"Hewillwantthemore."
　　"Ah?"
　　"Good!"
　　"AsupperamongFrenchjournalistsalwaysfillsmewithdread,"saidtheGermandiplomatist,withsereneurbanity;helookedashespokeatBlondet,whomhehadmetattheComtessedeMontcornet's."Itislaiduponyou,gentlemen,tofulfilaprophecyofBlucher's."
　　"Whatprophecy?"askedNathan.
　　"WhenBlucherandSackenarrivedontheheightsofMontmartrein1814
　　pardonme,gentlemen,forrecallingadayunfortunateforFrance,Sackenaroughbrute,remarked,'NowwewillsetParisalight!'——
　　'Takeverygoodcarethatyoudon't,'saidBlucher.'FrancewilldieofTHAT,nothingelsecankillher,'andhewavedhishandovertheglowing,seethingcity,thatlaylikeahugecankerinthevalleyoftheSeine——Therearenojournalistsinourcountry,thankHeaven!"
　　continuedtheMinisterafterapause."Ihavenotyetrecoveredfromthefrightthatthelittlefellowgaveme,aboyoften,inapapercap,withthesenseofanolddiplomatist.Andto-nightIfeelasifI
　　weresuppingwithlionsandpanthers,whograciouslysheathetheirclawsinmyhonor."
　　"Itisclear,"saidBlondet,"thatweareatlibertytoinformEuropethataserpentdroppedfromyourExcellency'slipsthisevening,andthatthevenomouscreaturefailedtoinoculateMlle.Tullia,theprettiestdancerinParis;andtofollowupthestorywithacommentaryonEve,andtheScriptures,andthefirstandlasttransgression.Buthavenofear,youareourguest."
　　"Itwouldbefunny,"saidFinot.
　　"Wewouldbeginwithascientifictreatiseonalltheserpentsfoundinthehumanheartandhumanbody,andsoproceedtothecorpsdiplomatique,"saidLousteau.
　　"Andwecouldexhibitoneinspirits,inabottleofbrandiedcherries,"saidVernou.
　　"Tillyouyourselfwouldendbybelievinginthestory,"addedVignon,lookingatthediplomatist.
　　"Gentlemen,"criedtheDucdeRhetore,"letsleepingclawslie."
　　"Theinfluenceandpowerofthepressisonlydawning,"saidFinot.
　　"Journalismisinitsinfancy;itwillgrow.Intenyears'time,everythingwillbebroughtintopublicity.Thelightofthoughtwillbeturnedonallsubjects,and——"
　　"Theblightofthoughtwillbeoveritall,"correctedBlondet.
　　"Hereisanapothegm,"criedClaudeVignon.
　　"Thoughtwillmakekings,"saidLousteau.
　　"Andundomonarchs,"saidtheGerman.
　　"Andtherefore,"saidBlondet,"ifthepressdidnotexist,itwouldbenecessarytoinventitforthwith.Butherewehaveit,andlivebyit."
　　"Youwilldieofit,"returnedtheGermandiplomatist."Canyounotseethatifyouenlightenthemasses,andraisetheminthepoliticalscale,youmakeitalltheharderfortheindividualtoriseabovetheirlevel?Canyounotseethatifyousowtheseedsofreasoningamongtheworking-classes,youwillreaprevolt,andbethefirsttofallvictims?WhatdotheysmashinPariswhenariotbegins?"
　　"Thestreet-lamps!"saidNathan;"butwearetoomodesttofearforourselves,weonlyruntheriskofcracks."
　　"Asanation,youhavetoomuchmentalactivitytoallowanygovernmenttorunitscoursewithoutinterference.Butforthat,youwouldmaketheconquestofEuropeasecondtime,andwinwiththepenallthatyoufailedtokeepwiththesword."
　　"Journalismisanevil,"saidClaudeVignon."Theevilmayhaveitsuses,butthepresentGovernmentisresolvedtoputitdown.Therewillbeabattleoverit.Whowillgiveway?Thatisthequestion."
　　"TheGovernmentwillgiveway,"saidBlondet."Ikeeptellingpeoplethatwithallmymight!IntellectualpowerisTHEgreatpowerinFrance;andthepresshasmorewitthanallmenofintellectputtogether,andthehypocrisyofTartufebesides."
　　"Blondet!Blondet!youaregoingtoofar!"calledFinot."Subscribersarepresent."
　　"Youaretheproprietorofoneofthosepoisonshops;youhavereasontobeafraid;butIcanlaughatthewholebusiness,evenifIlivebyit."
　　"Blondetisright,"saidClaudeVignon."Journalism,sofarfrombeinginthehandsofapriesthood,cametobefirstapartyweapon,andthenacommercialspeculation,carriedonwithoutconscienceorscruple,likeothercommercialspeculations.Everynewspaper,asBlondetsays,isashoptowhichpeoplecomeforopinionsoftherightshade.Iftherewereapaperforhunchbacks,itwouldsetforthplainly,morningandevening,initscolumns,thebeauty,theutility,andnecessityofdeformity.Anewspaperisnotsupposedtoenlightenitsreaders,buttosupplythemwithcongenialopinions.Giveanynewspapertimeenough,anditwillbebase,hypocritical,shameless,andtreacherous;theperiodicalpresswillbethedeathofideas,systems,andindividuals;nay,itwillflourishupontheirdecay.Itwilltakethecreditofallcreationsofthebrain;theharmthatitdoesisdoneanonymously.We,forinstance——I,ClaudeVignon;you,Blondet;you,Lousteau;andyou,Finot——weareallPlatos,Aristides,andCatos,Plutarch'smen,inshort;weareallimmaculate;wemaywashourhandsofalliniquity.Napoleon'ssublimeaphorism,suggestedbyhisstudyoftheConvention,'Nooneindividualisresponsibleforacrimecommittedcollectively,'sumsupthewholesignificanceofaphenomenon,moralorimmoral,whicheveryouplease.Howevershamefullyanewspapermaybehave,thedisgraceattachestonooneperson."
