Theysetout。Eugenesaidnothingforawhile。
　　“Whatisitnow？“sheasked。
　　“Icanhearthedeath-rattleinyourfather’sthroat。”hesaidalmostangrily。Andwiththehotindignationofyouth，hetoldthestoryofMme。deRestaud’svanityandcruelty，ofherfather’sfinalactofself-sacrifice，thathadbroughtaboutthisstrugglebetweenlifeanddeath，ofthepricethathadbeenpaidforAnastasie’sgoldenembroideries。Delphinecried。
　　“Ishalllookfrightful。”shethought。Shedriedhertears。
　　“Iwillnursemyfather；Iwillnotleavehisbedside。”shesaidaloud。
　　“Ah！nowyouareasIwouldhaveyou。”exclaimedRastignac。
　　ThelampsoffivehundredcarriageslitupthedarknessabouttheHoteldeBeauseant。Agendarmeinallthegloryofhisuniformstoodoneithersideofthebrightlylightedgateway。Thegreatworldwasflockingthitherthatnightinitseagercuriositytoseethegreatladyatthemomentofherfall，andtheroomsonthegroundfloorwerealreadyfulltooverflowing，whenMme。deNucingenandRastignacappeared。NeversinceLouisXIV。toreherloverawayfromLagrandMademoiselle，andthewholecourthastenedtovisitthatunfortunateprincess，hadadisastrousloveaffairmadesuchasensationinParis。ButtheyoungestdaughterofthealmostroyalhouseofBurgundyhadrisenproudlyaboveherpain，andmovedtillthelastmomentlikeaqueeninthisworld——itsvanitieshadalwaysbeenvaluelessforher，saveinsofarastheycontributedtothetriumphofherpassion。ThesalonswerefilledwiththemostbeautifulwomeninParis，resplendentintheirtoilettes，andradiantwithsmiles。
　　Ministersandambassadors，themostdistinguishedmenatcourt，menbedizenedwithdecorations，stars，andribbons，menwhoborethemostillustriousnamesinFrance，hadgatheredabouttheVicomtesse。
　　Themusicoftheorchestravibratedinwaveafterwaveofsoundfromthegoldenceilingofthepalace，nowmadedesolateforitsqueen。
　　MadamedeBeauseantstoodatthedoorofthefirstsalontoreceivetheguestswhowerestyledherfriends。Shewasdressedinwhite，andworenoornamentintheplaitsofhairbraidedaboutherhead；herfacewascalm；therewasnosignthereofpride，norofpain，norofjoythatshedidnotfeel。Noonecouldreadhersoul；shestoodtherelikesomeNiobecarvedinmarble。Forafewintimatefriendstherewasatingeofsatireinhersmile；butnoscrutinysawanychangeinher，norhadshelookedotherwiseinthedaysofthegloryofherhappiness。ThemostcallousofherguestsadmiredherasyoungRomeapplaudedsomegladiatorwhocoulddiesmiling。Itseemedasifsocietyhadadorneditselfforalastaudienceofoneofitssovereigns。
　　“Iwasafraidthatyouwouldnotcome。”shesaidtoRastignac。
　　“Madame。”hesaid，inanunsteadyvoice，takingherspeechasareproach，“Ishallbethelasttogo，thatiswhyIamhere。”
　　“Good。”shesaid，andshetookhishand。“YouareperhapstheonlyoneIcantrusthereamongallthese。Oh，myfriend，whenyoulove，loveawomanwhomyouaresurethatyoucanlovealways。Neverforsakeawoman。”
　　ShetookRastignac’sarm，andwenttowardsasofainthecard-
　　room。
　　“IwantyoutogototheMarquis。”shesaid。“Jacques，myfootman，willgowithyou；hehasaletterthatyouwilltake。I
　　amaskingtheMarquistogivemylettersbacktome。Hewillgivethemallup，Iliketothinkthat。Whenyouhavemyletters，gouptomyroomwiththem。Someoneshallbringmeword。”
　　SherosetogotomeettheDuchessedeLangeais，hermostintimatefriend，whohadcomeliketherestoftheworld。
　　Rastignacwent。HeaskedfortheMarquisd’AjudaattheHotelRochefide，feelingcertainthatthelatterwouldbespendinghiseveningthere，andsoitproved。TheMarquiswenttohisownhousewithRastignac，andgaveacaskettothestudent，sayingashedidso，“Theyareallthere。”
　　HeseemedasifhewasabouttosaysomethingtoEugene，toaskabouttheball，ortheVicomtesse；perhapshewasonthebrinkoftheconfessionthat，eventhen，hewasindespair，andknewthathismarriagehadbeenafatalmistake；butaproudgleamshoneinhiseyes，andwithdeplorablecouragehekepthisnoblestfeelingsasecret。
　　“Donotevenmentionmynametoher，mydearEugene。”HegraspedRastignac’shandsadlyandaffectionately，andturnedawayfromhim。EugenewentbacktotheHotelBeauseant，theservanttookhimtotheVicomtesse’sroom。Thereweresignsthereofpreparationsforajourney。Hesatdownbythefire，fixedhiseyesonthecedarwoodcasket，andfellintodeepmournfulmusings。Mme。deBeauseantloomedlargeintheseimaginings，likeagoddessintheIliad。
　　“Ah！myfriend！……”saidtheVicomtesse；shecrossedtheroomandlaidherhandonRastignac’sshoulder。Hesawthetearsinhiscousin’supliftedeyes，sawthatonehandwasraisedtotakethecasket，andthatthefingersoftheothertrembled。Suddenlyshetookthecasket，putitinthefire，andwatcheditburn。
　　“Theyaredancing。”shesaid。“Theyallcameveryearly；butdeathwillbelongincoming。Hush！myfriend。”andshelaidafingeronRastignac’slips，seeingthathewasabouttospeak。“I
　　shallneverseeParisagain。Iamtakingmyleaveoftheworld。
　　Atfiveo’clockthismorningIshallsetoutonmyjourney；I
　　meantoburymyselfintheremotestpartofNormandy。Ihavehadverylittletimetomakemyarrangements；sincethreeo’clockthisafternoonIhavebeenbusysigningdocuments，settingmyaffairsinorder；therewasnoonewhomIcouldsendto……”
　　Shebrokeoff。
　　“Hewassuretobe……”
　　Againshebrokeoff；theweightofhersorrowwasmorethanshecouldbear。Insuchmomentsastheseeverythingisagony，andsomewordsareimpossibletoutter。
　　“AndsoIcounteduponyoutodomethislastpieceofservicethisevening。”shesaid。“Ishouldliketogiveyousomepledgeoffriendship。Ishalloftenthinkofyou。Youhaveseemedtometobekindandnoble，fresh-heartedandtrue，inthisworldwheresuchqualitiesareseldomfound。Ishouldlikeyoutothinksometimesofme。Stay。”shesaid，glancingabouther，“thereisthisboxthathasheldmygloves。EverytimeIopeneditbeforegoingtoaballortothetheatre，IusedtofeelthatImustbebeautiful，becauseIwassohappy；andInevertoucheditexcepttolaysomegraciousmemoryinit：thereissomuchofmyoldselfinit，ofaMadamedeBeauseantwhonowlivesnolonger。
　　Willyoutakeit？IwillleavedirectionsthatitistobesenttoyouintheRued’Artois——Mme。deNucingenlookedverycharmingthisevening。Eugene，youmustloveher。Perhapswemayneverseeeachotheragain，myfriend；butbesureofthis，thatIshallprayforyouwhohavebeenkindtome——Now，letusgodownstairs。PeopleshallnotthinkthatIamweeping。Ihavealltimeandeternitybeforeme，andwhereIamgoingIshallbealone，andnoonewillaskmethereasonofmytears。Onelastlookroundfirst。”
　　Shestoodforamoment。Thenshecoveredhereyeswithherhandsforaninstant，dashedawaythetears，bathedherfacewithcoldwater，andtookthestudent’sarm。
　　“Letusgo！“shesaid。
　　Thissuffering，enduredwithsuchnoblefortitude，shookEugenewithamoreviolentemotionthanhehadfeltbefore。Theywentbacktotheballroom，andMme。deBeauseantwentthroughtheroomsonEugene’sarm——thelastdelicatelygraciousactofagraciouswoman。Inanothermomenthesawthesisters，Mme。deRestaudandMme。deNucingen。TheCountessshoneinallthegloryofhermagnificentdiamonds；everystonemusthavescorchedlikefire，shewasnevertowearthemagain。Strongasloveandpridemightbeinher，shefounditdifficulttomeetherhusband’seyes。ThesightofherwasscarcelycalculatedtolightenRastignac’ssadthougths；throughtheblazeofthosediamondsheseemedtoseethewretchedpallet-bedonwhichFatherGoriotwaslying。TheVicomtessemisreadhismelancholy；shewithdrewherhandfromhisarm。
　　“Come。”shesaid，“Imustnotdepriveyouofapleasure。”
　　EugenewassoonclaimedbyDelphine。Shewasdelightedbytheimpressionthatshehadmade，andeagertolayatherlover’sfeetthehomageshehadreceivedinthisnewworldinwhichshehopedtoliveandmovehenceforth。
　　“WhatdoyouthinkofNasie？“sheaskedhim。
　　“Shehasdiscountedeverything，evenherownfather’sdeath。”
　　saidRastignac。
　　Towardsfouro’clockinthemorningtheroomsbegantoempty。A
　　littlelaterthemusicceased，andtheDuchessedeLangeaisandRastignacwereleftinthegreatballroom。TheVicomtesse，whothoughttofindthestudenttherealone，camebackthereatlast。
