"Aretheredemonstrationsintheology？"askedtheprofessorofmathematics，naively，plungingheadlongintotheconversation。
　　"Ithink，monsieur，"repliedTheodose，lookingstraightatFelixPhellion，"thatyoucannotbeseriousinaskingmesuchaquestion。"
　　"Felix，"saidoldPhellion，comingheavilytotherescueofhisson，andcatchingadistressedlookonthepalefaceofMadameThuillier，——
　　"Felixseparatesreligionintotwocategories；heconsidersitfromthehumanpointofviewandthedivinepointofview，——traditionandreason。"
　　"Thatisheresy，monsieur，"repliedTheodose。"Religionisone；itrequires，aboveallthings，faith。"
　　OldPhellion，nonplussedbythatremark，noddedtohiswife：——
　　"Itisgettinglate，mydear，"andhepointedtotheclock。
　　"Oh，MonsieurFelix，"saidCelesteinawhispertothecandidmathematician，"Couldn’tyoube，likePascalandBossuet，learnedandpiousboth？"
　　ThePhellions，ondeparting，carriedtheCollevilleswiththem。SoonnooneremainedinthesalonbutDutocq，Theodose，andtheThuilliers。
　　TheflatteryadministeredbyTheodosetoFlavieseemsatthefirstsightcoarselycommonplace，butwemusthereremark，intheinterestsofthishistory，thatthebarristerwaskeepinghimselfascloseaspossibletothesevulgarminds；hewasnavigatingtheirwaters；hespoketheirlanguage。HispainterwasPierreGrassou，andnotJosephBridau；hisbookwas"PaulandVirginia。"ThegreatestlivingpoetforhimwasCasimiredelaVigne；tohiseyesthemissionofartwas，aboveallthings，utility。Parmentier，thediscovererofthepotato，wasgreatertohimthatthirtyRaffaelles；themaninthebluecloakseemedtohimasisterofcharity。ThesewereThuillier’sexpressions，andTheodoserememberedthemall——onoccasion。
　　"ThatyoungFelixPhellion，"henowremarked，"ispreciselytheacademicalmanofourday；theproductofknowledgewhichsendsGodtotherear。Heavens，whatarewecomingto？ReligionalonecansaveFrance；nothingbutthefearofhellwillpreserveusfromdomesticrobbery，whichisgoingonatallhoursinthebosomoffamilies，andeatingintothesurestfortunes。Allofyouhaveasecretwarfareinyourhomes。"
　　Afterthisshrewdtirade，whichmadeagreatimpressionuponBrigitte，heretired，followedbyDutocq，afterwishinggoodeveningtothethreeThuilliers。
　　"Thatyoungmanhasgreatcapacity，"saidThuillier，sententiously。
　　"Yes，thathehas，"repliedBrigitte，extinguishingthelamps。
　　"Hehasreligion，"saidMadameThuillier，asshelefttheroom。
　　"Monsieur，"PhellionwassayingtoCollevilleastheycameabreastoftheEcoledeMines，lookingabouthimtoseethatnoonewasnear，"itisusuallymycustomtosubmitmyinsighttothatofothers，butitisimpossibleformenottothinkthatthatyounglawyerplaysthemasteratourfriendThuillier’s。"
　　"Myownopinion，"saidColleville，whowaswalkingwithPhellionbehindhiswife，MadamePhellion，andCeleste，"isthathe’saJesuit；
　　andIdon’tlikeJesuits；thebestofthemarenogood。TomymindaJesuitmeansknavery，andknaveryforknavery’ssake；theydeceiveforthepleasureofdeceiving，and，asthesayingis，tokeeptheirhandin。That’smyopinion，andIdon’tminceit。"
　　"Iunderstandyou，monsieur，"saidPhellion，whowasarm—in—armwithColleville。
　　"No，MonsieurPhellion，"remarkedFlavieinashrillvoice，"youdon’tunderstandColleville；butIknowwhathemeans，andIthinkhehadbetterstopsayingit。Suchsubjectsarenottobetalkedofinthestreet，ateleveno’clockatnight，andbeforeayounglady。"
　　"Youareright，wife，"saidColleville。
　　WhentheyreachedtheruedesDeux—Eglises，whichPhellionwastotake，theyallstoppedtosaygood—night，andFelixPhellion，whowasbringuptherear，saidtoColleville：——
