LucienhadgonetoParis；andDavidSechard，withthecourageandintelligenceoftheoxwhichpaintersgivetheEvangelistforaccompanyingsymbol，sethimselftomakethelargefortuneforwhichhehadwishedthateveningdownbytheCharente，whenhesatwithEvebytheweir，andshegavehimherhandandherheart。Hewantedtomakethemoneyquickly，andlessforhimselfthanforEve’ssakeandLucien’s。Hewouldplacehiswifeamidtheelegantandcomfortablesurroundingsthatwerehersbyright，andhisstrongarmshouldsustainherbrother’sambitions——thiswastheprogrammethathesawbeforehiseyesinlettersoffire。
　　Journalismandpolitics，theimmensedevelopmentofthebooktrade，ofliteratureandofthesciences；theincreaseofpublicinterestinmatterstouchingthevariousindustriesinthecountry；infact，thewholesocialtendencyoftheepochfollowingtheestablishmentoftheRestorationproducedanenormousincreaseinthedemandforpaper。ThesupplyrequiredwasalmosttentimesaslargeasthequantityinwhichthecelebratedOuvrardspeculatedattheoutsetoftheRevolution。
　　ThenOuvrardcouldbuyupfirsttheentirestockofpaperandthenthemanufacturers；butintheyear1821thereweresomanypaper-millsinFrance，thatnoonecouldhopetorepeathissuccess；andDavidhadneitheraudacityenoughnorcapitalenoughforsuchspeculation。
　　MachineryforproducingpaperinanylengthwasjustcomingintouseinEngland。Itwasoneofthemosturgentneedsofthetime，therefore，thatthepapertradeshouldkeeppacewiththerequirementsoftheFrenchsystemofcivilgovernment，asystembywhichtherightofdiscussionwastobeextendedtoeveryman，andthewholefabricbaseduponcontinualexpressionofindividualopinion；agravemisfortune，forthenationthatdeliberatesisbutlittlewonttoact。
　　So，strangecoincidence！whileLucienwasdrawnintothegreatmachineryofjournalism，wherehewasliketoleavehishonorandhisintelligencetorntoshreds，DavidSechard，atthebackofhisprinting-house，foresawallthepracticalconsequencesoftheincreasedactivityoftheperiodicalpress。Hesawthedirectioninwhichthespiritoftheagewastending，andsoughttofindmeanstotherequiredend。Hesawalsothattherewasafortuneawaitingthediscovererofcheappaper，andtheeventhasjustifiedhisclearsightedness。Withinthelastfifteenyears，thePatentOfficehasreceivedmorethanahundredapplicationsfrompersonsclaimingtohavediscoveredcheapsubstancestobeemployedinthemanufactureofpaper。Davidfeltmorethaneverconvincedthatthiswouldbenobrillianttriumph，itistrue，butausefulandimmenselyprofitablediscovery；andafterhisbrother-in-lawwenttoParis，hebecamemoreandmoreabsorbedintheproblemwhichhehadsethimselftosolve。
　　TheexpensesofhismarriageandofLucien’sjourneytoParishadexhaustedallhisresources；heconfrontedtheextremeofpovertyattheveryoutsetofmarriedlife。Hehadkeptonethousandfrancsfortheworkingexpensesofthebusiness，andowedalikesum，forwhichhehadgivenabilltoPostelthedruggist。Soherewasadoubleproblemforthisdeepthinker；hemustinventamethodofmakingcheappaper，andthatquickly；hemustmakethediscovery，infact，inordertoapplytheproceedstotheneedsofthehouseholdandofthebusiness。Whatwordscandescribethebrainthatcanforgetthecruelpreoccupationscausedbyhiddenwant，bythedailyneedsofafamilyandthedailydrudgeryofaprinter’sbusiness，whichrequiressuchminute，painstakingcare；andsoar，withtheenthusiasmandintoxicationofthemanofscience，intotheregionsoftheunknowninquestofasecretwhichdailyeludesthemostsubtleexperiment？Andtheinventor，alas！aswillshortlybeseen，hasplentyofwoestoendure，besidestheingratitudeofthemany；idlefolkthatcandonothingthemselvestellthem，“Suchaoneisaborninventor；hecouldnotdootherwise。Henomoredeservescreditforhisinventionthanaprinceforbeingborntorule！Heissimplyexercisinghisnaturalfaculties，andhisworkisitsownreward。”andthepeoplebelievethem。
　　Marriagebringsprofoundmentalandphysicalperturbationsintoagirl’slife；andifshemarriesundertheordinaryconditionsoflowermiddle-classlife，shemustmoreoverbegintostudytotallynewinterestsandinitiateherselfintheintricaciesofbusiness。Withmarriage，therefore，sheentersuponaphaseofherexistencewhensheisnecessarilyonthewatchbeforeshecanact。Unfortunately，David’sloveforhiswiferetardedthistraining；hedarednottellhertherealstateofaffairsonthedayaftertheirwedding，norforsometimeafterwards。Hisfather’savaricecondemnedhimtothemostgrindingpoverty，buthecouldnotbringhimselftospoilthehoneymoonbybeginninghiswife’scommercialeducationandprosaicapprenticeshiptohislaboriouscraft。Soitcametopassthathousekeeping，nolessthanworkingexpenses，ateupthethousandfrancs，hiswholefortune。ForfourmonthsDavidgavenothoughttothefuture，andhiswiferemainedinignorance。Theawakeningwasterrible！Postel’sbillfelldue；therewasnomoneytomeetit，andEveknewenoughofthedebtanditscausetogiveupherbridaltrinketsandsilver。
　　ThateveningEvetriedtoinduceDavidtotalkoftheiraffairs，forshehadnoticedthathewasgivinglessattentiontothebusinessandmoretotheproblemofwhichhehadoncespokentoher。Sincethefirstfewweeksofmarriedlife，infact，Davidspentmostofhistimeintheshedinthebackyard，inthelittleroomwherehewaswonttomouldhisink-rollers。ThreemonthsafterhisreturntoAngouleme，hehadreplacedtheoldfashionedroundink-ballsbyrollersmadeofstrongglueandtreacle，andanink-table，onwhichtheinkwasevenlydistributed，animprovementsoobviousthatCointetBrothersnosoonersawitthantheyadoptedtheplanthemselves。
　　Bythepartitionwallofthiskitchen，asitwere，Davidhadsetupalittlefurnacewithacopperpan，ostensiblytosavethecostoffuelovertherecastingofhisrollers，thoughthemouldshadnotbeenusedtwice，andhungthererustinguponthewall。Norwasthisall；asolidoakdoorhadbeenputinbyhisorders，andthewallswerelinedwithsheet-iron；heevenreplacedthedirtywindowsashbypanesofribbedglass，sothatnoonewithoutcouldwatchhimathiswork。
　　WhenEvebegantospeakaboutthefuture，helookeduneasilyather，andcuthershortatthefirstwordbysaying，“Iknowallthatyoumustthink，child，whenyouseethattheworkshopislefttoitself，andthatIamdead，asitwere，toallbusinessinterests；butsee。”
　　hecontinued，bringinghertothewindow，andpointingtothemysteriousshed，“thereliesourfortune。Forsomemonthsyetwemustendureourlot，butletusbearitpatiently；leavemetosolvetheproblemofwhichItoldyou，andallourtroubleswillbeatanend。”
　　Davidwassogood，hisdevotionwassothoroughlytobetakenuponhisword，thatthepoorwife，withawife’sanxietyastodailyexpenses，determinedtospareherhusbandthehouseholdcaresandtotaketheburdenuponherself。Soshecamedownfromtheprettyblue-and-whiteroom，whereshesewedandtalkedcontentedlywithhermother，tookpossessionofoneofthetwodensatthebackoftheprinting-room，andsetherselftolearnthebusinessroutineoftypography。Wasitnotheroisminawifewhoexpectederelongtobeamother？
　　DuringthepastfewmonthsDavid’sworkmenhadlefthimonebyone；
　　therewasnotenoughworkforthemtodo。CointetBrothers，ontheotherhand，wereoverwhelmedwithorders；theywereemployingalltheworkmenofthedepartment；thealluringprospectofhighwagesevenbroughtthemafewfromBordeaux，moreespeciallyapprentices，whothoughtthemselvessufficientlyexperttocanceltheirarticlesandgoelsewhere。WhenEvecametolookintotheaffairsofSechard’sprintingworks，shediscoveredthatheemployedthreepersonsinall。
