassertedthatDauriatwasboundtopublishtheMargueritesbytheverynatureofthecontract,andtherelativepositionsofthepartiestotheagreement,Dauriatflatlycontradictedhim,saidthatnopublishercouldbecompelledbylawtopublishataloss,andthathehimselfwasthebestjudgeoftheexpediencyofproducingthebook.Therewas,besides,aremedyopentoLucien,asanycourtoflawwouldadmit——thepoetwasquitewelcometotakehisversestoaRoyalistpublisherupontherepaymentofthethousandcrowns.
Lucienwentaway.Dauriat\'smoderatetonehadexasperatedhimevenmorethanhispreviousarroganceattheirfirstinterview.SotheMargueriteswouldnotappearuntilLucienhadfoundahostofformidablesupporters,orgrownformidablehimself!Hewalkedhomeslowly,sooppressedandoutofheartthathefeltreadyforsuicide.
Coralielayinbed,lookingwhiteandill.
\"Shemusthaveapart,orshewilldie,\"saidBerenice,asLuciendressedforagreateveningpartyatMlle.desTouches\'houseintheRueduMontBlanc.DesLupeaulxandVignonandBlondetweretobethere,aswellasMme.d\'EspardandMme.deBargeton.
ThepartywasgiveninhonorofConti,thegreatcomposer,ownerlikewiseofoneofthemostfamousvoicesoffthestage,Cinti,Pasta,Garcia,Levasseur,andtwoorthreecelebratedamateursinsocietynotexcepted.LuciensawtheMarquise,hercousin,andMme.deMontcornetsittingtogether,andmadeoneoftheparty.Theunhappyyoungfellowtoallappearanceswaslight-hearted,happy,andcontent;hejested,hewastheLuciendeRubempreofhisdaysofsplendor,hewouldnotseemtoneedhelpfromanyone.HedweltonhisservicestotheRoyalistparty,andcitedthehueandcryraisedafterhimbytheLiberalpressasaproofofhiszeal.
\"Andyouwillbewellrewarded,myfriend,\"saidMme.deBargeton,withagracioussmile.\"GototheChancelleriethedayafterto-morrowwith\'theHeron\'anddesLupeaulx,andyouwillfindyourpatentsignedbyHisMajesty.TheKeeperoftheSealswilltakeitto-morrowtotheTuileries,butthereistobeameetingoftheCouncil,andhewillnotcomebacktilllate.Still,ifIheartheresultto-morrowevening,Iwillletyouknow.Whereareyouliving?\"
\"Iwillcometoyou,\"saidLucien,ashamedtoconfessthathewaslivingintheRuedelaLune.
\"TheDucdeLenoncourtandtheDucdeNavarreinshavemadementionofyoutotheKing,\"addedtheMarquise;\"theypraisedyourabsoluteandentiredevotion,andsaidthatsomedistinctionoughttoavengeyourtreatmentintheLiberalpress.ThenameandtitleofRubempre,towhichyouhaveaclaimthroughyourmother,wouldbecomeillustriousthroughyou,theysaid.TheKinggavehislordshipinstructionsthateveningtoprepareapatentauthorizingtheSieurLucienChardontobearthearmsandtitleoftheComtesdeRubempre,asgrandsonofthelastCountbythemother\'sside.\'Letusfavorthesongsters\'
(chardonnerets)\'ofPindus,\'saidhisMajesty,afterreadingyoursonnetontheLily,whichmycousinluckilyrememberedtogivetheDuke——\'EspeciallywhentheKingcanworkmiracles,andchangethesong-birdintoaneagle,\'M.deNavarreinsreplied.\"
Lucien\'sexpansionoffeelingwouldhavesoftenedtheheartofanywomanlessdeeplywoundedthanLouised\'EsparddeNegrepelisse;butherthirstforvengeancewasonlyincreasedbyLucien\'sgraciousness.
DesLupeaulxwasright;Lucienwaswantingintact.ItnevercrossedhismindthatthishistoryofthepatentwasoneofthemystificationsatwhichMme.d\'Espardwasanadept.EmboldenedwithsuccessandtheflatteringdistinctionshowntohimbyMlle.desTouches,hestayedtilltwoo\'clockinthemorningforawordinprivatewithhishostess.LucienhadlearnedinRoyalistnewspaperofficesthatMlle.
desToucheswastheauthorofaplayinwhichLapetiteFay,themarvelofthemomentwasabouttoappear.Astheroomsemptied,hedrewMlle.desTouchestoasofaintheboudoir,andtoldthestoryofCoralie\'smisfortuneandhisownsotouchingly,thatMlle.desTouchespromisedtogivetheheroine\'sparttohisfriend.
ThatpromiseputnewlifeintoCoralie.Butthenextday,astheybreakfastedtogether,LucienopenedLousteau\'snewspaper,andfoundthatunluckyanecdoteoftheKeeperoftheSealsandhiswife.Thestorywasfulloftheblackestmalicelurkinginthemostcausticwit.
LouisXVIII.wasbroughtintothestoryinamasterlyfashion,andhelduptoridiculeinsuchawaythatprosecutionwasimpossible.
HereisthesubstanceofafictionforwhichtheLiberalpartyattemptedtowincredence,thoughtheyonlysucceededinaddingonemoretothetaleoftheiringeniouscalumnies.
TheKing\'spassionforpink-scentednotesandacorrespondencefullofmadrigalsandsparklingwitwasdeclaredtobethelastphaseofthetenderpassion;lovehadreachedtheDoctrinairestage;orhadpassed,inotherwords,fromtheconcretetotheabstract.Theillustriouslady,socruellyridiculedunderthenameofOctaviebyBeranger,hadconceived(soitwassaid)thegravestfears.Thecorrespondencewaslanguishing.ThemoreOctaviedisplayedherwit,thecoolergrewtheroyallover.AtlastOctaviediscoveredthecauseofherdecline;herpowerwasthreatenedbythenoveltyandpiquancyofacorrespondencebetweentheaugustscribeandthewifeofhisKeeperoftheSeals.