　　"Theauthoritieswillresorttorepressivelegislation,"interposedduBruel."Alawisgoingtobepassed,infact."
　　"Pooh!"retortedNathan."WhatisthelawinFranceagainstthespiritinwhichitisreceived,themostsubtleofallsolvents?"
　　"Ideasandopinionscanonlybecounteractedbyopinionsandideas,"
　　Vignoncontinued."Bysheerterroranddespotism,andbynoothermeans,canyouextinguishthegeniusoftheFrenchnation;forthelanguagelendsitselfadmirablytoallusionandambiguity.Epigrambreaksoutthemoreforrepressivelegislation;itislikesteaminanenginewithoutasafety-valve——TheKing,forexample,doesright;ifanewspaperisagainsthim,theMinistergetsallthecreditofthemeasure,andviceversa.Anewspaperinventsascandalouslibel——ithasbeenmisinformed.Ifthevictimcomplains,thepapergetsoffwithanapologyfortakingsogreatafreedom.Ifthecaseistakenintocourt,theeditorcomplainsthatnobodyaskedhimtorectifythemistake;butaskforredress,andhewilllaughinyourfaceandtreathisoffenceasameretrifle.Thepaperscoffsifthevictimgainstheday;andifheavydamagesareawarded,theplaintiffisheldupasanunpatrioticobscurantistandamenacetothelibertiesofthecountry.
　　InthecourseofanarticlepurportingtoexplainthatMonsieurSo-
　　and-soisashonestamanasyouwillfindinthekingdom,youareinformedthatheisnotbetterthanacommonthief.Thesinsofthepress?Pooh!meretrifles;thecurtailersofitslibertiesaremonsters;andgivehimtimeenough,theconstantreaderispersuadedtobelieveanythingyouplease.Everythingwhichdoesnotsuitthenewspaperwillbeunpatriotic,andthepresswillbeinfallible.Onereligionwillbeplayedoffagainstanother,andtheCharteragainsttheKing.Thepresswillholdupthemagistracytoscornformetingoutrigorousjusticetothepress,andapplauditsactionwhenitservesthecauseofpartyhatred.Themostsensationalfictionswillbeinventedtoincreasethecirculation;Journalismwilldescendtomountebanks'tricksworthyofBobeche;JournalismwouldserveupitsfatherwiththeAtticsaltofitsownwitsoonerthanfailtointerestoramusethepublic;Journalismwilloutdotheactorwhoputhisson'sashesintotheurntodrawrealtearsfromhiseyes,orthemistresswhosacrificeseverythingtoherlover."
　　"Journalismis,infact,thePeopleinfolioform,"interruptedBlondet.
　　"Thepeoplewithhypocrisyaddedandgenerositylacking,"saidVignon.
　　"AllrealabilitywillbedrivenoutfromtheranksofJournalism,asAristideswasdrivenintoexilebytheAthenians.Weshallseenewspapersstartedinthefirstinstancebymenofhonor,fallingsoonerorlaterintothehandsofmenofabilitiesevenlowerthantheaverage,butendowedwiththeresistanceofflexibilityofindia-
　　rubber,qualitiesdeniedtonoblegenius;nay,perhapsthefuturenewspaperproprietorwillbethetradesmanwithcapitalsufficienttobuyvenalpens.Weseesuchthingsalreadyindeed,butintenyears'
　　timeeverylittleyoungsterthathasleftschoolwilltakehimselfforagreatman,slashhispredecessorsfromtheloftyheightofanewspapercolumn,dragthemdownbythefeet,andtaketheirplace.
　　"Napoleondidwiselywhenhemuzzledthepress.IwouldwagerthattheOppositionpaperswouldbatterdownagovernmentoftheirownsettingup,justastheyarebatteringthepresentgovernment,ifanydemandwasrefused.Themoretheyhave,themoretheywillwantinthewayofconcessions.Theparvenujournalistwillbesucceededbythestarvelinghack.Thereisnosalveforthissore.Itisakindofcorruptionwhichgrowsmoreandmoreobtrusiveandmalignant;thewideritspreads,themorepatientlyitwillbeendured,untilthedaycomeswhennewspapersshallsoincreaseandmultiplyintheearththatconfusionwillbetheresult——asecondBabel.We,allofus,suchasweare,havereasontoknowthatcrownedkingsarelessungratefulthankingsofourprofession;thatthemostsordidmanofbusinessisnotsomercenarynorsokeeninspeculation;thatourbrainsareconsumedtofurnishtheirdailysupplyofpoisonoustrash.Andyetwe,allofus,shallcontinuetowrite,likemenwhoworkinquicksilvermines,knowingthattheyaredoomedtodieoftheirtrade.