　　FirstinorderstoodCerizet，anapprenticeofDidot’s，whomDavidhadchosentotrain。Mostforemenhavesomeonefavoriteamongthegreatnumbersofworkersunderthem，andDavidhadbroughtCerizettoAngouleme，wherehehadbeenlearningmoreofthebusiness。Marion，asmuchattachedtothehouseasawatch-dog，wasthesecond；andthethirdwasKolb，anAlsacien，atonetimeaporterintheemployoftheMessrs。Didot。Kolbhadbeendrawnformilitaryservice，chancebroughthimtoAngouleme，andDavidrecognizedtheman’sfaceatareviewjustashistimewasabouttoexpire。KolbcametoseeDavid，andwassmittenforthwithbythecharmsoftheportlyMarion；shepossessedallthequalitieswhichamanofhisclasslooksforinawife——therobusthealththatbronzesthecheeks，thestrengthofamanMarioncouldliftaformoftypewithease，thescrupuloushonestyonwhichanAlsaciensetssuchstore，thefaithfulservicewhichbespeaksasterlingcharacter，andfinally，thethriftwhichhadsavedalittlesumofathousandfrancs，besidesastockofclothingandlinen，neatandclean，ascountrylinencanbe。Marionherself，abig，stoutwomanofthirty-six，feltsufficientlyflatteredbytheadmirationofacuirassier，whostoodfivefeetseveninhisstockings，awell-builtwarrior，strongasabastion，andnotunnaturallysuggestedthatheshouldbecomeaprinter。So，bythetimeKolbreceivedhisfulldischarge，MarionandDavidbetweenthemhadtransformedhimintoatolerablycreditable“bear。”thoughtheirpupilcouldneitherreadnorwrite。
　　Jobprinting，asitiscalled，wasnotsoabundantatthisseasonbutthatCerizetcouldmanageitwithouthelp。Cerizet，compositor，clicker，andforeman，realizedinhispersonthe“phenomenaltriplicity“ofKant；hesetuptype，readproof，tookorders，andmadeoutinvoices；butthemostpartofthetimehehadnothingtodo，andusedtoreadnovelsinhisdenatthebackoftheworkshopwhilehewaitedforanorderforabill-headoratradecircular。Marion，trainedbyoldSechard，preparedandwetteddownthepaper，helpedKolbwiththeprinting，hungthesheetstodry，andcutthemtosize；
　　yetcookedthedinner，nonetheless，anddidhermarketingveryearlyofamorning。
　　EvetoldCerizettodrawoutabalance-sheetforthelastsixmonths，andfoundthatthegrossreceiptsamountedtoeighthundredfrancs。Ontheotherhand，wagesattherateofthreefrancsperday——twofrancstoCerizet，andonetoKolb——reachedatotalofsixhundredfrancs；
　　andasthegoodssuppliedfortheworkprintedanddeliveredamountedtosomehundredoddfrancs，itwascleartoEvethatDavidhadbeencarryingonbusinessatalossduringthefirsthalf-yearoftheirmarriedlife。Therewasnothingtoshowforrent，nothingforMarion’swages，norfortheinterestoncapitalrepresentedbytheplant，thelicense，andtheink；nothing，finally，bywayofallowanceforthehostofthingsincludedinthetechnicalexpression“wearandtear。”awordwhichowesitsorigintotheclothsandsilkswhichareusedtomoderatetheforceoftheimpression，andtosaveweartothetype；asquareofstufftheblanketbeingplacedbetweentheplatenandthesheetofpaperinthepress。
　　Evemadearoughcalculationoftheresourcesoftheprintingofficeandoftheoutput，andsawhowlittlehopetherewasforabusinessdraineddrybytheall-devouringactivityofthebrothersCointet；forbythistimetheCointetswerenotonlycontractprinterstothetownandtheprefecture，andprinterstotheDiocesebyspecialappointment——theywerepaper-makersandproprietorsofanewspapertoboot。Thatnewspaper，soldtwoyearsagobytheSechards，fatherandson，fortwenty-twothousandfrancs，wasnowbringingineighteenthousandfrancsperannum。EvebegantounderstandthemotiveslurkingbeneaththeapparentgenerosityofthebrothersCointet；theywereleavingtheSechardestablishmentjustsufficientworktogainapittance，butnotenoughtoestablisharivalhouse。
　　WhenEvetookthemanagementofthebusiness，shebeganbytakingstock。ShesetKolbandMarionandCerizettowork，andtheworkshopwasputtorights，cleanedout，andsetinorder。ThenoneeveningwhenDavidcameinfromacountryexcursion，followedbyanoldwomanwithahugebundletiedupinacloth，EveaskedcounselofhimastothebestwayofturningtoprofittheoddsandendsleftthembyoldSechard，promisingthatsheherselfwouldlookafterthebusiness。
　　Actinguponherhusband’sadvice，Mme。Sechardsortedalltheremnantsofpaperwhichshefound，andprintedoldpopularlegendsindoublecolumnsuponasinglesheet，suchaspeasantspasteontheirwalls，thehistoriesofTheWanderingJew，RoberttheDevil，LaBelleMaguelonneandsundrymiracles。EvesentKolboutasahawker。
　　Cerizethadnotamomenttosparenow；hewascomposingthenaivepages，withtheroughcutsthatadornedthem，frommorningtonight；
　　Marionwasabletomanagethetakingoff；andalldomesticcaresfelltoMme。Chardon，forEvewasbusycoloringtheprints。ThankstoKolb’sactivityandhonesty，Evesoldthreethousandbroadsheetsatapennyapiece，andmadethreehundredfrancsinallatacostofthirtyfrancs。
　　Butwheneverypeasant’shutandeverylittlewine-shopfortwentyleaguesroundwaspaperedwiththeselegends，afreshspeculationmustbediscovered；theAlsaciencouldnotgobeyondthelimitsofthedepartment。Eve，turningovereverythinginthewholeprintinghouse，hadfoundacollectionoffiguresforprintinga“Shepherd’sCalendar。”akindofalmanacmeantforthosewhocannotread，letterpressbeingreplacedbysymbols，signs，andpicturesincoloredinks，red，blackandblue。OldSechard，whocouldneitherreadnorwritehimself，hadmadeagooddealofmoneyatonetimebybringingoutanalmanacinhieroglyph。Itwasinbookform，asinglesheetfoldedtomakeonehundredandtwenty-eightpages。
　　Thoroughlysatisfiedwiththesuccessofthebroadsheets，apieceofbusinessonlyundertakenbycountryprintingoffices，Mme。SechardinvestedalltheproceedsintheShepherd’sCalendar，andbeganituponalargescale。MillionsofcopiesofthisworkaresoldannuallyinFrance。ItisprinteduponevencoarserpaperthantheAlmanacofLiege，areamfivehundredsheetscostinginthefirstinstanceaboutfourfrancs；whiletheprintedsheetssellattherateofahalfpennyapiece——twenty-fivefrancsperream。
　　Mme。Secharddeterminedtouseonehundredreamsforthefirstimpression；fiftythousandcopieswouldbringintwothousandfrancs。
　　AmansodeeplyabsorbedinhisworkasDavidinhisresearchesisseldomobservant；yetDavid，takingalookroundhisworkshop，wasastonishedtohearthegroaningofapressandtoseeCerizetalwaysonhisfeet，settinguptypeunderMme。Sechard’sdirection。TherewasaprettytriumphforEveonthedaywhenDavidcameintoseewhatshewasdoing，andpraisedtheidea，andthoughtthecalendaranexcellentstrokeofbusiness。Furthermore，Davidpromisedtogiveadviceinthematterofcoloredinks，foranalmanacmeanttoappealtotheeye；andfinally，heresolvedtorecasttheink-rollershimselfinhismysteriousworkshop，soastohelphiswifeasfarashecouldinherimportantlittleenterprise。
　　Butjustastheworkbeganwithstrenuousindustry，therecamelettersfromLucieninParis，heart-sinkinglettersthattoldhismotherandsisterandbrother-in-lawofhisfailureanddistress；andwhenEve，Mme。Chardon，andDavideachsecretlysentmoneytotheirpoet，itmustbeplaintothereaderthatthethreehundredfrancstheysentwereliketheirveryblood。Theoverwhelmingnews，thedishearteningsensethatworkasbravelyasshemight，shemadesolittle，leftEvelookingforwardwithacertaindreadtoaneventwhichfillsthecupofhappinesstothefull。Thetimewascomingverynearnow，andtoherselfshesaid，“IfmydearDavidhasnotreachedtheendofhisresearchesbeforemyconfinement，whatwillbecomeofus？Andwhowilllookafterourpoorprintingofficeandthebusinessthatisgrowingup？“
　　TheShepherd’sCalendaroughtbyrightstohavebeenreadybeforethe1stofJanuary，butCerizetwasworkingunaccountablyslowly；alltheworkofcomposingfelltohim；andMme。Sechard，knowingsolittle，couldnotfindfault，andwasfaintocontentherselfwithwatchingtheyoungParisian。
