Womenneverliketohearthepraiseofotherwomen；theykeepsilencethemselvestolessenitseffect。”PoorLaBillardiereisdying，”remarkedhisExcellencytheminister；”thatplacefallstoRabourdin，oneofourmostablemen，andtowhomourpredecessorsdidnotbehavewell，thoughoneofthemactuallyowedhispositionintheprefectureofpoliceundertheEmpiretoacertaingreatpersonagewhowasinterestedinRabourdin。But，mydearfriend，youarestillyoungenoughtobelovedbyaprettywomanforyourself——””IfLaBillardiere’splaceisgiventoRabourdinImaybebelievedwhenIpraisethesuperiorityofhiswife，”replieddesLupeaulx，piquedbytheminister’ssarcasm；”butifMadamelaComtessewouldbewillingtojudgeforherself——””Youwantmetoinvitehertomynextball，don’tyou？Yourcleverwomanwillmeetaknotofotherwomenwhoonlycomeheretolaughatus，andwhentheyhear’MadameRabourdin’announced——””ButMadameFirmianiisannouncedattheForeignOfficeparties？””Ah，butshewasbornaCadignan！”saidthenewlycreatedcount，withasavagelookathisgeneral-secretary，forneitherhenorhiswifewerenoble。
　　Thepersonspresentthoughtimportantmatterswerebeingtalkedover，andthesolicitorsforfavorsandappointmentskeptatalittledistance。WhendesLupeaulxlefttheroomthecountesssaidtoherhusband，”IthinkdesLupeaulxisinlove。””Forthefirsttimeinhislife，then，”hereplied，shrugginghisshoulders，asmuchastoinformhiswifethatdesLupeaulxdidnotconcernhimselfwithsuchnonsense。
　　JustthentheministersawadeputyoftheRightCentreentertheroom，andhelefthiswifeabruptlytocajoleanundecidedvote。Butthedeputy，undertheblowofasuddenandunexpecteddisaster，wantedtomakesureofaprotectorandhehadcometoannounceprivatelythatinafewdaysheshouldbecompelledtoresign。Thusforewarned，theministerwouldbeabletoopenhisbatteriesforthenewelectionbeforethoseoftheopposition。
　　Theminister，ortospeakcorrectly，desLupeaulxhadinvitedtodinneronthisoccasiononeofthoseirremovableofficialswho，aswehavesaid，aretobefoundineveryministry；anindividualmuchembarrassedbyhisownperson，who，inhisdesiretomaintainadignifiedappearance，wasstandingerectandrigidonhistwolegs，heldwelltogetherliketheGreekhermae。Thisfunctionarywaitednearthefireplacetothankthesecretary，whoseabruptandunexpecteddeparturefromtheroomdisconcertedhimatthemomentwhenhewasabouttoturnacompliment。Thisofficialwasthecashieroftheministry，theonlyclerkwhodidnottremblewhenthegovernmentchangedhands。
　　Atthetimeofwhichwewrite，theChamberdidnotmeddleshabbilywiththebudget，asitdoesinthedeplorabledaysinwhichwenowlive；itdidnotcontemptiblyreduceministerialemoluments，norsave，astheysayinthekitchen，thecandle-ends；onthecontrary，itgrantedtoeachministertakingchargeofapublicdepartmentanindemnity，calledan”outfit。”Itcosts，alas，asmuchtoenteronthedutiesofaministerastoretirefromthem；indeed，theentranceinvolvesexpensesofallkindswhichitisquiteimpossibletoinventory。Thisindemnityamountedtotheprettylittlesumoftwenty-
　　fivethousandfrancs。Whentheappointmentofanewministerwasgazettedinthe”Moniteur，”andthegreaterorlesserofficials，clusteringroundthestovesorbeforethefireplacesandshakingintheirshoes，askedthemselves:”Whatwillhedo？willheincreasethenumberofclerks？willhedismisstwotomakeroomforthree？”thecashiertranquillytookouttwenty-fivecleanbank-billsandpinnedthemtogetherwithasatisfiedexpressiononhisbeadleface。Thenextdayhemountedtheprivatestaircaseandhadhimselfusheredintotheminister’spresencebythelackeys，whoconsideredthemoneyandthekeeperofmoney，thecontentsandthecontainer，theideaandtheform，asoneandthesamepower。Thecashiercaughttheministerialpairatthedawnofofficialdelight，whenthenewlyappointedstatesmanisbenignandaffable。Totheminister’sinquiryastowhatbringshimthere，hereplieswiththebank-notes，——informinghisExcellencythathehastenstopayhimthecustomaryindemnity。
　　Moreover，heexplainsthemattertotheminister’swife，whoneverfailstodrawfreelyuponthefund，andsometimestakesall，forthe”outfit”islookeduponasahouseholdaffair。Thecashierthenproceedstoturnacompliment，andtoslipinafewpoliticphrases:”IfhisExcellencywoulddeigntoretainhim；if，satisfiedwithhispurelymechanicalservices，hewould，”etc。Asamanwhobringstwenty-fivethousandfrancsisalwaysaworthyofficial，thecashierissurenottoleavewithouthisconfirmationtothepostfromwhichhehasseenasuccessionofministerscomeandgoduringaperiodof，perhaps，twenty-fiveyears。HisnextstepistoplacehimselfattheordersofMadame；hebringsthemonthlythirteenthousandfrancswheneverwanted；headvancesordelaysthepaymentasrequested，andthusmanagestoobtain，astheysaidinthemonasteries，avoiceinthechapter。
　　Formerlybook-keeperattheTreasury，whenthatestablishmentkeptitsbooksbydoubleentry，theSieurSaillardwascompensatedforthelossofthatpositionbyhisappointmentascashierofaministry。Hewasabulky，fatman，verystronginthematterofbook-keeping，andveryweakineverythingelse；roundasaroundO，simpleashow-do-you-do，——amanwhocametohisofficewithmeasuredsteps，likethoseofanelephant，andreturnedwiththesamemeasuredtreadtotheplaceRoyale，wherehelivedontheground-floorofanoldmansionbelongingtohim。HeusuallyhadacompaniononthewayinthepersonofMonsieurIsidoreBaudoyer，headofabureauinMonsieurdelaBillardiere’sdivision，consequentlyoneofRabourdin’scolleagues。
　　BaudoyerwasmarriedtoElisabethSaillard，thecashier’sonlydaughter，andhadhired，verynaturally，theapartmentsabovethoseofhisfather-in-law。NooneattheministryhadtheslightestdoubtthatSaillardwasablockhead，butneitherhadanyoneeverfoundouthowfarhisstupiditycouldgo；itwastoocompacttobeexamined；itdidnotringhollow；itabsorbedeverythingandgavenothingout。Bixiouaclerkofwhommoreanoncaricaturedthecashierbydrawingaheadinawigatthetopofanegg，andtwolittlelegsattheotherend，withthisinscription:”Borntopayoutandtakeinwithoutblundering。Alittlelessluck，andhemighthavebeenlackeytothebankofFrance；alittlemoreambition，andhecouldhavebeenhonorablydischarged。”
　　Atthemomentofwhichwearenowwriting，theministerwaslookingathiscashierverymuchaswegazeatawindoworacornice，withoutsupposingthateithercanhearus，orfathomoursecretthoughts。”Iamallthemoreanxiousthatweshouldsettleeverythingwiththeprefectinthequietestway，becausedesLupeaulxhasdesignsupontheplaceforhimself，”saidtheminister，continuinghistalkwiththedeputy；”hispaltrylittleestateisinyourarrondissement；wewon’twanthimasdeputy。””Hehasneitheryearsnorrentalsenoughtobeeligible，”saidthedeputy。”Thatmaybe；butyouknowhowitwasdecidedforCasimirPerierastoage；andastoworldlypossessions，desLupeaulxdoespossesssomething，——notmuch，itistrue，butthelawdoesnottakeintoaccountincrease，whichhemayverywellobtain；commissionshavewidemarginsforthedeputiesoftheCentre，youknow，andwecannotopenlyopposethegood-willthatisshowntothisdearfriend。””Butwherewouldhegetthemoney？””HowdidManuelmanagetobecometheownerofahouseinParis？”criedtheminister。
　　Thecashierlistenedandheard，butreluctantlyandagainsthiswill。
　　Theserapidremarks，murmuredastheywere，struckhisearbyoneofthoseacousticreboundswhichareverylittlestudied。Asheheardthesepoliticalconfidences，however，akeenalarmtookpossessionofhissoul。Hewasoneofthosesimple-mindedbeings，whoareshockedatlisteningtoanythingtheyarenotintendedtohear，orenteringwheretheyarenotinvited，andseemingboldwhentheyarereallytimid，inquisitivewheretheyaretrulydiscreet。Thecashieraccordinglybegantoglidealongthecarpetandedgehimselfaway，sothattheministersawhimatadistancewhenhefirsttooknoticeofhim。