　　ShehadtakenleaveofM。deBeauseant，whohadgoneofftobed，sayingagainashewent，“Itisagreatpity，mydear，toshutyourselfupatyourage！Praystayamongus。”
　　Mme。deBeauseantsawtheDuchesse，and，inspiteofherself，anexclamationbrokefromher。
　　“Isawhowitwas，Clara。”saidMme。deLangeais。“Youaregoingfromamongus，andyouwillnevercomeback。Butyoumustnotgountilyouhaveheardme，untilwehaveunderstoodeachother。”
　　Shetookherfriend’sarm，andtheywenttogetherintothenextroom。TheretheDuchesslookedatherwithtearsinhereyes；sheheldherfriendincloseembraceandkissedhercheek。
　　“Icouldnotletyougowithoutaword，dearest；theremorsewouldhavebeentoohardtobear。Youcancountuponmeassurelyasuponyourself。Youhaveshownyourselfgreatthisevening；I
　　feelthatIamworthyofourfriendship，andImeantoprovemyselfworthyofit。Ihavenotalwaysbeenkind；Iwasinthewrong；forgiveme，dearest；IwishIcouldunsayanythingthatmayhavehurtyou；Itakebackthosewords。Onecommonsorrowhasbroughtustogetheragain，forIdonotknowwhichofusisthemoremiserable。M。deMontriveauwasnothereto-night；doyouunderstandwhatthatmeans？——Noneofthosewhosawyouto-night，Clara，willeverforgetyou。Imeantomakeonelasteffort。IfI
　　fail，Ishallgointoaconvent。Clara，whereareyougoing？“
　　“IntoNormandy，toCourcelles。IshallloveandpraythereuntilthedaywhenGodshalltakemefromthisworld——M。deRastignac！“calledtheVicomtesse，inatremulousvoice，rememberingthattheyoungmanwaswaitingthere。
　　Thestudentknelttokisshiscousin’shand。
　　“Good-bye，Antoinette！“saidMme。deBeauseant。“Mayyoubehappy。”——Sheturnedtothestudent。“Youareyoung。”shesaid；
　　“youhavesomebeliefsstillleft。Ihavebeenprivileged，likesomedyingpeople，tofindsincereandreverentfeelinginthoseaboutmeasItakemyleaveofthisworld。”
　　Itwasnearlyfiveo’clockthatmorningwhenRastignaccameaway。
　　HehadputMme。deBeauseantintohertravelingcarriage，andreceivedherlastfarewells，spokenamidfast-fallingtears；fornogreatnessissogreatthatitcanriseabovethelawsofhumanaffection，orlivebeyondthejurisdictionofpain，ascertaindemagogueswouldhavethepeoplebelieve。EugenereturnedonfoottotheMaisonVauquerthroughthecoldanddarkness。Hiseducationwasnearlycomplete。
　　“ThereisnohopeforpoorFatherGoriot。”saidBianchon，asRastignaccameintotheroom。Eugenelookedforawhileatthesleepingman，thenheturnedtohisfriend。“Dearfellow，youarecontentwiththemodestcareeryouhavemarkedoutforyourself；
　　keeptoit。Iaminhell，andImuststaythere。Believeeverythingthatyouhearsaidoftheworld，nothingistooimpossiblybad。NoJuvenalcouldpaintthehorrorshiddenawayunderthecoveringofgemsandgold。”
　　Attwoo’clockintheafternoonBianchoncametowakeRastignac，andbeggedhimtotakechargeofGoriot，whohadgrownworseasthedayworeon。Themedicalstudentwasobligedtogoout。
　　“Pooroldman，hehasnottwodaystolive，maybenotmanyhours。”hesaid；“butwemustdoourutmost，allthesame，tofightthedisease。Itwillbeaverytroublesomecase，andweshallwantmoney。Wecannursehimbetweenus，ofcourse，but，formyownpart，Ihavenotapenny。Ihaveturnedouthispockets，andrummagedthroughhisdrawers——result，nix。Iaskedhimaboutitwhilehismindwasclear，andhetoldmehehadnotafarthingofhisown。Whathaveyou？“
　　“Ihavetwentyfrancsleft。”saidRastignac；“butIwilltakethemtotheroulettetable，Ishallbesuretowin。”
　　“Andifyoulose？“
　　“ThenIshallgotohissons-in-lawandhisdaughtersandaskthemformoney。”
　　“Andsupposetheyrefuse？“Bianchonretorted。“Themostpressingthingjustnowisnotreallymoney；wemustputmustardpoultices，ashotastheycanbemade，onhisfeetandlegs。Ifhecallsout，thereisstillsomehopeforhim。Youknowhowtosetaboutdoingit，andbesides，Christophewillhelpyou。Iamgoingroundtothedispensarytopersuadethemtoletushavethethingswewantoncredit。Itisapitythatwecouldnotmovehimtothehospital；poorfellow，hewouldbebetterthere。Well，comealong，Ileaveyouincharge；youmuststaywithhimtillI
　　comeback。”
　　Thetwoyoungmenwentbacktotheroomwheretheoldmanwaslying。EugenewasstartledatthechangeinGoriot’sface，solivid，distorted，andfeeble。
　　“Howareyou，papa？“hesaid，bendingoverthepallet-bed。GoriotturnedhisdulleyesuponEugene，lookedathimattentively，anddidnotrecognizehim。Itwasmorethanthestudentcouldbear；
　　thetearscameintohiseyes。
　　“Bianchon，oughtwetohavethecurtainsputupinthewindows？“
　　“No，thetemperatureandthelightdonotaffecthimnow。Itwouldbeagoodthingforhimifhefeltheatorcold；butwemusthaveafireinanycasetomaketisanesandheattheotherthings。Iwillsendroundafewsticks；theywilllasttillwecanhaveinsomefirewood。Iburnedallthebarkfuelyouhadleft，aswellashis，poorman，yesterdayandduringthenight。
　　Theplaceissodampthatthewaterstoodindropsonthewalls；
　　Icouldhardlygettheroomdry。Christophecameinandsweptthefloor，buttheplaceislikeastable；Ihadtoburnjuniper，thesmellwassomethinghorrible。
　　“MONDIEU！“saidRastignac。“Tothinkofthosedaughtersofhis。”
　　“Onemoment，ifheasksforsomethingtodrink，givehimthis。”
　　saidthehousestudent，pointingtoalargewhitejar。“Ifhebeginstogroan，andthebellyfeelshotandhardtothetouch，youknowwhattodo；getChristophetohelpyou。Ifheshouldhappentogrowmuchexcited，andbegintotalkagooddealandeventorambleinhistalk，donotbealarmed。Itwouldnotbeabadsymptom。ButsendChristophetotheHospiceCochin。Ourdoctor，mychum，orIwillcomeandapplymoxas。Wehadagreatconsultationthismorningwhileyouwereasleep。Asurgeon，apupilofGall’scame，andourhousesurgeon，andtheheadphysicianfromtheHotel-Dieu。Thosegentlemenconsideredthatthesymptomswereveryunusualandinteresting；thecasemustbecarefullywatched，foritthrowsalightonseveralobscureandratherimportantscientificproblems。Oneoftheauthoritiessaysthatifthereismorepressureofserumononeorotherportionofthebrain，itshouldaffecthismentalcapacitiesinsuchandsuchdirections。Soifheshouldtalk，noticeverycarefullywhatkindofideashismindseemstorunon；whethermemory，orpenetration，orthereasoningfacultiesareexercised；whethersentimentsorpracticalquestionsfillhisthoughts；whetherhemakesforecastsordwellsonthepast；infact；youmustbepreparedtogiveanaccuratereportofhim。Itisquitelikelythattheextravasationfillsthewholebrain，inwhichcasehewilldieintheimbecilestateinwhichheislyingnow。Youcannottellanythingaboutthesemysteriousnervousdiseases。
　　Supposethecrashcamehere。”saidBianchon，touchingthebackofthehead，“verystrangethingshavebeenknowntohappen；thebrainsometimespartiallyrecovers，anddeathisdelayed。Orthecongestedmattermaypassoutofthebrainaltogetherthroughchannelswhichcanonlybedeterminedbyapost-mortemexamination。ThereisanoldmanattheHospitalforIncurables，animbecilepatient，inhiscasetheeffusionhasfollowedthedirectionofthespinalcord；hesuffershorridagonies，buthelives。”
　　“Didtheyenjoythemselves？“ItwasFatherGoriotwhospoke。HehadrecognizedEugene。
　　“Oh！hethinksofnothingbuthisdaughters。”saidBianchon。
　　“Scoresoftimeslastnighthesaidtome，’Theyaredancingnow！
　　Shehasherdress。’Hecalledthembytheirnames。Hemademecry，thedeviltakeit，callingwiththattoneinhisvoice，for’Delphine！mylittleDelphine！andNasie！’Uponmyword。”saidthemedicalstudent，“itwasenoughtomakeanyoneburstoutcrying。”
　　“Delphine。”saidtheoldman，“sheisthere，isn’tshe？Iknewshewasthere。”andhiseyessoughtthedoor。
　　“IamgoingdownnowtotellSylvietogetthepoulticesready。”
　　saidBianchon。“Theyoughttogoonatonce。”
　　Rastignacwasleftalonewiththeoldman。Hesatatthefootofthebed，andgazedatthefacebeforehim，sohorriblychangedthatitwasshockingtosee。
　　“Noblenaturescannotdwellinthisworld。”hesaid；“MmedeBeauseanthasfledfromit，andthereheliesdying。Whatplaceindeedisthereintheshallowpettyfrivolousthingcalledsocietyfornoblethoughtsandfeelings？“
　　Picturesofyesterday’sballroseupinhismemory，instrangecontrasttothedeathbedbeforehim。Bianchonsuddenlyappeared。