　　CerizetcamefromthegreatFoundlingHospitalinParis。HehadbeenapprenticedtotheMM。Didot，andbetweentheagesoffourteenandseventeenhewasDavidSechard’sfanaticalworshiper。Davidputhimunderoneofthecleverestworkmen，andtookhimforhiscopy-holder，hispage。Cerizet’sintelligencenaturallyinterestedDavid；hewonthelad’saffectionbyprocuringamusementsnowandagainforhim，andcomfortsfromwhichhewascutoffbypoverty。NaturehadendowedCerizetwithaninsignificant，ratherprettylittlecountenance，redhair，andapairofdullblueeyes；hehadcometoAngoulemeandbroughtthemannersoftheParisianstreet-boywithhim。Hewasformidablebyreasonofaquick，sarcasticturnandaspitefuldisposition。PerhapsDavidlookedlessstrictlyafterhiminAngouleme；or，perhaps，astheladgrewolder，hismentorputmoretrustinhim，orinthesoberinginfluencesofacountrytown；butbethatasitmay，Cerizetallunknowntohissponsorwasgoingcompletelytothebad，andtheprinter’sapprenticewasactingthepartofaDonJuanamonglittleworkgirls。Hismorality，learnedinParisdrinking-saloons，laiddownthelawofself-interestasthesoleruleofguidance；heknew，moreover，thatnextyearhewouldbe“drawnforasoldier。”tousethepopularexpression，sawthathehadnoprospects，andranintodebt，thinkingthatsoonheshouldbeinthearmy，andnoneofhiscreditorswouldrunafterhim。Davidstillpossessedsomeascendencyovertheyoungfellow，duenottohispositionasmaster，noryettotheinterestthathehadtakeninhispupil，buttothegreatintellectualpowerwhichthesometimestreet-
　　boyfullyrecognized。
　　BeforelongCerizetbegantofraternizewiththeCointets’workpeople，drawntothembythemutualattractionofblouseandjacket，andtheclassfeeling，whichis，perhaps，strongestofallinthelowestranksofsociety。IntheircompanyCerizetforgotthelittlegooddoctrinewhichDavidhadmanagedtoinstilintohim；but，nevertheless，whentheothersjokedtheboyaboutthepressesinhisworkshop“oldsabots。”asthe“bears“contemptuouslycalledthem，andshowedhimthemagnificentmachines，twelveinnumber，nowatworkintheCointets’greatprintingoffice，wherethesinglewoodenpresswasonlyusedforexperiments，CerizetwouldstandupforDavidandflingoutatthebraggarts。
　　“Mygafferwillgofartherwithhis’sabots’thanyourswiththeircast-ironcontrivancesthatturnoutmassbooksalldaylong。”hewouldboast。“HeistryingtofindoutasecretthatwilllickalltheprintingofficesinFranceandNavarre。”
　　“Andmeantimeyoutakeyourordersfromawasher-woman，yousnipofaforeman，ontwofrancsaday。”
　　“Sheisprettythough。”retortedCerizet；“itisbettertohavehertolookatthanthephizesofyourgaffers。”
　　“Anddoyoulivebylookingathiswife？“
　　Fromtheregionofthewineshop，orfromthedooroftheprintingoffice，wherethesebickeringstookplace，adimlightbegantobreakinuponthebrothersCointetastotherealstateofthingsintheSechardestablishment。TheycametohearofEve’sexperiment，andhelditexpedienttostoptheseflightsatonce，lestthebusinessshouldbegintoprosperunderthepooryoungwife’smanagement。
　　“Letusgiveherarapovertheknuckles，anddisgustherwiththebusiness。”saidthebrothersCointet。
　　Oneofthepair，thepracticalprinter，spoketoCerizet，andaskedhimtodotheproof-readingforthembypiecework，torelievetheirreader，whohadmorethanhecouldmanage。SoitcametopassthatCerizetearnedmorebyafewhours’workofaneveningforthebrothersCointetthanbyawholeday’sworkforDavidSechard。Othertransactionsfollowed；theCointetsseeingnosmallaptitudeinCerizet，hewastoldthatitwasapitythatheshouldbeinapositionsolittlefavorabletohisinterests。
　　“Youmightbeforemansomedayinabigprintingoffice，makingsixfrancsaday。”saidoneoftheCointetsoneday，“andwithyourintelligenceyoumightcometohaveashareinthebusiness。”
　　“Whereistheuseofmybeingagoodforeman？“returnedCerizet。“Iamanorphan，Ishallbedrawnforthearmynextyear，andifIgetabadnumberwhoistheretopaysomeoneelsetotakemyplace？“
　　“Ifyoumakeyourselfuseful。”saidthewell-to-doprinter，“whyshouldnotsomebodyadvancethemoney？“
　　“Itwon’tbemygafferinanycase！“saidCerizet。
　　“Pooh！Perhapsbythattimehewillhavefoundoutthesecret。”
　　Thewordswerespokeninawaythatcouldnotbutrousetheworstthoughtsinthelistener；andCerizetgavethepapermakerandprinteraverysearchinglook。
　　“Idonotknowwhatheisbusyabout。”hebeganprudently，asthemastersaidnothing，“butheisnotthekindofmantolookforcapitalsinthelowercase！“
　　“Lookhere，myfriend。”saidtheprinter，takinguphalf-a-dozensheetsofthediocesanprayer-bookandholdingthemouttoCerizet，“ifyoucancorrecttheseforusbyto-morrow，youshallhaveeighteenfrancsto-morrowforthem。Wearenotshabbyhere；weputourcompetitor’sforemaninthewayofmakingmoney。Asamatteroffact，wemightletMme。SechardgotoofartodrawbackwithherShepherd’sCalendar，andruinher；verywell，wegiveyoupermissiontotellherthatwearebringingoutaShepherd’sCalendarofourown，andtocallherattentiontootothefactthatshewillnotbethefirstinthefield。”
　　Cerizet’smotiveforworkingsoslowlyonthecompositionofthealmanacshouldbeclearenoughbythistime。
　　WhenEveheardthattheCointetsmeanttospoilherpoorlittlespeculation，dreadseizeduponher；atfirstshetriedtoseeaproofofattachmentinCerizet’shypocriticalwarningofcompetition；butbeforelongshesawsignsofanover-keencuriosityinhersolecompositor——thecuriosityofyouth，shetriedtothink。
　　“Cerizet。”shesaidonemorning，“youstandaboutonthethreshold，andwaitforM。Sechardinthepassage，topryintohisprivateaffairs；whenhecomesoutintotheyardtomeltdowntherollers，youaretherelookingathim，insteadofgettingonwiththealmanac。
　　Thesethingsarenotright，especiallywhenyouseethatI，hiswife，respecthissecrets，andtakesomuchtroubleonmyselftoleavehimfreetogivehimselfuptohiswork。Ifyouhadnotwastedtime，thealmanacwouldbefinishedbynow，andKolbwouldbesellingit，andtheCointetscouldhavedoneusnoharm。”
　　“Eh！madame。”answeredCerizet。“HereamIdoingfivefrancs’worthofcomposingfortwofrancsaday，anddon’tyouthinkthatthatisenough？Why，ifIdidnotreadproofsofaneveningfortheCointets，Imightfeedmyselfonhusks。”
　　“Youareturningungratefulearly。”saidEve，deeplyhurt，notsomuchbyCerizet’sgrumblingasbyhiscoarsetone，threateningattitude，andaggressivestare；“youwillgetoninlife。”
　　“Notwithawomantoordermeaboutthough，foritisnotoftenthatthemonthhasthirtydaysinitthen。”
　　Feelingwoundedinherwomanlydignity，EvegaveCerizetawitheringlookandwentupstairsagain。Atdinner-timeshespoketoDavid。
　　“Areyousure，dear，ofthatlittlerogueCerizet？“
　　“Cerizet！“saidDavid。“Why，hewasmyyoungster；Itrainedhim，I
　　tookhimonasmycopy-holder。Iputhimtocomposing；anythingthatheisheowestome，infact！Youmightaswellaskafatherifheissureofhischild。”
　　Uponthis，EvetoldherhusbandthatCerizetwasreadingproofsfortheCointets。
　　“Poorfellow！hemustlive。”saidDavid，humbledbytheconsciousnessthathehadnotdonehisdutyasamaster。
　　“Yes，butthereisadifference，dear，betweenKolbandCerizet——Kolbtrampsabouttwentyleagueseveryday，spendsfifteenortwentysous，andbringsusbacksevenandeightandsometimesninefrancsofsales；
　　andwhenhisexpensesarepaid，heneverasksformorethanhiswages。
　　KolbwouldsoonercutoffhishandthanworkaleverfortheCointets；
　　Kolbwouldnotpeeramongthethingsthatyouthrowoutintotheyardifpeopleofferedhimathousandcrownstodoit；butCerizetpicksthemupandlooksatthem。”
　　Itishardfornoblenaturestothinkevil，tobelieveiningratitude；
　　onlythroughroughexperiencedotheylearntheextentofhumancorruption；andevenwhenthereisnothingleftthemtolearninthiskind，theyrisetoanindulgencewhichisthelastdegreeofcontempt。
　　“Pooh！pureParisstreet-boy’scuriosity。”criedDavid。
　　“Verywell，dear，domethepleasuretostepdownstairsandlookattheworkdonebythisboyofyours，andtellmethenwhetherheoughtnottohavefinishedouralmanacthismonth。”
　　Davidwentintotheworkshopafterdinner，andsawthatthecalendarshouldhavebeensetupinaweek。Then，whenheheardthattheCointetswerebringingoutasimilaralmanac，hecametotherescue。