　　Saillardwasaministerialhenchmanabsolutelyincapableofindiscretion；eveniftheministerhadknownthathehadoverheardasecrethehadonlytowhisper”motus”inhiseartobesureitwasperfectlysafe。Thecashier，however，tookadvantageofaninfluxofoffice-seekers，toslipoutandgetintohishackney-coachhiredbythehourforthesecostlyentertainments，andtoreturntohishomeintheplaceRoyale。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THETEREDOSNAVALIS，OTHERWISECALLEDSHIP-WORM
　　WhileoldSaillardwasdrivingacrossParishisson-in-law，IsidoreBaudoyer，andhisdaughter，Elisabeth，Baudoyer’swife，wereplayingavirtuousgameofbostonwiththeirconfessor，theAbbeGaudron，incompanywithafewneighborsandacertainMartinFalleix，abrass-
　　founderinthefauborgSaint-Antoine，towhomSaillardhadloanedthenecessarymoneytoestablishabusiness。ThisFalleix，arespectableAuvergnatwhohadcometoseekhisfortuneinPariswithhissmelting-
　　potonhisback，hadfoundimmediateemploymentwiththefirmofBrezac，collectorsofmetalsandotherrelicsfromallchateauxintheprovinces。Abouttwenty-sevenyearsofage，andspoiled，likeothers，bysuccess，MartinFalleixhadhadthelucktobecometheactiveagentofMonsieurSaillard，thesleeping-partnerintheworkingoutofadiscoverymadebyFalleixinsmeltingpatentofinventionandgoldmedalgrantedattheexpositionof1825。MadameBaudoyer，whoseonlydaughterwastreading——touseanexpressionofoldSaillard’s——onthetailofhertwelveyears，laidclaimtoFalleix，athickset，swarthy，activeyoungfellow，ofshrewdprinciples，whoseeducationshewassuperintending。Thesaideducation，accordingtoherideas，consistedinteachinghimtoplayboston，toholdhiscardsproperly，andnottoletothersseehisgame；toshavehimselfregularlybeforehecametothehouse，andtowashhishandswithgoodcleansingsoap；nottoswear，tospeakherkindofFrench，towearbootsinsteadofshoes，cottonshirtsinsteadofsacking，andtobrushuphishairinsteadofplasteringitflat。DuringtheprecedingweekElisabethhadfinallysucceededinpersuadingFalleixtogiveupwearingapairofenormousflatearringsresemblinghoops。”Yougotoofar，MadameBaudoyer，”hesaid，seeinghersatisfactionatthefinalsacrifice；”youordermeabouttoomuch。Youmakemecleanmyteeth，whichloosensthem；presentlyyouwillwantmetobrushmynailsandcurlmyhair，whichwon’tdoatallinourbusiness；wedon’tlikedandies。”
　　ElisabethBaudoyer，neeSaillard，isoneofthosepersonswhoescapeportraiturethroughtheiruttercommonness；yetwhooughttobesketched，becausetheyarespecimensofthatsecond-rateParisianbourgeoisiewhichoccupiesaplaceabovethewell-to-doartisanandbelowtheuppermiddleclasses，——atribewhosevirtuesarewell-nighvices，whosedefectsareneverkindly，butwhosehabitsandmanners，dullandinsipidthoughtheybe，arenotwithoutacertainoriginality。SomethingpinchedandpunyaboutElisabethSaillardwaspainfultotheeye。Herfigure，scarcelyoverfourfeetinheight，wassothinthatthewaistmeasuredlessthantwentyinches。Hersmallfeatures，whichclusteredcloseaboutthenose，gaveherfaceavagueresemblancetoaweasel’ssnout。Thoughshewaspastthirtyyearsoldshelookedscarcelymorethansixteen。Hereyes，ofporcelainblue，overweightedbyheavyeyelidswhichfellnearlystraightfromthearchoftheeyebrows，hadlittlelightinthem。Everythingaboutherappearancewascommonplace:witnessherflaxenhair，tendingtowhiteness；herflatforehead，fromwhichthelightdidnotreflect；
　　andherdullcomplexion，withgray，almostleaden，tones。Thelowerpartoftheface，moretriangularthanoval，endedirregularlytheotherwiseirregularoutlineofherface。Hervoicehadaratherprettyrangeofintonation，fromsharptosweet。Elisabethwasaperfectspecimenofthesecond-ratelittlebourgeoisiewholecturesherhusbandbehindthecurtains；obtainsnocreditforhervirtues；isambitiouswithoutintelligentobject，andsolelythroughthedevelopmentofherdomesticselfishness。Hadshelivedinthecountryshewouldhaveboughtupadjacentland；being，asshewas，connectedwiththeadministration，shewasdeterminedtopushherway。Ifwerelatethelifeofherfatherandmother，weshallshowthesortofwomanshewasbyapictureofherchildhoodandyouth。
　　MonsieurSaillardmarriedthedaughterofanupholstererkeepingshopunderthearcadesoftheMarket。LimitedmeanscompelledMonsieurandMadameSaillardattheirstartinlifetobearconstantprivation。
　　Afterthirty-threeyearsofmarriedlife，andtwenty-nineyearsoftoilinagovernmentoffice，thepropertyof”theSaillards”——theircircleofacquaintancecalledthemso——consistedofsixtythousandfrancsentrustedtoFalleix，thehouseintheplaceRoyale，boughtforfortythousandin1804，andthirty-sixthousandfrancsgivenindowrytotheirdaughterElisabeth。OutofthiscapitalaboutfiftythousandcametothembythewillofthewidowBidault，MadameSaillard’smother。Saillard’ssalaryfromthegovernmenthadalwaysbeenfourthousandfivehundredfrancsayear，andnomore；hissituationwasablindalleythatlednowhere，andhadtemptednoonetosupersedehim。
　　Thoseninetythousandfrancs，puttogethersoubysou，werethefruitthereforeofasordideconomyunintelligentlyemployed。Infact，theSaillardsdidnotknowhowbettertomanagetheirsavingsthantocarrythem，fivethousandfrancsatatime，totheirnotary，MonsieurSorbier，Cardot’spredecessor，andlethiminvestthematfivepercentinfirstmortgages，withthewife’srightsreservedincasetheborrowerwasmarried！In1804MadameSaillardobtainedagovernmentofficeforthesaleofstampedpapers，acircumstancewhichbroughtaservantintothehouseholdforthefirsttime。Atthetimeofwhichwewrite，thehouse，whichwasworthahundredthousandfrancs，broughtinarentalofeightthousand。Falleixpaidsevenpercentforthesixtythousandinvestedinthefoundry，besidesanequaldivisionofprofits。TheSaillardswerethereforeenjoyinganincomeofnotlessthanseventeenthousandfrancsayear。ThewholeambitionofthegoodmannowcentredonobtainingthecrossoftheLegionandhisretiringpension。
　　Elisabeth，theonlychild，hadtoiledsteadilyfrominfancyinahomewherethecustomsoflifewererigidandtheideassimple。AnewhatforSaillardwasamatterofdeliberation；thetimeacoatcouldlastwasestimatedanddiscussed；umbrellaswerecarefullyhungupbymeansofabrassbuckle。Since1804norepairsofanykindhadbeendonetothehouse。TheSaillardskepttheground-floorinpreciselythestateinwhichtheirpredecessorleftit。Thegildingofthepier-glasseswasrubbedoff；thepaintonthecorniceswashardlyvisiblethroughthelayersofdustthattimehadcollected。Thefinelargeroomsstillretainedcertainsculpturedmarblemantel-piecesandceilings，worthyofVersailles，togetherwiththeoldfurnitureofthewidowBidault。
　　Thelatterconsistedofacuriousmixtureofwalnutarmchairs，disjointed，andcoveredwithtapestry；rosewoodbureaus；roundtablesonsinglepedestals，withbrassrailingsandcrackedmarbletops；onesuperbBoullesecretary，thevalueofwhichstylehadnotyetbeenrecognized；inshort，achaosofbargainspickedupbytheworthywidow，——picturesboughtforthesakeoftheframes，chinaservicesofacompositeorder；towit，amagnificentJapanesedessertset，andalltherestporcelainsofvariousmakes，unmatchedsilverplate，oldglass，finedamask，andafour-postbedstead，hungwithcurtainsandgarnishedwithplumes。
　　Amidthesecuriousrelics，MadameSaillardalwayssatonasofaofmodernmahogany，nearafireplacefullofashesandwithoutfire，onthemantel-shelfofwhichstoodaclock，someantiquebronzes，candelabrawithpaperflowersbutnocandles，forthecarefulhousewifelightedtheroomwithatalltallowcandlealwaysgutteringdownintotheflatbrasscandlestickwhichheldit。MadameSaillard’sface，despiteitswrinkles，wasexpressiveofobstinacyandseverity，narrownessofideas，anuprightnessthatmightbecalledquadrangular，areligionwithoutpiety，straightforward，candidavarice，andthepeaceofaquietconscience。YoumayseeincertainFlemishpicturesthewivesofburgomasterscutoutbynatureonthesamepatternandwonderfullyreproducedoncanvas；butthesedameswearfinerobesofvelvetandpreciousstuffs，whereasMadameSaillardpossessednorobes，onlythatvenerablegarmentcalledinTouraineandPicardy”cottes，”elsewherepetticoats，orskirtspleatedbehindandoneachside，withotherskirtshangingoverthem。Herbustwasinclosedinwhatwascalleda”casaquin，”anotherobsoletenameforashortgownorjacket。Shecontinuedtowearacapwithstarchedwings，andshoeswithhighheels。Thoughshewasnowfifty-sevenyearsold，andherlifetimeofvigoroushouseholdworkoughtnowtoberewardedwithwell-earnedrepose，shewasincessantlyemployedinknittingherhusband’sstockingsandherown，andthoseofanuncle，justashercountrywomenknitthem，movingabouttheroom，talking，pacingupanddownthegarden，orlookingroundthekitchentowatchwhatwasgoingon。
