Mme.deBargetonandLuciendeRubemprehadleftAngoulemebehind,andweretravelingtogetherupontheroadtoParis.Notoneofthepartywhomadethatjourneyalludedtoitafterwards;butitmaybebelievedthataninfatuatedyouthwhohadlookedforwardtothedelightsofanelopement,musthavefoundthecontinualpresenceofGentil,theman-
　　servant,andAlbertine,themaid,notalittleirksomeontheway.
　　Lucien,travelingpostforthefirsttimeinhislife,washorrifiedtoseeprettynearlythewholesumonwhichhemeanttoliveinParisforatwelvemonthdroppedalongtheroad.Likeothermenwhocombinegreatintellectualpowerswiththecharmingsimplicityofchildhood,heopenlyexpressedhissurpriseatthenewandwonderfulthingswhichhesaw,andtherebymadeamistake.Amanshouldstudyawomanverycarefullybeforeheallowshertoseehisthoughtsandemotionsastheyariseinhim.Awoman,whosenatureislargeasherheartistender,cansmileuponchildishness,andmakeallowances;butletherhaveeversosmallaspiceofvanityherself,andshecannotforgivechildishness,orlittleness,orvanityinherlover.Manyawomanissoextravagantaworshiperthatshemustalwaysseethegodinheridol;butthereareyetotherswholoveamanforhissakeandnotfortheirown,andadorehisfailingswithhisgreaterqualities.
　　LucienhadnotguessedasyetthatMme.deBargeton'slovewasgraftedonpride.HemadeanothermistakewhenhefailedtodiscernthemeaningofcertainsmileswhichflittedoverLouise'slipsfromtimetotime;andinsteadofkeepinghimselftohimself,heindulgedintheplayfulnessoftheyoungratemergingfromhisholeforthefirsttime.
　　ThetravelersweresetdownbeforedaybreakatthesignoftheGaillard-BoisintheRuedel'Echelle,bothsotiredoutwiththejourneythatLouisewentstraighttobedandslept,firstbiddingLucientoengagetheroomimmediatelyoverhead.Luciensleptontillfouro'clockintheafternoon,whenhewasawakenedbyMme.deBargeton'sservant,andlearningthehour,madeahastytoiletandhurrieddownstairs.
　　Louisewassittingintheshabbyinnsitting-room.HotelaccommodationisablotonthecivilizationofParis;forwithallitspretensionstoelegance,thecityasyetdoesnotboastasingleinnwhereawell-
　　to-dotravelercanfindthesurroundingstowhichheisaccustomedathome.ToLucien'sjust-awakened,sleep-dimmedeyes,Louisewashardlyrecognizableinthischeerless,sunlessroom,withtheshabbywindow-
　　curtains,thecomfortlesspolishedfloor,thehideousfurnitureboughtsecond-hand,ormuchtheworseforwear.
　　Somepeoplenolongerlookthesamewhendetachedfromthebackgroundoffaces,objects,andsurroundingswhichserveasasetting,withoutwhich,indeed,theyseemtolosesomethingoftheirintrinsicworth.
　　Personalitydemandsitsappropriateatmospheretobringoutitsvalues,justasthefiguresinFlemishinteriorsneedthearrangementoflightandshadeinwhichtheyareplacedbythepainter'sgeniusiftheyaretoliveforus.Thisisespeciallytrueofprovincials.Mme.
　　deBargeton,moreover,lookedmorethoughtfulanddignifiedthanwasnecessarynow,whennobarriersstoodbetweenherandhappiness.
　　GentilandAlbertinewaiteduponthem,andwhiletheywerepresentLuciencouldnotcomplain.Thedinner,sentinfromaneighboringrestaurant,fellfarbelowtheprovincialaverage,bothinquantityandquality;theessentialgoodnessofcountryfarewaswanting,andinpointofquantitytheportionswerecutwithsostrictaneyetobusinessthattheysavoredofshortcommons.InsuchsmallmattersParisdoesnotshowitsbestsidetotravelersofmoderatefortune.
　　Lucienwaitedtillthemealwasover.SomechangehadcomeoverLouise,hethought,buthecouldnotexplainit.
　　Andachangehad,infact,takenplace.Eventshadoccurredwhileheslept;forreflectionisaneventinourinnerhistory,andMme.deBargetonhadbeenreflecting.
　　Abouttwoo'clockthatafternoon,SixteduChateletmadehisappearanceintheRuedel'EchelleandaskedforAlbertine.Thesleepingdamselwasroused,andtoherheexpressedhiswishtospeakwithhermistress.Mme.deBargetonhadscarcelytimetodressbeforehecamebackagain.TheunaccountableapparitionofM.duChateletrousedthelady'scuriosity,forshehadkeptherjourneyaprofoundsecret,asshethought.Atthreeo'clockthevisitorwasadmitted.
　　"Ihaveriskedareprimandfromheadquarterstofollowyou,"hesaid,ashegreetedher;"Iforesawcomingevents.ButifIlosemypostforit,YOU,atanyrate,shallnotbelost."
　　"Whatdoyoumean?"exclaimedMme.deBargeton.
