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