　　"Monsieur，yoursonFrancoiscouldentertheEcolePolytechniqueifhewerewell—coached；Iproposetoyoutofithimtopasstheexaminationsthisyear。"
　　"That’sanoffernottoberefused！Thankyou，myfriend，"saidColleville。"We’llseeaboutit。"
　　"Good！"saidPhelliontohisson，astheywalkedon。
　　"Notabadstroke！"saidthemother。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"askedFelix。
　　"YouareverycleverlypayingcourttoCeleste’sparents。"
　　"MayIneverfindthesolutionofmyproblemifIeventhoughtofit！"
　　criedtheyoungprofessor。"Idiscovered，whentalkingwiththelittleCollevilles，thatFrancoishasastrongturnformathematics，andI
　　thoughtIoughttoenlightenhisfather。"
　　"Good，myson！"repeatedPhellion。"Iwouldn’thaveyouotherwise。Myprayersaregranted！Ihaveasonwhosehonor，probity，andprivateandcivicvirtuesareallthatIcouldwish。"
　　MadameColleville，assoonasCelestehadgonetobed，saidtoherhusband：——
　　"Colleville，don’tutterthosebluntopinionsaboutpeoplewithoutknowingsomethingaboutthem。WhenyoutalkofJesuitsIknowyoumeanpriests；andIwishyouwoulddomethekindnesstokeepyouropinionsonreligiontoyourselfwhenyouareincompanywithyourdaughter。Wemaysacrificeourownsouls，butnotthesoulsofourchildren。Youdon’twantCelestetobeacreaturewithoutreligion？Andremember，mydear，thatweareatthemercyofothers；wehavefourchildrentoprovidefor；andhowdoyouknowthat，somedayorother，youmaynotneedtheservicesofthisoneorthatone？Thereforedon’tmakeenemies。Youhaven’tanynow，foryouareagood—naturedfellow；and，thankstothatquality，whichamountsinyoutoacharm，wehavegotalongprettywellinlife，sofar。"
　　"That’senough！"saidColleville，flinginghiscoatonachairandpullingoffhiscravat。"I’mwrong，andyouareright，mybeautifulFlavie。"
　　"Andonthenextoccasion，mydearoldsheep，"saidtheslycreature，tappingherhusband’scheek，"youmusttrytobepolitetothatyounglawyer；heisaschemerandwehadbetterhavehimonourside。Heisplayingcomedy——well！playcomedywithhim；behisdupeapparently；ifheprovestohavetalent，ifhehasafuturebeforehim，makeafriendofhim。DoyouthinkIwanttoseeyouforeverinthemayor’soffice？"
　　"Come，wifeColleville，"saidtheformerclarionet，tappinghiskneetoindicatetheplacehewishedhiswifetotake。"Letuswarmourtoesandtalk。——WhenIlookatyouIammorethaneverconvincedthattheyouthofwomenisintheirfigure。"
　　"Andintheirheart。"
　　"Well，both，"assentedColleville；"waistslender，heartsolid——"
　　"No，youoldstupid，deep。"
　　"Whatisgoodaboutyouisthatyouhavekeptyourfairnesswithoutgrowingfat。Butthefactis，youhavesuchtinybones。Flavie，itisafactthatifIhadlifetoliveoveragainIshouldn’twishforanyotherwifethanyou。"
　　"YouknowverywellIhavealwayspreferredyoutoOTHERS。Howunluckythatmonseigneurisdead！DoyouknowwhatIcovetforyou？"
　　"No；what？"
　　"SomeofficeattheHoteldeVille，——anofficeworthtwelvethousandfrancsayear；cashier，orsomethingofthatkind；eitherthere，oratPoissy，inthemunicipaldepartment；orelseasmanufacturerofmusicalinstruments——"
　　"Anyoneofthemwouldsuitme。"
　　"Well，then！ifthatqueerbarristerhaspower，andhecertainlyhasplentyofintrigue，letusmanagehim。I’llsoundhim；leavemetodothething——and，aboveall，don’tthwarthisgameattheThuilliers’。"
　　TheodosehadlaidafingeronasoresportinFlavieColleville’sheart；andthisrequiresanexplanation，whichmay，perhaps，havethevalueofasyntheticglanceatwomen’slife。