Thatexcellentwomanwasbelievedtobeincapableofwritinganote;
shewassimplyandsolelygodmothertotheeffortsofaudaciousambition.Whocouldbehiddenbehindherpetticoats?Octaviedecided,aftermakingobservationsofherown,thattheKingwascorrespondingwithhisMinister.
Shelaidherplans.Withthehelpofafaithfulfriend,shearrangedthatastormydebateshoulddetaintheMinisterattheChamber;thenshecontrivedtosecureatete-a-tete,andtoconvinceoutragedMajestyofthefraud.LouisXVIII.flewintoaroyalandtrulyBourbonpassion,butthetempestbrokeonOctavie\'shead.Hewouldnotbelieveher.Octavieofferedimmediateproof,beggingtheKingtowriteanotewhichmustbeansweredatonce.TheunluckywifeoftheKeeperoftheSealssenttotheChamberforherhusband;butprecautionshadbeentaken,andatthatmomenttheMinisterwasonhislegsaddressingtheChamber.Theladyrackedherbrainsandrepliedtothenotewithsuchintellectasshecouldimprovise.
\"YourChancellorwillsupplytherest,\"criedOctavie,laughingattheKing\'schagrin.
Therewasnotawordoftruthinthestory;butitstruckhometothreepersons——theKeeperoftheSeals,hiswife,andtheKing.ItwassaidthatdesLupeaulxhadinventedthetale,butFinotalwayskepthiscounsel.Thearticlewascausticandclever,theLiberalpapersandtheOrleanistsweredelightedwithit,andLucienhimselflaughed,andthoughtofitmerelyasaveryamusingcanard.
HecallednextdayfordesLupeaulxandtheBaronduChatelet.TheBaronhadjustbeentothankhislordship.TheSieurChatelet,newlyappointedCouncillorExtraordinary,wasnowComteduChatelet,withapromiseoftheprefectureoftheCharentesosoonasthepresentprefectshouldhavecompletedthetermofofficenecessarytoreceivethemaximumretiringpension.TheComteDUChatelet(fortheDUhadbeeninsertedinthepatent)drovewithLucientotheChancellerie,andtreatedhiscompanionasanequal.ButforLucien\'sarticles,hesaid,hispatentwouldnothavebeengrantedsosoon;Liberalpersecutionhadbeenastepping-stonetoadvancement.DesLupeaulxwaswaitingforthemintheSecretary-General\'soffice.ThatfunctionarystartedwithsurprisewhenLucienappearedandlookedatdesLupeaulx.
\"What!\"heexclaimed,toLucien\'sutterbewilderment.\"Doyoudaretocomehere,sir?Yourpatentwasmadeout,buthislordshiphastornitup.Hereitis!\"(theSecretary-Generalcaughtupthefirsttornsheetthatcametohand).\"TheMinisterwishedtodiscovertheauthorofyesterday\'satrociousarticle,andhereisthemanuscript,\"addedthespeaker,holdingoutthesheetsofLucien\'sarticle.\"YoucallyourselfaRoyalist,sir,andyouareonthestaffofthatdetestablepaperwhichturnstheMinister\'shairgray,harassestheCentre,andisdraggingthecountryheadlongtoruin?YoubreakfastontheCorsaire,theMiroir,theConstitutionnel,andtheCourier;youdineontheQuotidienneandtheReveil,andthensupwithMartainville,theworstenemyoftheGovernment!MartainvilleurgestheGovernmentontoAbsolutistmeasures;heismorelikelytobringonanotherRevolutionthanifhehadgoneovertotheextremeLeft.Youareaverycleverjournalist,butyouwillnevermakeapolitician.TheMinisterdenouncedyoutotheKing,andtheKingwassoangrythathescoldedM.leDucdeNavarreins,hisFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber.Yourenemieswillbeallthemoreformidablebecausetheyhavehithertobeenyourfriends.Conductthatoneexpectsfromanenemyisatrociousinafriend.\"
\"Why,really,mydearfellow,areyouachild?\"saiddesLupeaulx.
\"Youhavecompromisedme.Mme.d\'Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andMme.deMontcornet,whowereresponsibleforyou,mustbefurious.TheDukeissuretohavehandedonhisannoyancetotheMarquise,andtheMarquisewillhavescoldedhercousin.Keepawayfromthemandwait.\"
\"Herecomeshislordship——go!\"saidtheSecretary-General.
LucienwentoutintothePlaceVendome;hewasstunnedbythisbludgeonblow.HewalkedhomealongtheBoulevardstryingtothinkoverhisposition.Hesawhimselfaplaythinginthehandsofenvy,treachery,andgreed.Whatwasheinthisworldofcontendingambitions?Achildsacrificingeverythingtothepursuitofpleasureandthegratificationofvanity;apoetwhosethoughtsneverwentbeyondthemoment,amothflittingfromonebrightgleamingobjecttoanother.Hehadnodefiniteaim;hewastheslaveofcircumstance——
meaningwell,doingill.Consciencetorturedhimremorselessly.Andtocrownitall,hewaspennilessandexhaustedwithworkandemotion.
HisarticlescouldnotcomparewithMerlin\'sorNathan\'swork.
Hewalkedatrandom,absorbedinthesethoughts.Ashepassedsomeofthereading-roomswhichwerealreadylendingbooksaswellasnewspapers,aplacardcaughthiseyes.Itwasanadvertisementofabookwithagrotesquetitle,butbeneaththeannouncementhesawhisnameinbrilliantletters——\"ByLucienChardondeRubempre.\"Sohisbookhadcomeout,andhehadheardnothingofit!Allthenewspapersweresilent.Hestoodmotionlessbeforetheplacard,hisarmshangingathissides.Hedidnotnoticealittleknotofacquaintances——
RastignacanddeMarsayandsomeotherfashionableyoungmen;nordidheseethatMichelChrestienandLeonGiraudwerecomingtowardshim.
\"AreyouM.Chardon?\"ItwasMichelwhospoke,andtherewasthatinthesoundofhisvoicethatsetLucien\'sheartstringsvibrating.
\"Doyounotknowme?\"heasked,turningverypale.
Michelspatinhisface.