　　TheSaillard’savarice，whichwasreallyimposedontheminthefirstinstancebydirenecessity，wasnowasecondnature。Whenthecashiergotbackfromtheoffice，helaidasidehiscoat，andwenttoworkinthelargegarden，shutofffromthecourtyardbyanironrailing，andwhichthefamilyreservedtoitself。ForyearsElisabeth，thedaughter，wenttomarketeverymorningwithhermother，andthetwodidalltheworkofthehouse。Themothercookedwell，especiallyaduckwithturnips；but，accordingtoSaillard，noonecouldequalElisabethinhashingtheremainsofalegofmuttonwithonions。”Youmighteatyourbootswiththoseonionsandnotknowit，”heremarked。
　　AssoonasElisabethknewhowtoholdaneedle，hermotherhadhermendthehouseholdlinenandherfather’scoats。Alwaysatwork，likeaservant，sheneverwentoutalone。ThoughlivingclosebytheboulevardduTemple，whereFranconi，LaGaite，andl’Ambigu-Comiquewerewithinastone’sthrow，and，furtheron，thePorte-Saint-Martin，Elisabethhadneverseenacomedy。Whensheaskedto”seewhatitwaslike”withtheAbbeGaudron’spermission，beitunderstood，MonsieurBaudoyertookher——forthegloryofthething，andtoshowherthefinestthatwastobeseen——totheOpera，wheretheywereplaying”TheChineseLaborer。”Elisabeththought”thecomedy”aswearisomeastheplagueofflies，andneverwishedtoseeanother。OnSundays，afterwalkingfourtimestoandfrobetweentheplaceRoyaleandSaint-
　　Paul’schurchforhermothermadeherpractisethepreceptsandthedutiesofreligion，herparentstookhertothepavementinfrontoftheCafeTure，wheretheysatonchairsplacedbetweenarailingandthewall。TheSaillardsalwaysmadehastetoreachtheplaceearlysoastochoosethebestseats，andfoundmuchentertainmentinwatchingthepassers-by。InthosedaystheCafeTurewastherendezvousofthefashionablesocietyoftheMarais，thefaubourgSaint-Antoine，andthecircumjacentregions。
　　Elisabethneverworeanythingbutcottongownsinsummerandmerinointhewinter，whichshemadeherself。Hermothergavehertwentyfrancsamonthforherexpenses，butherfather，whowasveryfondofher，mitigatedthisrigoroustreatmentwithafewpresents。SheneverreadwhattheAbbeGaudron，vicarofSaint-Paul’sandthefamilydirector，calledprofanebooks。Thisdisciplinehadbornefruit。Forcedtoemployherfeelingsonsomepassionorother，Elisabethbecameeageraftergain。Thoughshewasnotlackinginsenseorperspicacity，religioustheories，andhercompleteignoranceofhigheremotionshadencircledallherfacultieswithanironhand；theywereexercisedsolelyonthecommonestthingsoflife；spentinafewdirectionstheywereabletoconcentratethemselvesonamatterinhand。Repressedbyreligiousdevotion，hernaturalintelligenceexerciseditselfwithinthelimitsmarkedoutbycasesofconscience，whichformamineofsubtletiesamongwhichself-interestselectsitssubterfuges。Likethosesaintlypersonagesinwhomreligiondoesnotstifleambition，Elisabethwascapableofrequiringotherstodoablamableactionthatshemightreapthefruits；andshewouldhavebeen，likethemagain，implacableastoherduesanddissemblinginheractions。Onceoffended，shewatchedheradversarieswiththeperfidiouspatienceofacat，andwascapableofbringingaboutsomecoldandcompletevengeance，andthenlayingittotheaccountofGod。UntilhermarriagetheSaillardslivedwithoutothersocietythanthatoftheAbbeGaudron，apriestfromAuvergneappointedvicarofSaint-Paul’saftertherestorationofCatholicworship。Besidesthisecclesiastic，whowasafriendofthelateMadameBidault，apaternaluncleofMadameSaillard，anoldpaper-dealerretiredfrombusinesseversincetheyearII。oftheRepublic，andnowsixty-nineyearsold，cametoseethemonSundaysonly，becauseonthatdaynogovernmentbusinesswenton。
　　Thislittleoldman，withalividfaceblazonedbytherednoseofatipplerandlightedbytwogleamingvultureeyes，allowedhisgrayhairtohanglooseunderathree-corneredhat，worebreecheswithstrapsthatextendedbeyondthebuckles，cottonstockingsofmottledthreadknittedbyhisniece，whomhealwayscalled”thelittleSaillard，”stoutshoeswithsilverbuckles，andasurtoutcoatofmixedcolors。Helookedverymuchlikethoseverger-beadle-bell-
　　ringing-grave-digging-parish-clerkswhoaretakentobecaricaturesuntilweseethemperformingtheirvariousfunctions。OnthepresentoccasionhehadcomeonfoottodinewiththeSaillards，intendingtoreturninthesamewaytotherueGreneta，wherehelivedonthethirdfloorofanoldhouse。HisbusinesswasthatofdiscountingcommercialpaperinthequartierSaint-Martin，wherehewasknownbythenicknameof”Gigonnet，”fromthenervousconvulsivemovementwithwhichheliftedhislegsinwalking，likeacat。MonsieurBidaultbeganthisbusinessintheyearII。inpartnershipwithadutchmannamedWerbrust，afriendofGobseck。
　　SometimelaterSaillardmadetheacquaintanceofMonsieurandMadameTranson，wholesaledealersinpottery，withanestablishmentintheruedeLesdiguieres，whotookaninterestinElisabethandintroducedyoungIsadoreBaudoyertothefamilywiththeintentionofmarryingher。Gigonnetapprovedofthematch，forhehadlongemployedacertainMitral，uncleoftheyoungman，asclerk。MonsieurandMadameBaudoyer，fatherandmotherofIsidore，highlyrespectedleather-
　　dressersintherueCensier，hadslowlymadeamoderatefortuneoutofasmalltrade。Aftermarryingtheironlyson，onwhomtheysettledfiftythousandfrancs，theydeterminedtoliveinthecountry，andhadlatelyremovedtotheneighborhoodofIle-d’Adam，whereafteratimetheywerejoinedbyMitral。TheyfrequentlycametoParis，however，wheretheykeptacornerinthehouseintherueCensierwhichtheygavetoIsidoreonhismarriage。TheelderBaudoyershadanincomeofaboutthreethousandfrancslefttoliveuponafterestablishingtheirson。
　　Mitralwasabeingwithasinisterwig，afacethecolorofSeinewater，lightedbyapairofSpanish-tobacco-coloredeyes，coldasawell-rope，alwayssmellingarat，andclose-mouthedabouthisproperty。Heprobablymadehisfortuneinhisownholeandcorner，justasWerbrustandGigonnetmadetheirsinthequartierSaint-
　　Martin。
　　ThoughtheSaillards’circleofacquaintanceincreased，neithertheirideasnortheirmannersandcustomschanged。Thesaint’s-daysoffather，mother，daughter，son-in-law，andgrandchildwerecarefullyobserved，alsotheanniversariesofbirthandmarriage，Easter，Christmas，NewYear’sday，andEpiphany。Thesefestivalswereprecededbygreatdomesticsweepingsandauniversalclearingupofthehouse，whichaddedanelementofusefulnesstotheceremonies。Whenthefestivaldaycame，thepresentswereofferedwithmuchpompandanaccompanimentofflowers，——silkstockingsorafurcapforoldSaillard；goldearringsandarticlesofplateforElisabethorherhusband，forwhom，littlebylittle，theparentswereaccumulatingawholesilverservice；silkpetticoatsforMadameSaillard，wholaidthestuffbyandnevermadeitup。Therecipientofthesegiftswasplacedinanarmchairandaskedbythosepresentforacertainlengthoftime，”Guesswhatwehaveforyou！”Thencameasplendiddinner，lastingatleastfivehours，towhichwereinvitedtheAbbeGaudron，Falleix，Rabourdin，MonsieurGodard，under-head-clerktoMonsieurBaudoyer，MonsieurBataille，captainofthecompanyoftheNationalGuardtowhichSaillardandhisson-in-lawbelonged。MonsieurCardot，whowasinvariablyasked，didasRabourdindid，namely，acceptedoneinvitationoutofsix。Thecompanysangatdessert，shookhandsandembracedwithenthusiasm，wishingeachotherallmannerofhappiness；