　　"IcanseeplainlythatyouloveLucien,"hecontinued,withanairoftenderresignation."YoumustloveindeedifYOUcanactthusrecklessly,anddisregardtheconventionswhichyouknowsowell.DearadoredNais,canyoureallyimaginethatMme.d'Espard'ssalon,oranyothersaloninParis,willnotbeclosedtoyouassoonasitisknownthatyouhavefledfromAngouleme,asitwere,withayoungman,especiallyaftertheduelbetweenM.deBargetonandM.deChandour?
　　ThefactthatyourhusbandhasgonetotheEscarbaslookslikeaseparation.Undersuchcircumstancesagentlemanfightsfirstandafterwardsleaveshiswifeatliberty.Byallmeans,giveM.deRubempreyourloveandyourcountenance;dojustasyouplease;butyoumustnotliveinthesamehouse.IfanybodyhereinParisknewthatyouhadtraveledtogether,thewholeworldthatyouhaveamindtoseewouldpointthefingeratyou.
　　"And,Nais,donotmakethesesacrificesforayoungmanwhomyouhaveasyetcomparedwithnooneelse;he,onhisside,hasbeenputtonoproof;hemayforsakeyouforsomeParisienne,betterable,ashemayfancy,tofurtherhisambitions.Imeannoharmtothemanyoulove,butyouwillpermitmetoputyourowninterestsbeforehis,andtobegyoutostudyhim,tobefullyawareoftheseriousnatureofthisstepthatyouaretaking.And,then,ifyoufindalldoorsclosedagainstyou,andthatnoneofthewomencalluponyou,makesureatleastthatyouwillfeelnoregretforallthatyouhaverenouncedforhim.Beverycertainfirstthatheforwhomyouwillhavegivenupsomuchwillalwaysbeworthyofyoursacrificesandappreciatethem.
　　"Justnow,"continuedChatelet,"Mme.d'Espardisthemoreprudishandparticularbecausesheherselfisseparatedfromherhusband,nobodyknowswhy.TheNavarreins,theLenoncourts,theBlamont-Chauvrys,andtherestoftherelationshaveallralliedroundher;themoststrait-
　　lacedwomenareseenatherhouse,andreceiveherwithrespect,andtheMarquisd'Espardhasbeenputinthewrong.ThefirstcallthatyoupaywillmakeitcleartoyouthatIamright;indeed,knowingParisasIdo,IcantellyoubeforehandthatyouwillnosoonerentertheMarquise'ssalonthanyouwillbeindespairlestsheshouldfindoutthatyouarestayingattheGaillard-Boiswithanapothecary'sson,thoughhemaywishtobecalledM.deRubempre.
　　"Youwillhaverivalshere,womenfarmoreastuteandshrewdthanAmelie;theywillnotfailtodiscoverwhoyouare,whereyouare,whereyoucomefrom,andallthatyouaredoing.Youhavecounteduponyourincognito,Isee,butyouareoneofthosewomenforwhomanincognitoisoutofthequestion.YouwillmeetAngoulemeateveryturn.TherearethedeputiesfromtheCharentecomingupfortheopeningofthesession;thereistheCommandantinParisonleave.
　　Why,thefirstmanorwomanfromAngoulemewhohappenstoseeyouwouldcutyourcareershortinastrangefashion.YouwouldsimplybeLucien'smistress.
　　"Ifyouneedmeatanytime,IamstayingwiththeReceiver-GeneralintheRueduFaubourgSaint-Honore,twostepsawayfromMme.d'Espard's.
　　IamsufficientlyacquaintedwiththeMarechaledeCarigliano,Mme.deSerizy,andthePresidentoftheCounciltointroduceyoutothosehouses;butyouwillmeetsomanypeopleatMme.d'Espard's,thatyouarenotlikelytorequireme.Sofarfromwishingtogainadmittancetothissetorthat,everyonewillbelongingtomakeyouracquaintance."
　　Chatelettalkedon;Mme.deBargetonmadenointerruption.Shewasstruckwithhisperspicacity.ThequeenofAngoulemehad,infact,counteduponpreservingherincognito.
　　"Youareright,mydearfriend,"shesaidatlength;"butwhatamItodo?"
　　"Allowmetofindsuitablefurnishedlodgingsforyou,"suggestedChatelet;"thatwayoflivingislessexpensivethananinn.Youwillhaveahomeofyourown;and,ifyouwilltakemyadvice,youwillsleepinyournewroomsthisverynight."
　　"Buthowdidyouknowmyaddress?"queriedshe.
　　"Yourtravelingcarriageiseasilyrecognized;and,besides,Iwasfollowingyou.AtSevresyourpostiliontoldminethathehadbroughtyouhere.Willyoupermitmetoactasyourharbinger?IwillwriteassoonasIhavefoundlodgings."
　　"Verywell,doso,"saidshe.Andinthoseseeminglyinsignificantwords,allwassaid.TheBaronduChatelethadspokenthelanguageofworldlywisdomtoawomanoftheworld.Hehadmadehisappearancebeforeherinfaultlessdress,aneatcabwaswaitingforhimatthedoor;andMme.deBargeton,standingbythewindowthinkingovertheposition,chancedtoseetheelderlydandydriveaway.
　　AfewmomentslaterLucienappeared,halfawakeandhastilydressed.