　　“Isay，Eugene，Ihavejustseenourheadsurgeonatthehospital，andIranallthewaybackhere。Iftheoldmanshowsanysignsofreason，ifhebeginstotalk，coverhimwithamustardpoulticefromthenecktothebaseofthespine，andsendroundforus。”
　　“DearBianchon。”exclaimedEugene。
　　“Oh！itisaninterestingcasefromascientificpointofview。”
　　saidthemedicalstudent，withalltheenthusiasmofaneophyte。
　　“So！“saidEugene。“AmIreallytheonlyonewhocaresforthepooroldmanforhisownsake？“
　　“Youwouldnothavesaidsoifyouhadseenmethismorning。”
　　returnedBianchon，whodidnottakeoffenceatthisspeech。
　　“Doctorswhohaveseenagooddealofpracticeneverseeanythingbutthedisease，but，mydearfellow，Icanseethepatientstill。”
　　Hewent。Eugenewasleftalonewiththeoldman，andwithanapprehensionofacrisisthatsetin，infact，beforeverylong。
　　“Ah！dearboy，isthatyou？“saidFatherGoriot，recognizingEugene。
　　“Doyoufeelbetter？“askedthelawstudent，takinghishand。
　　“Yes。Myheadfeltasifitwerebeingscrewedupinavise，butnowitissetfreeagain。Didyouseemygirls？Theywillbeheredirectly；assoonastheyknowthatIamilltheywillhurryhereatonce；theyusedtotakesuchcareofmeintheRuedelaJussienne！GreatHeavens！ifonlymyroomwasfitforthemtocomeinto！Therehasbeenayoungmanhere，whohasburnedupallmybarkfuel。”
　　“IcanhearChristophecomingupstairs。”Eugeneanswered。“Heisbringingupsomefirewoodthatthatyoungmanhassentyou。”
　　“Good，buthowamItopayforthewood。Ihavenotapennyleft，dearboy。Ihavegiveneverything，everything。Iamapaupernow。
　　Well，atleastthegoldengownwasgrand，wasitnot？Ah！whatpainthisis！Thanks，Christophe！Godwillrewardyou，myboy；I
　　havenothingleftnow。”
　　EugenewentovertoChristopheandwhisperedintheman’sear，“I
　　willpayyouwell，andSylvietoo，foryourtrouble。”
　　“Mydaughterstoldyouthattheywerecoming，didn’tthey，Christophe？Goagaintothem，andIwillgiveyoufivefrancs。
　　TellthemthatIamnotfeelingwell，thatIshouldliketokissthembothandseethemonceagainbeforeIdie。Tellthemthat，butdon’talarmthemmorethanyoucanhelp。”
　　RastignacsignedtoChristophetogo，andthemanwent。
　　“Theywillcomebeforelong。”theoldmanwenton。“Iknowthemsowell。Mytender-heartedDelphine！IfIamgoingtodie，shewillfeelitsomuch！AndsowillNasie。Idonotwanttodie；
　　theywillcryifIdie；andifIdie，dearEugene，Ishallnotseethemanymore。ItwillbeverydrearytherewhereIamgoing。
　　Forafatheritishelltobewithoutyourchildren；Ihaveservedmyapprenticeshipalreadysincetheymarried。MyheavenwasintheRuedelaJussienne。Eugene，doyouthinkthatifIgotoheavenIcancomebacktoearth，andbeneartheminspirit？I
　　haveheardsomesuchthingssaid。Itistrue？ItisasifIcouldseethematthismomentastheyusedtobewhenwealllivedintheRuedelaJussienne。Theyusedtocomedownstairsofamorning。’Good-morning，papa！’theyusedtosay，andIwouldtakethemonmyknees；wehadallsortsoflittlegamesofplaytogether，andtheyhadsuchprettycoaxingways。Wealwayshadbreakfasttogether，too，everymorning，andtheyhaddinnerwithme——infact，Iwasafatherthen。Ienjoyedmychildren。TheydidnotthinkforthemselvessolongastheylivedintheRuedelaJussienne；theyknewnothingoftheworld；theylovedmewithalltheirhearts。MONDIEU！whycouldtheynotalwaysbelittlegirls？Oh！myhead！thisrackingpaininmyhead！Ah！ah！
　　forgiveme，children，thispainisfearful；itmustbeagonyindeed，foryouhaveusedmetoendurepain。MONDIEU！ifonlyI
　　heldtheirhandsinmine，Ishouldnotfeelitatall——Doyouthinkthattheyareontheway？Christopheissostupid；Ioughttohavegonemyself。HEwillseethem。Butyouwenttotheballyesterday；justtellmehowtheylooked。TheydidnotknowthatI
　　wasill，didthey，ortheywouldnothavebeendancing，poorlittlethings？Oh！Imustnotbeillanylonger。Theystandtoomuchinneedofme；theirfortunesareindanger。Andsuchhusbandsastheyareboundto！Imustgetwell！Oh！whatpainthisis！whatpainthisis！……ah！ah！——Imustgetwell，yousee；fortheyMUSThavemoney，andIknowhowtosetaboutmakingsome。IwillgotoOdessaandmanufacturestarchthere。Iamanoldhand，Iwillmakemillions。Oh！thisisagony！“
　　Goriotwassilentforamoment；itseemedtorequirehiswholestrengthtoendurethepain。
　　“Iftheywerehere，Ishouldnotcomplain。”hesaid。“SowhyshouldIcomplainnow？“
　　Heseemedtogrowdrowsywithexhaustion，andlayquietlyforalongtime。Christophecameback；andRastignac，thinkingthatGoriotwasasleep，allowedthemantogivehisstoryaloud。
　　“Firstofall，sir，IwenttoMadamelaComtesse。”hesaid；“butsheandherhusbandweresobusythatIcouldn’tgettospeaktoher。WhenIinsistedthatImustseeher，M。deRestaudcameouttomehimself，andwentonlikethis：’M。Goriotisdying，ishe？
　　Verywell，itisthebestthinghecando。IwantMme。deRestaudtotransactsomeimportantbusiness，whenitisallfinishedshecango。’Thegentlemanlookedangry，Ithought。IwasjustgoingawaywhenMme。deRestaudcameoutintoanante-chamberthroughadoorthatIdidnotnotice，andsaid，’Christophe，tellmyfatherthatmyhusbandwantsmetodiscusssomematterswithhim，andI
　　cannotleavethehouse，thelifeordeathofmychildrenisatstake；butassoonasitisover，Iwillcome。’AsforMadamelaBaronne，thatisanotherstory！Icouldnotspeaktohereither，andIdidnotevenseeher。Herwaiting-womansaid，’Ahyes，butmadameonlycamebackfromaballataquartertofivethismorning；sheisasleepnow，andifIwakeherbeforemid-dayshewillbecross。Assoonassherings，Iwillgoandtellherthatherfatherisworse。Itwillbetimeenoughthentotellherbadnews！’IbeggedandIprayed，but，there！itwasnogood。ThenI
　　askedforM。leBaron，buthewasout。”
　　“Tothinkthatneitherofhisdaughtersshouldcome！“exclaimedRastignac。“Iwillwritetothemboth。”
　　“Neitherofthem！“criedtheoldman，sittinguprightinbed。
　　“Theyarebusy，theyareasleep，theywillnotcome！Iknewthattheywouldnot。Notuntilyouaredyingdoyouknowyourchildren……Oh！myfriend，donotmarry；donothavechildren！Yougivethemlife；theygiveyouyourdeathblow。Youbringthemintotheworld，andtheysendyououtofit。No，theywillnotcome。Ihaveknownthatthesetenyears。SometimesI
　　havetoldmyselfso，butIdidnotdaretobelieveit。”
　　Thetearsgatheredandstoodwithoutoverflowingtheredsockets。
　　“Ah！ifIwererichstill，ifIhadkeptmymoney，ifIhadnotgivenalltothem，theywouldbewithmenow；theywouldfawnonmeandcovermycheekswiththeirkisses！Ishouldbelivinginagreatmansion；Ishouldhavegrandapartmentsandservantsandafireinmyroom；andTHEYwouldbeaboutmeallintears，andtheirhusbandsandtheirchildren。Ishouldhavehadallthat；
　　now——Ihavenothing。Moneybringseverythingtoyou；evenyourdaughters。Mymoney。Oh！whereismymoney？IfIhadplentyofmoneytoleavebehindme，theywouldnursemeandtendme；I
　　shouldheartheirvoices，Ishouldseetheirfaces。Ah，God！whoknows？Theybothofthemhaveheartsofstone。Ilovedthemtoomuch；itwasnotlikelythattheyshouldloveme。Afatheroughtalwaystoberich；heoughttokeephischildrenwellinhand，likeunrulyhorses。Ihavegonedownonmykneestothem。
　　Wretches！thisisthecrowningactthatbringsthelasttenyearstoaproperclose。Ifyoubutknewhowmuchtheymadeofmejustaftertheyweremarried。Oh！thisiscrueltorture！Ihadjustgiventhemeacheighthundredthousandfrancs；theywereboundtobeciviltomeafterthat，andtheirhusbandstoowerecivil。I
　　usedtogototheirhouses：itwas’Mykindfather’here，’Mydearfather’there。Therewasalwaysaplaceformeattheirtables。Iusedtodinewiththeirhusbandsnowandthen，andtheywereveryrespectfultome。Iwasstillworthsomething，theythought。Howshouldtheyknow？Ihadnotsaidanythingaboutmyaffairs。Itisworthwhiletobeciviltoamanwhohasgivenhisdaughterseighthundredthousandfrancsapiece；andtheyshowedmeeveryattentionthen——butitwasallformymoney。Grandpeoplearenotgreat。Ifoundthatoutbyexperience！Iwenttothetheatrewiththemintheircarriage；ImightstayaslongasIcaredtostayattheireveningparties。Infact，theyacknowlegedmetheirfather；publiclytheyownedthattheyweremydaughters。ButIwasalwaysashrewdone，yousee，andnothingwaslostuponme。Everythingwentstraighttothemarkandpiercedmyheart。Isawquitewellthatitwasallshamandpretence，butthereisnohelpforsuchthingsasthese。Ifeltlessatmyeaseattheirdinner-tablethanIdiddownstairshere。