　　thepresentswereexhibitedandtheopinionoftheguestsaskedaboutthem。ThedaySaillardreceivedhisfurcapheworeitduringthedessert，tothesatisfactionofallpresent。Atnight，mereordinaryacquaintanceswerebidden，anddancingwentontillverylate，formerlytothemusicofoneviolin，butforthelastsixyearsMonsieurGodard，whowasagreatfluteplayer，contributedthepiercingtonesofaflageolettothefestivity。Thecook，MadameBaudoyer’snurse，andoldCatherine，MadameSaillard’swoman-servant，togetherwiththeporterorhiswife，stoodlookingonatthedoorofthesalon。Theservantsalwaysreceivedthreefrancsontheseoccasionstobuythemselveswineorcoffee。
　　ThislittlecirclelookeduponSaillardandBaudoyerastranscendentbeings；theyweregovernmentofficers；theyhadrisenbytheirownmerits；theyworked，itwassaid，withtheministerhimself；theyowedtheirfortunetotheirtalents；theywerepoliticians。Baudoyerwasconsideredthemoreableofthetwo；hispositionasheadofabureaupresupposedlaborthatwasmoreintricateandarduousthanthatofacashier。Moreover，Isidore，thoughthesonofaleather-dresser，hadhadthegeniustostudyandtocastasidehisfather’sbusinessandfindacareerinpolitics，whichhadledhimtoapostofeminence。Inshort，silentanduncommunicativeashewas，hewaslookeduponasadeepthinker，andperhaps，saidtheadmiringcircle，hewouldsomedaybecomedeputyoftheeightharrondissement。AsGigonnetlistenedtosuchremarksasthese，hepressedhisalreadypinchedlipsclosertogether，andthrewaglanceathisgreat-niece，Elisabeth。
　　Inperson，Isidorewasatall，stoutmanofthirty-seven，whoperspiredfreely，andwhoseheadlookedasifhehadwateronthebrain。Thisenormoushead，coveredwithchestnuthaircroppedclose，wasjoinedtotheneckbyrollsoffleshwhichoverhungthecollarofhiscoat。HehadthearmsofHercules，handsworthyofDomitian，astomachwhichsobrietyheldwithinthelimitsofthemajestic，touseasayingofBrillaet-Savarin。HisfacewasagooddeallikethatoftheEmperorAlexander。TheTartartypewasinthelittleeyesandtheflattenednoseturnedslightlyup，inthefrigidlipsandtheshortchin。Theforeheadwaslowandnarrow。Thoughhistemperamentwaslymphatic，thedevoutIsidorewasundertheinfluenceofaconjugalpassionwhichtimedidnotlessen。
　　Inspite，however，ofhisresemblancetothehandsomeRussianEmperorandtheterribleDomitian，IsidoreBaudoyerwasnothingmorethanapoliticaloffice-holder，oflittleabilityasheadofhisdepartment，acut-and-driedroutineman，whoconcealedthefactthathewasaflabbycipherbysoponderousapersonalitythatnoscalpelcouldcutdeepenoughtolettheoperatorseeintohim。Hisseverestudies，inwhichhehadshownthepatienceandsagacityofanox，andhissquarehead，deceivedhisparents，whofirmlybelievedhimanextraordinaryman。Pedanticandhypercritical，meddlesomeandfault-finding，hewasaterrortotheclerksunderhim，whomheworriedintheirwork，enforcingtherulesrigorously，andarrivinghimselfwithsuchterriblepunctualitythatnotoneofthemdaredtobeamomentlate。
　　Baudoyerworeabluecoatwithgiltbuttons，achamoiswaistcoat，graytrousersandcravatsofvariouscolors。Hisfeetwerelargeandill-shod。Fromthechainofhiswatchdependedanenormousbunchofoldtrinkets，amongwhichin1824hestillwore”Americanbeads，”
　　whichwereverymuchthefashionintheyearVII。
　　Inthebosomofthisfamily，boundtogetherbytheforceofreligiousties，bytheinflexibilityofitscustoms，byonesolitaryemotion，thatofavarice，apassionwhichwasnowasitwereitscompass，Elisabethwasforcedtocommunewithherself，insteadofimpartingherideastothosearoundher，forshefeltherselfwithoutequalsinmindwhocouldcomprehendher。Thoughfactscompelledhertojudgeherhusband，herreligiousdutyledhertokeepupasbestshecouldafavorableopinionofhim；sheshowedhimmarkedrespect；honoredhimasthefatherofherchild，herhusband，thetemporalpower，asthevicarofSaint-Paul’stoldher。Shewouldhavethoughtitamortalsintomakeasinglegesture，orgiveasingleglance，orsayasinglewordwhichwouldrevealtoothersherrealopinionoftheimbecileBaudoyer。Sheevenprofessedtoobeypassivelyallhiswishes。Butherearswerereceptiveofmanythings；shethoughtthemover，weighedandcomparedtheminthesolitudeofhermind，andjudgedsosoberlyofmenandeventsthatatthetimewhenourhistorybeginsshewasthehiddenoracleofthetwofunctionaries，herhusbandandfather，whohad，unconsciously，cometodonothingwhateverwithoutconsultingher。OldSaillardwouldsay，innocently，”Isn’tsheclever，thatElisabethofmine？”ButBaudoyer，toogreatafoolnottobepuffedupbythefalsereputationthequartierSaint-Antoinebestoweduponhim，deniedhiswife’sclevernessallthewhilethathewasmakinguseofit。
　　ElisabethhadlongfeltsurethatheruncleBidault，otherwisecalledGigonnet，wasrichandhandledvastsumsofmoney。Enlightenedbyself-interest，shehadcometounderstandMonsieurdesLupeaulxfarbetterthantheministerunderstoodhim。Findingherselfmarriedtoafool，sheneverallowedherselftothinkthatlifemighthavegonebetterwithher，sheonlyimaginedthepossibilityofbetterthingswithoutexpectingorwishingtoattainthem。Allherbestaffectionsfoundtheirvocationinherloveforherdaughter，towhomshesparedthepainsandprivationsshehadborneinherownchildhood；shebelievedthatinthisaffectionshehadherfullshareintheworldoffeeling。Solelyforherdaughter’ssakeshehadpersuadedherfathertotaketheimportantstepofgoingintopartnershipwithFalleix。
　　FalleixhadbeenbroughttotheSaillard’shousebyoldBidault，wholenthimmoneyonhismerchandise。Falleixthoughthisoldcountrymanextortionate，andcomplainedtotheSaillardsthatGigonnetdemandedeighteenpercentfromanAuvergnat。MadameSaillardventuredtoremonstratewithheruncle。”ItisjustbecauseheisanAuvergnatthatItakeonlyeighteenpercent，”saidGigonnet，whenshespokeofhim。
　　Falleix，whohadmadeadiscoveryattheageoftwenty-eight，andcommunicatedittoSaillard，seemedtocarryhisheartinhishandanexpressionofoldSaillard’s，andalsoseemedlikelytomakeagreatfortune。Elisabethdeterminedtohusbandhimforherdaughterandtrainhimherself，having，asshecalculated，sevenyearstodoitin。
　　MartinFalleixfeltandshowedthedeepestrespectforMadameBaudoyer，whosesuperiorqualitieshewasabletorecognize。Ifhewerefatedtomakemillionshewouldalwaysbelongtoherfamily，wherehehadfoundahome。ThelittleBaudoyergirlwasalreadytrainedtobringhimhisteaandtotakehishat。
　　Ontheeveningofwhichwewrite，MonsieurSaillard，returningfromtheministry，foundagameofbostoninfullblast；ElisabethwasadvisingFalleixhowtoplay；MadameSaillardwasknittinginthechimney-cornerandoverlookingthecardsofthevicar；MonsieurBaudoyer，motionlessasamile-stone，wasemployinghismentalcapacityincalculatinghowthecardswereplaced，andsatoppositetoMitral，whohadcomeupfromIle-d’AdamfortheChristmasholidays。Noonemovedasthecashierentered，andforsomeminuteshewalkedupanddowntheroom，hisfatfacecontractedwithunaccustomedthought。”Heisalwayssowhenhedinesattheministry，”remarkedMadameSaillard；”happily，itisonlytwiceayear，orhe’ddieofit。
　　Saillardwasnevermadetobeinthegovernment——Well，now，Idohope，Saillard，”shecontinuedinaloudtone，”thatyouarenotgoingtokeeponthosesilkbreechesandthathandsomecoat。Goandtakethemoff；don’twearthemathome，myman。””Yourfatherhassomethingonhismind，”saidBaudoyertohiswife，whenthecashierwasinhisbedroom，undressingwithoutanyfire。”PerhapsMonsieurdelaBillardiereisdead，”saidElisabeth，simply；”andasheisanxiousyoushouldhavetheplace，itworrieshim。””CanIbeusefulinanyway？”saidthevicarofSaint-Paul’s；”ifso，prayusemyservices。IhavethehonortobeknowntoMadamelaDauphine。Thesearedayswhenpublicofficesshouldbegivenonlytofaithfulmen，whosereligiousprinciplesarenottobeshaken。””Dearme！”saidFalleix，”domenofmeritneedprotectorsandinfluencetogetplacesinthegovernmentservice？IamgladIamaniron-master；mycustomersknowwheretofindagoodarticle——””Monsieur，”interruptedBaudoyer，”thegovernmentisthegovernment；