　　Hewashandsome,itistrue;buthisclothes,hislastyear'snankeentrousers,andhisshabbytightjacketwereridiculous.PutAntinousortheApolloBelvederehimselfintoawater-carrier'sblouse,andhowshallyourecognizethegodlikecreatureoftheGreekorRomanchisel?
　　Theeyesnoteandcomparebeforethehearthastimetorevisetheswiftinvoluntaryjudgment;andthecontrastbetweenLucienandChateletwassoabruptthatitcouldnotfailtostrikeLouise.
　　Towardssixo'clockthatevening,whendinnerwasover,Mme.deBargetonbeckonedLucientositbesideherontheshabbysofa,coveredwithafloweredchintz——ayellowpatternonaredground.
　　"Lucienmine,"shesaid,"don'tyouthinkthatifwehavebothofusdoneafoolishthing,suicidalforbothourinterests,itwouldonlybecommonsensetosetmattersright?WeoughtnottolivetogetherinParis,dearboy,andwemustnotallowanyonetosuspectthatwetraveledtogether.YourcareerdependssomuchuponmypositionthatI
　　oughttodonothingtospoilit.So,to-night,Iamgoingtoremoveintolodgingsnearby.Butyouwillstayonhere,wecanseeeachothereveryday,andnobodycansayawordagainstus."
　　AndLouiseexplainedconventionstoLucien,whoopenedwideeyes.Hehadstilltolearnthatwhenawomanthinksbetterofherfolly,shethinksbetterofherlove;butonethingheunderstood——hesawthathewasnolongertheLucienofAngouleme.Louisetalkedofherself,ofHERinterests,HERreputation,andoftheworld;and,toveilheregoism,shetriedtomakehimbelievethatthiswasallonhisaccount.HehadnoclaimuponLouisethussuddenlytransformedintoMme.deBargeton,and,moreseriousstill,hehadnopoweroverher.
　　Hecouldnotkeepbackthetearsthatfilledhiseyes.
　　"IfIamyourglory,"criedthepoet,"youareyetmoretome——youaremyonehope,mywholefuturerestswithyou.Ithoughtthatifyoumeanttomakemysuccessesyours,youwouldsurelymakemyadversityyoursalso,andherewearegoingtopartalready."
　　"Youarejudgingmyconduct,"saidshe;"youdonotloveme."
　　Lucienlookedatherwithsuchadolorousexpression,thatinspiteofherself,shesaid:
　　"Darling,Iwillstayifyoulike.Weshallbothberuined,weshallhavenoonetocometoouraid.Butwhenwearebothequallywretched,andeveryoneshutstheirdooruponusboth,whenfailureforwemustlookallpossibilitiesintheface,whenfailuredrivesusbacktotheEscarbas,thenremember,love,thatIforesawtheend,andthatatthefirstIproposedthatweshouldmakeyourwaybyconformingtoestablishedrules."
　　"Louise,"hecried,withhisarmsaroundher,"youarewise;youfrightenme!RememberthatIamachild,thatIhavegivenmyselfupentirelytoyourdearwill.Imyselfshouldhavepreferredtoovercomeobstaclesandwinmywayamongmenbythepowerthatisinme;butifIcanreachthegoalsoonerthroughyouraid,Ishallbeverygladtooweallmysuccesstoyou.Forgiveme!YoumeansomuchtomethatI
　　cannothelpfearingallkindsofthings;and,forme,partingmeansthatdesertionisathand,anddesertionisdeath."
　　"But,mydearboy,theworld'sdemandsaresoonsatisfied,"returnedshe."Youmustsleephere;thatisall.Alldaylongyouwillbewithme,andnoonecansayaword."
　　AfewkissessetLucien'smindcompletelyatrest.AnhourlaterGentilbroughtinanotefromChatelet.HetoldMme.deBargetonthathehadfoundlodgingsforherintheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg.Mme.deBargetoninformedherselfoftheexactplace,andfoundthatitwasnotveryfarfromtheRuedel'Echelle."Weshallbeneighbors,"shetoldLucien.
　　TwohoursafterwardsLouisesteppedintothehiredcarriagesentbyChateletfortheremovaltothenewrooms.TheapartmentswereoftheclassthatupholsterersfurnishandlettowealthydeputiesandpersonsofconsiderationonashortvisittoParis——showyanduncomfortable.Itwaseleveno'clockwhenLucienreturnedtohisinn,havingseennothingasyetofParisexceptthepartoftheRueSaint-
　　HonorewhichliesbetweentheRueNeuve-de-LuxembourgandtheRuedel'Echelle.Helaydowninhismiserablelittleroom,andcouldnothelpcomparingitinhisownmindwithLouise'ssumptuousapartments.
　　JustashecameawaytheBaronduChateletcamein,gorgeouslyarrayedineveningdress,freshfromtheMinisterforForeignAffairs,toinquirewhetherMme.deBargetonwassatisfiedwithallthathehaddoneonherbehalf.Naiswasuneasy.Thesplendorwasalarmingtohermind.Provinciallifehadreacteduponher;shewaspainfullyconscientiousoverheraccounts,andeconomicaltoadegreethatislookeduponasmiserlyinParis.ShehadbroughtwithhertwentythousandfrancsintheshapeofadraftontheReceiver-General,consideringthatthesumwouldmorethancovertheexpensesoffouryearsinParis;shewasafraidalreadylestsheshouldnothaveenough,andshouldrunintodebt;andnowChatelettoldherthatherroomswouldonlycostsixhundredfrancspermonth.