　　Ihadnothingtosayformyself。Sothesegrandfolkswouldaskinmyson-in-law’sear，’Whomaythatgentlemanbe？’——’Thefather-in-lawwiththemoneybags；heisveryrich。’——’Thedevil，eis！’theywouldsay，andlookagainatmewiththerespectduetomymoney。Well，ifIwasinthewaysometimes，Ipaiddearlyformymistakes。Andbesides，whoisperfect？Myheadisonesore！DearMonsieurEugene，Iamsufferingsonow，thatamanmightdieofthepain；butitisnothingtobecomparedwiththepainIenduredwhenAnastasiemademefeel，forthefirsttime，thatIhadsaidsomethingstupid。Shelookedatme，andthatglanceofhersopenedallmyveins。Iusedtowanttoknoweverything，tobelearned；andonethingIdidlearnthoroughly——IknewthatIwasnotwantedhereonearth。
　　“ThenextdayIwenttoDelphineforcomfort，andwhatshouldI
　　dotherebutmakesomestupidblunderthatmadeherangrywithme。Iwaslikeonedrivenoutofhissenses。ForaweekIdidnotknowwhattodo；Ididnotdaretogotoseethemforfeartheyshouldreproachme。Andthatwashowtheybothturnedmeoutofthehouse。
　　“OhGod！ThouknowestallthemiseryandanguishthatIhaveendured；Thouhastcountedallthewoundsthathavebeendealttomeintheseyearsthathaveagedandchangedmeandwhitenedmyhairanddrainedmylife；whydostThoumakemetosuffersoto-
　　day？HaveInotmorethanexpiatedthesinoflovingthemtoomuch？Theythemselveshavebeentheinstrumentsofvengeance；
　　theyhavetorturedmeformysinofaffection。
　　“Ah，well！fathersknownobetter；Ilovedthemso；Iwentbacktothemasagamblergoestothegamingtable。Thislovewasmyvice，yousee，mymistress——theywereeverythingintheworldtome。Theywerealwayswantingsomethingorother，dressesandornaments，andwhatnot；theirmaidsusedtotellmewhattheywanted，andIusedtogivethemthethingsforthesakeofthewelcomethattheyboughtforme。But，atthesametime，theyusedtogivemelittlelecturesonmybehaviorinsociety；theybeganaboutitatonce。Thentheybegantofeelashamedofme。Thatiswhatcomesofhavingyourchildrenwellbroughtup。Icouldnotgotoschoolagainatmytimeoflife。Thispainisfearful！MON
　　DIEU！Thesedoctors！thesedoctors！Iftheywouldopenmyhead，itwouldgivemesomerelief！Oh，mydaughters，mydaughters！
　　Anastasie！Delphine！IfIcouldonlyseethem！Sendforthepolice，andmakethemcometome！Justiceisonmyside，thewholeworldisonmyside，Ihavenaturalrights，andthelawwithme。Iprotest！Thecountrywillgotoruinifafather’srightsaretrampledunderfoot。Thatiseasytosee。Thewholeworldturnsonfatherlylove；fatherlyloveisthefoundationofsociety；itwillcrumbleintoruinwhenchildrendonotlovetheirfathers。Oh！ifIcouldonlyseethem，andhearthem，nomatterwhattheysaid；ifIcouldsimplyheartheirvoices，itwouldsoothethepain。Delphine！Delphinemostofall。Buttellthemwhentheycomenottolooksocoldlyatmeastheydo。Oh！
　　myfriend，mygoodMonsieurEugene，youdonotknowthatitiswhenallthegoldenlightinaglancesuddenlyturnstoaleadengray。Ithasbeenonelongwinterheresincethelightintheireyesshonenomoreforme。Ihavehadnothingbutdisappointmentstodevour。Disappointmenthasbeenmydailybread；Ihavelivedonhumiliationandinsults。Ihaveswalloweddownalltheaffrontsforwhichtheysoldmemypoorstealthylittlemomentsofjoy；forIlovethemso！Thinkofit！afatherhidinghimselftogetaglimpseofhischildren！Ihavegivenallmylifetothem，andto-daytheywillnotgivemeonehour！Iamhungeringandthirstingforthem，myheartisburninginme，buttheywillnotcometobringreliefintheagony，forIamdyingnow，Ifeelthatthisisdeath。Dotheynotknowwhatitmeanstotrampleonafather’scorpse？ThereisaGodinheavenwhoavengesusfatherswhetherwewillorno。
　　“Oh！theywillcome！Cometome，darlings，andgivemeonemorekiss；onelastkiss，theViaticumforyourfather，whowillprayGodforyouinheaven。IwilltellHimthatyouhavebeengoodchildrentoyourfather，andpleadyourcausewithGod！Afterall，itisnottheirfault。Itellyoutheyareinnocent，myfriend。Telleveryonethatitisnottheirfault，andnooneneedbedistressedonmyaccount。Itisallmyownfault，I
　　taughtthemtotrampleuponme。Ilovedtohaveitso。Itisnoone’saffairbutmine；man’sjusticeandGod’sjusticehavenothingtodoinit。GodwouldbeunjustifHecondemnedthemforanythingtheymayhavedonetome。Ididnotbehavetothemproperly；Iwasstupidenoughtoresignmyrights。Iwouldhavehumbledmyselfinthedustforthem。Whatcouldyouexpect？Themostbeautifulnature，thenoblestsoul，wouldhavebeenspoiledbysuchindulgence。Iamawretch，Iamjustlypunished。I，andI
　　only，amtoblameforalltheirsins；Ispoiledthem。To-daytheyareaseagerforpleasureastheyusedtobeforsugar-plums。
　　WhentheywerelittlegirlsIindulgedthemineverywhim。Theyhadacarriageoftheirownwhentheywerefifteen。Theyhaveneverbeencrossed。Iamguilty，andnotthey——butIsinnedthroughlove。
　　“Myheartwouldopenatthesoundoftheirvoices。Icanhearthem；theyarecoming。Yes！yes！theyarecoming。Thelawdemandsthattheyshouldbepresentattheirfather’sdeathbed；thelawisonmyside。Itwouldonlycostthemthehireofacab。Iwouldpaythat。Writetothem，tellthemthatIhavemillionstoleavetothem！Onmywordofhonor，yes。IamgoingtomanufactureItalianpastefoodsatOdessa。Iunderstandthetrade。Therearemillionstobemadeinit。Nobodyhasthoughtoftheschemeasyet。Yousee，therewillbenowaste，nodamageintransit，astherealwaysiswithwheatandflour。Hey！hey！andstarchtoo；
　　therearemillionstobemadeinthestarchtrade！Youwillnotbetellingalie。Millions，tellthem；andeveniftheyreallycomebecausetheycovetthemoney，Iwouldratherletthemdeceiveme；andIshallseetheminanycase。Iwantmychildren！
　　Igavethemlife；theyaremine，mine！“andhesatupright。Theheadthusraised，withitsscantywhitehair，seemedtoEugenelikeathreat；everylinethatcouldstillspeakspokeofmenace。
　　“There，there，dearfather。”saidEugene，“liedownagain；Iwillwritetothematonce。AssoonasBianchoncomesbackIwillgoforthemmyself，iftheydonotcomebefore。”
　　“Iftheydonotcome？“repeatedtheoldman，sobbing。“Why，I
　　shallbedeadbeforethen；Ishalldieinafitofrage，ofrage！
　　Angerisgettingthebetterofme。Icanseemywholelifeatthisminute。Ihavebeencheated！Theydonotloveme——theyhaveneverlovedmealltheirlives！Itisallcleartome。Theyhavenotcome，andtheywillnotcome。Thelongertheyputofftheircoming，thelesstheyarelikelytogivemethisjoy。Iknowthem。Theyhavenevercaredtoguessmydisappointments，mysorrows，mywants；theynevercaredtoknowmylife；theywillhavenopresentimentofmydeath；theydonotevenknowthesecretofmytendernessforthem。Yes，Iseeitallnow。Ihavelaidmyheartopensooften，thattheytakeeverythingIdoforthemasamatterofcourse。TheymighthaveaskedmefortheveryeyesoutofmyheadandIwouldhavebiddenthemtopluckthemout。Theythinkthatallfathersareliketheirs。Youshouldalwaysmakeyourvaluefelt。Theirownchildrenwillavengeme。
　　Why，fortheirownsakestheyshouldcometome！Makethemunderstandthattheyarelayingupretributionfortheirowndeathbeds。Allcrimesaresummedupinthisone……Gotothem；justtellthemthatiftheystayawayitwillbeparricide！
　　Thereisenoughlaidtotheirchargealreadywithoutaddingthattothelist。CryaloudasIdonow，’Nasie！Delphine！here！Cometoyourfather；thefatherwhohasbeensokindtoyouislyingill！’——Notasound；noonecomes！ThenamIdodielikeadog？
　　Thisistobemyreward——Iamforsakenatthelast。Theyarewicked，heartlesswomen；cursesonthem，Iloathethem。Ishallriseatnightfrommygravetocursethemagain；for，afterall，myfriends，haveIdonewrong？Theyarebehavingverybadlytome，eh？……WhatamIsaying？DidyounottellmejustnowthatDelphineisintheroom？Sheismoretender-heartedthanhersister……Eugene，youaremyson，youknow。Youwillloveher；beafathertoher！Hersisterisveryunhappy。Andtherearetheirfortunes！Ah，God！Iamdying，thisanguishisalmostmorethanIcanbear！Cutoffmyhead；leavemenothingbutmyheart。”