　　"Lookthere,"hecontinued,"atthatyoungmansittingbesideCoralie——whatishisname?Lucien!Hehasabeautifulface;heisapoet;andwhatismore,heiswitty——somuchthebetterforhim.Well,hewillcrossthethresholdofoneofthosedenswhereaman'sintellectisprostituted;hewillputallhisbestandfinestthoughtintohiswork;hewillblunthisintellectandsullyhissoul;hewillbeguiltyofanonymousmeannesseswhichtaketheplaceofstratagem,pillage,andrattingtotheenemyinthewarfareofcondottieri.Andwhen,likehundredsmore,hehassquanderedhisgeniusintheserviceofotherswhofindthecapitalanddonowork,thosedealersinpoisonswillleavehimtostarveifheisthirsty,andtodieofthirstifheisstarving."
　　"Thanks,"saidFinot.
　　"But,dearme,"continuedClaudeVignon,"_I_knewallthis,yethereamIinthegalleys,andthearrivalofanotherconvictgivesmepleasure.Wearecleverer,BlondetandI,thanMessieursThisandThat,whospeculateinourabilities,yetneverthelesswearealwaysexploitedbythem.Wehaveaheartsomewherebeneaththeintellect;wehaveNOTthegrimqualitiesofthemanwhomakesothersworkforhim.
　　Weareindolent,weliketolookonatthegame,wearemeditative,andwearefastidious;theywillsweatourbrainsandblameusforimprovidence."
　　"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoreamusingthanthis!"saidFlorine.
　　"Florineisright,"saidBlondet;"letusleavethecureofpublicevilstothosequacksthestatesmen.AsCharletsays,'Quarrelwithmyownbreadandbutter?NEVER!'"
　　"DoyouknowwhatVignonputsmeinmindof?"saidLousteau."OfoneofthosefatwomenintheRueduPelicantellingaschoolboy,'Myboy,youaretooyoungtocomehere.'"
　　Aburstoflaughterfollowedthesally,butitpleasedCoralie.Themerchantsmeanwhileateanddrankandlistened.
　　"Whatanationthisis!Youseesomuchgoodinitandsomuchevil,"
　　saidtheMinister,addressingtheDucdeRhetore——"Youareprodigalswhocannotruinyourselves,gentlemen."
　　Andso,bytheblessingofchance,Lucien,standingonthebrinkoftheprecipiceoverwhichhewasdestinedtofall,heardwarningsonallsides.D'Arthezhadsethimontherightroad,hadshownhimthenoblemethodofwork,andarousedinhimthespiritbeforewhichallobstaclesdisappear.Lousteauhimselfpartlyfromselfishmotives
　　hadtriedtowarnhimawaybydescribingJournalismandLiteratureintheirpracticalaspects.Lucienhadrefusedtobelievethattherecouldbesomuchhiddencorruption;butnowhehadheardthejournaliststhemselvescryingwoefortheirhurt,hehadseenthemattheirwork,hadwatchedthemtearingtheirfoster-mother'shearttoreadauguriesofthefuture.
　　Thateveninghehadseenthingsastheyare.Hebeheldtheveryheart'scoreofcorruptionofthatPariswhichBluchersoaptlydescribed;andsofarfromshudderingatthesight,hewasintoxicatedwithenjoymentoftheintellectuallystimulatingsocietyinwhichhefoundhimself.
　　Theseextraordinarymen,cladinarmordamascenedbytheirvices,theseintellectsenvironedbycoldandbrilliantanalysis,seemedsofargreaterinhiseyesthanthegraveandearnestmembersofthebrotherhood.Andbesidesallthis,hewasrevelinginhisfirsttasteofluxury;hehadfallenunderthespell.Hiscapriciousinstinctsawoke;forthefirsttimeinhislifehedrankexquisitewines,thiswashisfirstexperienceofcookerycarriedtothepitchofafineart.Aminister,aduke,andanopera-dancerhadjoinedthepartyofjournalists,andwonderedattheirsinisterpower.Lucienfeltahorriblecravingtoreignoverthesekings,andhethoughtthathehadpowertowinhiskingdom.Finally,therewasthisCoralie,madehappybyafewwordsofhis.Bythebrightlightofthewax-candles,throughthesteamofthedishesandthefumesofwine,shelookedsublimelybeautifultohiseyes,sofairhadshegrownwithlove.Shewastheloveliest,themostbeautifulactressinParis.Thebrotherhood,theheavenofnoblethoughts,fadedawaybeforeatemptationthatappealedtoeveryfibreofhisnature.Howcouldithavebeenotherwise?
　　Lucien'sauthor'svanityhadjustbeengratifiedbythepraisesofthosewhoknow;bytheappreciationofhisfuturerivals;thesuccessofhisarticlesandhisconquestofCoraliemighthaveturnedanolderheadthanhis.
　　Duringthediscussion,moreover,everyoneattablehadmadearemarkablygoodsupper,andsuchwinesarenotmetwitheveryday.
　　Lousteau,sittingbesideCamusot,furtivelypouredcherry-brandyseveraltimesintohisneighbor'swineglass,andchallengedhimtodrink.AndCamusotdrank,allunsuspicious,forhethoughthimself,inhisownway,amatchforajournalist.Thejokesbecamemorepersonalwhendessertappearedandthewinebegantocirculate.TheGermanMinister,akeen-wittedmanoftheworld,madeasigntotheDukeandTullia,andthethreedisappearedwiththefirstsymptomsofvociferousnonsensewhichprecedethegrotesquescenesofanorgyinitsfinalstage.CoralieandLucienhadbeenbehavinglikechildrenalltheevening;assoonasthewinewasuppermostinCamusot'shead,theymadegoodtheirescapedownthestaircaseandsprangintoacab.