　　"Ameretrifle,"addedhe,seeingthatNaiswasstartled."Forfivehundredfrancsamonthyoucanhaveacarriagefromaliverystable;
　　fiftylouisinall.Youneedonlythinkofyourdress.Awomanmovingingoodsocietycouldnotwelldoless;andifyoumeantoobtainaReceiver-General'sappointmentforM.deBargeton,orapostintheHousehold,yououghtnottolookpoverty-stricken.Here,inParis,theyonlygivetotherich.ItismostfortunatethatyoubroughtGentiltogooutwithyou,andAlbertineforyourownwoman,forservantsareenoughtoruinyouhere.Butwithyourintroductionsyouwillseldombehometoameal."
　　Mme.deBargetonandtheBarondeChateletchattedaboutParis.
　　Chateletgaveherallthenewsoftheday,themyriadnothingsthatyouareboundtoknow,underpenaltyofbeinganobody.BeforeverylongtheBaronalsogaveadviceastoshopping,recommendingHerbaultfortoquesandJulietteforhatsandbonnets;headdedtheaddressofafashionabledressmakertosupersedeVictorine.Inshort,hemadetheladyseethenecessityofrubbingoffAngouleme.Thenhetookhisleaveafterafinalflashofhappyinspiration.
　　"IexpectIshallhaveaboxatoneofthetheatresto-morrow,"heremarkedcarelessly;"IwillcallforyouandM.deRubempre,foryoumustallowmetodothehonorsofParis."
　　"ThereismoregenerosityinhischaracterthanIthought,"saidMme.
　　deBargetontoherselfwhenLucienwasincludedintheinvitation.
　　InthemonthofJuneministersareoftenpuzzledtoknowwhattodowithboxesatthetheatre;ministerialistdeputiesandtheirconstituentsarebusyintheirvineyardsorharvestfields,andtheirmoreexactingacquaintancesareinthecountryortravelingabout;soitcomestopassthatthebestseatsarefilledatthisseasonwithheterogeneoustheatre-goers,neverseenatanyothertimeofyear,andthehouseisapttolookasifitweretapestriedwithveryshabbymaterial.ChatelethadthoughtalreadythatthiswashisopportunityofgivingNaistheamusementswhichprovincialscravemosteagerly,andthatwithverylittleexpense.
　　Thenextmorning,theveryfirstmorninginParis,LucienwenttotheRueNueve-de-LuxembourgandfoundthatLouisehadgoneout.Shehadgonetomakesomeindispensablepurchases,totakecounselofthemightyandillustriousauthoritiesinthematterofthefemininetoilette,pointedouttoherbyChatelet,forshehadwrittentotelltheMarquised'Espardofherarrival.Mme.deBargetonpossessedtheself-confidencebornofalonghabitofrule,butshewasexceedinglyafraidofappearingtobeprovincial.Shehadtactenoughtoknowhowgreatlytherelationsofwomenamongthemselvesdependuponfirstimpressions;andthoughshefeltthatshewasequaltotakingherplaceatonceinsuchadistinguishedsetasMme.ded'Espard's,shefeltalsothatshestoodinneedofgoodwillatherfirstentranceintosociety,andwasresolved,inthefirstplace,thatshewouldleavenothingundonetosecuresuccess.SoshefeltboundlesslythankfultoChateletforpointingoutthesewaysofputtingherselfinharmonywiththefashionableworld.
　　AsingularchancesoordereditthattheMarquisewasdelightedtofindanopportunityofbeingusefultoaconnectionofherhusband'sfamily.TheMarquisd'Espardhadwithdrawnhimselfwithoutapparentreasonfromsociety,andceasedtotakeanyactiveinterestinaffairs,politicalordomestic.Hiswife,thusleftmistressofheractions,felttheneedofthesupportofpublicopinion,andwasgladtotaketheMarquis'placeandgivehercountenancetooneofherhusband'srelations.Shemeanttobeostentatiouslygracious,soastoputherhusbandmoreevidentlyinthewrong;andthatverydayshewrote,"Mme.deBargetonneeNegrepelisse"acharmingbillet,oneoftheprettilywordedcompositionsofwhichtimealonecandiscovertheemptiness.
　　"Shewasdelightedthatcircumstanceshadbroughtarelative,ofwhomshehadheard,whoseacquaintanceshehaddesiredtomake,intocloserconnectionwithherfamily.FriendshipsinPariswerenotsosolidbutthatshelongedtofindonemoretoloveonearth;andifthismightnotbe,therewouldonlybeonemoreillusiontoburywiththerest.
　　Sheputherselfentirelyathercousin'sdisposal.Shewouldhavecalleduponherifindispositionhadnotkepthertothehouse,andshefeltthatshelayalreadyunderobligationstothecousinwhohadthoughtofher."