　　neverattackitinthishouse。””Youspeaklikethe’Constitutionel，’”saidthevicar。”The’Constitutionel’neversaysanythingdifferentfromthat，”
　　repliedBaudoyer，whoneverreadit。
　　Thecashierbelievedhisson-in-lawtobeassuperiorintalenttoRabourdinasGodwasgreaterthanSaint-Crepin，tousehisownexpression；butthegoodmancovetedthisappointmentinastraightforward，honestway。Influencedbythefeelingwhichleadsallofficialstoseekpromotion，——aviolent，unreflecting，almostbrutalpassion，——hedesiredsuccess，justashedesiredthecrossoftheLegionofhonor，withoutdoinganythingagainsthisconsciencetoobtainit，andsolely，ashebelieved，onthestrengthofhisson-in-
　　law’smerits。Tohisthinking，amanwhohadpatientlyspenttwenty-
　　fiveyearsinagovernmentofficebehindanironrailinghadsacrificedhimselftohiscountryanddeservedthecross。Butallthathedreamedofdoingtopromotehisson-in-law’sappointmentinLaBillardiere’splacewastosayawordtohisExcellency’swifewhenhetookherthemonth’ssalary。”Well，Saillard，youlookasifyouhadlostallyourfriends！Dospeak；do，pray，tellussomething，”criedhiswifewhenhecamebackintotheroom。
　　Saillard，aftermakingalittlesigntohisdaughter，turnedonhisheeltokeephimselffromtalkingpoliticsbeforestrangers。WhenMonsieurMitralandthevicarhaddeparted，Saillardrolledbackthecard-tableandsatdowninanarmchairintheattitudehealwaysassumedwhenabouttotellsomeoffice-gossip，——aseriesofmovementswhichansweredthepurposeofthethreeknocksgivenattheTheatre-
　　Francais。Afterbindinghiswife，daughter，andson-in-lawtothedeepestsecrecy，——for，howeverpettythegossip，theirplaces，ashethought，dependedontheirdiscretion，——herelatedtheincomprehensibleenigmaoftheresignationofadeputy，theverylegitimatedesireofthegeneral-secretarytogetelectedtotheplace，andthesecretoppositionoftheministertothiswishofamanwhowasoneofhisfirmestsupportersandmostzealousworkers。This，ofcourse，broughtdownanavalancheofsuppositions，floodedwiththesapientargumentsofthetwoofficials，whosentbackandforthtoeachotherawearisomefloodofnonsense。Elisabethquietlyaskedthreequestions:——”IfMonsieurdesLupeaulxisonourside，willMonsieurBaudoyerbeappointedinMonsieurdelaBillardiere’splace？””Heavens！Ishouldthinkso，”criedthecashier。”MyuncleBidaultandMonsieurGobseckhelpedinhim1814，”thoughtshe。”Isheindebt？”sheasked，aloud。”Yes，”criedthecashierwithahissingandprolongedsoundonthelastletter；”hissalarywasattached，butsomeofthehigherpowersreleaseditbyabillatsight。””WhereisthedesLupeaulxestate？””Why，don’tyouknow？inthepartofthecountrywhereyourgrandfatherandyourgreat-uncleBidaultbelong，inthearrondissementofthedeputywhowantstoresign。”
　　Whenhercolossusofahusbandhadgonetobed，Elisabethleanedoverhim，andthoughhealwaystreatedherremarksaswomen’snonsense，shesaid，”PerhapsyouwillreallygetMonsieurdelaBillardiere’splace。””Thereyougowithyourimaginations！”saidBaudoyer；”leaveMonsieurGaudrontospeaktotheDauphineanddon’tmeddlewithpolitics。”
　　Ateleveno’clock，whenallwereasleepintheplaceRoyale，MonsieurdesLupeaulxwasleavingtheOperafortherueDuphot。ThisparticularWednesdaywasoneofMadameRabourdin’smostbrilliantevenings。Manyofhercustomaryguestscameinfromthetheatresandswelledthecompanyalreadyassembled，amongwhomwereseveralcelebrities，suchas:Canalisthepoet，Schinnerthepainter，Dr。Bianchon，LuciendeRubempre，OctavedeCamps，theComtedeGranville，theVicomtedeFontaine，duBruelthevaudevillist，AndocheFinotthejournalist，Derville，oneofthebestheadsinthelawcourts，theComteduChatelet，deputy，duTillet，banker，andseveralelegantyoungmen，suchasPauldeManervilleandtheVicomtedePortenduere。Celestinewaspouringoutteawhenthegeneral-secretaryentered。Herdressthateveningwasverybecoming；sheworeablackvelvetrobewithoutornamentofanykind，ablackgauzescarf，herhairsmoothlyboundaboutherheadandraisedinaheavybraidedmass，withlongcurlsal’Anglaisefallingoneithersideofherface。ThecharmswhichparticularlydistinguishedthiswomanweretheItalianeaseofherartisticnature，herreadycomprehension，andthegracewithwhichshewelcomedandpromotedtheleastappearanceofawishonthepartofothers。Naturehadgivenheranelegant，slenderfigure，whichcouldswaylightlyataword，blackeyesoforientalshape，able，likethoseoftheChinesewomen，toseeoutoftheircorners。Shewellknewhowtomanageasoft，insinuatingvoice，whichthrewatendercharmintoeveryword，evensuchasshemerelychancedtoutter；herfeetwerelikethoseweseeinportraitswherethepainterboldlyliesandflattershissitterintheonlywaywhichdoesnotcompromiseanatomy。
　　Hercomplexion，alittleyellowbyday，likethatofmostbrunettes，wasdazzlingatnightunderthewaxcandles，whichbroughtoutthebrilliancyofherblackhairandeyes。Herslenderandwell-definedoutlinesremindedanartistoftheVenusoftheMiddleAgesrenderedbyJeanGoujon，theillustrioussculptorofDianedePoitiers。
　　DesLupeaulxstoppedinthedoorway，andleanedagainstthewoodwork。
　　Thisferretofideasdidnotdenyhimselfthepleasureofspyinguponsentiment，andthiswomaninterestedhimmorethananyoftheotherstowhomhehadattachedhimself。DesLupeaulxhadreachedanagewhenmenassertpretensionsinregardtowomen。Thefirstwhitehairsleadtothelatestpassions，allthemoreviolentbecausetheyareastrideofvanishingpowersanddawningweakness。Theageoffortyistheageoffolly，——anagewhenmanwantstobelovedforhimself；whereasattwenty-fivelifeissofullthathehasnowants。Attwenty-fiveheoverflowswithvigorandwastesitwithimpunity，butatfortyhelearnsthattouseitinthatwayistoabuseit。ThethoughtsthatcameintodesLupeaulx’smindatthismomentweremelancholyones。Thenervesoftheoldbeaurelaxed；theagreeablesmile，whichservedasamaskandmadethecharacterofhiscountenance，faded；therealmanappeared，andhewashorrible。Rabourdincaughtsightofhimandthought，”Whathashappenedtohim？canhebedisgracedinanyway？”
　　Thegeneral-secretarywas，however，onlythinkinghowtheprettyMadameColleville，whoseintentionswereexactlythoseofMadameRabourdin，hadsummarilyabandonedhimwhenitsuitedhertodoso。
　　Rabourdincaughttheshamstatesman’seyesfixedonhiswife，andherecordedthelookinhismemory。HewastookeenanobservernottounderstanddesLupeaulxtothebottom，andhedeeplydespisedhim；
　　but，aswithmostbusymen，hisfeelingsandsentimentsseldomcametothesurface。Absorptioninabelovedworkispracticallyequivalenttothecleverestdissimulation，andthusitwasthattheopinionsandideasofRabourdinwereasealedbooktodesLupeaulx。Theformerwassorrytoseethemaninhishouse，buthewasneverwillingtoopposehiswife’swishes。Atthisparticularmoment，whilehetalkedconfidentiallywithasupernumeraryofhisofficewhowasdestined，later，toplayanunconsciouspartinapoliticalintrigueresultingfromthedeathofLaBillardiere，hewatched，thoughhalf-
　　abstractedly，hiswifeanddesLupeaulx。
　　Herewemustexplain，asmuchforforeignersasforourowngrandchildren，whatasupernumeraryinagovernmentofficeinParismeans。