　　Camusotsubsidedunderthetable;Matifat,lookingroundforhim,thoughtthathehadgonehomewithCoralie,lefthisgueststosmoke,laugh,andargue,andfollowedFlorinetoherroom.Daylightsurprisedtheparty,ormoreaccurately,thefirstdawnoflightdiscoveredonemanstillabletospeak,andBlondet,thatintrepidchampion,wasproposingtotheassembledsleepersahealthtoAuroratherosy-
　　fingered.
　　Lucienwasunaccustomedtoorgiesofthiskind.Hisheadwasverytolerablyclearashecamedownthestaircase,butthefreshairwastoomuchforhim;hewashorriblydrunk.WhentheyreachedthehandsomehouseintheRuedeVendome,wheretheactresslived,Coralieandherwaiting-womanwereobligedtoassistthepoettoclimbtothefirstfloor.Lucienwasignominiouslysick,andverynearlyfaintedonthestaircase.
　　"Quick,Berenice,sometea!Makesometea,"criedCoralie.
　　"Itisnothing;itistheair,"Luciengotout,"andIhavenevertakensomuchbeforeinmylife."
　　"Poorboy!Heisasinnocentasalamb,"saidBerenice,astalwartNormanpeasantwomanasuglyasCoraliewaspretty.Lucien,halfunconscious,waslaidatlastinbed.Coralie,withBerenice'sassistance,undressedthepoetwithallamother'stendercare.
　　"Itisnothing,"hemurmuredagainandagain."Itistheair.Thankyou,mamma."
　　"Howcharminglyhesays'mamma,'"criedCoralie,puttingakissonhishair.
　　"Whathappinesstolovesuchanangel,mademoiselle!Wheredidyoupickhimup?Ididnotthinkamancouldbeasbeautifulasyouare,"
　　saidBerenice,whenLucienlayinbed.Hewasverydrowsy;heknewnothingandsawnothing;Coraliemadehimswallowseveralcupsoftea,andlefthimtosleep.
　　"Didtheporterseeus?Wasthereanyoneelseabout?"sheasked.
　　"No;Iwassittingupforyou."
　　"DoesVictoireknowanything?"
　　"Rathernot!"returnedBerenice.
　　TenhourslaterLucienawoketomeetCoralie'seyes.Shehadwatchedbyhimasheslept;heknewit,poetthathewas.Itwasalmostnoon,butshestillworethedelicatedress,abominablystained,whichshemeanttolayupasarelic.Lucienunderstoodalltheself-sacrificeanddelicacyoflove,fainofitsreward.HelookedintoCoralie'seyes.InamomentshehadflungoffherclothingandslippedlikeaserpenttoLucien'sside.
　　Atfiveo'clockintheafternoonLucienwasstillsleeping,cradledinthisvoluptuousparadise.HehadcaughtglimpsesofCoralie'schamber,anexquisitecreationofluxury,aworldofrose-colorandwhite.HehadadmiredFlorine'sapartments,butthissurpassedtheminitsdaintyrefinement.
　　Coraliehadalreadyrisen;forifshewastoplayherpartastheAndalusian,shemustbeatthetheatrebyseveno'clock.Yetshehadreturnedtogazeattheunconsciouspoet,lulledtosleepinbliss;
　　shecouldnotdrinktoodeeplyofthislovethatrosetorapture,drawingclosethebondbetweentheheartandthesenses,tosteepbothinecstasy.Forinthatapotheosisofhumanpassion,whichofthosethatweretwainonearththattheymightknowblisstothefullcreatesonesoultorisetoloveinheaven,layCoralie'sjustification.Who,moreover,wouldnothavefoundexcuseinLucien'smorethanhumanbeauty?Totheactresskneelingbythebedside,happyinlovewithinher,itseemedthatshehadreceivedlove'sconsecration.BerenicebrokeinuponCoralie'srapture.
　　"HerecomesCamusot!"criedthemaid."Andheknowsthatyouarehere."
　　Luciensprangupatonce.InnategenerositysuggestedthathewasdoingCoralieaninjury.Berenicedrewasideacurtain,andhefledintoadaintydressing-room,whitherCoralieandthemaidbroughthisclotheswithmagicalspeed.
　　Camusotappeared,andonlythendidCoralie'seyesalightonLucien'sboots,warminginthefender.Berenicehadprivatelyvarnishedthem,andputthembeforethefiretodry;andbothmistressandmaidalikeforgotthattell-talewitness.BerenicelefttheroomwithascaredglanceatCoralie.Coralieflungherselfintothedepthsofasettee,andbadeCamusotseathimselfinthegondole,around-backedchairthatstoodopposite.ButCoralie'sadorer,honestsoul,darednotlookhismistressintheface;hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthepairofboots.
　　"OughtItomakeasceneandleaveCoralie?"hepondered."Isitworthwhiletomakeafussaboutatrifle?Thereisapairofbootswhereveryougo.Thesewouldbemoreinplaceinashopwindowortakingawalkontheboulevardonsomebody'sfeet;here,however,withoutapairoffeetinthem,theytellaprettyplaintale.Iamfiftyyearsold,andthatisthetruth;IoughttobeasblindasCupidhimself."