　　Lucien,meanwhile,takinghisfirstramblealongtheRuedelaPaixandthroughtheBoulevards,likeallnewcomers,wasmuchmoreinterestedinthethingsthathesawthaninthepeoplehemet.ThegeneraleffectofParisiswhollyengrossingatfirst.Thewealthintheshopwindows,thehighhouses,thestreamsoftraffic,thecontrasteverywherebetweenthelastextremesofluxuryandwantstruckhimmorethananythingelse.Inhisastonishmentatthecrowdsofstrangefaces,themanofimaginativetemperfeltasifhehimselfhadshrunk,asitwere,immensely.Amanofanyconsequenceinhisnativeplace,wherehecannotgooutbuthemeetswithsomerecognitionofhisimportanceateverystep,doesnotreadilyaccustomhimselftothesuddenandtotalextinctionofhisconsequence.Youaresomebodyinyourowncountry,inParisyouarenobody.Thetransitionbetweenthefirststateandthelastshouldbemadegradually,forthetooabruptfallissomethinglikeannihilation.Pariscouldnotfailtobeanappallingwildernessforayoungpoet,wholookedforanechoforallhissentiments,aconfidantforallhisthoughts,asoultosharehisleastsensations.
　　Lucienhadnotgoneinsearchofhisluggageandhisbestbluecoat;
　　andpainfullyconsciousoftheshabbiness,tosaynoworse,ofhisclothes,hewenttoMme.deBargeton,feelingthatshemusthavereturned.HefoundtheBaronduChatelet,whocarriedthembothofftodinnerattheRocherdeCancale.Lucien'sheadwasdizzywiththewhirlofParis,theBaronwasinthecarriage,hecouldsaynothingtoLouise,buthesqueezedherhand,andshegaveawarmresponsetothemuteconfidence.
　　AfterdinnerChatelettookhisgueststotheVaudeville.Lucien,inhisheart,wasnotoverwellpleasedtoseeChateletagain,andcursedthechancethathadbroughttheBarontoParis.TheBaronsaidthatambitionhadbroughthimtotown;hehadhopesofanappointmentassecretary-generaltoagovernmentdepartment,andmeanttotakeaseatintheCouncilofStateasMasterofRequests.HehadcometoParistoaskforfulfilmentofthepromisesthathadbeengivenhim,foramanofhisstampcouldnotbeexpectedtoremainacomptrollerallhislife;hewouldratherbenothingatall,andofferhimselfforelectionasdeputy,orre-enterdiplomacy.Chateletgrewvisiblytaller;LuciendimlybegantorecognizeinthiselderlybeauthesuperiorityofthemanoftheworldwhoknowsParis;and,mostofall,hefeltashamedtoowehisevening'samusementtohisrival.AndwhilethepoetlookedillateaseandawkwardHerRoyalHighness'
　　ex-secretarywasquiteinhiselement.Hesmiledathisrival'shesitations,athisastonishment,atthequestionsheput,atthelittlemistakeswhichthelatterignorantlymade,muchasanoldsaltlaughsatanapprenticewhohasnotfoundhissealegs;butLucien'spleasureatseeingaplayforthefirsttimeinParisoutweighedtheannoyanceofthesesmallhumiliations.
　　ThateveningmarkedanepochinLucien'scareer;heputawayagoodmanyofhisideasastoprovinciallifeinthecourseofit.Hishorizonwidened;societyassumeddifferentproportions.TherewerefairParisiennesinfreshandeleganttoilettesallabouthim;Mme.deBargeton'scostume,tolerablyambitiousthoughitwas,lookeddowdybycomparison;thematerial,likethefashionandthecolor,wasoutofdate.Thatwayofarrangingherhair,sobewitchinginAngouleme,lookedfrightfullyuglyhereamongthedaintilydevisedcoiffureswhichhesawineverydirection.
　　"Willshealwayslooklikethat?"saidhetohimself,ignorantthatthemorninghadbeenspentinpreparingatransformation.
　　Intheprovincescomparisonandchoiceareoutofthequestion;whenafacehasgrownfamiliaritcomestopossessacertainbeautythatistakenforgranted.ButtransporttheprettywomanoftheprovincestoParis,andnoonetakestheslightestnoticeofher;herprettinessisofthecomparativedegreeillustratedbythesayingthatamongtheblindtheone-eyedarekings.Lucien'seyeswerenowbusycomparingMme.deBargetonwithotherwomen,justassheherselfhadcontrastedhimwithChateletonthepreviousday.AndMme.deBargeton,onherpart,permittedherselfsomestrangereflectionsuponherlover.Thepoetcutapoorfigurenotwithstandinghissingularbeauty.Thesleevesofhisjacketweretooshort;withhisill-cutcountryglovesandawaistcoattooscantyforhim,helookedprodigiouslyridiculous,comparedwiththeyoungmeninthebalcony——"positivelypitiable,"
　　thoughtMme.deBargeton.Chatelet,interestedinherwithoutpresumption,takingcareofherinamannerthatrevealedaprofoundpassion;Chatelet,elegant,andasmuchathomeasanactortreadingthefamiliarboardsofhistheatre,intwodayshadrecoveredallthegroundlostinthepastsixmonths.
　　Ordinarypeoplewillnotadmitthatoursentimentstowardseachothercantotallychangeinamoment,andyetcertainitis,thattwoloversnotseldomflyapartevenmorequicklythantheydrewtogether.InMme.deBargetonandinLucienaprocessofdisenchantmentwasatwork;Pariswasthecause.Lifehadwidenedoutbeforethepoet'seyes,associetycametowearanewaspectforLouise.Nothingbutanaccidentnowwasneededtoseverfinallythebondthatunitedthem;
　　norwasthatblow,soterribleforLucien,verylongdelayed.