　　Thesupernumeraryistotheadministrationwhatachoir-boyistoachurch，whatthecompany’schildistotheregiment，whatthefiguranteistoatheatre；somethingartless，naive，innocent，abeingblindedbyillusions。Withoutillusionswhatwouldbecomeofanyofus？Theygivestrengthtobeartheresangustadomiofartsandthebeginningsofallsciencebyinspiringuswithfaith。Illusionisillimitablefaith。Nowthesupernumeraryhasfaithintheadministration；heneverthinksitcold，cruel，andhard，asitreallyis。Therearetwokindsofsupernumeraries，orhangers-on，——onepoor，theotherrich。Thepooroneisrichinhopeandwantsaplace，therichoneispoorinspiritandwantsnothing。Awealthyfamilyisnotsofoolishastoputitsablemenintotheadministration。Itconfidesanunfledgedsciontosomehead-clerk，orgiveshiminchargeofadirectorywhoinitiateshimintowhatBilboquet，thatprofoundphilosopher，calledthehighcomedyofgovernment；heissparedallthehorrorsofdrudgeryandisfinallyappointedtosomeimportantoffice。Therichsupernumeraryneveralarmstheotherclerks；theyknowhedoesnotendangertheirinterests，forheseeksonlythehighestpostsintheadministration。Abouttheperiodofwhichwewritemanyfamiliesweresayingtothemselves:”Whatcanwedowithoursons？”Thearmynolongerofferedachanceforfortune。Specialcareers，suchascivilandmilitaryengineering，thenavy，mining，andtheprofessorialchairwereallfencedaboutbystrictregulationsortobeobtainedonlybycompetition；whereasinthecivilservicetherevolvingwheelwhichturnedclerksintoprefects，sub-prefects，assessors，andcollectors，likethefiguresinamagiclantern，wassubjectedtonosuchrulesandentailednodrudgery。Throughthiseasygapemergedintolifetherichsupernumerarieswhodrovetheirtilburys，dressedwell，andworemoustachios，allofthemasimpudentasparvenus。Journalistswereapttopersecutethetribe，whowerecousins，nephews，brothers，orotherrelativesofsomeminister，somedeputy，oraninfluentialpeer。Thehumblerclerksregardedthemasameansofinfluence。
　　Thepoorsupernumerary，ontheotherhand，whoistheonlyrealworker，isalmostalwaysthesonofsomeformerclerk’swidow，wholivesonameagrepensionandsacrificesherselftosupporthersonuntilhecangetaplaceascopying-clerk，andthendiesleavinghimnonearertheheadofhisdepartmentthanwriterofdeeds，order-
　　clerks，or，possibly，under-head-clerk。Livingalwaysinsomelocalitywhererentsarelow，thishumblesupernumerarystartsearlyfromhome。
　　ForhimtheEasternquestionrelatesonlytothemorningskies。Togoonfootandnotgetmuddied，tosavehisclothes，andallowforthetimehemayloseinstandingundershelterduringashower，arethepreoccupationsofhismind。Thestreetpavements，theflaggingsofthequaysandtheboulevards，whenfirstlaiddown，wereaboontohim。
　　If，forsomeextraordinaryreason，youhappentobeinthestreetsofParisathalf-pastsevenoreighto’clockofawinter’smorning，andseethroughpiercingcoldorfogorrainatimid，paleyoungmanloomup，cigarless，takenoticeofhispockets。Youwillbesuretoseetheoutlineofarollwhichhismotherhasgivenhimtostayhisstomachbetweenbreakfastanddinner。Theguilelessnessofthesupernumerarydoesnotlastlong。AyouthenlightenedbygleamsbyParisianlifesoonmeasuresthefrightfuldistancethatseparateshimfromthehead-
　　clerkship，adistancewhichnomathematician，neitherArchimedes，norLeibnitz，norLaplacehaseverreckoned，thedistancethatexistsbetween0andthefigure1。Hebeginstoperceivetheimpossibilitiesofhiscareer；hehearstalkoffavoritism；hediscoverstheintriguesofofficials:heseesthequestionablemeansbywhichhissuperiorshavepushedtheirway，——onehasmarriedayoungwomanwhomadeafalsestep；another，thenaturaldaughterofaminister；thisoneshoulderedtheresponsibilityofanother’sfault；thatone，fulloftalent，riskshishealthindoing，withtheperseveranceofamole，prodigiesofworkwhichthemanofinfluencefeelsincapableofdoingforhimself，thoughhetakesthecredit。Everythingisknowninagovernmentoffice。Theincapablemanhasawifewithaclearhead，whohaspushedhimalongandgothimnominatedfordeputy；ifhehasnottalentenoughforanoffice，hecabalsintheChamber。Thewifeofanotherhasastatesmanatherfeet。Athirdisthehiddeninformantofapowerfuljournalist。Oftenthedisgustedandhopelesssupernumerarysendsinhisresignation。Aboutthreefourthsofhisclassleavethegovernmentemploywithouteverobtaininganappointment，andtheirnumberiswinnoweddowntoeitherthoseyoungmenwhoarefoolishorobstinateenoughtosaytothemselves，”Ihavebeenherethreeyears，andImustendsoonerorlaterbygettingaplace，”ortothosewhoareconsciousofavocationforthework。Undoubtedlythepositionofsupernumeraryinagovernmentofficeispreciselywhatthenovitiateisinareligiousorder，——atrial。Itisaroughtrial。TheStatediscovershowmanyofthemcanbearhunger，thirst，andpenurywithoutbreakingdown，howmanycantoilwithoutrevoltingagainstit；itlearnswhichtemperamentscanbearupunderthehorribleexperience——
　　orifyoulike，thedisease——ofgovernmentofficiallife。Fromthispointofviewtheapprenticeshipofthesupernumerary，insteadofbeinganinfamousdeviceofthegovernmenttoobtainlaborgratis，becomesausefulinstitution。
　　TheyoungmanwithwhomRabourdinwastalkingwasapoorsupernumerarynamedSebastiendelaRoche，whohadpickedhiswayonthepointsofhistoes，withoutincurringtheleastsplashuponhisboots，fromtherueduRoi-DoreintheMarais。Hetalkedofhismamma，anddarednotraisehiseyestoMadameRabourdin，whosehouseappearedtohimasgorgeousastheLouvre。Hewascarefultoshowhisgloves，wellcleanedwithindia-rubber，aslittleashecould。Hispoormotherhadputfivefrancsinhispocketincaseitbecameabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldplaycards；butsheenjoinedhimtotakenothing，toremainstanding，andtobeverycarefulnottoknockoveralamporthebric-a-bracfromanetagere。Hisdresswasallofthestrictestblack。Hisfairface，hiseyes，ofafineshadeofgreenwithgoldenreflections，wereinkeepingwithahandsomeheadofauburnhair。ThepoorladlookedfurtivelyatMadameRabourdin，whisperingtohimself，”Howbeautiful！”andwaslikelytodreamofthatfairywhenhewenttobed。
　　Rabourdinhadnotedavocationforhisworkinthelad，andashehimselftookthewholeserviceseriously，hefeltalivelyinterestinhim。Heguessedthepovertyofhismother’shome，kepttogetheronawidow’spensionofsevenhundredfrancsayear——fortheeducationoftheson，whowasjustoutofcollege，hadabsorbedallhersavings。Hethereforetreatedtheyouthalmostpaternally；oftenendeavouredtogethimsomefeefromtheCouncil，orpaiditfromhisownpocket。HeoverwhelmedSebastienwithwork，trainedhim，andallowedhimtodotheworkofduBruel’splace，forwhichthatvaudevillist，otherwiseknownasCursy，paidhimthreehundredfrancsoutofhissalary。InthemindsofMadamedelaRocheandherson，Rabourdinwasatonceagreatman，atyrant，andanangel。Onhimallthepoorfellow’shopesofgettinganappointmentdepended，andthelad’sdevotiontohischiefwasboundless。HedinedonceafortnightintherueDuphot；butalwaysatafamilydinner，invitedbyRabourdinhimself；Madameaskedhimtoeveningpartiesonlywhenshewantedpartners。
　　AtthatmomentRabourdinwasscoldingpoorSebastien，theonlyhumanbeingwhowasinthesecretofhisimmenselabors。Theyouthcopiedandrecopiedthefamous”statement，”writtenonahundredandfiftyfoliosheets，besidesthecorroborativedocuments，andthesummingupcontainedinonepage，withtheestimatesbracketed，thecaptionsinarunninghand，andthesub-titlesinaroundone。Fullofenthusiasm，inspiteofhismerelymechanicalparticipationinthegreatidea，theladoftwentywouldrewritewholepagesforasingleblot，andmadeithisglorytotouchupthewriting，regardingitastheelementofanobleundertaking。Sebastienhadthatafternooncommittedthegreatimprudenceofcarryingintothegeneraloffice，forthepurposeofcopying，apaperwhichcontainedthemostdangerousfactstomakeknownprematurely，namely，amemorandumrelatingtotheofficialsinthecentralofficesofallministries，withfactsconcerningtheirfortunes，actualandprospective，togetherwiththeindividualenterprisesofeachoutsideofhisgovernmentemployment。
　　AllgovernmentclerksinPariswhoarenotendowed，likeRabourdin，withpatrioticambitionorothermarkedcapacity，usuallyaddtheprofitsofsomeindustrytothesalaryoftheiroffice，inordertoekeoutaliving。AnumberdoasMonsieurSaillarddid，——puttheirmoneyintoabusinesscarriedonbyothers，andspendtheireveningsinkeepingthebooksoftheirassociates。Manyclerksaremarriedtomilliners，licensedtobaccodealers，womenwhohavechargeofthepubliclotteriesorreading-rooms。Some，likethehusbandofMadameColleville，Celestine’srival，playintheorchestraofatheatre；