　　Hetookcommandoftheprintingoffice，Kolbhelpedathomeinsteadofsellingbroadsheets。KolbandMarionpulledofftheimpressionsfromoneformwhileDavidworkedanotherpresswithCerizet，andsuperintendedtheprintinginvariousinks。Everysheetmustbeprintedfourseparatetimes，forwhichreasonnonebutsmallhouseswillattempttoproduceaShepherd’scalendar，andthatonlyinthecountrywherelaborischeap，andtheamountofcapitalemployedinthebusinessissosmallthattheinterestamountstolittle。
　　Wherefore，apresswhichturnsoutbeautifulworkcannotcompeteintheprintingofsuchsheets，coarsethoughtheymaybe。
　　So，forthefirsttimesinceoldSechardretired，twopresseswereatworkintheoldhouse。Thecalendarwas，initsway，amasterpiece；
　　butEvewasobligedtosellitforlessthanahalfpenny，fortheCointetsweresupplyinghawkersattherateofthreecentimespercopy。Evemadenolossonthecopiessoldtohawkers；onKolb’ssales，madedirectly，shegained；butherlittlespeculationwasspoiled。
　　Cerizetsawthathisfairemployerdistrustedhim；inhisownconscienceheposedastheaccuser，andsaidtohimself，“Yoususpectme，doyou？Iwillhavemyrevenge。”fortheParisstreet-boyismadeonthiswise。Cerizetaccordinglytookpayoutofallproportiontotheworkofproof-readingdonefortheCointets，goingtotheirofficeeveryeveningforthesheets，andreturningtheminthemorning。Hecametobeonfamiliartermswiththemthroughthedailychat，andatlengthsawachanceofescapingthemilitaryservice，abaitheldouttohimbythebrothers。SofarfromrequiringpromptingfromtheCointets，hewasthefirsttoproposetheespionageandexploitationofDavid’sresearches。
　　EvesawhowlittleshecoulddependuponCerizet，andtofindanotherKolbwassimplyimpossible；shemadeuphermindtodismissheronecompositor，fortheinsightofawomanwholovestoldherthatCerizetwasatraitor；butasthismeantadeathblowtothebusiness，shetookaman’sresolution。ShewrotetoM。Metivier，withwhomDavidandtheCointetsandalmosteverypapermakerinthedepartmenthadbusinessrelations，andaskedhimtoputthefollowingadvertisementintoatradepaper：
　　“FORSALE，asagoingconcern，aPrintingOffice，withLicenseandPlant；situatedatAngouleme。ApplyforparticularstoM。Metivier，RueSerpente。”
　　TheCointetssawtheadvertisement。“Thatlittlewomanhasaheadonhershoulders。”theysaid。“Itistimethatwetookherbusinessunderourowncontrol，bygivingherenoughworktoliveupon；wemightfindarealcompetitorinDavid’ssuccessor；itisinourinteresttokeepaneyeuponthatworkshop。”
　　TheCointetswenttospeaktoDavidSechard，movedtheretobythisthought。Evesawthem，knewthatherstratagemhadsucceededatonce，andfeltathrillofthekeenestjoy。Theystatedtheirproposal。Theyhadmoreworkthantheycouldundertake，theirpressescouldnotkeeppacewiththework，wouldM。Sechardprintforthem？TheyhadsenttoBordeauxforworkmen，andcouldfindenoughtogivefullemploymenttoDavid’sthreepresses。
　　“Gentlemen。”saidEve，whileCerizetwentacrosstoDavid’sworkshoptoannouncethetwoprinters，“whilemyhusbandwaswiththeMM。Didothecametoknowofexcellentworkers，honestandindustriousmen；hewillchoosehissuccessor，nodoubt，fromamongthebestofthem。Ifhesoldhisbusinessoutrightforsometwentythousandfrancs，itmightbringusinathousandfrancsperannum；thatwouldbebetterthanlosingathousandyearlyoversuchtradeasyouleaveus。Whydidyouenvyusthepoorlittlealmanacspeculation，especiallyaswehavealwaysbroughtitout？“
　　“Oh，whydidyounotgiveusnotice，madame？Wewouldnothaveinterferedwithyou。”oneofthebrothersansweredblandlyhewasknownasthe“tallCointet“。
　　“Oh，comegentlemen！youonlybeganyouralmanacafterCerizettoldyouthatIwasbringingoutmine。”
　　Shespokebriskly，lookingfullat“thetallCointet“asshespoke。Heloweredhiseyes；Cerizet’streacherywasproventoher。
　　Thisbrothermanagedthebusinessandthepaper-mill；hewasbyfarthecleverermanofbusinessofthetwo。Jeanshowednosmallabilityintheconductoftheprintingestablishment，butinintellectualcapacityhemightbesaidtotakecolonel’srank，whileBonifacewasageneral。JeanleftthecommandtoBoniface。Thislatterwasthinandspareinperson；hisface，sallowasanaltarcandle，wasmottledwithreddishpatches；hislipswerepinched；therewassomethinginhiseyesthatremindedyouofacat’seyes。BonifaceCointetneverexcitedhimself；hewouldlistentothegrossestinsultswiththeserenityofabigot，andreplyinasmoothvoice。Hewenttomass，hewenttoconfession，hetookthesacrament。Beneathhiscaressingmanners，beneathanalmostspiritlesslook，lurkedthetenacityandambitionofthepriest，andthegreedofthemanofbusinessconsumedwithathirstforrichesandhonors。Intheyear1820“tallCointet“wantedallthatthebourgeoisiefinallyobtainedbytheRevolutionof1830。
　　Inhishearthehatedthearistocrats，andinreligionhewasindifferent；hewasasmuchoraslittleofabigotasBonapartewasamemberoftheMountain；yethisvertebralcolumnbentwithaflexibilitywonderfultobeholdbeforethenoblesseandtheofficialhierarchy；forthepowersthatbe，hehumbledhimself，hewasmeekandobsequious。Onefinalcharacteristicwilldescribehimforthosewhoareaccustomedtodealingswithallkindsofmen，andcanappreciateitsvalue——Cointetconcealedtheexpressionofhiseyesbywearingcoloredglasses，ostensiblytopreservehissightfromthereflectionofthesunlightonthewhitebuildingsinthestreets；forAngouleme，beingsetuponahill，isexposedtothefullglareofthesun。TallCointetwasreallyscarcelyabovemiddleheight；helookedmuchtallerthanheactuallywasbyreasonofthethinness，whichtoldofoverworkandabrainincontinualferment。Hislank，sleekgrayhair，cutinsomewhatecclesiasticalfashion；theblacktrousers，blackstockings，blackwaistcoat，andlongpuce-coloredgreatcoatstyledaleviteinthesouth，allcompletedhisresemblancetoaJesuit。
　　Bonifacewascalled“tallCointet“todistinguishhimfromhisbrother，“fatCointet。”andthenicknamesexpressedadifferenceincharacteraswellasaphysicaldifferencebetweenapairofequallyredoubtablepersonages。AsforJeanCointet，ajolly，stoutfellow，withafacefromaFlemishinterior，coloredbythesouthernsunofAngouleme，thick-set，shortandpaunchyasSanchoPanza；withasmileonhislipsandapairofsturdyshoulders，hewasastrikingcontrasttohisolderbrother。Norwasthedifferenceonlyphysicalandintellectual。JeanmightalmostbecalledLiberalinpolitics；hebelongedtotheLeftCentre，onlywenttomassonSundays，andlivedonaremarkablygoodunderstandingwiththeLiberalmenofbusiness。
　　TherewerethoseinL’Houmeauwhosaidthatthisdivergencebetweenthebrotherswasmoreapparentthanreal。TallCointetturnedhisbrother’sseeminggoodnaturetoadvantageveryskilfully。Jeanwashisbludgeon。ItwasJeanwhogaveallthehardwords；itwasJeanwhoconductedtheexecutionswhichlittlebeseemedtheelderbrother’sbenevolence。Jeantookthestormsdepartment；hewouldflyintoarage，andproposetermsthatnobodywouldthinkofaccepting，topavethewayforhisbrother’slessunreasonablepropositions。Andbysuchpolicythepairattainedtheirends，soonerorlater。
　　Eve，withawoman’stact，hadsoondivinedthecharactersofthetwobrothers；shewasonherguardwithfoessoformidable。David，informedbeforehandofeverythingbyhiswife，lentaprofoundlyinattentivemindtohisenemies’proposals。
　　“Cometoanunderstandingwithmywife。”hesaid，ashelefttheCointetsintheofficeandwentbacktohislaboratory。“Mme。SechardknowsmoreaboutthebusinessthanIdomyself。Iaminterestedinsomethingthatwillpaybetterthanthispoorplace；IhopetofindawaytoretrievethelossesthatIhavemadethroughyou——“
　　“Andhow？“askedthefatCointet，chuckling。
　　Evegaveherhusbandalookthatmeant，“Becareful！“
　　“Youwillbemytributaries。”saidDavid，“andallotherconsumersofpapersbesides。”
　　“Thenwhatareyouinvestigating？“askedthehypocriticalBonifaceCointet。
　　Boniface’squestionslippedoutsmoothlyandinsinuatingly，andagainEve’seyesimploredherhusbandtogiveananswerthatwasnoanswer，ortosaynothingatall。