　　Therewasnoexcuseforthismean-spiritedmonologue.Thebootswerenotthehigh-lowsatpresentinvogue,whichanunobservantmanmaybeallowedtodisregarduptoacertainpoint.Theyweretheunmistakable,uncompromisinghessiansthenprescribedbyfashion,apairofextremelyelegantbetasseledboots,whichshoneinglisteningcontrastagainsttight-fittingtrousersinvariablyofsomelightcolor,andreflectedtheirsurroundingslikeamirror.Thebootsstaredthehonestsilk-merceroutofcountenance,and,itmustbeadded,theypainedhisheart.
　　"Whatisit?"askedCoralie.
　　"Nothing."
　　"Ringthebell,"saidCoralie,smilingtoherselfatCamusot'swantofspirit——"Berenice,"shesaid,whentheNormanhandmaidappeared,"justbringmeabutton-hook,forImustputontheseconfoundedbootsagain.Don'tforgettobringthemtomydressing-roomto-night."
　　"What?YOURboots?"falteredoutCamusot,breathingmorefreely.
　　"Andwhoseshouldtheybe?"shedemandedhaughtily."Wereyoubeginningtobelieve?——greatstupid!Oh!andhewouldbelieveittoo,"
　　shewenton,addressingBerenice——"Ihaveaman'spartinWhat's-his-
　　name'spiece,andIhaveneverwornaman'sclothesinmylifebefore.
　　ThebootmakerforthetheatrebroughtmethesethingstotryifI
　　couldwalkinthem,untilapaircanbemadetomeasure.Heputthemon,buttheyhurtmesomuchthatIhavetakenthemoff,andafterallImustwearthem."
　　"Don'tputthemonagainiftheyareuncomfortable,"saidCamusot.
　　Thebootshadmadehimfeelsoveryuncomfortablehimself.
　　"Mademoisellewoulddobettertohaveapairmadeofverythinmorocco,sir,insteadoftorturingherselfasshedidjustnow;butthemanagementissostingy.Shewascrying,sir;ifIwasamanandlovedawoman,Iwouldn'tlethershedatear,Iknow.Yououghttoorderapairforher——"
　　"Yes,yes,"saidCamusot."Areyoujustgettingup,Coralie?"
　　"Justthismoment;Ionlycameinatsixo'clockafterlookingforyoueverywhere.Iwasobligedtokeepthecabforsevenhours.Somuchforyourcareofme;youforgetmeforawine-bottle.IoughttotakecareofmyselfnowwhenIamtoplayeverynightsolongastheAlcaldedraws.Idon'twanttofalloffafterthatyoungman'snoticeofme."
　　"Thatisahandsomeboy,"saidCamusot.
　　"Doyouthinkso?Idon'tadmiremenofthatsort;theyaretoomuchlikewomen;andtheydonotunderstandhowtolovelikeyoustupidoldbusinessmen.Youaresoboredwithyourownsociety."
　　"Ismonsieurdiningwithmadame?"inquiredBerenice.
　　"No,mymouthisclammy."
　　"Youwerenicelyscrewedyesterday.Ah!PapaCamusot,Idon'tlikemenwhodrink,Itellyouatonce——"
　　"Youwillgivethatyoungmanapresent,Isuppose?"interruptedCamusot.
　　"Oh!yes.IwouldratherdothatthanpayasFlorinedoes.There,goawaywithyou,good-for-nothingthatoneloves;orgivemeacarriagetosavetimeinfuture."
　　"Youshallgoinyourowncarriageto-morrowtoyourmanager'sdinnerattheRocherdeCancale.ThenewpiecewillnotbegivennextSunday."
　　"Come,Iamjustgoingtodine,"saidCoralie,hurryingCamusotoutoftheroom.
　　AnhourlaterBerenicecametoreleaseLucien.Berenice,Coralie'scompanionsinceherchildhood,hadakeenandsubtlebraininherunwieldyframe.
　　"Stayhere,"shesaid."Coralieiscomingbackalone;sheeventalkedofgettingridofCamusotifheisinyourway;butyouaretoomuchofanangeltoruinher,herheart'sdarlingasyouare.Shewantstoclearoutofthis,shesays;toleavethisparadiseandgoandliveinyourgarret.Oh!therearethosethatarejealousandenviousofyou,andtheyhavetoldherthatyouhaven'tabrassfarthing,andliveintheLatinQuarter;andIshouldgo,too,yousee,todothehouse-
　　work——ButIhavejustbeencomfortingher,poorchild!Ihavebeentellingherthatyouweretooclevertodoanythingsosilly.Iwasright,wasn'tI,sir?Oh!youwillseethatyouareherdarling,herlove,thegodtowhomshegiveshersoul;yonderoldfoolhasnothingbutthebody——IfyouonlyknewhownicesheiswhenIhearhersayherpartover!MyCoralie,mylittlepet,sheis!ShedeservedthatGodinheavenshouldsendheroneofHisangels.Shewassickofthelife——Shewassounhappywithhermotherthatusedtobeather,andsoldher.Yes,sir,soldherownchild!IfIhadadaughter,IwouldwaitonherhandandfootasIwaitonCoralie;sheislikemyownchildtome——ThesearethefirstgoodtimesshehasseensinceIhavebeenwithher;thefirsttimethatshehasbeenreallyapplauded.Youhavewrittensomething,itseems,andtheyhavegotupafamousclaqueforthesecondperformance.Braulardhasbeengoingthroughtheplaywithherwhileyouwereasleep."