\"Takethatasyourwagesforyourarticleagainstd\'Arthez.IfeverybodywoulddoasIdoonhisownorhisfriend\'sbehalf,thepresswouldbeasitoughttobe——aself-respectingandrespectedpriesthood.\"
LucienstaggeredbackandcaughtholdofRastignac.
\"Gentlemen,\"hesaid,addressingRastignacanddeMarsay,\"youwillnotrefusetoactasmyseconds.Butfirst,Iwishtomakemattersevenandapologyimpossible.\"
HestruckMichelasudden,unexpectedblowintheface.TherestrushedinbetweentheRepublicanandRoyalist,topreventastreetbrawl.RastignacdraggedLucienofftotheRueTaitbout,onlyafewstepsawayfromtheBoulevarddeGand,wherethisscenetookplace.Itwasthehourofdinner,oracrowdwouldhaveassembledatonce.DeMarsaycametofindLucien,andthepairinsistedthatheshoulddinewiththemattheCafeAnglais,wheretheydrankandmademerry.
\"Areyouagoodswordsman?\"inquireddeMarsay.
\"Ihaveneverhadafoilinmyhands.\"
\"Agoodshot?\"
\"Neverfiredapistolinmylife.\"
\"Thenyouhaveluckonyourside.Youareaformidableantagonisttostandupto;youmaykillyourman,\"saiddeMarsay.
Fortunately,LucienfoundCoralieinbedandasleep.
Shehadplayedwithoutrehearsalinaone-actplay,andtakenherrevenge.Shehadmetwithgenuineapplause.Herenemieshadnotbeenpreparedforthissteponherpart,andhersuccesshaddeterminedthemanagertogivehertheheroine\'spartinCamilleMaupin\'splay.Hehaddiscoveredthecauseofherapparentfailure,andwasindignantwithFlorineandNathan.Coralieshouldhavetheprotectionofthemanagement.
Atfiveo\'clockthatmorning,RastignaccameforLucien.
\"Thenameofyourstreetmydearfellow,isparticularlyappropriateforyourlodgings;youareupinthesky,\"hesaid,bywayofgreeting.\"LetusbefirstuponthegroundontheroadtoClignancourt;itisgoodform,andweoughttosetthemanexample.\"
\"Hereistheprogramme,\"saiddeMarsay,asthecabrattledthroughtheFaubourgSaint-Denis:\"Youstandupattwenty-fivepaces,comingnearer,tillyouareonlyfifteenapart.Youhave,eachofyou,fivepacestotakeandthreeshotstofire——nomore.Whateverhappens,thatmustbetheendofit.Weloadforyourantagonist,andhissecondsloadforyou.Theweaponswerechosenbythefoursecondsatagunmaker\'s.Wehelpedyoutoachance,Iwillpromiseyou;horsepistolsaretobetheweapons.\"
ForLucien,lifehadbecomeabaddream.Hedidnotcarewhetherhelivedordied.Thecourageofsuicidehelpedhiminsomesorttocarrythingsoffwithadashofbravadobeforethespectators.Hestoodinhisplace;hewouldnottakeastep,apieceofrecklessnesswhichtheotherstookfordeliberatecalculation.Theythoughtthepoetanuncommonlycoolhand.MichelChrestiencameasfarashislimit;bothfiredtwiceandatthesametime,foreitherpartywasconsideredtobeequallyinsulted.Michel\'sfirstbulletgrazedLucien\'schin;
Lucien\'spassedtenfeetaboveChrestien\'shead.ThesecondshothitLucien\'scoatcollar,butthebuckramliningfortunatelysaveditswearer.Thethirdbulletstruckhiminthechest,andhedropped.
\"Ishedead?\"askedMichelChrestien.
\"No,\"saidthesurgeon,\"hewillpullthrough.\"
\"Somuchtheworse,\"answeredMichel.
\"Yes;somuchtheworse,\"saidLucien,ashistearsfellfast.
Bynoontheunhappyboylayinbedinhisownroom.Withuntoldpainstheyhadmanagedtoremovehim,butithadtakenfivehourstobringhimtotheRuedelaLune.Hisconditionwasnotdangerous,butprecautionswerenecessarylestfevershouldsetinandbringabouttroublesomecomplications.Coraliechokeddownhergriefandanguish.
Shesatupwithhimatnightthroughtheanxiousweeksofhisillness,studyingherpartsbyhisbedside.Lucienwasindangerfortwolongmonths;andoftenatthetheatreCoralieactedherfrivolousrolewithonethoughtinherheart,\"Perhapsheisdyingatthismoment.\"
Lucienowedhislifetotheskillanddevotionofafriendwhomhehadgrievouslyhurt.Bianchonhadcometotendhimafterhearingthestoryoftheattackfromd\'Arthez,whotolditinconfidence,andexcusedtheunhappypoet.Bianchonsuspectedthatd\'Arthezwasgenerouslytryingtoscreentherenegade;butonquestioningLucienduringalucidintervalinthedangerousnervousfever,helearnedthathispatientwasonlyresponsiblefortheoneseriousarticleinHectorMerlin\'spaper.
Beforethefirstmonthwasout,thefirmofFendantandCavalierfiledtheirschedule.BianchontoldCoraliethatLucienmustonnoaccounthearthenews.ThefamousArcherofCharlesIX.,broughtoutwithanabsurdtitle,hadbeenacompletefailure.Fendant,beinganxioustorealizealittlereadymoneybeforegoingintobankruptcy,hadsoldthewholeedition(withoutCavalier\'sknowledge)todealersinprintedpaper.These,intheirturn,haddisposedofitatacheapratetohawkers,andLucien\'sbookatthatmomentwasadorningthebookstallsalongtheQuays.ThebooksellersontheQuaidesAugustins,whohadpreviouslytakenaquantityofcopies,nowdiscoveredthatafterthissuddenreductionofthepricetheywereliketoloseheavilyontheirpurchases;thefourduodecimovolumes,forwhichtheyhadpaidfourfrancsfiftycentimes,werebeinggivenawayforfiftysous.Greatwastheoutcryinthetrade;butthenewspaperspreservedaprofoundsilence.Barbethadnotforeseenthis\"clearance;\"hehadabeliefinLucien\'sabilities;foroncehehadbrokenhisruleandtakentwohundredcopies.Theprospectofalossdrovehimfrantic;thethingshesaidofLucienwerefearfultohear.ThenBarbettookaheroicresolution.Hestockedhiscopiesinacornerofhisshop,withtheobstinacyofgreed,andlefthiscompetitorstoselltheirwaresataloss.Twoyearsafterwards,whend\'Arthez\'sfinepreface,themeritsofthebook,andoneortwoarticlesbyLeonGiraudhadraisedthevalueofthebook,Barbetsoldhiscopies,onebyone,attenfrancseach.