　　“Iamtryingtoproducepaperatfiftypercentlessthanthepresentcostprice。”andhewent。Hedidnotseetheglancesexchangedbetweenthebrothers。“Thatisaninventor，amanofhisbuildcannotsitwithhishandsbeforehim——Letusexploithim。”saidBoniface’seyes。“Howcanwedoit？“saidJean’s。
　　Mme。Sechardspoke。“Davidtreatsmejustinthesameway。”shesaid。
　　“IfIshowanycuriosity，hefeelssuspiciousofmyname，nodoubt，andoutcomesthatremarkofhis；itisonlyaformula，afterall。”
　　“Ifyourhusbandcanworkouttheformula，hewillcertainlymakeafortunemorequicklythanbyprinting；Iamnotsurprisedthatheleavesthebusinesstoitself。”saidBoniface，lookingacrosstheemptyworkshop，whereKolb，seateduponawetting-board，wasrubbinghisbreadwithacloveofgarlic；“butitwouldnotsuitourviewstoseethisplaceinthehandsofanenergetic，pushing，ambitiouscompetitor。”hecontinued，“andperhapsitmightbepossibletoarriveatanunderstanding。Suppose，forinstance，thatyouconsentedforaconsiderationtoallowustoputinoneofourownmentoworkyourpressesforourbenefit，butnominallyforyou；thethingissometimesdoneinParis。Wewouldfindthefellowworkenoughtoenablehimtorentyourplaceandpayyouwell，andyetmakeaprofitforhimself。”
　　“Itdependsontheamount。”saidEveSechard。“Whatisyouroffer？“
　　sheadded，lookingatBonifacetolethimseethatsheunderstoodhisschemeperfectlywell。
　　“Whatisyourownidea？“JeanCointetputinbriskly。
　　“Threethousandfrancsforsixmonths。”saidshe。
　　“Why，mydearyounglady，youwereproposingtoselltheplaceoutrightfortwentythousandfrancs。”saidBonifacewithmuchsuavity。
　　“Theinterestontwentythousandfrancsisonlytwelvehundredfrancsperannumatsixpercent。”
　　ForamomentEvewasthrownintoconfusion；shesawtheneedfordiscretioninmattersofbusiness。
　　“Youwishtouseourpressesandournameaswell。”shesaid；“and，asIhavealreadyshownyou，Icanstilldoalittlebusiness。AndthenwepayrenttoM。Sechardsenior，whodoesnotloaduswithpresents。”
　　Aftertwohoursofdebate，Eveobtainedtwothousandfrancsforsixmonths，onethousandtobepaidinadvance。Wheneverythingwasconcluded，thebrothersinformedherthattheymeanttoputinCerizetaslesseeofthepremises。Inspiteofherself，Evestartedwithsurprise。
　　“Isn’titbettertohavesomebodywhoknowstheworkshop？“askedthefatCointet。
　　Evemadenoreply；shetookleaveofthebrothers，vowinginwardlytolookafterCerizet。
　　“Well，hereareourenemiesintheplace！“laughedDavid，whenEvebroughtoutthepapersforhissignatureatdinner-time。
　　“Pshaw！“saidshe，“IwillanswerforKolbandMarion；theyalonewouldlookafterthings。Besides，weshallbemakinganincomeoffourthousandfrancsfromtheworkshop，whichonlycostsusmoneyasitis；
　　andlookingforward，Iseeayearinwhichyoumayrealizeyourhopes。”
　　“Youwereborntobethewifeofascientificworker，asyousaidbytheweir。”saidDavid，graspingherhandtenderly。
　　ButthoughtheSechardhouseholdhadmoneysufficientthatwinter，theywerenonethelesssubjectedtoCerizet’sespionage，andallunconsciouslybecamedependentuponBonifaceCointet。
　　“Wehavethemnow！“themanagerofthepaper-millhadexclaimedasheleftthehousewithhisbrothertheprinter。“Theywillbegintoregardtherentasregularincome；theywillcountuponitandrunthemselvesintodebt。Insixmonths’timewewilldeclinetorenewtheagreement，andthenweshallseewhatthismanofgeniushasatthebottomofhismind；wewilloffertohelphimoutofhisdifficultybytakinghimintopartnershipandexploitinghisdiscovery。”
　　AnyshrewdmanofbusinesswhoshouldhaveseentallCointet’sfaceasheutteredthosewords，“takinghimintopartnership。”wouldhaveknownthatitbehoovesamantobeevenmorecarefulintheselectionofthepartnerwhomhetakesbeforetheTribunalofCommercethaninthechoiceofthewifewhomhewedsattheMayor’soffice。Wasitnotenoughalready，andmorethanenough，thattheruthlesshunterswereonthetrackofthequarry？HowshouldDavidandhiswife，withKolbandMariontohelpthem，escapethetoilsofaBonifaceCointet？
　　AdraftforfivehundredfrancscamefromLucien，andthis，withCerizet’ssecondpayment，enabledthemtomeetalltheexpensesofMme。Sechard’sconfinement。EveandthemotherandDavidhadthoughtthatLucienhadforgottenthem，andrejoicedoverthistokenofremembranceastheyrejoicedoverhissuccess，forhisfirstexploitsinjournalismmadeevenmorenoiseinAngoulemethaninParis。
　　ButDavid，thuslulledintoafalsesecurity，wastoreceiveastaggeringblow，acruelletterfromLucien：——
　　LucientoDavid。
　　“MYDEARDAVID，——Ihavedrawnthreebillsonyou，andnegotiatedthemwithMetivier；theyfalldueinone，two，andthreemonths’
　　time。Itookthishatefulcourse，whichIknowwillburdenyouheavily，becausetheonealternativewassuicide。Iwillexplainmynecessitysometime，andIwilltrybesidestosendtheamountsasthebillsfalldue。
　　“Burnthisletter；saynothingtomymotherandsister；for，I
　　confessit，Ihavecounteduponyou，upontheheroismknownsowelltoyourdespairingbrother，“LUCIENDERUBEMPRE。”
　　BythistimeEvehadrecoveredfromherconfinement。
　　“Yourbrother，poorfellow，isindesperatestraits。”Davidtoldher。
　　“Ihavesenthimthreebillsforathousandfrancsatone，two，andthreemonths；justmakeanoteofthem。”andhewentoutintothefieldstoescapehiswife’squestionings。
　　ButEvehadfeltveryuneasyalready。ItwassixmonthssinceLucienhadwrittentothem。Shetalkedoverthenewswithhermothertillherforebodingsgrewsodarkthatshemadeuphermindtodissipatethem。
　　Shewouldtakeaboldstepinherdespair。
　　YoungM。deRastignachadcometospendafewdayswithhisfamily。HehadspokenofLucienintermsthatsetParisgossipcirculatinginAngouleme，tillatlastitreachedthejournalist’smotherandsister。
　　EvewenttoMme。deRastignac，askedthefavorofaninterviewwithherson，spokeofallherfears，andaskedhimforthetruth。InamomentEveheardofherbrother’sconnectionwiththeactressCoralie，ofhisduelwithMichelChrestien，arisingoutofhisowntreacherousbehaviortoDanield’Arthez；shereceived，inshort，aversionofLucien’shistory，coloredbythepersonalfeelingofacleverandenviousdandy。Rastignacexpressedsincereadmirationfortheabilitiessoterriblycompromised，andapatrioticfearforthefutureofanativegenius；spiteandjealousymasqueradedaspityandfriendliness。HespokeofLucien’sblunders。ItseemedthatLucienhadforfeitedthefavorofaverygreatperson，andthatapatentconferringtherighttobearthenameandarmsofRubemprehadactuallybeenmadeoutandsubsequentlytornup。
　　“Ifyourbrother，madame，hadbeenwelladvised，hewouldhavebeenonthewaytohonors，andMme。deBargeton’shusbandbythistime；butwhatcanyouexpect？Hedesertedherandinsultedher。SheisnowMme。
　　laComtesseSixteduChatelet，toherowngreatregret，forshelovedLucien。”
　　“Isitpossible！“exclaimedMme。Sechard。
　　“Yourbrotherislikeayoungeagle，blindedbythefirstraysofgloryandluxury。Whenaneaglefalls，whocantellhowfarhemaysinkbeforehedropstothebottomofsomeprecipice？Thefallofagreatmanisalwaysproportionatelygreat。”
　　Evecameawaywithagreatdreadinherheart；thoselastwordspiercedherlikeanarrow。Shehadbeenwoundedtothequick。Shesaidnotawordtoanybody，butagainandagainatearrolleddownhercheeks，andfelluponthechildatherbreast。Sohardisittogiveupillusionssanctionedbyfamilyfeeling，illusionsthathavegrownwithourgrowth，thatEvehaddoubtedEugenedeRastignac。Shewouldratherhearatruefriend’saccountofherbrother。Lucienhadgiventhemd’Arthez’saddressinthedayswhenhewasfullofenthusiasmforthebrotherhood；shewroteapatheticlettertod’Arthez，andreceivedthefollowingreply：——
　　D’ArtheztoMme。Sechard。