　　“Christophe！“shoutedEugene，alarmedbythewayinwhichtheoldmanmoaned，andbyhiscries，“goforM。Bianchon，andsendacabhereforme——Iamgoingtofetchthem，dearfather；Iwillbringthembacktoyou。”
　　“Makethemcome！Compelthemtocome！CallouttheGuard，themilitary，anythingandeverything，butmakethemcome！“HelookedatEugene，andalastgleamofintelligenceshoneinhiseyes。
　　“Gototheauthorities，tothePublicProsecutor，letthembringthemhere；cometheyshall！“
　　“Butyouhavecursedthem。”
　　“Whosaidthat！“saidtheoldmanindullamazement。“YouknowquitewellthatIlovethem，Iadorethem！IshallbequitewellagainifIcanseethem……Goforthem，mygoodneighbor，mydearboy，youarekind-hearted；IwishIcouldrepayyouforyourkindness，butIhavenothingtogiveyounow，savetheblessingofadyingman。Ah！ifIcouldonlyseeDelphine，totellhertopaymydebttoyou。Iftheothercannotcome，bringDelphinetomeatanyrate。Tellherthatunlessshecomes，youwillnotloveheranymore。Sheissofondofyouthatshewillcometomethen。Givemesomethingtodrink！Thereisafireinmybowels。
　　Presssomethingagainstmyforehead！Ifmydaughterswouldlaytheirhandsthere，IthinkIshouldgetbetter……MONDIEU！
　　whowillrecovertheirmoneyforthemwhenIamgone？……I
　　willmanufacturevermicellioutinOdessa；IwillgotoOdessafortheirsakes。”
　　“Hereissomethingtodrink。”saidEugene，supportingthedyingmanonhisleftarm，whileheheldacupoftisanetoGoriot’slips。
　　“Howyoumustloveyourownfatherandmother！“saidtheoldman，andgraspedthestudent’shandinbothofhis。Itwasafeeble，tremblinggrasp。“Iamgoingtodie；Ishalldiewithoutseeingmydaughters；doyouunderstand？Tobealwaysthirsting，andnevertodrink；thathasbeenmylifeforthelasttenyears……
　　Ihavenodaughters，mysons-in-lawkilledthem。No，sincetheirmarriagestheyhavebeendeadtome。FathersshouldpetitiontheChamberstopassalawagainstmarriage。Ifyouloveyourdaughters，donotletthemmarry。Ason-in-lawisarascalwhopoisonsagirl’smindandcontaminatesherwholenature。Letushavenomoremarriages！Itrobsusofourdaughters；weareleftaloneuponourdeathbeds，andtheyarenotwithusthen。
　　Theyoughttopassalawfordyingfathers。Thisisawful！Itcriesforvengeance！Theycannotcome，becausemysons-in-lawforbidthem！……Killthem！……RestaudandtheAlsatian，killthemboth！Theyhavemurderedmebetweenthem！……Deathormydaughters！……Ah！itistoolate，Iamdying，andtheyarenothere！……Dyingwithoutthem！……Nasie！Fifine！Whydoyounotcometome？Yourpapaisgoing——“
　　“DearFatherGoriot，calmyourself。There，there，liequietlyandrest；don’tworryyourself，don’tthink。”
　　“Ishallnotseethem。Oh！theagonyofit！“
　　“YouSHALLseethem。”
　　“Really？“criedtheoldman，stillwandering。“Oh！shallIseethem；Ishallseethemandheartheirvoices。Ishalldiehappy。
　　Ah！well，afterall，Idonotwishtolive；Icannotstandthismuchlonger；thispainthatgrowsworseandworse。But，oh！toseethem，totouchtheirdresses——ah！nothingbuttheirdresses，thatisverylittle；still，tofeelsomethingthatbelongstothem。Letmetouchtheirhairwithmyfingers……theirhair……”
　　Hisheadfellbackonthepillow，asifasuddenheavyblowhadstruckhimdown，buthishandsgropedfeeblyoverthequilt，asiftofindhisdaughters’hair。
　　“Myblessingonthem……”hesaid，makinganeffort，“myblessing……”
　　Hisvoicediedaway。JustatthatmomentBianchoncameintotheroom。
　　“ImetChristophe。”hesaid；“heisgoneforyourcab。”
　　Thenhelookedatthepatient，andraisedtheclosedeyelidswithhisfingers。Thetwostudentssawhowdeadandlustrelesstheeyesbeneathhadgrown。
　　“Hewillnotgetoverthis，Iamsure。”saidBianchon。Hefelttheoldman’spulse，andlaidahandoverhisheart。
　　“Themachineryworksstill；moreisthepity，inhisstateitwouldbebetterforhimtodie。”
　　“Ah！myword，itwould！“
　　“Whatisthematterwithyou？Youareaspaleasdeath。”
　　“Dearfellow，themoansandcriesthatIhavejustheard……
　　ThereisaGod！Ah！yes，yes，thereisaGod，andHehasmadeabetterworldforus，orthisworldofourswouldbeanightmare。
　　Icouldhavecriedlikeachild；butthisistootragical，andI
　　amsickatheart。
　　“Wewantalotofthings，youknow；andwhereisthemoneytocomefrom？“
　　Rastignactookouthiswatch。
　　“There，bequickandpawnit。IdonotwanttostoponthewaytotheRueduHelder；thereisnotamomenttolose，Iamafraid，andImustwaitheretillChristophecomesback。Ihavenotafarthing；IshallhavetopaythecabmanwhenIgethomeagain。”
　　Rastignacrusheddownthestairs，anddroveofftotheRueduHelder。Theawfulscenethroughwhichhehadjustpassedquickenedhisimagination，andhegrewfiercelyindignant。HereachedMme。deRestaud’shouseonlytobetoldbytheservantthathismistresscouldseenoone。
　　“ButIhavebroughtamessagefromherfather，whoisdying。”
　　Rastignactoldtheman。
　　“TheCounthasgivenusthestrictestorders，sir——“
　　“IfitisM。deRestaudwhohasgiventheorders，tellhimthathisfather-in-lawisdying，andthatIamhere，andmustspeakwithhimatonce。”
　　Themanwentout。
　　Eugenewaitedforalongwhile。“Perhapsherfatherisdyingatthismoment。”hethought。
　　Thenthemancameback，andEugenefollowedhimtothelittledrawing-room。M。deRestaudwasstandingbeforethefirelessgrate，anddidnotaskhisvisitortoseathimself。
　　“MonsieurleComte。”saidRastignac，“M。Goriot，yourfather-in-
　　law，islyingatthepointofdeathinasqualiddenintheLatinQuarter。Hehasnotapennytopayforfirewood；heisexpectedtodieatanymoment，andkeepscallingforhisdaughter——“
　　“IfeelverylittleaffectionforM。Goriot，sir，asyouprobablyareaware。”theCountansweredcoolly。“HischaracterhasbeencompromisedinconnectionwithMme。deRestaud；heistheauthorofthemisfortunesthathaveembitteredmylifeandtroubledmypeaceofmind。Itisamatterofperfectindifferencetomeifhelivesordies。Nowyouknowmyfeelingswithregardtohim。
　　Publicopinionmayblameme，butIcarenothingforpublicopinion。JustnowIhaveotherandmuchmoreimportantmatterstothinkaboutthanthethingsthatfoolsandchatterersmaysayaboutme。AsforMme。deRestaud，shecannotleavethehouse；sheisinnoconditiontodoso。And，besides，Ishallnotallowhertoleaveit。Tellherfatherthatassoonasshehasdoneherdutybyherhusbandandchildsheshallgotoseehim。Ifshehasanyloveforherfather，shecanbefreetogotohim，ifshechooses，inafewseconds；itliesentirelywithher——“
　　“MonsieurleComte，itisnobusinessofminetocriticiseyourconduct；youcandoasyoupleasewithyourwife，butmayIcountuponyourkeepingyourwordwithme？Well，then，promisemetotellherthatherfatherhasnottwenty-fourhourstolive；thathelooksinvainforher，andhascursedheralreadyasheliesonhisdeathbed，——thatisallIask。”
　　“Youcantellheryourself。”theCountanswered，impressedbythethrillofindignationinEugene’svoice。
　　TheCountledthewaytotheroomwherehiswifeusuallysat。Shewasdrownedintears，andlaycrouchinginthedepthsofanarmchair，asifsheweretiredoflifeandlongedtodie。Itwaspiteoustoseeher。BeforeventuringtolookatRastignac，sheglancedatherhusbandinevidentandabjectterrorthatspokeofcompleteprostrationofbodyandmind；sheseemedcrushedbyatyrannybothmentalandphysical。TheCountjerkedhisheadtowardsher；sheconstruedthisasapermissiontospeak。
　　“Iheardallthatyousaid，monsieur。Tellmyfatherthatifheknewallhewouldforgiveme……Ididnotthinktherewassuchtortureintheworldasthis；itismorethanIcanendure，monsieur！——ButIwillnotgivewayaslongasIlive。”shesaid，turningtoherhusband。“Iamamother——TellmyfatherthatI
　　haveneversinnedagainsthiminspiteofappearances！“shecriedaloudinherdespair。
　　Eugenebowedtothehusbandandwife；heguessedthemeaningofthescene，andthatthiswasaterriblecrisisintheCountess’
　　life。M。deRestaud’smannerhadtoldhimthathiserrandwasafruitlessone；hesawthatAnastasiehadnolongeranylibertyofaction。Hecameawaymazedandbewildered，andhurriedtoMme。deNucingen。Delphinewasinbed。
　　“PoordearEugene，Iamill。”shesaid。“Icaughtcoldaftertheball，andIamafraidofpneumonia。Iamwaitingforthedoctortocome。”
　　“Ifyouwereatdeath’sdoor。”Eugenebrokein，“youmustbecarriedsomehowtoyourfather。Heiscallingforyou。Ifyoucouldhearthefaintestofthosecries，youwouldnotfeelillanylonger。”