　　Atfortyyearsofageawoman，aboveall，ifshehastastedthepoisonedappleofpassion，undergoesasolemnshock；sheseestwodeathsbeforeher：thatofthebodyandthatoftheheart。Dividingwomenintotwogreatcategorieswhichrespondtothecommonideas，andcallingthemeithervirtuousorguilty，itisallowabletosaythatafterthatfatalperiodtheybothsufferpangsofterribleintensity。
　　Ifvirtuous，anddisappointedinthedeepesthopesoftheirnature——
　　whethertheyhavehadthecouragetosubmit，whethertheyhaveburiedtheirrevoltintheirheartsoratthefootofthealtar——theyneveradmittothemselvesthatallisoverforthemwithouthorror。Thatthoughthassuchstrangeanddiabolicaldepthsthatinitliesthereasonofsomeofthoseapostasieswhichhave，attimes，amazedtheworldandhorrifiedit。Ifguilty，womenofthatagefallintooneofseveraldeliriousconditionswhichoftenturn，alas！tomadness，orendinsuicide，orterminateinsomewithpassiongreaterthanthesituationitself。
　　Thefollowingisthe"dilemmatic"meaningofthiscrisis。Eithertheyhaveknownhappiness，knownitinavirtuouslife，andareunabletobreatheinanyairbutthatsurchargedwithincense，oractinanybutabalmyatmosphereofflatteryandworship，——ifso，howisitpossibletorenounceit？——or，byaphenomenonlessrarethansingular，theyhavefoundonlywearyingpleasureswhileseekingforthehappinessthatescapedthem——sustainedinthateagerchasebytheirritatingsatisfactionsofvanity，clingingtothegamelikeagamblertohisdoubleorquits；fortothemtheselastdaysofbeautyaretheirlaststakeagainstdespair。
　　"Youhavebeenloved，butneveradored。"
　　ThatspeechofTheodose，accompaniedbyalookwhichread，notintoherheart，butintoherlife，wasthekey—notetoherenigma，andFlaviefeltherselfdivined。
　　Thelawyerhadmerelyrepeatedideaswhichliteraturehasrenderedtrivial；butwhatmatterwherethewhipcomesfrom，orhowitismade，ifittouchesthesensitivespotofahorse’shide？TheemotionwasinFlavie，notinthespeech，justasthenoiseisnotintheavalanche，thoughitproducesit。
　　Ayoungofficer，twofops，abanker，aclumsyyouth，andColleville，werepoorattemptsathappiness。OnceinherlifeMadameCollevillehaddreamedofit，butneverattainedit。Deathhadhastenedtoputanendtotheonlypassioninwhichshehadfoundacharm。Forthelasttwoyearsshehadlistenedtothevoiceofreligion，whichtoldherthatneithertheChurch，noritsvotaries，shouldtalkofloveorhappiness，butofdutyandresignation；thattheonlyhappinesslayinthesatisfactionoffulfillingpainfulandcostlyduties，therewardsforwhichwerenotinthisworld。Allthesame，however，shewasconsciousofanotherclamoringvoice；but，inasmuchasherreligionwasonlyamaskwhichitsuitedhertowear，andnotaconversion，shedidnotlayitaside，thinkingitaresource。Believingalsothatpiety，falseortrue，wasabecomingmannerinwhichtomeetherfuture，shecontinuedintheChurch，asthoughitwerethecross—roadsofaforest，where，seatedonabench，shereadthesign—posts，andwaitedforsomeluckychance；feelingallthewhilethatnightwascomingon。
　　ThusithappenedthatherinterestwaskeenlyexcitedwhenTheodoseputhersecretconditionofmindintowords，seemingtopromisehertherealizationofhercastleintheair，alreadybuiltandoverthrownsomesixoreighttimes。
　　FromthebeginningofthewintershehadnoticedthatTheodosewasexaminingandstudyingher，thoughcautiouslyandsecretly。Morethanonce，shehadputonhergraymoiresilkwithitsblacklace，andherheaddressofMechlinwithafewflowers，inordertoappeartoherbestadvantage；andmenknowverywellwhenatoilethasbeenmadetopleasethem。TheoldbeauoftheEmpire，thathandsomeThuillier，overwhelmedherwithcompliments，assuringhershewasqueenofthesalon，butlaPeyradesaidinfinitelymoretothepurposebyalook。