　　“MADAME，——YouaskmetotellyouthetruthaboutthelifethatyourbrotherisleadinginParis；youareanxiousforenlightenmentastohisprospects；andtoencourageafrankansweronmypart，yourepeatcertainthingsthatM。deRastignachastoldyou，askingmeiftheyaretrue。Withregardtothepurelypersonalmatter，madame，M。deRastignac’sconfidencesmustbecorrectedinLucien’sfavor。Yourbrotherwroteacriticismofmybook，andbroughtittomeinremorse，tellingmethathecouldnotbringhimselftopublishit，althoughobediencetotheordersofhispartymightendangeronewhowasverydeartohim。Alas！
　　madame，amanoflettersmustneedscomprehendallpassions，sinceitishispridetoexpressthem；Iunderstoodthatwhereamistressandafriendareinvolved，thefriendisinevitablysacrificed。Ismoothedyourbrother’sway；Icorrectedhismurderousarticlemyself，andgaveitmyfullapproval。
　　“YouaskwhetherLucienhaskeptmyfriendshipandesteem；tothisitisdifficulttomakeananswer。Yourbrotherisonaroadthatleadshimtoruin。AtthismomentIstillfeelsorryforhim；
　　beforelongIshallhaveforgottenhim，ofsetpurpose，notsomuchonaccountofwhathehasdonealreadyasforthatwhichheinevitablywilldo。YourLucienisnotapoet，hehasthepoetictemper；hedreams，hedoesnotthink；hespendshimselfinemotion，hedoesnotcreate。Heis，infact——permitmetosayit——
　　awomanishcreaturethatlovestoshine，theFrenchman’sgreatfailing。Lucienwillalwayssacrificehisbestfriendforthepleasureofdisplayinghisownwit。HewouldnothesitatetosignapactwiththeDevilto-morrowifsohemightsecureafewyearsofluxuriousandgloriouslife。Nay，hashenotdoneworsealready？Hehasbarteredhisfuturefortheshort-liveddelightsoflivingopenlywithanactress。Sofar，hehasnotseenthedangersofhisposition；thegirl’syouthandbeautyanddevotionforsheworshipshimhaveclosedhiseyestothetruth；hecannotseethatnogloryorsuccessorfortunecaninducetheworldtoaccepttheposition。Verywell，asitisnow，soitwillbewitheachnewtemptation——yourbrotherwillnotlookbeyondtheenjoymentofthemoment。Donotbealarmed：Lucienwillnevergosofarasacrime，hehasnotthestrengthofcharacter；buthewouldtakethefruitsofacrime，hewouldsharethebenefitbutnottherisk——athingthatseemsabhorrenttothewholeworld，eventoscoundrels。Oh，hewoulddespisehimself，hewouldrepent；
　　butbringhimoncemoretothetest，andhewouldfailagain；forheisweakofwill，hecannotresisttheallurementsofpleasure，norforegotheleastofhisambitions。Heisindolent，likeallwhowouldfainbepoets；hethinksitclevertojugglewiththedifficultiesoflifeinsteadoffacingandovercomingthem。Hewillbebraveatonetime，cowardlyatanother，anddeservesneithercreditforhiscourage，norblameforhiscowardice。
　　Lucienislikeaharpwithstringsthatareslackenedortightenedbytheatmosphere。Hemightwriteagreatbookinagladorangrymood，andcarenothingforthesuccessthathehaddesiredforsolong。
　　“WhenhefirstcametoParishefellundertheinfluenceofanunprincipledyoungfellow，andwasdazzledbyhiscompanion’sadroitnessandexperienceinthedifficultiesofaliterarylife。
　　ThisjugglercompletelybewitchedLucien；hedraggedhimintoalifewhichamancannotleadandrespecthimself，and，unluckilyforLucien，lovesheditsmagicoverthepath。Theadmirationthatisgiventooreadilyisasignofwantofjudgment；apoetoughtnottobepaidinthesamecoinasadanceronthetight-rope。WeallfelthurtwhenintrigueandliteraryrascalitywerepreferredtothecourageandhonorofthosewhocounseledLucienrathertofacethebattlethantofilchsuccess，tospringdownintothearenaratherthanbecomeatrumpetintheorchestra。
　　“Society，madame，oddlyenough，showsplentifulindulgencetoyoungmenofLucien’sstamp；theyarepopular，theworldisfascinatedbytheirexternalgiftsandgoodlooks。Nothingisaskedofthem，alltheirsinsareforgiven；theyaretreatedlikeperfectnatures，othersareblindtotheirdefects，theyaretheworld’sspoiledchildren。And，ontheotherhand，theworldissternbeyondmeasuretostrongandcompletenatures。Perhapsinthisapparentlyflagrantinjusticesocietyactssublimely，takingaharlequinathisjustworth，askingnothingofhimbutamusement，promptlyforgettinghim；andaskingdivinegreatdeedsofthosebeforewhomshebendstheknee。Everythingisjudgedbylawsofitsbeing；thediamondmustbeflawless；theephemeralcreationoffashionmaybeflimsy，bizarre，inconsequent。SoLucienmayperhapssucceedtoadmirationinspiteofhismistakes；
　　hehasonlytoprofitbysomehappyveinortobeamonggoodcompanions；butifanevilangelcrosseshispath，hewillgototheverydepthsofhell。’Tisabrilliantassemblageofgoodqualitiesembroideredupontooslightatissue；timewearstheflowersawaytillnothingbutthewebisleft；andifthatispoorstuff，youbeholdaragatthelast。SolongasLucienisyoung，peoplewilllikehim；butwherewillhebeasamanofthirty？
　　Thatisthequestionwhichthosewholovehimsincerelyareboundtoaskthemselves。IfIalonehadcometothinkinthiswayofLucien，Imightperhapshavesparedyouthepainwhichmyplainspeakingwillgiveyou；buttoevadethequestionsputbyyouranxiety，andtoansweracryofanguishlikeyourletterwithcommonplaces，seemedtomealikeunworthyofyouandofme，whomyouesteemtoohighly；andbesides，thoseofmyfriendswhoknewLucienareunanimousintheirjudgment。Soitappearedtometobeadutytoputthetruthbeforeyou，terriblethoughitmaybe。
　　AnythingmaybeexpectedofLucien，anythinggoodorevil。Thatisouropinion，andthisletterissummedupinthatsentence。Ifthevicissitudesofhispresentwayoflifeaverywretchedandslipperyoneshouldbringthepoetbacktoyou，useallyourinfluencetokeephimamongyou；foruntilhischaracterhasacquiredstability，Pariswillnotbesafeforhim。Heusedtospeakofyou，youandyourhusband，ashisguardianangels；hehasforgottenyou，nodoubt；buthewillrememberyouagainwhentossedbytempest，withnorefugelefttohimbuthishome。Keepyourheartforhim，madame；hewillneedit。
　　“Permitme，madame，toconveytoyoutheexpressionofthesincererespectofamantowhomyourrarequalitiesareknown，amanwhohonorsyourmother’sfearssomuch，thathedesirestostylehimselfyourdevotedservant，“D’ARTHEZ。”
　　Twodaysafterthelettercame，Evewasobligedtofindawet-nurse；
　　hermilkhaddriedup。Shehadmadeagodofherbrother；now，inhereyes，hewasdepravedthroughtheexerciseofhisnoblestfaculties；
　　hewaswallowinginthemire。She，noblecreaturethatshewas，wasincapableofswervingfromhonestyandscrupulousdelicacy，fromallthepioustraditionsofthehearth，whichstillburnssoclearlyandshedsitslightabroadinquietcountryhomes。ThenDavidhadbeenrightinhisforecasts！TheleadenhuesofgriefoverspreadEve’swhitebrow。Shetoldherhusbandhersecretinoneofthepellucidtalksinwhichmarriedloverstelleverythingtoeachother。ThetonesofDavid’svoicebroughtcomfort。Thoughthetearsstoodinhiseyeswhenheknewthatgriefhaddriedhiswife’sfairbreast，andknewEve’sdespairthatshecouldnotfulfilamother’sduties，heheldoutreassuringhopes。
　　“Yourbrother’simaginationhaslethimastray，yousee，child。Itissonaturalthatapoetshouldwishforblueandpurplerobes，andhurryaseagerlyafterfestivalsashedoes。Itisabirdthatlovesglitterandluxurywithsuchsimplesincerity，thatGodforgiveshimifmancondemnshimforit。”
　　“Butheisdrainingourlives！“exclaimedpoorEve。
　　“Heisdrainingourlivesjustnow，butonlyafewmonthsagohesavedusbysendingusthefirstfruitsofhisearnings。”saidthegoodDavid。Hehadthesensetoseethathiswifewasindespair，wasgoingbeyondthelimit，andthatloveforLucienwouldverysooncomeback。
　　“Fiftyyearsago，orthereabouts，MerciersaidinhisTableaudeParisthatamancannotlivebyliterature，poetry，letters，orscience，bythecreaturesofhisbrain，inshort；andLucien，poetthatheis，wouldnotbelievetheexperienceoffivecenturies。Theharveststhatarewateredwithinkareonlyreapedtenortwelveyearsafterthesowing，ifindeedthereisanyharvestafterall。Lucienhastakenthegreenwheatforthesheaves。Hewillhavelearnedsomethingoflife，atanyrate。Hewasthedupeofawomanattheoutset；hewassuretobedupedafterwardsbytheworldandfalsefriends。Hehasboughthisexperiencedear，thatisall。Ourancestorsusedtosay，’Ifthesonofthehousebringsbackhistwoearsandhishonorsafe，alliswell——’“