Lucienknewnothingofallthis,butBereniceandCoraliecouldnotrefusetoallowHectorMerlintoseehisdyingcomrade,andHectorMerlinmadehimdrink,dropbydrop,thewholeofthebitterdraughtbrewedbythefailureofFendantandCavalier,madebankruptsbyhisfirstill-fatedbook.Martainville,theonefriendwhostoodbyLucienthroughthickandthin,hadwrittenamagnificentarticleonhiswork;
butsogreatwasthegeneralexasperationagainsttheeditorofL\'Aristarque,L\'Oriflamme,andLeDrapeauBlanc,thathischampionshiponlyinjuredLucien.InvaindidtheathletereturntheLiberalinsultstenfold,notanewspapertookupthechallengeinspiteofallhisattacks.
Coralie,Berenice,andBianchonmightshutthedooronLucien\'sso-
calledfriends,whoraisedagreatoutcry,butitwasimpossibletokeepoutcreditorsandwrits.AfterthefailureofFendantandCavalier,theirbillsweretakenintobankruptcyaccordingtothatprovisionoftheCodeofCommercemostinimicaltotheclaimsofthirdparties,whointhiswaylosethebenefitofdelay.
LuciendiscoveredthatCamusotwasproceedingagainsthimwithgreatenergy.WhenCoralieheardthename,andforthefirsttimelearnedthedreadfulandhumiliatingstepwhichherpoethadtakenforhersake,theangeliccreaturelovedhimtentimesmorethanbefore,andwouldnotapproachCamusot.Thebailiffbringingthewarrantofarrestshrankbackfromtheideaofdragginghisprisoneroutofbed,andwentbacktoCamusotbeforeapplyingtothePresidentoftheTribunalofCommerceforanordertoremovethedebtortoaprivatehospital.
CamusothurriedatoncetotheRuedelaLune,andCoraliewentdowntohim.
Whenshecameupagainsheheldthewarrants,inwhichLucienwasdescribedasatradesman,inherhand.HowhadsheobtainedthosepapersfromCamusot?Whatpromisehadshegiven?Coraliekeptasad,gloomysilence,butwhenshereturnedshelookedasifallthelifehadgoneoutofher.SheplayedinCamilleMaupin\'splay,andcontributednotalittletothesuccessofthatillustriousliteraryhermaphrodite;butthecreationofthischaracterwasthelastflickerofabright,dyinglamp.Onthetwentiethnight,whenLucienhadsofarrecoveredthathehadregainedhisappetiteandcouldwalkabroad,andtalkedofgettingtoworkagain,Coraliebrokedown;asecrettroublewasweighinguponher.BerenicealwaysbelievedthatshehadpromisedtogobacktoCamusottosaveLucien.
Anothermortificationfollowed.CoraliewasobligedtoseeherpartgiventoFlorine.NathanhadthreatenedtheGymnasewithwarifthemanagementrefusedtogivethevacantplacetoCoralie\'srival.
Coraliehadpersistedtillshecouldplaynolonger,knowingthatFlorinewaswaitingtostepintoherplace.Shehadovertaskedherstrength.TheGymnasehadadvancedsumsduringLucien\'sillness,shehadnomoneytodraw;Lucien,eagertoworkthoughhewas,wasnotyetstrongenoughtowrite,andhehelpedbesidestonurseCoralieandtorelieveBerenice.Frompovertytheyhadcometoutterdistress;butinBianchontheyfoundaskilfulanddevoteddoctor,whoobtainedcreditforthemofthedruggist.Thelandlordofthehouseandthetradespeopleknewbythistimehowmattersstood.Thefurniturewasattached.Thetailoranddressmakernolongerstoodinaweofthejournalist,andproceededtoextremes;andatlastnoone,withtheexceptionofthepork-butcherandthedruggist,gavethetwounluckychildrencredit.Foraweekormoreallthreeofthem——Lucien,Berenice,andtheinvalid——wereobligedtoliveonthevariousingeniouspreparationssoldbythepork-butcher;theinflammatorydietwaslittlesuitedtothesickgirl,andCoraliegrewworse.SheerwantcompelledLucientoaskLousteauforareturnoftheloanofathousandfrancslostatplaybythefriendwhohaddesertedhiminhishourofneed.Perhaps,amidallhistroubles,thisstepcosthimmostcruelsuffering.
LousteauwasnottobefoundintheRuedelaHarpe.Hunteddownlikeahare,hewaslodgingnowwiththisfriend,nowwiththat.LucienfoundhimatlastatFlicoteaux\'s;hewassittingattheverytableatwhichLucienhadfoundhimthateveningwhen,forhismisfortune,heforsookd\'Arthezforjournalism.Lousteauofferedhimdinner,andLucienacceptedtheoffer.
AstheycameoutofFlicoteaux\'swithClaudeVignon(whohappenedtobediningtherethatday)andthegreatmaninobscurity,whokepthiswardrobeatSamanon\'s,thefouramongthemcouldnotproduceenoughspecietopayforacupofcoffeeattheCafeVoltaire.TheyloungedabouttheLuxembourginthehopeofmeetingwithapublisher;and,asitfellout,theymetwithoneofthemostfamousprintersoftheday.
Lousteauborrowedfortyfrancsofhim,anddividedthemoneyintofourequalparts.
MiseryhadbroughtdownLucien\'sprideandextinguishedsentiment;heshedtearsashetoldthestoryofhistroubles,buteachoneofhiscomradeshadataleascruelashisown;andwhenthethreeversionshadbeengiven,itseemedtothepoetthathewastheleastunfortunateamongthefour.Allofthemcravedarespitefromremembranceandthoughtswhichmadetroubledoublyhardtobear.