　　"Who?Braulard?"askedLucien;itseemedtohimthathehadheardthenamebefore.
　　"Heistheheadoftheclaqueurs,andshewasarrangingwithhimtheplaceswhereshewishedhimtolookafterher.Florinemighttrytoplayhersomeshabbytrick,andtakeallforherself,forallshecallsherselfherfriend.ThereissuchatalkaboutyourarticleontheBoulevards——Isn'titabedfitforaprince,"shesaid,smoothingthelacebed-spread.
　　Shelightedthewax-candles,andtoLucien'sbewilderedfancy,thehouseseemedtobesomepalaceintheCabinetdesFees.CamusothadchosenthericheststuffsfromtheGoldenCocoonforthehangingsandwindow-curtains.Acarpetfitforaking'spalacewasspreaduponthefloor.Thecarvingoftherosewoodfurniturecaughtandimprisonedthelightthatrippledoveritssurface.Pricelesstriflesgleamedfromthewhitemarblechimney-piece.Therugbesidethebedwasofswan'sskinsborderedwithsable.Apairoflittle,blackvelvetslipperslinedwithpurplesilktoldofhappinessawaitingthepoetofTheMarguerites.Adaintylamphungfromtheceilingdrapedwithsilk.Theroomwasfulloffloweringplants,delicatewhiteheathsandscentlesscamellias,instandsmarvelouslywrought.Everythingcalledupassociationsofinnocence.HowwasitpossibleintheseroomstoseethelifethatCoralieledinitstruecolors?BerenicenoticedLucien'sbewilderedexpression.
　　"Isn'titnice?"shesaidcoaxingly."Youwouldbemorecomfortablehere,wouldn'tyou,thaninagarret?——Youwon'tletherdoanythingrash?"shecontinued,settingacostlystandbeforehim,coveredwithdishesabstractedfromhermistress'dinner-table,lestthecookshouldsuspectthathermistresshadaloverinthehouse.
　　Lucienmadeagooddinner.Berenicewaitingonhim,thedisheswereofwroughtsilver,thepaintedporcelainplateshadcostalouisd'orapiece.Theluxurywasproducingexactlythesameeffectuponhimthatthesightofagirlwalkingthepavement,withherbareflauntingthroatandneatankles,producesuponaschoolboy.
　　"HowluckyCamusotis!"criedhe.
　　"Lucky?"repeatedBerenice."Hewouldwillinglygiveallthatheisworthtobeinyourplace;hewouldbegladtobarterhisgrayhairforyourgoldenhead."
　　ShegaveLucientherichestwinethatBordeauxkeepsforthewealthiestEnglishpurchaser,andpersuadedLucientogotobedtotakeapreliminarynap;andLucien,intruth,wasquitewillingtosleeponthecouchthathehadbeenadmiring.Berenicehadreadhiswish,andfeltgladforhermistress.
　　Athalf-pasttenthatnightLucienawoketolookintoeyesbrimmingoverwithlove.TherestoodCoralieinmostluxuriousnightattire.
　　Lucienhadbeensleeping;Lucienwasintoxicatedwithlove,andnotwithwine.Berenicelefttheroomwiththeinquiry,"Whattimeto-morrowmorning?"
　　"Ateleveno'clock.Wewillhavebreakfastinbed.Iamnotathometoanybodybeforetwoo'clock."
　　Attwoo'clockintheafternoonCoralieandherloverweresittingtogether.Thepoettoallappearancehadcometopayacall.Lucienhadbeenbathedandcombedanddressed.CoraliehadsenttoColliau'sforadozenfineshirts,adozencravatsandadozenpocket-
　　handkerchiefsforhim,aswellastwelvepairsofglovesinacedar-
　　woodbox.Whenacarriagestoppedatthedoor,theybothrushedtothewindow,andwatchedCamusotalightfromahandsomecoupe.
　　"Iwouldnothavebelievedthatonecouldsohateamanandluxury——"
　　"Iamtoopoortoallowyoutoruinyourselfforme,"hereplied.AndthusLucienpassedundertheCaudineForks.
　　"Poorpet,"saidCoralie,holdinghimtightlytoher,"doyoulovemesomuch?——Ipersuadedthisgentlemantocallonmethismorning,"shecontinued,indicatingLucientoCamusot,whoenteredtheroom."I
　　thoughtthatwemighttakeadriveintheChampsElyseestotrythecarriage."
　　"Gowithoutme,"saidCamusotinamelancholyvoice;"Ishallnotdinewithyou.Itismywife'sbirthday,Ihadforgottenthat."
　　"PoorMusot,howbadlyboredyouwillbe!"shesaid,puttingherarmsabouthisneck.
　　ShewaswildwithjoyatthethoughtthatsheandLucienwouldhandselthisgifttogether;shewoulddrivewithhiminthenewcarriage;andinherhappiness,sheseemedtoloveCamusot,shelavishedcaressesuponhim.
　　"IfonlyIcouldgiveyouacarriageeveryday!"saidthepoorfellow.