　　“Honor！“poorEvebrokein。“Oh，butLucienhasfalleninsomanyways！Writingagainsthisconscience！Attackinghisbestfriend！
　　Livinguponanactress！Showinghimselfinpublicwithher。Bringingustolieonstraw——“
　　“Oh，thatisnothing——！“criedDavid，andsuddenlystoppedshort。
　　ThesecretofLucien’sforgeryhadnearlyescapedhim，and，unluckily，hisstartleftavague，uneasyimpressiononEve。
　　“Whatdoyoumeanbynothing？“sheanswered。“Andwhereshallwefindthemoneytomeetbillsforthreethousandfrancs？“
　　“WeshallbeobligedtorenewtheleasewithCerizet，tobeginwith。”
　　saidDavid。“TheCointetshavebeenallowinghimfifteenpercentontheworkdoneforthem，andinthatwayalonehehasmadesixhundredfrancs，besidescontrivingtomakefivehundredfrancsbyjobprinting。”
　　“IftheCointetsknowthat，perhapstheywillnotrenewthelease。
　　Theywillbeafraidofhim，forCerizetisadangerousman。”
　　“Eh！whatisthattome！“criedDavid，“weshallberichinaverylittlewhile。WhenLucienisrich，dearangel，hewillhavenothingbutgoodqualities。”
　　“Oh！David，mydear，mydear；whatisthisthatyouhavesaidunthinkingly？ThenLucienfallenintotheclutchesofpovertywouldnothavetheforceofcharactertoresistevil？AndyouthinkjustasM。d’Arthezthinks！Nooneisgreatunlesshehasstrengthofcharacter，andLucienisweak。Anangelmustnotbetempted——whatisthat？“
　　“Whatbutanaturethatisnobleonlyinitsownregion，itsownsphere，itsheaven？Iwillsparehimthestruggle；Lucienisnotmeantforit。Lookhere！IamsoneartheendnowthatIcantalktoyouaboutthemeans。”
　　Hedrewseveralsheetsofwhitepaperfromhispocket，brandishedthemintriumph，andlaidthemonhiswife’slap。
　　“Areamofthispaper，royalsize，wouldcostfivefrancsatthemost。”headded，whileEvehandledthespecimenswithalmostchildishsurprise。
　　“Why，howdidyoumakethesesamplebits？“sheasked。
　　“WithanoldkitchensieveofMarion’s。”
　　“Andareyounotsatisfiedyet？“askedEve。
　　“Theproblemdoesnotlieinthemanufacturingprocess；itisaquestionofthefirstcostofthepulp。Alas，child，Iamonlyalatecomerinadifficultpath。Aslongagoas1794，Mme。Massontriedtouseprintedpaperasecondtime；shesucceeded，butwhatapriceitcost！TheMarquisofSalisburytriedtousestrawasamaterialin1800，andthesameideaoccurredtoSeguininFrancein1801。Thosesheetsinyourhandaremadefromthecommonrush，thearundophragmites，butIshalltrynettlesandthistles；forifthematerialistocontinuetobecheap，onemustlookforsomethingthatwillgrowinmarshesandwastelandswherenothingelsecanbegrown。Thewholesecretliesinthepreparationofthestems。Atpresentmymethodisnotquitesimpleenough。Still，inspiteofthisdifficulty，IfeelsurethatIcangivetheFrenchpapertradetheprivilegeofourliterature；papermakingwillbeforFrancewhatcoalandironandcoarsepotter’sclayareforEngland——amonopoly。ImeantobetheJacquartofthetrade。”
　　Everosetoherfeet。David’ssimple-mindednesshadrousedhertoenthusiasm，toadmiration；sheheldoutherarmstohimandheldhimtightlytoher，whileshelaidherheaduponhisshoulder。
　　“YougivememyrewardasifIhadsucceededalready。”hesaid。
　　Forallanswer，Evehelduphersweetface，wetwithtears，tohis，andforamomentshecouldnotspeak。
　　“Thekisswasnotforthemanofgenius。”shesaid，“butformycomforter。Hereisarisinggloryfortheglorythathasset；and，inthemidstofmygriefforthebrotherthathasfallensolow，myhusband’sgreatnessisrevealedtome——Yes，youwillbegreat，greatliketheGraindorges，theRouvets，andVanRobais，andthePersianwhodiscoveredmadder，likeallthemenyouhavetoldmeabout；greatmenwhomnobodyremembers，becausetheirgooddeedswereobscureindustrialtriumphs。”
　　“Whataretheydoingjustnow？“
　　ItwasBonifaceCointetwhospoke。HewaswalkingupanddownoutsideinthePlaceduMurierwithCerizetwatchingthesilhouettesofthehusbandandwifeontheblinds。HealwayscameatmidnightforachatwithCerizet，forthelatterplayedthespyuponhisformermaster’severymovement。
　　“Heisshowingherthepaperhemadethismorning，nodoubt。”saidCerizet。
　　“Whatisitmadeof？“askedthepapermanufacturer。
　　“Impossibletoguess。”answeredCerizet；“Imadeaholeintheroofandscrambledupandwatchedthegaffer；hewasboilingpulpinacopperpanalllastnight。Therewasaheapofstuffinacorner，butIcouldmakenothingofit；itlookedlikeaheapoftow，asnearasI
　　couldmakeout。”
　　“Gonofarther。”saidBonifaceCointetinunctuoustones；“itwouldnotberight。Mme。Sechardwilloffertorenewyourlease；tellherthatyouarethinkingofsettingupforyourself。Offerherhalfthevalueoftheplantandlicense，and，ifshetakesthebid，cometome。
　　Inanycase，spinthematterout……Havetheynomoney？“
　　“Notasou。”saidCerizet。
　　“Notasou。”repeatedtallCointet——“Ihavethemnow。”saidhetohimself。
　　Metivier，papermanufacturers’wholesaleagent，andCointetBrothers，printersandpapermanufacturers，werealsobankersinallbutname。
　　ThissurreptitiousbankingsystemdefiesalltheingenuityoftheInlandRevenueDepartment。Everybankerisrequiredtotakeoutalicensewhich，inParis，costsfivehundredfrancs；butnohithertodevisedmethodofcontrollingcommercecandetectthedelinquents，orcompelthemtopaytheirduetotheGovernment。AndthoughMetivierandtheCointetswere“outsidebrokers。”inthelanguageoftheStockExchange，nonethelessamongthemtheycouldsetsomehundredsofthousandsoffrancsmovingeverythreemonthsinthemarketsofParis，Bordeaux，andAngouleme。NowitsofelloutthatthatveryeveningCointetBrothershadreceivedLucien’sforgedbillsinthecourseofbusiness。Uponthisdebt，tallCointetforthwitherectedaformidableengine，pointed，aswillpresentlybeseen，againstthepoor，patientinventor。
　　Byseveno’clocknextmorning，BonifaceCointetwastakingawalkbythemillstreamthatturnedthewheelsinhisbigfactory；thesoundofthewatercoveredhistalk，forhewastalkingwithacompanion，ayoungmanofnine-and-twenty，whohadbeenappointedattorneytotheCourtofFirstInstanceinAngoulemesomesixweeksago。Theyoungman’snamewasPierrePetit-Claud。
　　“YouareaschoolfellowofDavidSechard’s，areyounot？“askedtallCointetbywayofgreetingtotheyoungattorney。Petit-Claudhadlostnotimeinansweringthewealthymanufacturer’ssummons。
　　“Yes，sir。”saidPetit-Claud，keepingstepwithtallCointet。
　　“Haveyourenewedtheacquaintance？“
　　“Wehavemetonceortwiceatmostsincehecameback。Itcouldhardlyhavebeenotherwise。InParisIwasburiedawayintheofficeoratthecourtsonweek-days，andonSundaysandholidaysIwashardatworkstudying，forIhadonlymyselftolookto。”TallCointetnoddedapprovingly。“Whenwemetagain，DavidandI，heaskedmewhatIhaddonewithmyself。ItoldhimthatafterIhadfinishedmytimeatPoitiers，IhadrisentobeMaitreOlivet’shead-clerk，andthatsometimeorotherIhopedtomakeabidforhisberth。IknowagooddealmoreofLucienChardondeRubemprehecallshimselfnow，hewasMme。
　　deBargeton’slover，ourgreatpoet，DavidSechard’sbrother-in-law，infact。”
　　“ThenyoucangoandtellDavidofyourappointment，andofferhimyourservices。”saidtallCointet。
　　“Onecan’tdothat。”saidtheyoungattorney。
　　“Hehasneverhadalawsuit，andhehasnoattorney，soonecandothat。”saidCointet，scanningtheothernarrowlyfrombehindhiscoloredspectacles。
　　AcertainquantityofgallmingledwiththebloodinPierrePetit-
　　Claud’sveins；hisfatherwasatailorinL’Houmeau，andhisschoolfellowshadlookeddownuponhim。Hiscomplexionwasofthemuddyandunwholesomekindwhichtellsataleofbadhealth，latehoursandpenury，andalmostalwaysofabaddisposition。Thebestdescriptionofhimmaybegivenintwofamiliarexpressions——hewassharpandsnappish。Hiscrackedvoicesuitedhissourface，meagrelook，andmagpieeyesofnoparticularcolor。Amagpieeye，accordingtoNapoleon，isasuresignofdishonesty。“LookatSo-and-so。”hesaidtoLasCasesatSaintHelena，alludingtoaconfidentialservantwhomhehadbeenobligedtodismissformalversation。“IdonotknowhowIcouldhavebeendeceivedinhimforsolong；hehasamagpieeye。”TallCointet，surveyingtheweedylittlelawyer，notedhisfacepittedwithsmallpox，thethinhair，andtheforehead，baldalready，recedingtowardsabaldcranium；saw，too，theconfessionofweaknessinhisattitudewiththehandonthehip。“Hereismyman。”saidhetohimself。