LousteauhurriedtothePalaisRoyaltogamblewithhisremainingninefrancs.Thegreatmanunknowntofame,thoughhehadadivinemistress,mustneedshiehimtoalowhauntofvicetowallowinperilouspleasure.VignonbetookhimselftotheRocherdeCancaletodrownmemoryandthoughtinacoupleofbottlesofBordeaux;Lucienpartedcompanywithhimonthethreshold,decliningtosharethatsupper.Whenheshookhandswiththeonejournalistwhohadnotbeenhostiletohim,itwaswithacruelpanginhisheart.
\"WhatshallIdo?\"heaskedaloud.
\"Onemustdoasonecan,\"thegreatcriticsaid.\"Yourbookisgood,butitexcitedjealousy,andyourstrugglewillbehardandlong.
Geniusisacrueldisease.Everywritercarriesacankerinhisheart,adevouringmonster,likethetapeworminthestomach,whichdestroysallfeelingasitarisesinhim.Whichisthestronger?Themanorthedisease?Onehasneedbeagreatman,truly,tokeepthebalancebetweengeniusandcharacter.Thetalentgrows,theheartwithers.
Unlessamanisagiant,unlesshehasthethewsofaHercules,hemustbecontenteithertolosehisgiftortolivewithoutaheart.
Youareslenderandfragile,youwillgiveway,\"headded,asheturnedintotherestaurant.
Lucienreturnedhome,thinkingoverthatterribleverdict.HebeheldthelifeofliteraturebythelightoftheprofoundtruthsutteredbyVignon.
\"Money!money!\"avoicecriedinhisears.
Thenhedrewthreebillsofathousandfrancseach,duerespectivelyinone,two,andthreemonths,imitatingthehandwritingofhisbrother-in-law,DavidSechard,withadmirableskill.Heendorsedthebills,andtookthemnextmorningtoMetivier,thepaper-dealerintheRueSerpente,whomadenodifficultyabouttakingthem.Lucienwroteafewlinestogivehisbrother-in-lawnoticeofthisassaultuponhiscash-box,promising,asusualinsuchcases,tobereadytomeetthebillsastheyfelldue.
Whenalldebts,hisownandCoralie\'s,werepaid,heputthethreehundredfrancswhichremainedintoBerenice\'shands,biddinghertorefusehimmoneyifheaskedherforit.Hewasafraidofareturnofthegambler\'sfrenzy.Lucienworkedawaygloomilyinasortofcold,speechlessfury,puttingforthallhispowersintowittyarticles,writtenbythelightofthelampatCoralie\'sbedside.Wheneverhelookedupinsearchofideas,hiseyesfellonthatbelovedface,whiteasporcelain,fairwiththebeautythatbelongstothedying,andhesawasmileonherpalelips,andhereyes,grownbrightwithamoreconsumingpainthanphysicalsuffering,alwaysturnedonhisface.
Luciensentinhiswork,buthecouldnotleavethehousetoworryeditors,andhisarticlesdidnotappear.Whenheatlastmadeuphismindtogototheoffice,hemetwithacoolreceptionfromTheodoreGaillard,whohadadvancedhimmoney,andturnedhisliterarydiamondstogoodaccountafterwards.
\"Takecare,mydearfellow,youarefallingoff,\"hesaid.\"Youmustnotletyourselfdown,yourworkwantsinspiration!\"
\"ThatlittleLucienhaswrittenhimselfoutwithhisromanceandhisfirstarticles,\"criedFelicienVernou,Merlin,andthewholechorusofhisenemies,wheneverhisnamecameupatDauriat\'sortheVaudeville.\"Theworkheissendingusispitiable.\"
\"Tohavewrittenoneselfout\"(intheslangofjournalism),isaverdictveryhardtolivedown.Itpassedeverywherefrommouthtomouth,ruiningLucien,allunsuspiciousashewas.And,indeed,hisburdensweretooheavyforhisstrength.Inthemidstofaheavystrainofwork,hewassuedforthebillswhichhehaddrawninDavidSechard\'sname.HehadrecoursetoCamusot\'sexperience,andCoralie\'ssometimeadorerwasgenerousenoughtoassistthemansheloved.Theintolerablesituationlastedfortwowholemonths;thedaysbeingdiversifiedbystampedpapershandedovertoDesroches,afriendofBixiou,Blondet,anddesLupeaulx.
EarlyinAugust,BianchontoldthemthatCoralie\'sconditionwashopeless——shehadonlyafewdaystolive.ThosedayswerespentintearsbyBereniceandLucien;theycouldnothidetheirgrieffromthedyinggirl,andshewasbroken-heartedforLucien\'ssake.
SomestrangechangewasworkinginCoralie.ShewouldhaveLucienbringapriest;shemustbereconciledtotheChurchanddieinpeace.
CoraliediedasaChristian;herrepentancewassincere.HeragonyanddeathtookallenergyandheartoutofLucien.Hesankintoalowchairatthefootofthebed,andnevertookhiseyesoffhertillDeathbroughttheendofhersuffering.Itwasfiveo\'clockinthemorning.Somesinging-birdlightinguponaflower-potonthewindow-
sill,twitteredafewnotes.Berenice,kneelingbythebedside,wascoveringahandfastgrowingcoldwithkissesandtears.Onthechimney-piecetherelayelevensous.
Lucienwentout.DespairmadehimbegformoneytolayCoralieinhergrave.HehadwildthoughtsofflinginghimselfattheMarquised\'Espard\'sfeet,ofentreatingtheComteduChatelet,Mme.deBargeton,Mlle.desTouches,nay,thatterribledandyofadeMarsay.
Allhispridehadgonewithhisstrength.Hewouldhaveenlistedasacommonsoldieratthatmomentformoney.Hewalkedonwithaslouching,feverishgaitknowntoalltheunhappy,reachedCamilleMaupin\'shouse,entered,carelessofhisdisordereddress,andsentinamessage.HeentreatedMlle.desTouchestoseehimforamoment.