　　Mme.deBargetonsetLuciendownathisinn,anddrovehomewithChatelet,totheintensevexationofthelucklesslover.
　　"Whatwilltheysayaboutme?"hewondered,asheclimbedthestairstohisdismalroom.
　　"Thatpoorfellowisuncommonlydull,"saidChatelet,withasmile,whenthedoorwasclosed.
　　"Thatisthewaywiththosewhohaveaworldofthoughtsintheirheartandbrain.Menwhohavesomuchinthemtogiveoutingreatworkslongdreamedof,professacertaincontemptforconversation,acommerceinwhichtheintellectspendsitselfinsmallchange,"
　　returnedthehaughtyNegrepelisse.ShestillhadcouragetodefendLucien,butlessforLucien'ssakethanforherown.
　　"Igrantityouwillingly,"repliedtheBaron,"butwelivewithhumanbeingsandnotwithbooks.There,dearNais!Iseehowitis,thereisnothingbetweenyouyet,andIamdelightedthatitisso.Ifyoudecidetobringaninterestofakindhithertolackingintoyourlife,letitnotbethisso-calledgenius,Iimploreyou.Howifyouhavemadeamistake?Supposethatinafewdays'time,whenyouhavecomparedhimwithmenwhomyouwillmeet,menofrealability,menwhohavedistinguishedthemselvesingoodearnest;supposethatyoushoulddiscover,dearandfairsiren,thatitisnolyre-bearerthatyouhaveborneintoportonyourdazzlingshoulders,butalittleape,withnomannersandnocapacity;apresumptuousfoolwhomaybeawitinL'Houmeau,butturnsoutaveryordinaryspecimenofayoungmaninParis?And,afterall,volumesofversecomeouteveryweekhere,theworstofthembetterthanallM.Chardon'spoetryputtogether.Forpity'ssake,waitandcompare!To-morrow,Friday,isOperanight,"hecontinuedasthecarriageturnedintotheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg;
　　"Mme.d'EspardhastheboxoftheFirstGentlemenoftheChamber,andwilltakeyou,nodoubt.IshallgotoMme.deSerizy'sboxtobeholdyouinyourglory.TheyaregivingLesDanaides."
　　"Good-bye,"saidshe.
　　NextmorningMme.deBargetontriedtoarrangeasuitabletoiletteinwhichtocallonhercousin,Mme.d'Espard.Theweatherwasratherchilly.LookingthroughthedowdywardrobefromAngouleme,shefoundnothingbetterthanacertaingreenvelvetgown,trimmedfantasticallyenough.Lucien,forhispart,feltthathemustgoatonceforhiscelebratedbluebestcoat;hefeltaghastatthethoughtofhistightjacket,anddeterminedtobewelldressed,lestheshouldmeettheMarquised'Espardorreceiveasuddensummonstoherhouse.Hemusthavehisluggageatonce,sohetookacab,andintwohours'timespentthreeorfourfrancs,matterformuchsubsequentreflectiononthescaleofthecostoflivinginParis.Havingdressedhimselfinhisbest,suchasitwas,hewenttotheRueNueve-de-Luxembourg,andonthedoorstepencounteredGentilincompanywithagorgeouslybe-featheredchasseur.
　　"Iwasjustgoingroundtoyou,sir,madamegavemealineforyou,"
　　saidGentil,ignorantofParisianformsofrespect,andaccustomedtohomelyprovincialways.Thechasseurtookthepoetforaservant.
　　Lucientoreopenthenote,andlearnedthatMme.deBargetonhadgonetospendthedaywiththeMarquised'Espard.ShewasgoingtotheOperaintheevening,butshetoldLucientobetheretomeether.Hercousinpermittedhertogivehimaseatinherbox.TheMarquised'Espardwasdelightedtoprocuretheyoungpoetthatpleasure.
　　"Thenshelovesme!myfearswereallnonsense!"saidLucientohimself."Sheisgoingtopresentmetohercousinthisveryevening."
　　Hejumpedforjoy.Hewouldspendthedaythatseparatedhimfromthehappyeveningasjoyouslyasmightbe.HedashedoutinthedirectionoftheTuileries,dreamingofwalkingthereuntilitwastimetodineatVery's.Andnow,beholdLucienfriskingandskipping,lightoffootbecauselightofheart,onhiswaytotheTerrassedesFeuillantstotakealookatthepeopleofqualityonpromenadethere.Prettywomenwalkarm-in-armwithmenoffashion,theiradorers,couplesgreeteachotherwithaglanceastheypass;howdifferentitisfromtheterraceatBeaulieu!HowfarfinerthebirdsonthisperchthantheAngoulemespecies!ItisasifyoubeheldallthecolorsthatglowintheplumageofthefeatheredtribesofIndiaandAmerica,insteadofthesoberEuropeanfamilies.
　　ThoseweretwowretchedhoursthatLucienspentintheGardenoftheTuileries.Aviolentrevulsionsweptthroughhim,andhesatinjudgmentuponhimself.