　　“Eugene，Idaresaymyfatherisnotquitesoillasyousay；butIcannotbeartodoanythingthatyoudonotapprove，soIwilldojustasyouwish。AsforHIM，hewoulddieofgriefIknowifIwentouttoseehimandbroughtonadangerousillness。Well，I
　　willgoassoonasIhaveseenthedoctor——Ah！“shecriedout，“youarenotwearingyourwatch，howisthat？“
　　Eugenereddened。
　　“Eugene，Eugene！ifyouhavesolditalreadyorlostit……
　　Oh！itwouldbeverywrongofyou！“
　　ThestudentbentoverDelphineandsaidinherear，“Doyouwanttoknow？Verywell，then，youshallknow。Yourfatherhasnothinglefttopayfortheshroudthattheywilllayhiminthisevening。Yourwatchhasbeenpawned，forIhadnothingeither。”
　　Delphinesprangoutofbed，rantoherdesk，andtookoutherpurse。ShegaveittoEugene，andrangthebell，crying：
　　“Iwillgo，Iwillgoatonce，Eugene。Leaveme，Iwilldress。
　　Why，Ishouldbeanunnaturaldaughter！Goback；Iwillbetherebeforeyou——Therese。”shecalledtothewaiting-woman，“askM。
　　deNucingentocomeupstairsatonceandspeaktome。”
　　EugenewasalmosthappywhenhereachedtheRueNueve-Sainte-
　　Genevieve；hewassogladtobringthenewstothedyingmanthatoneofhisdaughterswascoming。HefumbledinDelphine’spurseformoney，soastodismissthecabatonce；anddiscoveredthattheyoung，beautiful，andwealthywomanoffashionhadonlyseventyfrancsinherprivatepurse。HeclimbedthestairsandfoundBianchonsupportingGoriot，whilethehousesurgeonfromthehospitalwasapplyingmoxastothepatient’sback——underthedirectionofthephysician，itwasthelastexpedientofscience，anditwastriedinvain。
　　“Canyoufeelthem？“askedthephysician。ButGoriothadcaughtsightofRastignac，andanswered，“Theyarecoming，aretheynot？“
　　“Thereishopeyet。”saidthesurgeon；“hecanspeak。”
　　“Yes。”saidEugene，“Delphineiscoming。”
　　“Oh！thatisnothing！“saidBianchon；“hehasbeentalkingabouthisdaughtersallthetime。Hecallsforthemasamanimpaledcallsforwater，theysay——“
　　“Wemayaswellgiveup。”saidthephysician，addressingthesurgeon。“Nothingmorecanbedonenow；thecaseishopeless。”
　　Bianchonandthehousesurgeonstretchedthedyingmanoutagainonhisloathsomebed。
　　“Butthesheetsoughttobechanged。”addedthephysician。“Evenifthereisnohopeleft，somethingisduetohumannature。I
　　shallcomebackagain，Bianchon。”hesaid，turningtothemedicalstudent。“Ifhecomplainsagain，rubsomelaudanumoverthediaphragm。”
　　Hewent，andthehousesurgeonwentwithhim。
　　“Come，Eugene，pluckupheart，myboy。”saidBianchon，assoonastheywerealone；“wemustsetaboutchanginghissheets，andputhimintoacleanshirt。GoandtellSylvietobringsomesheetsandcomeandhelpustomakethebed。”
　　Eugenewentdownstairs，andfoundMme。Vauquerengagedinsettingthetable；Sylviewashelpingher。Eugenehadscarcelyopenedhismouthbeforethewidowwalkeduptohimwiththeaciduloussweetsmileofacautiousshopkeeperwhoisanxiousneithertolosemoneynortooffendacustomer。
　　“MydearMonsieurEugene。”shesaid，whenhehadspoken，“youknowquiteaswellasIdothatFatherGoriothasnotabrassfarthingleft。Ifyougiveoutcleanlinenforamanwhoisjustgoingtoturnuphiseyes，youarenotlikelytoseeyoursheetsagain，foroneissuretobewantedtowraphimin。Now，youowemeahundredandforty-fourfrancsasitis，addfortyfrancsforthepairofsheets，andthenthereareseverallittlethings，besidesthecandlethatSylviewillgiveyou；altogetheritwillallmountuptoatleasttwohundredfrancs，whichismorethanapoorwidowlikemecanaffordtolose。Lord！now，MonsieurEugene，lookatitfairly。Ihavelostquiteenoughinthesefivedayssincethisrunofill-lucksetinforme。Iwouldratherthantencrownsthattheoldgentlemenhadmovedoutasyousaid。
　　Itsetstheotherlodgersagainstthehouse。Itwouldnottakemuchtomakemesendhimtotheworkhouse。Inshort，justputyourselfinmyplace。Ihavetothinkofmyestablishmentfirst，forIhavemyownlivingtomake。”
　　EugenehurrieduptoGoriot’sroom。
　　“Bianchon。”hecried，“themoneyorthewatch？“
　　“Thereitisonthetable，orthethreehundredandsixtyoddfrancsthatareleftofit。Ipaidupalltheoldscoresoutofitbeforetheyletmehavethethings。Thepawnticketliesthereunderthemoney。”
　　Rastignachurrieddownstairs。
　　“Here，madame“hesaidindisgust，“letussquareaccounts。M。
　　Goriotwillnotstaymuchlongerinyourhouse，norshallI——“
　　“Yes，hewillgooutfeetforemost，pooroldgentleman。”shesaid，countingthefrancswithahalf-facetious，half-lugubriousexpression。
　　“Letusgetthisover。”saidRastignac。
　　“Sylvie，lookoutsomesheets，andgoupstairstohelpthegentlemen。”
　　“Youwon’tforgetSylvie。”saidMme。VauquerinEugene’sear；
　　“shehasbeensittingupthesetwonights。”
　　AssoonasEugene’sbackwasturned，theoldwomanhurriedafterherhandmaid。
　　“Takethesheetsthathavehadthesidesturnedintothemiddle，number7。Lord！theyareplentygoodenoughforacorpse。”shesaidinSylvie’sear。
　　Eugene，bythistime，waspartofthewayupstairs，anddidnotoverheartheelderlyeconomist。
　　“Quick。”saidBianchon，“letuschangehisshirt。Holdhimupright。”
　　Eugenewenttotheheadofthebedandsupportedthedyingman，whileBianchondrewoffhisshirt；andthenGoriotmadeamovementasifhetriedtoclutchsomethingtohisbreast，utteringalowinarticulatemoaningthewhile，likesomedumbanimalinmortalpain。
　　“Ah！yes！“criedBianchon。“Itisthelittlelocketandthechainmadeofhairthathewants；wetookitoffawhileagowhenweputtheblistersonhim。Poorfellow！hemusthaveitagain。
　　Thereitliesonthechimney-piece。”
　　Eugenewenttothechimney-pieceandfoundthelittleplaitoffadedgoldenhair——Mme。Goriot’shair，nodoubt。Hereadthenameonthelittleroundlocket，ANASTASIEontheoneside，DELPHINE
　　ontheother。Itwasthesymbolofhisownheartthatthefatheralwaysworeonhisbreast。Thecurlsofhairinsidethelocketweresofineandsoftthatiswasplaintheyhadbeentakenfromtwochildishheads。Whentheoldmanfeltthelocketoncemore，hischestheavedwithalongdeepsighofsatisfaction，likeagroan。Itwassomethingterribletosee，foritseemedasifthelastquiverofthenerveswerelaidbaretotheireyes，thelastcommunicationofsensetothemysteriouspointwithinwhenceoursympathiescomeandwhithertheygo。Adeliriousjoylightedupthedistortedface。Theterrificandvividforceofthefeelingthathadsurvivedthepowerofthoughtmadesuchanimpressiononthestudents，thatthedyingmanfelttheirhottearsfallingonhim，andgaveashrillcryofdelight。
　　“Nasie！Fifine！“
　　“Thereislifeinhimyet。”saidBianchon。
　　“Whatdoeshegoonlivingfor？“saidSylvie。
　　“Tosuffer。”answeredRastignac。
　　Bianchonmadeasigntohisfriendtofollowhisexample，kneltdownandpressedhisarmsunderthesickman，andRastignacontheothersidedidthesame，sothatSylvie，standinginreadiness，mightdrawthesheetfrombeneathandreplaceitwiththeonethatshehadbrought。Thosetears，nodoubt，hadmisledGoriot；forhegatheredupallhisremainingstrengthinalasteffort，stretchedouthishands，gropedforthestudents’heads，andashisfingerscaughtconvulsivelyattheirhair，theyheardafaintwhisper：
　　“Ah！myangels！“
　　Twowords，twoinarticulatemurmurs，shapedintowordsbythesoulwhichfledforthwiththemastheylefthislips。
　　“Poordear！“criedSylvie，meltedbythatexclamation；theexpressionofthegreatloveraisedforthelasttimetoasublimeheightbythatmostghastlyandinvoluntaryoflies。
　　Thefather’slastbreathmusthavebeenasighofjoy，andinthatsighhiswholelifewassummedup；hewascheatedevenatthelast。TheylaidFatherGoriotuponhiswretchedbedwithreverenthands。Thenceforwardtherewasnoexpressiononhisface，onlythepainfultracesofthestrugglebetweenlifeanddeaththatwasgoingoninthemachine；forthatkindofcerebralconsciousnessthatdistinguishesbetweenpleasureandpaininahumanbeingwasextinguished；itwasonlyaquestionoftime——andthemechanismitselfwouldbedestroyed。
　　“Hewilllielikethisforseveralhours，anddiesoquietlyatlast，thatweshallnotknowwhenhegoes；therewillbenorattleinthethroat。Thebrainmustbecompletelysuffused。”