　　"Now,sir,itistwoo'clock,"shesaid,turningtoLucien,whostoodindistressandconfusion,butshecomfortedhimwithanadorablegesture.
　　Downthestairsshewent,severalstepsatatime,drawingLucienafterher;theelderlymerchantfollowingintheirwakelikeasealonland,andquiteunabletocatchthemup.
　　Lucienenjoyedthemostintoxicatingofpleasures;happinesshadincreasedCoralie'slovelinesstothehighestpossibledegree;sheappearedbeforealleyesanexquisitevisioninherdaintytoilette.
　　AllParisintheChampsElyseesbeheldthelovers.
　　InanavenueoftheBoisdeBoulognetheymetacaleche;Mme.d'EspardandMme.deBargetonlookedinsurpriseatLucien,andmetascornfulglancefromthepoet.Hesawglimpsesofagreatfuturebeforehim,andwasabouttomakehispowerfelt.Hecouldflingthembackinaglancesomeoftherevengefulthoughtswhichhadgnawedhishearteversincetheyplantedthemthere.Thatmomentwasoneofthesweetestinhislife,andperhapsdecidedhisfate.OnceagaintheFuriesseizedonLucienatthebiddingofPride.HewouldreappearintheworldofParis;hewouldtakeasignalrevenge;allthesocialpettinesshithertotroddenunderfootbytheworker,thememberofthebrotherhood,sprangupagainafreshinhissoul.
　　NowheunderstoodallthatLousteau'sattackhadmeant.Lousteauhadservedhispassions;whilethebrotherhood,thatcollectivementor,hadseemedtomortifythemintheinterestsoftiresomevirtuesandworkwhichbegantolookuselessandhopelessinLucien'seyes.Work!
　　Whatisitbutdeathtoaneagerpleasure-lovingnature?Andhoweasyitisforthemanofletterstoslideintoafarnienteexistenceofself-indulgence,intotheluxuriouswaysofactressesandwomenofeasyvirtues!Lucienfeltanovermasteringdesiretocontinuetherecklesslifeofthelasttwodays.
　　ThedinnerattheRocherdeCancalewasexquisite.AllFlorine'ssupperguestswerethereexcepttheMinister,theDuke,andthedancer;Camusot,too,wasabsent;butthesegapswerefilledbytwofamousactorsandHectorMerlinandhismistress.Thischarmingwoman,whochosetobeknownasMme.duVal-Noble,wasthehandsomestandmostfashionableoftheclassofwomennoweuphemisticallystyledlorettes.
　　Lucienhadspenttheforty-eighthourssincethesuccessofhisarticleinparadise.Hewasfetedandenvied;hegainedself-
　　possession;histalksparkled;hewasthebrilliantLuciendeRubemprewhoshoneforafewmonthsintheworldoflettersandart.Finot,withhisinfallibleinstinctfordiscoveringability,scentingitafarasanogremightscenthumanflesh,cajoledLucien,anddidhisbesttosecurearecruitforthesquadronunderhiscommand.AndCoraliewatchedthemanoeuvresofthispurveyorofbrains,sawthatLucienwasnibblingatthebait,andtriedtoputhimonhisguard.
　　"Don'tmakeanyengagement,dearboy;wait.Theywanttoexploityou;
　　wewilltalkofitto-night."
　　"Pshaw!"saidLucien."IamsureIamquiteassharpandshrewdastheycanbe."
　　FinotandHectorMerlinevidentlyhadnotfallenoutoverthataffairofthewhitelinesandspacesinthecolumns,foritwasFinotwhointroducedLucientothejournalist.CoralieandMme.duVal-Noblewereoverwhelminglyamiableandpolitetoeachother,andMme.duVal-
　　NobleaskedLucienandCoralietodinewithher.
　　HectorMerlin,shortandthin,withlipsalwaystightlycompressed,wasthemostdangerousjournalistpresent.Unboundedambitionandjealousysmoulderedwithinhim;hetookpleasureinthepainofothers,andfomentedstrifetoturnittohisownaccount.Hisabilitieswerebutslender,andhehadlittleforceofcharacter,butthenaturalinstinctwhichdrawstheupstarttowardsmoneyandpowerservedhimaswellasfixityofpurpose.LucienandMerlinatoncetookadisliketooneanother,forreasonsnotfartoseek.Merlin,unfortunately,proclaimedaloudthethoughtsthatLucienkepttohimself.Bythetimethedessertwasputonthetable,themosttouchingfriendshipappearedtoprevailamongthemen,eachoneofwhominhisheartthoughthimselfaclevererfellowthantherest;andLucienasthenewcomerwasmademuchofbythemall.Theychattedfranklyandunrestrainedly.HectorMerlin,alone,didnotjoininthelaughter.Lucienaskedthereasonofhisreserve.
　　"Youarejustenteringtheworldofletters,Icansee,"hesaid."Youareajournalistwithallyourillusionsleft.Youbelieveinfriendship.Herewearefriendsorfoes,asithappens;westrikedownafriendwiththeweaponwhichbyrightsshouldonlybeturnedagainstanenemy.Youwillfindout,beforeverylong,thatfinesentimentswilldonothingforyou.Ifyouarenaturallykindly,learntobeill-
　　natured,tobeconsistentlyspiteful.Ifyouhaveneverheardthisgoldenrulebefore,Igiveityounowinconfidence,anditisnosmallsecret.Ifyouhaveamindtobeloved,neverleaveyourmistressuntilyouhavemadehershedatearortwo;andifyoumeantomakeyourwayinliterature,letotherpeoplecontinuallyfeelyourteeth;makenoexceptionevenofyourfriends;woundtheirsusceptibilities,andeverybodywillfawnuponyou."