\"Mademoiselleonlywenttobedatthreeo\'clockthismorning,\"saidtheservant,\"andnoonewoulddaretodisturbheruntilsherings.\"
\"Whendoesshering?\"
\"Neverbeforeteno\'clock.\"
ThenLucienwroteoneofthoseharrowingappealsinwhichthewell-
dressedbeggarflingsallprideandself-respecttothewinds.Oneevening,notsoverylongago,whenLousteauhadtoldhimoftheabjectbeggingletterswhichFinotreceived,Lucienhadthoughtitimpossiblethatanycreaturewouldsinksolow;andnow,carriedawaybyhispen,hehadgonefurther,itmaybe,thanotherunluckywretchesuponthesameroad.Hedidnotsuspect,inhisfeverandimbecility,thathehadjustwrittenamasterpieceofpathos.OnhiswayhomealongtheBoulevards,hemetBarbet.
\"Barbet!\"hebegged,holdingouthishand.\"Fivehundredfrancs!\"
\"No.Twohundred,\"returnedtheother.
\"Ah!thenyouhaveaheart.\"
\"Yes;butIamamanofbusinessaswell.Ihavelostalotofmoneythroughyou,\"heconcluded,aftergivingthehistoryofthefailureofFendantandCavalier,\"willyouputmeinthewayofmakingsome?\"
Lucienquivered.
\"Youareapoet.Yououghttounderstandallkindsofpoetry,\"
continuedthelittlepublisher.\"Iwantafewrollickingsongsatthismomenttoputalongwithsomemorebydifferentauthors,ortheywillbedownuponmeoverthecopyright.Iwanttohaveagoodcollectiontosellonthestreetsattensous.Ifyoucaretoletmehavetengooddrinking-songsbyto-morrowmorning,orsomethingspicy,——youknowthesortofthing,eh!——Iwillpayyoutwohundredfrancs.\"
WhenLucienreturnedhome,hefoundCoraliestretchedoutstraightandstiffonapallet-bed;Berenice,withmanytears,hadwrappedherinacoarselinensheet,andputlightedcandlesatthefourcornersofthebed.Coralie\'sfacehadtakenthatstrange,delicatebeautyofdeathwhichsovividlyimpressesthelivingwiththeideaofabsolutecalm;
shelookedlikesomewhitegirlinadecline;itseemedasifthosepale,crimsonlipsmustopenandmurmurthenamewhichhadblendedwiththenameofGodinthelastwordsthatsheutteredbeforeshedied.
LucientoldBerenicetoorderafuneralwhichshouldnotcostmorethantwohundredfrancs,includingtheserviceattheshabbylittlechurchoftheBonne-Nouvelle.Assoonasshehadgoneout,hesatdowntoatable,andbesidethedeadbodyofhislovehecomposedtenrollickingsongstofitpopularairs.Theeffortcosthimuntoldanguish,butatlastthebrainbegantoworkatthebiddingofNecessity,asifsufferingwerenot;andalreadyLucienhadlearnedtoputClaudeVignon\'sterriblemaximsinpractice,andtoraiseabarrierbetweenheartandbrain.Whatanightthepoorboyspentoverthosedrinkingsongs,writingbythelightofthetallwaxcandleswhilethepriestrecitedtheprayersforthedead!
Morningbrokebeforethelastsongwasfinished.Lucientrieditovertoastreet-songoftheday,totheconsternationofBereniceandthepriest,whothoughtthathewasmad:——
Lads,\'tistediouswasteoftimeTominglesongandreason;
Follycallsforlaughingrhyme,Senseisoutofseason.
LetApollobeforgotWhenBacchusfillsthedrinking-cup;
Anycatchisgood,Iwot,Ifgoodfellowstakeitup.
Letphilosophersprotest,Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!
AsHippocrateshassaid,Everyjollyfellow,Whenacenturyhassped,Stillisfitandmellow.
NomorefollowingofalassWiththepalsyinyourlegs?——
Whileyourhandcanholdaglass,Youcandrainittothedregs,Withanundiminishedzest.
Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!
Whencewecomeweknowfullwell.
Whiterarewegoing?
Ne\'eraoneofuscantell,\'Tisathingpastknowing.
Faith!whatdoesitsignify,TakethegoodthatHeavensends;
Itiscertainthatwedie,Certainthatwelive,myfriends.
Lifeisnothingbutajest.
Letuslaugh,Andquaff,Andafigfortherest!
Hewasshoutingtherecklessrefrainwhend\'ArthezandBianchonarrived,tofindhiminaparoxysmofdespairandexhaustion,utterlyunabletomakeafaircopyofhisverses.Atorrentoftearsfollowed;
andwhen,amidhissobs,hehadtoldhisstory,hesawthetearsstandinginhisfriends\'eyes.
\"Thiswipesoutmanysins,\"saidd\'Arthez.
\"Happyaretheywhosufferfortheirsinsinthisworld,\"thepriestsaidsolemnly.
Atthesightofthefair,deadfacesmilingatEternity,whileCoralie\'sloverwrotetavern-catchestobuyagraveforher,andBarbetpaidforthecoffin——ofthefourcandleslightedaboutthedeadbodyofherwhohadthrilledagreataudienceasshestoodbehindthefootlightsinherSpanishbasquinaandscarletgreen-clockedstockings;whilebeyondinthedoorway,stoodthepriestwhohadreconciledthedyingactresswithGod,nowabouttoreturntothechurchtosayamassforthesoulofherwhohad\"lovedmuch,\"——allthegrandeurandthesordidaspectsofthescene,allthatsorrowcrushedunderbyNecessity,frozethebloodofthegreatwriterandthegreatdoctor.Theysatdown;neitherofthemcouldutteraword.
JustatthatmomentaservantinliveryannouncedMlle.desTouches.
Thatbeautifulandnoblewomanunderstoodeverythingatonce.ShesteppedquicklyacrosstheroomtoLucien,andslippedtwothousand-
francnotesintohishandasshegraspedit.
\"Itistoolate,\"hesaid,lookingupatherwithdull,hopelesseyes.