　　Ashespoketherewasafootsteponthestaircase，andayoungwomanhastenedup，pantingforbreath。
　　“Shehascometoolate。”saidRastignac。
　　ButitwasnotDelphine；itwasTherese，herwaiting-woman，whostoodinthedoorway。
　　“MonsieurEugene。”shesaid，“monsieurandmadamehavehadaterriblesceneaboutsomemoneythatMadamepoorthing！wantedforherfather。Shefainted，andthedoctorcame，andshehadtobebled，callingoutallthewhile，’Myfatherisdying；Iwanttoseepapa！’Itwasheartbreakingtohearher——“
　　“Thatwilldo，Therese。Ifshecamenow，itwouldbetroublethrownaway。M。Goriotcannotrecognizeanyonenow。”
　　“Poor，deargentleman，isheasbadatthat？“saidTherese。
　　“Youdon’twantmenow，Imustgoandlookaftermydinner；itishalf-pastfour。”remarkedSylvie。ThenextinstantsheallbutcollidedwithMme。deRestaudonthelandingoutside。
　　TherewassomethingawfulandappallinginthesuddenapparitionoftheCountess。Shesawthebedofdeathbythedimlightofthesinglecandle，andhertearsflowedatthesightofherfather’spassivefeatures，fromwhichthelifehadalmostebbed。Bianchonwiththoughtfultactlefttheroom。
　　“Icouldnotescapesoonenough。”shesaidtoRastignac。
　　Thestudentbowedsadlyinreply。Mme。deRestaudtookherfather’shandandkissedit。
　　“Forgiveme，father！Youusedtosaythatmyvoicewouldcallyoubackfromthegrave；ah！comebackforonemomenttoblessyourpenitentdaughter。Doyouhearme？Oh！thisisfearful！Nooneonearthwilleverblessmehenceforth；everyonehatesme；noonelovesmebutyouinalltheworld。Myownchildrenwillhateme。
　　Takemewithyou，father；Iwillloveyou，Iwilltakecareofyou。Hedoesnothearme……Iammad……”
　　Shefellonherknees，andgazedwildlyatthehumanwreckbeforeher。
　　“Mycupofmiseryisfull。”shesaid，turninghereyesuponEugene。“M。deTrailleshasfled，leavingenormousdebtsbehindhim，andIhavefoundoutthathewasdeceivingme。Myhusbandwillneverforgiveme，andIhaveleftmyfortuneinhishands。I
　　havelostallmyillusions。Alas！Ihaveforsakentheoneheartthatlovedmeshepointedtoherfatherasshespoke，andforwhom？Ihaveheldhiskindnesscheap，andslightedhisaffection；
　　manyandmanyatimeIhavegivenhimpain，ungratefulwretchthatIam！“
　　“Heknewit。”saidRastignac。
　　JustthenGoriot’seyelidsunclosed；itwasonlyamuscularcontraction，buttheCountess’suddenstartofrevivinghopewasnolessdreadfulthanthedyingeyes。
　　“Isitpossiblethathecanhearme？“criedtheCountess。“No。”
　　sheansweredherself，andsatdownbesidethebed。AsMme。deRestaudseemedtowishtositbyherfather，Eugenewentdowntotakealittlefood。Theboarderswerealreadyassembled。
　　“Well。”remarkedthepainter，ashejoinedthem，“itseemsthatthereistobeadeath-oramaupstairs。”
　　“Charles，Ithinkyoumightfindsomethinglesspainfultojokeabout。”saidEugene。
　　“Sowemaynotlaughhere？“returnedthepainter。“Whatharmdoesitdo？Bianchonsaidthattheoldmanwasquiteinsensible。”
　　“Well，then。”saidtheemployefromtheMuseum，“hewilldieashehaslived。”
　　“Myfatherisdead！“shriekedtheCountess。
　　TheterriblecrybroughtSylvie，Rastignac，andBianchon；Mme。deRestaudhadfaintedaway。Whensherecoveredtheycarriedherdownstairs，andputherintothecabthatstoodwaitingatthedoor。EugenesentTheresewithher，andbadethemaidtaketheCountesstoMme。deNucingen。
　　Bianchoncamedowntothem。
　　“Yes，heisdead。”hesaid。
　　“Come，sitdowntodinner，gentlemen。”saidMme。Vauquer，“orthesoupwillbecold。”
　　Thetwostudentssatdowntogether。
　　“Whatisthenextthingtobedone？“EugeneaskedofBianchon。
　　“Ihaveclosedhiseyesandcomposedhislimbs。”saidBianchon。
　　“WhenthecertificatehasbeenofficiallyregisteredattheMayor’soffice，wewillsewhiminhiswindingsheetandburyhimsomewhere。Whatdoyouthinkweoughttodo？“
　　“Hewillnotsmellathisbreadlikethisanymore。”saidthepainter，mimickingtheoldman’slittletrick。
　　“Oh，hangitall！“criedthetutor，“letFatherGoriotdrop，andletushavesomethingelseforachange。Heisastandingdish，andwehavehadhimwitheverysaucethishourormore。ItisoneoftheprivilegesofthegoodcityofParisthatanybodymaybeborn，orlive，ordietherewithoutattractinganyattentionwhatsoever。Letusprofitbytheadvantagesofcivilization。
　　Therearefiftyorsixtydeathseveryday；ifyouhaveamindtodoit，youcansitdownatanytimeandwailoverwholehecatombsofdeadinParis。FatherGoriothasgoneoffthehooks，hashe？
　　Somuchthebetterforhim。Ifyouveneratehismemory，keepittoyourselves，andlettherestofusfeedinpeace。”
　　“Oh，tobesure。”saidthewidow，“itisallthebetterforhimthatheisdead。Itlooksasthoughhehadhadtroubleenough，poorsoul，whilehewasalive。”
　　AndthiswasallthefuneralorationdeliveredoverhimwhohadbeenforEugenethetypeandembodimentofFatherhood。
　　Thefifteenlodgersbegantotalkasusual。WhenBianchonandEugenehadsatisfiedtheirhunger，therattleofspoonsandforks，theboisterousconversation，theexpressionsonthefacesthatbespokevariousdegreesofwantoffeeling，gluttony，orindifference，everythingaboutthemmadethemshiverwithloathing。Theywentouttofindapriesttowatchthatnightwiththedead。Itwasnecessarytomeasuretheirlastpiouscaresbythescantysumofmoneythatremained。Beforenineo’clockthateveningthebodywaslaidoutonthebaresackingofthebedsteadinthedesolateroom；alightedcandlestoodoneitherside，andthepriestwatchedatthefoot。Rastignacmadeinquiriesofthislatterastotheexpensesofthefuneral，andwrotetotheBarondeNucingenandtheComtedeRestaud，entreatingbothgentlementoauthorizetheirmanofbusinesstodefraythechargesoflayingtheirfather-in-lawinthegrave。HesentChristophewiththeletters；thenhewenttobed，tiredout，andslept。
　　NextdayBianchonandRastignacwereobligedtotakethecertificatetotheregistrarthemselves，andbytwelveo’clocktheformalitieswerecompleted。Twohourswentby，nowordcamefromtheCountnorfromtheBaron；nobodyappearedtoactforthem，andRastignachadalreadybeenobligedtopaythepriest。
　　Sylvieaskedtenfrancsforsewingtheoldmaninhiswinding-
　　sheetandmakinghimreadyforthegrave，andEugeneandBianchoncalculatedthattheyhadscarcelysufficienttopayforthefuneral，ifnothingwasforthcomingfromthedeadman’sfamily。
　　Soitwasthemedicalstudentwholaidhiminapauper’scoffin，despatchedfromBianchon’shospital，whenceheobtaineditatacheaperrate。
　　“Letusplaythosewretchesatrick。”saidhe。“Gotothecemetery，buyagraveforfiveyearsatPere-Lachaise，andarrangewiththeChurchandtheundertakertohaveathird-classfuneral。Ifthedaughtersandtheirhusbandsdeclinetorepayyou，youcancarvethisontheheadstone——’HERELIESM。GORIOT，FATHEROFTHECOMTESSEDERESTAUDANDTHEBARONNEDENUCINGEN，INTERREDATTHEEXPENSEOFTWOSTUDENTS。’“
　　Eugenetookpartofhisfriend’sadvice，butonlyafterhehadgoneinpersonfirsttoM。andMme。deNucingen，andthentoM。
　　andMme。deRestaud——afruitlesserrand。Hewentnofurtherthanthedoorstepineitherhouse。Theservantshadreceivedstrictorderstoadmitnoone。
　　“MonsieurandMadamecanseenovisitors。Theyhavejustlosttheirfather，andareindeepgriefovertheirloss。”
　　Eugene’sParisianexperiencetoldhimthatitwasidletopressthepoint。SomethingclutchedstrangelyathisheartwhenhesawthatitwasimpossibletoreachDelphine。
　　“Sellsomeofyourornaments。”hewrotehastilyintheporter’sroom，“sothatyourfathermaybedecentlylaidinhislastresting-place。”
　　Hesealedthenote，andbeggedtheportertogiveittoThereseforhermistress；butthemantookittotheBarondeNucingen，whoflungthenoteintothefire。Eugene，havingfinishedhiserrands，returnedtothelodging-houseaboutthreeo’clock。Inspiteofhimself，thetearscameintohiseyes。Thecoffin，initsscantycoveringofblackcloth，wasstandingthereonthepavementbeforethegate，ontwochairs。Awitheredsprigofhyssopwassoakingintheholywaterbowlofsilver-platedcopper；therewasnotasoulinthestreet，notapasser-byhadstoppedtosprinklethecoffin；therewasnotevenanattemptatablackdraperyoverthewicket。Itwasapauperwholaythere；
　　noonemadeapretenceofmourningforhim；hehadneitherfriendsnorkindred——therewasnoonetofollowhimtothegrave。