　　Inthefirstplace,notasingleoneofthesegildedyouthsworeaswallow-tailcoat.Thefewexceptions,oneortwopoorwretches,aclerkhereandthere,anannuitantfromtheMarais,couldberuledoutonthescoreofage;andharduponthediscoveryofadistinctionbetweenmorningandeveningdress,thepoet'squicksensibilityandkeeneyessawlikewisethathisshabbyoldclotheswerenotfittobeseen;thedefectsinhiscoatbrandedthatgarmentasridiculous;thecutwasold-fashioned,thecolorwasthewrongshadeofblue,thecollaroutrageouslyungainly,thecoattails,bydintoflongwear,overlappedeachother,thebuttonswerereddened,andtherewerefatalwhitelinesalongtheseams.Thenhiswaistcoatwastooshort,andsogrotesquelyprovincial,thathehastilybuttonedhiscoatoverit;
　　and,finally,nomanofanypretensiontofashionworenankeentrousers.Well-dressedmenworecharmingfancymaterialsorimmaculatewhite,andeveryonehadstrapstohistrousers,whiletheshrunkenhemsofLucien'snethergarmentsmanifestedaviolentantipathyfortheheelsofbootswhichtheyweddedwithobviousreluctance.Lucienworeawhitecravatwithembroideredends;hissisterhadseenthatM.
　　duHautoyandM.deChandourworesuchthings,andhastenedtomakesimilaronesforherbrother.Here,nooneappearedtowearwhitecravatsofamorningexceptafewgraveseniors,elderlycapitalists,andausterepublicfunctionaries,until,inthestreetontheothersideoftherailings,Luciennoticedagrocer'sboywalkingalongtheRuedeRivoliwithabasketonhishead;himthemanofAngoulemedetectedintheactofsportingacravat,withbothendsadornedbythehandiworkofsomeadoredshop-girl.ThesightwasastabtoLucien'sbreast;penetratingstraighttothatorganasyetundefined,theseatofoursensibility,theregionwhither,sincesentimenthashadanyexistence,thesonsofmencarrytheirhandsinanyexcessofjoyoranguish.Donotaccusethischronicleofpuerility.Therich,tobesure,neverhavingexperiencedsufferingsofthiskind,maythinkthemincrediblypettyandsmall;buttheagoniesoflessfortunatemortalsareaswellworthourattentionascrisesandvicissitudesinthelivesofthemightyandprivilegedonesofearth.
　　Isnotthepainequallygreatforeither?Sufferingexaltsallthings.
　　And,afterall,supposethatwechangethetermsandforasuitofclothes,moreorlessfine,putinsteadaribbon,orastar,oratitle;havenotbrilliantcareersbeentormentedbyreasonofsuchapparenttriflesasthese?Add,moreover,thatforthosepeoplewhomustseemtohavethatwhichtheyhavenot,thequestionofclothesisofenormousimportance,andnotunfrequentlytheappearanceofpossessionistheshortestroadtopossessionatalaterday.
　　AcoldsweatbrokeoutoverLucienashebethoughthimselfthatto-nighthemustmakehisfirstappearancebeforetheMarquiseinthisdress——theMarquised'Espard,relativeofaFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber,awomanwhosehousewasfrequentedbythemostillustriousamongillustriousmenineveryfield.
　　"Ilooklikeanapothecary'sson,aregularshop-drudge,"heragedinwardly,watchingtheyouthoftheFaubourgSaint-Germainpassunderhiseyes;graceful,spruce,fashionablydressed,withacertainuniformityofair,asamenessduetoafinenessofcontour,andacertaindignityofcarriageandexpression;though,atthesametime,eachonedifferedfromtherestinthesettingbywhichhehadchosentobringhispersonalcharacteristicsintoprominence.Eachonemadethemostofhispersonaladvantages.YoungmeninParisunderstandtheartofpresentingthemselvesquiteaswellaswomen.Lucienhadinheritedfromhismothertheinvaluablephysicaldistinctionofrace,butthemetalwasstillintheore,andnotsetfreebythecraftsman'shand.
　　Hishairwasbadlycut.Insteadofholdinghimselfuprightwithanelasticcorset,hefeltthathewascoopedupinsideahideousshirt-
　　collar;hehunghisdejectedheadwithoutresistanceonthepartofalimpcravat.WhatwomancouldguessthatahandsomefootwashiddenbytheclumsybootswhichhehadbroughtfromAngouleme?Whatyoungmancouldenvyhimhisgracefulfigure,disguisedbytheshapelessbluesackwhichhithertohehadmistakenlybelievedtobeacoat?Whatbewitchingstudshesawonthosedazzlingwhiteshirtfronts,hisownlookeddingybycomparison;andhowmarvelouslyalltheseelegantpersonsweregloved,hisowngloveswereonlyfitforapoliceman!
　　Yonderwasayouthtoyingwithacaneexquisitelymounted;there,anotherwithdaintygoldstudsinhiswristbands.Yetanotherwastwistingacharmingriding-whipwhilehetalkedwithawoman;therewerespecksofmudontheamplefoldsofhiswhitetrousers,heworeclankingspursandatight-fittingjacket,evidentlyhewasabouttomountoneofthetwohorsesheldbyahop-o'-my-thumbofatiger.A
　　youngmanwhowentpastdrewawatchnothickerthanafive-francpiecefromhispocket,andlookedatitwiththeairofapersonwhoiseithertooearlyortoolateforanappointment.