　　HectorMerlinwatchedLucienashespoke,sawthathiswordswenttotheneophyte'sheartlikeastab,andHectorMerlinwasglad.Playfollowed,Lucienlostallhismoney,andCoraliebroughthimaway;andheforgotforawhile,inthedelightsoflove,thefierceexcitementofthegambler,whichwastogainsostrongaholduponhim.
　　WhenheleftCoralieinthemorningandreturnedtotheLatinQuarter,hetookouthispurseandfoundthemoneyhehadlost.Atfirsthefeltmiserableoverthediscovery,andthoughtofgoingbackatoncetoreturnagiftwhichhumiliatedhim;but——hehadalreadycomeasfarastheRuedelaHarpe;hewouldnotreturnnowthathehadalmostreachedtheHoteldeCluny.HeponderedoverCoralie'sforethoughtashewent,tillhesawinitaproofofthematernallovewhichisblendedwithpassioninwomenofherstamp.ForCoralieandherlike,passionincludeseveryhumanaffection.Lucienwentfromthoughttothought,andarguedhimselfintoacceptingthegift."Iloveher,"hesaid;"weshalllivetogetherashusbandandwife;Iwillneverforsakeher!"
　　Whatmortal,shortofaDiogenes,couldfailtounderstandLucien'sfeelingsasheclimbedthedirty,fetidstaircasetohislodging,turnedthekeythatgratedinthelock,andenteredandlookedroundattheunsweptbrickfloor,atthecheerlessgrate,attheuglypovertyandbarenessoftheroom.
　　Apackageofmanuscriptwaslyingonthetable.Itwashisnovel;anotefromDanield'Arthezlaybesideit:——
　　"Ourfriendsarealmostsatisfiedwithyourwork,dearpoet,"
　　d'Arthezwrote."Youwillbeabletopresentitwithmoreconfidencenow,theysay,tofriendsandenemies.WesawyourcharmingarticleonthePanorama-Dramatique;youaresuretoexciteasmuchjealousyintheprofessionasregretamongyourfriendshere.
　　DANIEL."
　　"Regrets!Whatdoeshemean?"exclaimedLucien.Thepolitetoneofthenoteastonishedhim.Washetobehenceforthastrangertothebrotherhood?HehadlearnedtosetahighervalueonthegoodopinionandthefriendshipofthecircleintheRuedesQuatre-VentssincehehadtastedofthedeliciousfruitsofferedtohimbytheEveofthetheatricalunderworld.Forsomemomentshestoodindeepthought;hesawhispresentinthegarret,andforesawhisfutureinCoralie'srooms.Honorableresolutionstruggledwithtemptationandswayedhimnowthisway,nowthat.Hesatdownandbegantolookthroughhismanuscript,toseeinwhatconditionhisfriendshadreturnedittohim.Whatwashisamazement,ashereadchapterafterchapter,tofindhispovertytransmutedintorichesbythecunningofthepen,andthedevotionoftheunknowngreatmen,hisfriendsofthebrotherhood.
　　Dialogue,closelypacked,nervous,pregnant,terse,andfullofthespiritoftheage,replacedhisconversations,whichseemedpoorandpointlessprattleincomparison.Hischaracters,alittleuncertaininthedrawing,nowstoodoutinvigorouscontrastofcolorandrelief;
　　physiologicalobservations,duenodoubttoHoraceBianchon,suppliedlinksofinterpretationsbetweenhumancharacterandthecuriousphenomenaofhumanlife——subtletoucheswhichmadehismenandwomenlive.Hiswordypassagesofdescriptionwerecondensedandvivid.Themisshapen,ill-cladchildofhisbrainhadreturnedtohimasalovelymaiden,withwhiterobesandrosy-huedgirdleandscarf——anentrancingcreation.Nightfellandtookhimbysurprise,readingthroughrisingtears,strickentoearthbysuchgreatnessofsoul,feelingtheworthofsuchalesson,admiringthealternations,whichtaughthimmoreofliteratureandartthanallhisfouryears'apprenticeshipofstudyandreadingandcomparison.Amaster'scorrectionofalinemadeuponthestudyalwaysteachesmorethanallthetheoriesandcriticismsintheworld.
　　"Whatfriendsarethese!Whathearts!HowfortunateIam!"hecried,graspinghismanuscripttightly.
　　Withthequickimpulsivenessofapoeticandmobiletemperament,herushedofftoDaniel'slodging.Asheclimbedthestairs,andthoughtofthesefriends,whorefusedtoleavethepathofhonor,hefeltconsciousthathewaslessworthyofthemthanbefore.Avoicespokewithinhim,tellinghimthatifd'ArthezhadlovedCoralie,hewouldhavehadherbreakwithCamusot.And,besidesthis,heknewthatthebrotherhoodheldjournalisminutterabhorrence,andthathehimselfwasalready,tosomesmallextent,ajournalist.Allofthem,exceptMeyraux,whohadjustgoneout,wereind'Arthez'sroomwhenheenteredit,andsawthatalltheirfaceswerefullofsorrowanddespair.
　　"Whatisit?"hecried.