ThethreestayedwithLucien,tryingtosoothehisdespairwithcomfortingwords;buteveryspringseemedtobebroken.Atnoonallthebrotherhood,withtheexceptionofMichelChrestien(who,however,hadlearnedthetruthastoLucien\'streachery),wasassembledinthepoorlittlechurchoftheBonne-Nouvelle;Mlle.deToucheswaspresent,andBereniceandCoralie\'sdresserfromthetheatre,withacoupleofsupernumerariesandthedisconsolateCamusot.Allthemenaccompaniedtheactresstoherlastresting-placeinPereLachaise.
Camusot,sheddinghottears,hadsolemnlypromisedLucientobuythegraveinperpetuity,andtoputaheadstoneaboveitwiththewords:
CORALIE
AGEDNINETEENYEARS
August,1822
Lucienstayedthere,ontheslopinggroundthatlooksoutoverParis,untilthesunhadset.
\"Whowilllovemenow?\"hethought.\"Mytruestfriendsdespiseme.
WhateverImighthavedone,shewholiesherewouldhavethoughtmewhollynobleandgood.IhavenoonelefttomenowbutmysisterandmotherandDavid.Andwhatdotheythinkofmeathome?\"
Poordistinguishedprovincial!HewentbacktotheRuedelaLune;butthesightoftheroomswassoacutelypainful,thathecouldnotstayinthem,andhetookacheaplodgingelsewhereinthesamestreet.
Mlle.desTouches\'twothousandfrancsandthesaleofthefurniturepaidthedebts.
Berenicehadtwohundredfrancsleft,onwhichtheylivedfortwomonths.Lucienwasprostrate;hecouldneitherwritenorthink;hegavewaytomorbidgrief.Berenicetookpityuponhim.
\"Supposethatyouweretogobacktoyourowncountry,howareyoutogetthere?\"sheaskedoneday,bywayofreplytoanexclamationofLucien\'s.
\"Onfoot.\"
\"Butevenso,youmustliveandsleepontheway.Evenifyouwalktwelveleaguesaday,youwillwanttwentyfrancsatleast.\"
\"Iwillgetthemtogether,\"hesaid.
Hetookhisclothesandhisbestlinen,keepingnothingbutstrictnecessaries,andwenttoSamanon,whoofferedfiftyfrancsforhisentirewardrobe.Invainhebeggedthemoney-lendertolethimhaveenoughtopayhisfarebythecoach;Samanonwasinexorable.Inaparoxysmoffury,LucienrushedtoFrascati\'s,stakedtheproceedsofthesale,andlosteveryfarthing.BackoncemoreinthewretchedroomintheRuedelaLune,heaskedBereniceforCoralie\'sshawl.Thegoodgirllookedathim,andknewinamomentwhathemeanttodo.Hehadconfessedtohislossatthegaming-table;andnowhewasgoingtohanghimself.
\"Areyoumad,sir?Gooutforawalk,andcomebackagainatmidnight.
Iwillgetthemoneyforyou;butkeeptotheBoulevards,donotgotowardstheQuais.\"
LucienpacedupanddowntheBoulevards.Hewasstupidwithgrief.Hewatchedthepassers-byandthestreamoftraffic,andfeltthathewasalone,andaverysmallatominthisseethingwhirlpoolofParis,churnedbythestrifeofinnumerableinterests.HisthoughtswentbacktothebanksofhisCharente;acravingforhappinessandhomeawokeinhim;andwiththecraving,cameoneofthesuddenfebrileburstsofenergywhichhalf-femininenatureslikehismistakeforstrength.HewouldnotgiveupuntilhehadpouredouthishearttoDavidSechard,andtakencounselofthethreegoodangelsstilllefttohimonearth.
Asheloungedalong,hecaughtsightofBerenice——BereniceinherSundayclothes,speakingtoastrangeratthecorneroftheRuedelaLuneandthefilthyBoulevardBonne-Nouvelle,whereshehadtakenherstand.
\"Whatareyoudoing?\"askedLucien,dismayedbyasuddensuspicion.
\"Hereareyourtwentyfrancs,\"saidthegirl,slippingfourfive-francpiecesintothepoet\'shand.\"Theymaycostdearyet;butyoucango,\"
andshehadfledbeforeLuciencouldseethewayshewent;for,injusticetohim,itmustbesaidthatthemoneyburnedhishand,hewantedtoreturnit,buthewasforcedtokeepitasthefinalbrandsetuponhimbylifeinParis.
ADDENDUM
ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy.
BarbetAManofBusinessTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMiddleClassesBeaudenord,GodefroiddeTheBallatSceauxTheFirmofNucingenBereniceLostIllusionsBianchon,HoraceFatherGoriotTheAtheist\'sMassCesarBirotteauTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsABachelor\'sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGovernmentClerksPierretteAStudyofWomanScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeHonorineTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMagicSkinASecondHomeAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheImaginaryMistressTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyTheCountryParsonInaddition,M.Bianchonnarratedthefollowing:
AnotherStudyofWomanLaGrandeBretecheBlondet,EmileJealousiesofaCountryTownScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeModesteMignonAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheFirmofNucingenThePeasantryBlondet,VirginieJealousiesofaCountryTownTheSecretsofaPrincessThePeasantryAnotherStudyofWomanTheMemberforArcisADaughterofEveBraulardCousinBettyCousinPonsBridau,JosephThePurseABachelor\'sEstablishmentAStartinLifeModesteMignonAnotherStudyofWomanPierreGrassouLettersofTwoBridesCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisBruel,JeanFrancoisduABachelor\'sEstablishmentTheGovernmentClerksAStartinLifeAPrinceofBohemiaTheMiddleClassesADaughterofEveBruel,ClaudineChaffaroux,MadameduABachelor\'sEstablishmentAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMiddleClassesCabirolle,Agathe-FlorentineAStartinLifeLostIllusionsABachelor\'sEstablishmentCamusotABachelor\'sEstablishmentCousinPonsTheMuseoftheDepartmentCesarBirotteauAttheSignoftheCatandRacketCanalis,Constant-Cyr-Melchior,BarondeLettersofTwoBridesModesteMignonTheMagicSkinAnotherStudyofWomanAStartinLifeBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsTheMemberforArcisCardot,Jean-Jerome-SeverinAStartinLifeLostIllusionsABachelor\'sEstablishmentAttheSignoftheCatandRacketCesarBirotteauCarigliano,DuchessedeAttheSignoftheCatandRacketThePeasantryTheMemberforArcisCavalierTheSeamySideofHistoryChaboisseauTheGovernmentClerksAManofBusinessChatelet,Sixte,BaronduLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeTheThirteenChatelet,Marie-Louise-AnaisdeNegrepelisse,BaronneduLostIllusionsTheGovernmentClerksChrestien,MichelABachelor\'sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessCollin,JacquesFatherGoriotLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeTheMemberforArcisColoquinteABachelor\'sEstablishmentCoralie,MademoiselleAStartinLifeABachelor\'sEstablishmentDauriatScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeModesteMignonDesroches(son)
ABachelor\'sEstablishmentColonelChabertAStartinLifeAWomanofThirtyTheCommissioninLunacyTheGovernmentClerksScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeTheFirmofNucingenAManofBusinessTheMiddleClassesArthez,Danield\'
LettersofTwoBridesTheMemberforArcisTheSecretsofaPrincessEspard,Jeanne-Clementine-AthenaisdeBlamont-Chauvry,Marquised\'
TheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeLettersofTwoBridesAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveBeatrixFinot,AndocheCesarBirotteauABachelor\'sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeTheGovernmentClerksAStartinLifeGaudissarttheGreatTheFirmofNucingenFoy,Maximilien-SebastienCesarBirotteauGaillard,TheodoreBeatrixScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeTheUnconsciousHumoristsGaillard,MadameTheodoreJealousiesofaCountryTownABachelor\'sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsGalathionne,PrinceandPrincess(bothnotineachstory)
TheSecretsofaPrincessTheMiddleClassesFatherGoriotADaughterofEveBeatrixGentilLostIllusionsGiraud,LeonABachelor\'sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessTheUnconsciousHumoristsGiroudeauAStartinLifeABachelor\'sEstablishmentGrindotCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsAStartinLifeScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeBeatrixTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyLambert,LouisLouisLambertASeasideTragedyListomere,MarquisdeTheLilyoftheValleyAStudyofWomanListomere,MarquisedeTheLilyoftheValleyLostIllusionsAStudyofWomanADaughterofEveLousteau,EtienneABachelor\'sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeADaughterofEveBeatrixTheMuseoftheDepartmentCousinBettyAPrinceofBohemiaAManofBusinessTheMiddleClassesTheUnconsciousHumoristsLupeaulx,ClementChardindesTheMuseoftheDepartmentEugenieGrandetABachelor\'sEstablishmentTheGovernmentClerksScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeUrsuleMirouetManerville,PaulFrancois-Joseph,ComtedeTheThirteenTheBallatSceauxLostIllusionsAMarriageSettlementMarsay,HenrideTheThirteenTheUnconsciousHumoristsAnotherStudyofWomanTheLilyoftheValleyFatherGoriotJealousiesofaCountryTownUrsuleMirouetAMarriageSettlementLostIllusionsLettersofTwoBridesTheBallatSceauxModesteMignonTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveMatifat(wealthydruggist)
CesarBirotteauABachelor\'sEstablishmentLostIllusionsTheFirmofNucingenCousinPonsMeyrauxLouisLambertMontcornet,Marechal,ComtedeDomesticPeaceLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeThePeasantryAManofBusinessCousinBettyMontriveau,GeneralMarquisArmanddeTheThirteenFatherGoriotLostIllusionsAnotherStudyofWomanPierretteTheMemberforArcisNathan,RaoulLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveLettersofTwoBridesTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMuseoftheDepartmentAPrinceofBohemiaAManofBusinessTheUnconsciousHumoristsNathan,MadameRaoulTheMuseoftheDepartmentLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLife.
TheGovernmentClerksABachelor\'sEstablishmentUrsuleMirouetEugenieGrandetTheImaginaryMistressAPrinceofBohemiaNegrepelisse,DeTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsNucingen,BaronFredericdeTheFirmofNucingenFatherGoriotPierretteCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessAManofBusinessCousinBettyTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsNucingen,BaronneDelphinedeFatherGoriotTheThirteenEugenieGrandetCesarBirotteauMelmothReconciledLostIllusionsTheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeModesteMignonTheFirmofNucingenAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisPalma(banker)
TheFirmofNucingenCesarBirotteauGobseckLostIllusionsTheBallatSceauxPombreton,MarquisdeLostIllusionsJealousiesofaCountryTownRastignac,EugenedeFatherGoriotScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeTheBallatSceauxTheCommissioninLunacyAStudyofWomanAnotherStudyofWomanTheMagicSkinTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheGondrevilleMysteryTheFirmofNucingenCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisTheUnconsciousHumoristsRhetore,DucAlphonsedeABachelor\'sEstablishmentScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeLettersofTwoBridesAlbertSavarusTheMemberforArcisRidal,FulgenceABachelor\'sEstablishmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsRubempre,Lucien-ChardondeLostIllusionsTheGovernmentClerksUrsuleMirouetScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeSamanonTheGovernmentClerksAManofBusinessCousinBettySechard,DavidLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeSechard,MadameDavidLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeTillet,FerdinandduCesarBirotteauTheFirmofNucingenTheMiddleClassesABachelor\'sEstablishmentPierretteMelmothReconciledTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisCousinBettyTheUnconsciousHumoristsTouches,MademoiselleFelicitedesBeatrixLostIllusionsABachelor\'sEstablishmentAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveHonorineBeatrixTheMuseoftheDepartmentVandenesse,ComteFelixdeTheLilyoftheValleyLostIllusionsCesarBirotteauLettersofTwoBridesAStartinLifeTheMarriageSettlementTheSecretsofaPrincessAnotherStudyofWomanTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveVernou,FelicienABachelor\'sEstablishmentLostIllusionsScenesfromaCourtesan\'sLifeADaughterofEveCousinBettyVignon,ClaudeADaughterofEveHonorineBeatrixCousinBettyTheUnconsciousHumorists。