　　Asamatteroffact，thisPetit-Claud，whohaddrunkscornlikewater，waseatenupwithastrongdesiretosucceedinlife；hehadnomoney，butneverthelesshehadtheaudacitytobuyhisemployer’sconnectionforthirtythousandfrancs，reckoninguponarichmarriagetoclearoffthedebt，andlookingtohisemployer，aftertheusualcustom，tofindhimawife，foranattorneyalwayshasaninterestinmarryinghissuccessor，becauseheisthesoonerpaidoff。ButifPetit-Claudcounteduponhisemployer，hecountedyetmoreuponhimself。Hehadmorethanaverageability，andthatofakindnotoftenfoundintheprovinces，andrancorwasthemainspringofhispower。Amightyhatredmakesamightyeffort。
　　ThereisagreatdifferencebetweenacountryattorneyandanattorneyinParis；tallCointetwastooclevernottoknowthis，andtoturnthemeanerpassionsthatmoveapettifogginglawyertogoodaccount。
　　AneminentattorneyinParis，andtherearemanywhomaybesoqualified，isboundtopossesstosomeextentthediplomate’squalities；hehadsomuchbusinesstotransact，businessinwhichlargeinterestsareinvolved；questionsofsuchwideinterestaresubmittedtohimthathedoesnotlookuponprocedureasmachineryforbringingmoneyintohispocket，butasaweaponofattackanddefence。
　　Acountryattorney，ontheotherhand，cultivatesthescienceofcosts，broutille，asitiscalledinParis，ahostofsmallitemsthatswelllawyers’billsandrequirestampedpaper。Theseweightymattersofthelawcompletelyfillthecountryattorney’smind；hehasabillofcostsalwaysbeforehiseyes，whereashisbrotherofParisthinksofnothingbuthisfees。Thefeeisahonorariumpaidbyaclientoverandabovethebillofcosts，forthemoreorlessskilfulconductofhiscase。One-halfofthebillofcostsgoestotheTreasury，whereastheentirefeebelongstotheattorney。Letusadmitfranklythatthefeesreceivedareseldomaslargeasthefeesdemandedanddeservedbyacleverlawyer。Wherefore，inParis，attorneys，doctors，andbarristers，likecourtesanswithachance-comelover，takeveryconsiderableprecautionsagainstthegratitudeofclients。TheclientbeforeandafterthelawsuitwouldfurnishasubjectworthyofMeissonier；therewouldbebriskbiddingamongattorneysforthepossessionoftwosuchadmirablebitsofgenre。
　　ThereisyetanotherdifferencebetweentheParisianandthecountryattorney。AnattorneyinParisveryseldomappearsincourt，thoughheissometimescalledupontoactasarbitratorrefere。Barristers，atthepresentday，swarmintheprovinces；butin1822thecountryattorneyveryoftenunitedthefunctionsofsolicitorandcounsel。Asaresultofthisdoublelife，theattorneyacquiredthepeculiarintellectualdefectsofthebarrister，andretainedtheheavyresponsibilitiesoftheattorney。Hegrewtalkativeandfluent，andlosthislucidityofjudgment，thefirstnecessityfortheconductofaffairs。Ifamanofmorethanordinaryabilitytriestodotheworkoftwomen，heisapttofindthatthetwomenaremediocrities。TheParisattorneyneverspendshimselfinforensiceloquence；andasheseldomattemptstoargueforandagainst，hehassomehopeofpreservinghismentalrectitude。Itistruethathebringsthebalistaofthelawtowork，andlooksfortheweaponsinthearmoryofjudicialcontradictions，buthekeepshisownconvictionsastothecase，whilehedoeshisbesttogaintheday。Inaword，amanloseshisheadnotsomuchbythinkingasbyutteringthoughts。Thespokenwordconvincestheutterer；butamancanactagainsthisownbadjudgmentwithoutwarpingit，andcontrivetowininabadcausewithoutmaintainingthatitisagoodone，likethebarrister。Perhapsforthisveryreasonanoldattorneyisthemorelikelyofthetwotomakeagoodjudge。
　　Acountryattorney，aswehaveseen，hasplentyofexcusesforhismediocrity；hetakesupthecauseofpettypassions，heundertakespettifoggingbusiness，helivesbychargingexpenses，hestrainstheCodeofprocedureandpleadsincourt。Inaword，hisweakpointsarelegion；andifbychanceyoucomeacrossaremarkablemanpractisingasacountryattorney，heisindeedabovetheaveragelevel。
　　“Ithought，sir，thatyousentformeonyourownaffairs。”saidPetit-Claud，andaglancethatputanedgeonhiswordsfellupontallCointet’simpenetrablebluespectacles。
　　“Letushavenobeatingaboutthebush。”returnedBonifaceCointet。
　　“Listentome。”
　　Afterthatbeginning，bigwithmysteriousimport，Cointetsethimselfdownuponabench，andbeckonedPetit-Claudtodolikewise。
　　“WhenM。duHautoycametoAngoulemein1804，onhiswaytohisconsulshipatValence，hemadetheacquaintanceofMme。deSenonches，thenMlle。Zephirine，andhadadaughterbyher。”addedCointetfortheattorney’sear——“Yes。”hecontinued，asPetit-Claudgaveastart；“yes，andMlle。Zephirine’smarriagewithM。deSenochessoonfollowedthebirthofthechild。Thegirlwasbroughtupinmymother’shouse；sheistheMlle。FrancoisedelaHayeinwhomMme。deSenochestakesaninterest；sheishergodmotherintheusualstyle。
　　Now，mymotherfarmedlandbelongingtooldMme。deCardanet，Mlle。
　　Zephirine’sgrandmother；andassheknewthesecretofthesoleheiressoftheCardanetsandtheSenonchesoftheolderbranch，theymademetrusteeforthelittlesumwhichM。FrancoisduHautoymeantforthegirl’sfortune。Imademyownfortunewiththosetenthousandfrancs，whichamounttothirtythousandatthepresentday。Mme。deSenonchesissuretogivetheweddingclothes，andsomeplateandfurnituretohergoddaughter。Now，Icanputyouinthewayofmarryingthegirl，mylad。”saidCointet，slappingPetit-Claudontheknee；“andwhenyoumarryFrancoisedelaHaye，youwillhavealargenumberofthearistocracyofAngoulemeasyourclients。Thisunderstandingbetweenusundertherosewillopenupmagnificentprospectsforyou。Yourpositionwillbeasmuchasanyonecouldwant；infact，theydon’taskbetter，Iknow。”
　　“Whatistobedone？“Petit-Claudaskedeagerly。“Youhaveanattorney，MaitreCachan——“
　　“And，moreover，IshallnotleaveCachanatonceforyou；Ishallonlybeyourclientlateron。”saidCointetsignificantly。“Whatistobedone，doyouask，myfriend？Eh！why，DavidSechard’sbusiness。Thepoordevilhasthreethousandfrancs’worthofbillstomeet；hewillnotmeetthem；youwillstaveofflegalproceedingsinsuchawayastoincreasetheexpensesenormously。Don’ttroubleyourself；goon，pileonitems。Doublon，myprocess-server，willactunderCachan’sdirections，andhewilllayonlikeablacksmith。Awordtothewiseissufficient。Now，youngman？——“
　　Aneloquentpausefollowed，andthetwomenlookedateachother。
　　“Wehaveneverseeneachother。”Cointetresumed；“Ihavenotsaidasyllabletoyou；youknownothingaboutM。duHautoy，norMme。deSenonches，norMlle。delaHaye；only，whenthetimecomes，twomonthshence，youwillproposefortheyounglady。Ifweshouldwanttoseeeachother，youwillcomehereafterdark。Letushavenothinginwriting。”
　　“ThenyoumeantoruinSechard？“askedPetit-Claud。
　　“Notexactly；buthemustbeinjailforsometime——“
　　“Andwhatistheobject？“
　　“DoyouthinkthatIamnoodleenoughtotellyouthat？Ifyouhavewitenoughtofindout，youwillhavesenseenoughtoholdyourtongue。”
　　“OldSechardhasplentyofmoney。”saidPetit-Claud。HewasbeginningalreadytoenterintoBonifaceCointet’snotions，andforesawapossiblecauseoffailure。
　　“Solongasthefatherlives，hewillnotgivehissonafarthing；andtheoldprinterhasnomindasyettosendinanorderforhisfuneralcards。”
　　“Agreed！“saidPetit-Claud，promptlymakinguphismind。“Idon’taskyouforguarantees；Iamanattorney。Ifanyoneplaysmeatrick，therewillbeanaccounttosettlebetweenus。”
　　“Theroguewillgofar。”thoughtCointet；hebadePetit-Claudgood-
　　morning。