　　Lucien,seeingthesepettytrifles,hithertounimagined,becameawareofawholeworldofindispensablesuperfluities,andshudderedtothinkoftheenormouscapitalneededbyaprofessionalprettyfellow!
　　Themoreheadmiredthesegayandcarelessbeings,themoreconscioushegrewofhisownoutlandishness;heknewthathelookedlikeamanwhohasnoideaofthedirectionofthestreets,whostandsclosetothePalaisRoyalandcannotfindit,andaskshiswaytotheLouvreofapasser-by,whotellshim,"Hereyouare."Luciensawagreatgulffixedbetweenhimandthisnewworld,andaskedhimselfhowhemightcrossover,forhemeanttobeoneofthesedelicate,slimyouthsofParis,theseyoungpatricianswhobowedbeforewomendivinelydressedanddivinelyfair.Foronekissfromoneofthese,LucienwasreadytobecutinpieceslikeCountPhilipofKonigsmark.Louise'sfaceroseupsomewhereintheshadowybackgroundofmemory——comparedwiththesequeens,shelookedlikeanoldwoman.Hesawwomenwhosenameswillappearinthehistoryofthenineteenthcentury,womennolessfamousthanthequeensofpasttimesfortheirwit,theirbeauty,ortheirlovers;onewhopassedwastheheroineMlle.desTouches,sowellknownasCamilleMaupin,thegreatwomanofletters,greatbyherintellect,greatnolessbyherbeauty.Heoverheardthenamepronouncedbythosewhowentby.
　　"Ah!"hethoughttohimself,"sheisPoetry."
　　WhatwasMme.deBargetonincomparisonwiththisangelinallthegloryofyouth,andhope,andpromiseofthefuture,withthatsweetsmileofhers,andthegreatdarkeyeswithallheaveninthem,andtheglowinglightofthesun?ShewaslaughingandchattingwithMme.
　　Firmiani,oneofthemostcharmingwomeninParis.Avoiceindeedcried,"Intellectistheleverbywhichtomovetheworld,"butanothervoicecriednolessloudlythatmoneywasthefulcrum.
　　Hewouldnotstayanylongeronthesceneofhiscollapseanddefeat,andwenttowardsthePalaisRoyal.Hedidnotknowthetopographyofhisquarteryet,andwasobligedtoaskhisway.ThenhewenttoVery'sandordereddinnerbywayofaninitiationintothepleasuresofParis,andasolaceforhisdiscouragement.AbottleofBordeaux,oystersfromOstend,adishoffish,apartridge,adishofmacaronianddessert,——thiswastheneplusultraofhisdesire.Heenjoyedthislittledebauch,studyingthewhilehowtogivetheMarquised'Espardproofofhiswit,andredeemtheshabbinessofhisgrotesqueaccoutrementsbythedisplayofintellectualriches.Thetotalofthebilldrewhimdownfromthesedreams,andlefthimthepoorerbyfiftyofthefrancswhichweretohavegonesuchalongwayinParis.HecouldhavelivedinAngoulemeforamonthonthepriceofthatdinner.
　　Whereforeheclosedthedoorofthepalacewithawe,thinkingashedidsothatheshouldneversetfootinitagain.
　　"Evewasright,"hesaidtohimself,ashewentbackunderthestonearcadingforsomemoremoney."ThereisadifferencebetweenParispricesandpricesinL'Houmeau."
　　Hegazedinatthetailors'windowsontheway,andthoughtofthecostumesintheGardenoftheTuileries.
　　"No,"heexclaimed,"IwillNOTappearbeforeMme.d'EsparddressedoutasIam."
　　Hefledtohisinn,fleetasastag,rusheduptohisroom,tookoutahundredcrowns,andwentdownagaintothePalaisRoyal,wherehisfutureelegancelayscatteredoverhalfascoreofshops.Thefirsttailorwhosedoorheenteredtriedasmanycoatsuponhimashewouldconsenttoputon,andpersuadedhiscustomerthatallwereintheverylatestfashion.Luciencameouttheownerofagreencoat,apairofwhitetrousers,anda"fancywaistcoat,"forwhichoutfithegavetwohundredfrancs.Erelonghefoundaveryelegantpairofready-
　　madeshoesthatfittedhisfoot;and,finally,whenhehadmadeallnecessarypurchases,heorderedthetradespeopletosendthemtohisaddress,andinquiredforahairdresser.Atseveno'clockthateveninghecalledacabanddroveawaytotheOpera,curledlikeaSaintJohnofaProcessionDay,elegantlywaistcoatedandgloved,butfeelingalittleawkwardinthiskindofsheathinwhichhefoundhimselfforthefirsttime.
　　InobediencetoMme.deBargeton'sinstructions,heaskedfortheboxreservedfortheFirstGentlemanoftheBedchamber.Themanattheboxofficelookedathim,andbeholdingLucieninallthegrandeurassumedfortheoccasion,inwhichhelookedlikeabestmanatawedding,askedLucienforhisorder.
　　"Ihavenoorder."
　　"Thenyoucannotgoin,"saidthemanattheboxofficedrily.