　　otherslikeduBruel，writevaudeville，comicoperas，melodramas，oractaspromptersbehindthescenes。WemaymentionamongthemMessrs。
　　Planard，Sewrin，etc。Pigault-Lebrun，Piis，Duvicquet，intheirday，wereingovernmentemploy。MonsieurScribe’shead-librarianwasaclerkintheTreasury。
　　Besidessuchinformationasthis，Rabourdin’smemorandumcontainedaninquiryintothemoralandphysicalcapacitiesandfacultiesnecessaryinthosewhoweretoexaminetheintelligence，aptitudeforlabor，andsoundhealthoftheapplicantsforgovernmentservice，——threeindispensablequalitiesinmenwhoaretobeartheburdenofpublicaffairsandshoulddotheirbusinesswellandquickly。Butthiscarefulstudy，theresultoftenyears’observationandexperience，andofalongacquaintancewithmenandthingsobtainedbyintercoursewiththevariousfunctionariesinthedifferentministries，wouldassuredlyhave，tothosewhodidnotseeitspurportandconnection，anairoftreacheryandpoliceespial。Ifasinglepageofthesepapersweretofallundertheeyeofthoseconcerned，MonsieurRabourdinwaslost。Sebastien，whoadmiredhischiefwithoutreservation，andwhowas，asyet，whollyignorantoftheevilsofbureaucracy，hadthefolliesofguilelessnessaswellasitsgrace。
　　Blamedonaformeroccasionforcarryingawaythesepapers，henowbravelyacknowledgedhisfaulttoitsfullestextent；herelatedhowhehadputawayboththememorandumandthecopycarefullyinaboxintheofficewherenoonewouldeverfindthem。Tearsrolledfromhiseyesasherealizedthegreatnessofhisoffence。”Come，come！”saidRabourdin，kindly。”Don’tbesoimprudentagain，butnevermindnow。Gototheofficeveryearlytomorrowmorning；hereisthekeyofasmallsafewhichisinmyrollersecretary；itshutswithacombinationlock。Youcanopenitwiththeword’sky’；putthememorandumandyourcopyintoitandshutitcarefully。”
　　Thisproofofconfidencedriedthepoorfellow’stears。Rabourdinadvisedhimtotakeacupofteaandsomecakes。”Mammaforbidsmetodrinktea，onaccountofmychest，”saidSebastien。”Well，then，mydearchild，”saidtheimposingMadameRabourdin，whowishedtoappeargracious，”herearesomesandwichesandcream；comeandsitbyme。”
　　ShemadeSebastiensitdownbesideher，andthelad’sheartroseinhisthroatashefelttherobeofthisdivinitybrushthesleeveofhiscoat。JustthenthebeautifulwomancaughtsightofMonsieurdesLupeaulxstandinginthedoorway。Shesmiled，andnotwaitingtillhecametoher，shewenttohim。”Whydoyoustaythereasifyouweresulking？”sheasked。”Iamnotsulking，”hereturned；”Icametoannouncesomegoodnews，butthethoughthasovertakenmethatitwillonlyaddtoyourseveritytowardsme。Ifancymyselfsixmonthshencealmostastrangertoyou。Yes，youaretooclever，andItooexperienced，——tooblase，ifyoulike，——foreitherofustodeceivetheother。Yourendisattainedwithoutitscostingyoumorethanafewsmilesandgraciouswords。””Deceiveeachother！whatcanyoumean？”shecried，inahurttone。”Yes；MonsieurdelaBillardiereisdying，andfromwhattheministertoldmethiseveningIjudgethatyourhusbandwillbeappointedinhisplace。”
　　Hethereuponrelatedwhathecalledhissceneattheministryandthejealousyofthecountess，repeatingherremarksabouttheinvitationhehadaskedhertosendtoMadameRabourdin。”MonsieurdesLupeaulx，”saidMadameRabourdin，withdignity，”permitmetotellyouthatmyhusbandistheoldesthead-clerkaswellasthemostcapablemaninthedivision；alsothattheappointmentofLaBillardiereoverhisheadmademuchtalkintheservice，andthatmyhusbandhasstayedonforthelastyearexpectingthispromotion，forwhichhehasreallynocompetitorandnorival。””Thatistrue。””Well，then，”sheresumed，smilingandshowingherhandsometeeth，”howcanyousupposethatthefriendshipIfeelforyouismarredbyathoughtofself-interest？Whyshouldyouthinkmecapableofthat？”
　　DesLupeaulxmadeagestureofadmiringdenial。”Ah！”shecontinued，”theheartofwomanwillalwaysremainasecretforeventhecleverestofmen。Yes，Iwelcomedyoutomyhousewiththegreatestpleasure；andtherewas，Iadmit，amotiveofself-
　　interestbehindmypleasure——””Ah！””Youhaveacareerbeforeyou，”shewhisperedinhisear，”afuturewithoutlimit；youwillbedeputy，minister！”Whathappinessforanambitiousmanwhensuchthingsasthesearewarbledinhisearbythesweetvoiceofaprettywoman！”Oh，yes！Iknowyoubetterthanyouknowyourself。Rabourdinisamanwhocouldbeofimmenseservicetoyouinsuchacareer；hecoulddothesteadyworkwhileyouwereintheChamber。Justasyoudreamoftheministry，soIdreamofseeingRabourdinintheCouncilofState，andgeneraldirector。Itisthereforemyobjecttodrawtogethertwomenwhocanneverinjure，but，onthecontrary，mustgreatlyhelpeachother。Isn’tthatawoman’smission？Ifyouarefriends，youwillbothrisethefaster，anditissurelyhightimethateachofyoumadehay。Ihaveburnedmyships，”sheadded，smiling。”ButyouarenotasfrankwithmeasI
　　havebeenwithyou。””YouwouldnotlistentomeifIwere，”hereplied，withamelancholyair，inspiteofthedeepinwardsatisfactionherremarksgavehim。”Whatwouldsuchfuturepromotionsavailme，ifyoudismissmenow？””BeforeIlistentoyou，”shereplied，withnaiveParisianliveliness，”wemustbeabletounderstandeachother。”
　　AndshelefttheoldfoptogoandspeakwithMadamedeChessel，acountessfromtheprovinces，whoseemedabouttotakeleave。”Thatisaveryextraordinarywoman，”saiddesLupeaulxtohimself。”I
　　don’tknowmyownselfwhenIamwithher。”
　　Accordingly，thismanofnoprinciple，whosixyearsearlierhadkeptaballet-girl，andwhonow，thankstohisposition，madehimselfaseragliowiththeprettywivesoftheunder-clerks，andlivedintheworldofjournalistsandactresses，becamedevotedlyattentivealltheeveningtoCelestine，andwasthelasttoleavethehouse。”Atlast！”thoughtMadameRabourdin，assheundressedthatnight，”wehavetheplace！Twelvethousandfrancsayearandperquisites，besidetherentsofourfarmsatGrajeux，——nearlytwentythousandfrancsayear。Itisnotaffluence，butatleastitisn’tpoverty。”
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THREE-QUARTERLENGTHPORTRAITSOFCERTAINGOVERNMENTOFFICIALS
　　IfitwerepossibleforliteraturetousethemicroscopeoftheLeuwenhoeks，theMalpighis，andtheRaspailsanattemptoncemadebyHoffman，ofBerlin，andifwecouldmagnifyandthenpicturetheteredosnavalis，inotherwords，thoseship-wormswhichbroughtHollandwithinaninchofcollapsingbyhoney-combingherdykes，wemighthavebeenabletogiveamoredistinctideaofMessieursGigonnet，Baudoyer，Saillard，Gaudron，Falleix，Transon，Godardandcompany，borersandburrowers，whoprovedtheirunderminingpowerinthethirtiethyearofthiscentury。
　　Butnowitistimetoshowanothersetofteredos，whoburrowedandswarmedinthegovernmentofficeswheretheprincipalscenesofourpresentstudytookplace。
　　InParisnearlyallthesegovernmentbureausresembleeachother。Intowhateverministryyoupenetratetoasksomeslightfavor，ortogetredressforatriflingwrong，youwillfindthesamedarkcorridors，ill-lightedstairways，doorswithovalpanesofglasslikeeyes，asatthetheatre。Inthefirstroomasyouenteryouwillfindtheofficeservant；inthesecond，theunder-clerks；theprivateofficeofthesecondhead-clerkistotherightorleft，andfurtheronisthatoftheheadofthebureau。Astotheimportantpersonagecalled，undertheEmpire，headofdivision，then，undertheRestoration，director，andnowbytheformername，headorchiefofdivision，heliveseitheraboveorbelowtheofficesofhisthreeorfourdifferentbureaus。
　　Speakingintheadministrativesense，abureauconsistsofaman-
　　servant，severalsupernumerarieswhodotheworkgratisforacertainnumberofyears，variouscopyingclerks，writersofbillsanddeeds，orderclerks，principalclerks，secondorunderhead-clerk，andhead-
　　clerk，otherwisecalledheadorchiefofthebureau。Thesedenominationaltitlesvaryundersomeadministrations；forinstance，theorder-clerksaresometimescalledauditors，oragain，book-
　　keepers。