　　Bianchon’sdutiescompelledhimtobeatthehospital，buthehadleftafewlinesforEugene，tellinghisfriendaboutthearrangementshehadmadefortheburialservice。Thehousestudent’snotetoldRastignacthatamasswasbeyondtheirmeans，thattheordinaryofficeforthedeadwascheaper，andmustsuffice，andthathehadsentwordtotheundertakerbyChristophe。EugenehadscarcelyfinishedreadingBianchon’sscrawl，whenhelookedupandsawthelittlecirculargoldlocketthatcontainedthehairofGoriot’stwodaughtersinMme。
　　Vauquer’shands。
　　“Howdaredyoutakeit？“heasked。
　　“GoodLord！isthattobeburiedalongwithhim？“retortedSylvie。“Itisgold。”
　　“Ofcourseitshall！“Eugeneansweredindignantly；“heshallatanyratetakeonethingthatmayrepresenthisdaughtersintothegravewithhim。”
　　Whenthehearsecame，Eugenehadthecoffincarriedintothehouseagain，unscrewedthelid，andreverentlylaidontheoldman’sbreastthetokenthatrecalledthedayswhenDelphineandAnastasiewereinnocentlittlemaidens，beforetheybegan“tothinkforthemselves。”ashehadmoanedoutinhisagony。
　　RastignacandChristopheandthetwoundertaker’smenweretheonlyfollowersofthefuneral。TheChurchofSaint-EtienneduMontwasonlyalittledistancefromtheRueNueve-Sainte-
　　Genevieve。Whenthecoffinhadbeendepositedinalow，dark，littlechapel，thelawstudentlookedroundinvainforGoriot’stwodaughtersortheirhusbands。Christophewashisonlyfellow-
　　mourner；Christophe，whoappearedtothinkitwashisdutytoattendthefuneralofthemanwhohadputhiminthewayofsuchhandsometips。Astheywaitedthereinthechapelforthetwopriests，thechorister，andthebeadle，RastignacgraspedChristophe’shand。Hecouldnotutterawordjustthen。
　　“Yes，MonsieurEugene。”saidChristophe，“hewasagoodandworthyman，whoneversaidonewordlouderthananother；heneverdidanyoneanyharm，andgavenobodyanytrouble。”
　　Thetwopriests，thechorister，andthebeadlecame，andsaidanddidasmuchascouldbeexpectedforseventyfrancsinanagewhenreligioncannotaffordtosayprayersfornothing。
　　Theecclesiaticschantedapsalm，theLiberanosandtheDeprofundis。Thewholeservicelastedabouttwentyminutes。Therewasbutonemourningcoach，whichthepriestandchoristeragreedtosharewithEugeneandChristophe。
　　“Thereisnooneelsetofollowus。”remarkedthepriest，“sowemayaswellgoquickly，andsosavetime；itishalf-pastfive。”
　　Butjustasthecoffinwasputinthehearse，twoemptycarriages，withthearmorialbearingsoftheComtedeRestaudandtheBarondeNucingen，arrivedandfollowedintheprocessiontoPere-Lachaise。Atsixo’clockGoriot’scoffinwasloweredintothegrave，hisdaughters’servantsstandingroundthewhile。Theecclesiasticrecitedtheshortprayerthatthestudentscouldaffordtopayfor，andthenbothpriestandlackeysdisappearedatonce。Thetwogravediggersflunginseveralspadefulsofearth，andthenstoppedandaskedRastignacfortheirfee。Eugenefeltinvaininhispocket，andwasobligedtoborrowfivefrancsofChristophe。Thisthing，sotriflinginitself，gaveRastignacaterriblepangofdistress。Itwasgrowingdusk，thedamptwilightfrettedhisnerves；hegazeddownintothegraveandthetearsheshedweredrawnfromhimbythesacredemotion，asingle-heartedsorrow。Whensuchtearsfallonearth，theirradiancereachesheaven。AndwiththattearthatfellonFatherGoriot’sgrave，EugeneRastignac’syouthended。Hefoldedhisarmsandgazedatthecloudedsky；andChristophe，afteraglanceathim，turnedandwent——Rastignacwasleftalone。
　　Hewentafewpacesfurther，tothehighestpointofthecemetery，andlookedoutoverParisandthewindingsoftheSeine；thelampswerebeginningtoshineoneithersideoftheriver。HiseyesturnedalmosteagerlytothespacebetweenthecolumnofthePlaceVendomeandthecupolaoftheInvalides；
　　therelaytheshiningworldthathehadwishedtoreach。Heglancedoverthathumminghive，seemingtodrawaforetasteofitshoney，andsaidmagniloquently：
　　“Henceforththereiswarbetweenus。”
　　AndbywayofthrowingdowntheglovetoSociety，RastignacwenttodinewithMme。deNucingen。
　　ADDENDUM
　　ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy。
　　Ajuda-Pinto，MarquisMigueld’
　　ScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheSecretsofaPrincessBeatrixBeauseant，MarquisAnEpisodeundertheTerrorBeauseant，VicomtedeTheDesertedWomanBeauseant，VicomtessedeTheDesertedWomanAlbertSavarusBianchon，HoraceTheAtheist’sMassCesarBirotteauTheCommissioninLunacyLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisABachelor’sEstablishmentTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGovernmentClerksPierretteAStudyofWomanScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeHonorineTheSeamySideofHistoryTheMagicSkinASecondHomeAPrinceofBohemiaLettersofTwoBridesTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheImaginaryMistressTheMiddleClassesCousinBettyTheCountryParsonInaddition，M。Bianchonnarratedthefollowing：
　　AnotherStudyofWomanLaGrandeBretecheBibi-Lupinchiefofsecretpolice，calledhimselfGondureau
　　ScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeCarigliano，Marechal，DucdeSarrasineCollin，JacquesLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheMemberforArcisDervilleGobseckAStartinLifeTheGondrevilleMysteryColonelChabertScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeFranchessini，ColonelTheMemberforArcisGalathionne，PrincessADaughterofEveGobseck，Jean-EstherVanGobseckCesarBirotteauTheGovernmentClerksTheUnconsciousHumoriistsJacquesM。deBeauseant’sbutler
　　TheDesertedWomanLangeais，DuchesseAntoinettedeTheThirteenMarsay，HenrideTheThirteenTheUnconsciousHumoristsAnotherStudyofWomanTheLilyoftheValleyJealousiesofaCountryTownUrsuleMirouetAMarriageSettlementLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisLettersofTwoBridesTheBallatSceauxModestMignonTheSecretsofaPrincessTheGondrevilleMysteryADaughterofEveMauricedeRestaud’svalet
　　GobseckMontriveau，GeneralMarquisArmanddeTheThirteenLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisAnotherStudyofWomanPierretteTheMemberforArcisNucingen，BaronFredericdeTheFirmofNucingenPierretteCesarBirotteauLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeAnotherStudyofWomanTheSecretsofaPrincessAManofBusinessCousinBettyTheMuseoftheDepartmentTheUnconsciousHumoristsNucingen，BaronneDelphinedeTheThirteenEugenieGrandetCesarBirotteauMelmothReconciledLostIllusionsADistinguishedProvincialatParisTheCommissioninLunacyScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeModesteMignonTheFirmofNucingenAnotherStudyofWomanADaughterofEveTheMemberforArcisPoiretTheGovernmentClerksAStartinLifeScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheMiddleClassesPoiret，MadameneeChristine-MichelleMichonneau
　　ScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheMiddleClassesRastignac，BaronandBaronnedeEugene’sparents
　　LostIllusionsRastignac，EugenedeADistinguishedProvincialatParisScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTheBallatSceauxTheInterdictionAStudyofWomanAnotherStudyofWomanTheMagicSkinTheSecretsofaPrincessADaughterofEveTheGondrevilleMysteryTheFirmofNucingenCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisTheUnconsciousHumoristsRastignac，Laure-RoseandAgathedeLostIllusionsTheMemberforArcisRastignac，MonseigneurGabrieldeTheCountryParsonADaughterofEveRestaud，ComtedeGobseckRestaud，ComtesseAnastasiedeGobseckSelerierScenesfromaCourtesan’sLifeTaillefer，Jean-FredericTheFirmofNucingenTheMagicSkinTheRedInnTaillefer，VictorineTheRedInnThereseADaughterofEveTissot，Pierre-FrancoisAPrinceofBohemiaTrailles，ComteMaximedeCesarBirotteauGobseckUrsuleMirouetAManofBusinessTheMemberforArcisTheSecretsofaPrincessCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisBeatrixTheUnconsciousHumoristsEnd