　　Pavedlikethecorridor，andhungwithashabbypaper，thefirstroom，wheretheservantisstationed，isfurnishedwithastove，alargeblacktablewithinkstand，pens，andpaper，andbenches，butnomatsonwhichtowipethepublicfeet。Theclerk’sofficebeyondisalargeroom，tolerablywelllighted，butseldomflooredwithwood。Woodenfloorsandfireplacesarecommonlykeptsacredtoheadsofbureausanddivisions；andsoareclosets，wardrobes，mahoganytables，sofasandarmchairscoveredwithredorgreenmorocco，silkcurtains，andotherarticlesofadministrativeluxury。Theclerk’sofficecontentsitselfwithastove，thepipeofwhichgoesintothechimney，iftherebeachimney。Thewallpaperisplainandallofonecolor，usuallygreenorbrown。Thetablesareofblackwood。Theprivatecharacteristicsoftheseveralclerksoftencropoutintheirmethodofsettlingthemselvesattheirdesks，——thechillyonehasawoodenfootstoolunderhisfeet；themanwithabilioustemperamenthasametalmat；
　　thelymphaticbeingwhodreadsdraughtsconstructsafortificationofboxesonascreen。Thedooroftheunder-head-clerk’sofficealwaysstandsopensothathemaykeepaneyetosomeextentonhissubordinates。
　　PerhapsanexactdescriptionofMonsieurdelaBillardiere’sdivisionwillsufficetogiveforeignersandprovincialsanideaoftheinternalmannersandcustomsofagovernmentoffice；thechieffeaturesofwhichareprobablymuchthesameinthecivilserviceofallEuropeangovernments。
　　Inthefirstplace，picturetoyourselfthemanwhoisthusdescribedintheYearlyRegister:——”ChiefofDivision——MonsieurlabaronFlametdelaBillardiereAthanase-Jean-Francois-Michelformerlyprovost-marshalofthedepartmentoftheCorreze，gentlemaninordinaryofthebed-
　　chamber，presidentofthecollegeofthedepartmentoftheDordogne，officeroftheLegionofhonor，knightofSaintLouisandoftheforeignordersofChrist，Isabella，SaintWladimir，etc。，memberoftheAcademyofGers，andotherlearnedbodies，vice-presidentoftheSocietyofBelles-lettres，memberoftheAssociationofSaint-JosephandoftheSocietyofPrisons，oneofthemayorsofParis，etc。”
　　Thepersonwhorequiressomuchtypographicspacewasatthistimeoccupyinganareafivefeetsixinlengthbythirty-sixinchesinwidthinabed，hisheadadornedwithacottonnight-captiedonbyflame-coloredribbons；attendedbyDespleins，theKing’ssurgeon，andyoungdoctorBianchon，flankedbytwooldfemalerelatives，surroundedbyphialsofallkinds，bandages，appliances，andvariousmortuaryinstruments，andwatchedoverbythecurateofSaint-Roch，whowasadvisinghimtothinkofhissalvation。
　　LaBillardiere’sdivisionoccupiedtheupperfloorofamagnificentmansion，inwhichthevastofficialoceanofaministrywascontained。
　　Awidelandingseparateditstwobureaus，thedoorsofwhichweredulylabelled。Theprivateofficesandantechambersoftheheadsofthetwobureaus，MonsieurRabourdinandMonsieurBaudoyer，werebelowonthesecondfloor，andbeyondthatofMonsieurRabourdinweretheantechamber，salon，andtwoofficesofMonsieurdelaBillardiere。
　　Onthefirstfloor，dividedintwobyanentresol，werethelivingroomsandofficeofMonsieurErnestdelaBriere，anoccultandpowerfulpersonagewhomustbedescribedinafewwords，forhewelldeservestheparenthesis。Thisyoungmanheld，duringthewholetimethatthisparticularadministrationlasted，thepositionofprivatesecretarytotheminister。HisapartmentwasconnectedbyasecretdoorwiththeprivateofficeofhisExcellency。AprivatesecretaryistotheministerhimselfwhatdesLupeaulxwastotheministryatlarge。ThesamedifferenceexistedbetweenyoungLaBriereanddesLupeaulxthatthereisbetweenanaide-de-campandachiefofstaff。
　　Thisministerialapprenticedecampswhenhisprotectorleavesoffice，returningsometimeswhenhereturns。Iftheministerenjoystheroyalfavorwhenhefalls，orstillhasparliamentaryhopes，hetakeshissecretarywithhimintoretirementonlytobringhimbackonhisreturn；otherwiseheputshimtograssinsomeofthevariousadministrativepastures，——forinstance，intheCourtofExchequer，thatwaysiderefugewhereprivatesecretarieswaitforthestormtoblowover。Theyoungmanisnotpreciselyagovernmentofficial；heisapoliticalcharacter，however；andsometimeshispoliticsarelimitedtothoseofoneman。Whenwethinkofthenumberoflettersitistheprivatesecretary’sfatetoopenandread，besidesallhisotheravocations，itisveryevidentthatunderamonarchicalgovernmenthisserviceswouldbewellpaidfor。Adrudgeofthiskindcoststenortwentythousandfrancsayear；andheenjoys，moreover，theopera-
　　boxes，thesocialinvitations，andthecarriagesoftheminister。TheEmperorofRussiawouldbethankfultobeabletopayfiftythousandayeartooneoftheseamiableconstitutionalpoodles，sogentle，sonicelycurled，socaressing，sodocile，alwaysspickandspan，——
　　carefulwatch-dogsbesides，andfaithfultoadegree！Buttheprivatesecretaryisaproductoftherepresentativegovernmenthot-house；heispropagatedanddevelopedthere，andthereonly。Underamonarchyyouwillfindnonebutcourtiersandvassals，whereasunderaconstitutionalgovernmentyoumaybeflattered，served，andadulatedbyfreemen。InFranceministersarebetteroffthankingsorwomen；
　　theyhavesomeonewhothoroughlyunderstandsthem。Perhaps，indeed，theprivatesecretaryistobepitiedasmuchaswomenandwhitepaper。Theyarenonentitieswhoaremadetobearallthings。Theyareallowednotalentsexcepthiddenones，whichmustbeemployedintheserviceoftheirministers。Apublicshowoftalentwouldruinthem。
　　Theprivatesecretaryisthereforeanintimatefriendinthegiftofgovernment——However，letusreturntothebureaus。
　　Threemen-servantslivedinpeaceintheBillardieredivision，towit:
　　afootmanforthetwobureaus，anotherfortheserviceofthetwochiefs，andathirdforthedirectorofthedivisionhimself。Allthreewerelodged，warmed，andclothedbytheState，andworethewell-knownliveryoftheState，bluecoatwithredpipingsforundress，andbroadred，white，andbluebraidforgreatoccasions。LaBillardiere’smanhadtheairofagentleman-usher，aninnovationwhichgaveanaspectofdignitytothedivision。
　　Pillarsoftheministry，expertsinallmannersandcustomsbureaucratic，well-warmedandclothedattheState’sexpense，growingrichbyreasonoftheirfewwants，theselackeyssawcompletelythroughthegovernmentofficials，collectivelyandindividually。Theyhadnobetterwayofamusingtheiridlehoursthanbyobservingthesepersonagesandstudyingtheirpeculiarities。Theyknewhowfartotrusttheclerkswithloansofmoney，doingtheirvariouscommissionswithabsolutediscretion；theypawnedandtookoutofpawn，boughtupbillswhendue，andlentmoneywithoutinterest，albeitnoclerkeverborrowedofthemwithoutreturninga”gratification。”Theseservantswithoutamasterreceivedasalaryofninehundredfrancsayear；newyears’giftsand”gratifications”broughttheiremolumentstotwelvehundredfrancs，andtheymadealmostasmuchmoneybyservingbreakfaststotheclerksattheoffice。
　　Theelderofthesemen，whowasalsotherichest，waiteduponthemainbodyoftheclerks。Hewassixtyyearsofage，withwhitehaircroppedshortlikeabrush；stout，thickset，andapoplecticabouttheneck，withavulgarpimpledface，grayeyes，andamouthlikeafurnacedoor；suchwastheprofileportraitofAntoine，theoldestattendantintheministry。Hehadbroughthistwonephews，LaurentandGabriel，fromEchellesinSavoie，——onetoservetheheadsofthebureaus，theotherthedirectorhimself。Allthreecametoopentheofficesandcleanthem，betweensevenandeighto’clockinthemorning；atwhichtimetheyreadthenewspapersandtalkedcivilservicepoliticsfromtheirpointofviewwiththeservantsofotherdivisions，exchangingthebureaucraticgossip。Incommonwithservantsofmodernhouseswhoknowtheirmasters’privateaffairsthoroughly，theylivedattheministrylikespidersatthecentreofaweb，wheretheyfelttheslightestjarofthefabric。
　　OnaThursdayevening，thedayaftertheministerialreceptionandMadameRabourdin’seveningparty，justasAntoinewastrimminghisbeardandhisnephewswereassistinghimintheantechamberofthedivisionontheupperfloor，theyweresurprisedbytheunexpectedarrivalofoneoftheclerks。