　　Flaviehadexpected，SundayafterSunday，adeclaration，sayingtoherselfattimes：——
　　"HeknowsIamruinedandhaven’tasou。Perhapsheisreallypious。"
　　Theodosedidnothingrashly；likeawisemusician，hehadmarkedtheplaceinhissymphonywhereheintendedtotaphisdrum。WhenhesawCollevilleattemptingtowarnThuillieragainsthim，hefiredhisbroadside，cleverlypreparedduringthethreeorfourmonthsinwhichhehadbeenstudyingFlavie；henowsucceededwithherashehad，earlierintheday，succeededwithThuillier。
　　Whilegettingintobed，Theodosesaidtohimself：——
　　"Thewifeisonmyside；thehusbandcan’tendureme；theyarenowquarrelling；andIshallgetthebetterofit，forshedoeswhatshelikeswiththatman。"
　　Thelawyerwasmistakeninonething：therewasnodisputewhatever，andCollevillewassleepingpeacefullybesidehisdearlittleFlavie，whileshewassayingtoherself：——
　　"CertainlyTheodosemustbeasuperiorman。"
　　Manymen，likelaPeyrade，derivetheirsuperiorityfromtheaudacity，orthedifficulty，ofanenterprise；thestrengththeydisplayincreasestheirmuscularpower，andtheyspenditfreely。Thenwhensuccessiswon，ordefeatismet，thepublicisastonishedtofindhowsmall，exhausted，andpunythosemenreallyare。AftercastingintothemindsofthetwopersonsonwhomCeleste’sfatechieflydepended，aninterestandcuriositythatwerealmostfeverish，Theodosepretendedtobeaverybusyman；forfiveorsixdayshewasoutofthehousefrommorningtillnight，inordernottomeetFlavieuntilthetimewhenherinterestshouldincreasetothepointofoversteppingconventionality，andalsoinordertoforcethehandsomeThuilliertocomeandfetchhim。
　　ThefollowingSundayhefeltcertainheshouldfindMadameCollevilleatchurch；hewasnotmistaken，fortheycameout，eachofthem，atthesamemoment，andmetatthecorneroftheruedesDeux—Eglises。
　　Theodoseofferedhisarm，whichFlavieaccepted，leavingherdaughtertowalkinfrontwithherbrotherAnatole。Thisyoungestchild，thenabouttwelveyearsold，beingdestinedfortheseminary，wasnowattheBarniolinstitute，whereheobtainedanelementaryeducation；
　　Barniol，theson—in—lawofthePhellions，wasnaturallymakingthetuitionfeeslight，withaviewtothehoped—foralliancebetweenFelixandCeleste。
　　"HaveyoudonemethehonorandfavorofthinkingoverwhatIsaidtoyousobadlytheotherday？"askedthelawyer，inacaressingtone，pressingthelady’sarmtohisheartwithamovementbothsoftandstrong；forheseemedtowishtorestrainhimselfandappearrespectful，inspiteofhisevidenteagerness。"Donotmisunderstandmyintentions，"hecontinued，afterreceivingfromMadameCollevilleoneofthoselookswhichwomentrainedtothemanagementofpassionknowhowtogive，——alookthat，bymereexpression，canconveybothsevererebukeandsecretcommunityofsentiment。"Iloveyouasweloveanoblenaturestrugglingagainstmisfortune；Christiancharityenfoldsboththestrongandtheweak；itstreasurebelongstoboth。
　　Refined，graceful，elegantasyouare，madetobeanornamentofthehighestsociety，whatmancouldseeyouwithoutfeelinganimmensecompassioninhisheart——buriedhereamongtheseodiousbourgeois，whoknownothingofyou，noteventhearistocraticvalueofasingleoneofyourattitudes，orthoseenchantinginflectionsofyourvoice！Ah！
　　ifIwereonlyrich！ifIhadpower！yourhusband，whoiscertainlyagoodfellow，shouldbemadereceiver—general，andyouyourselfcouldgethimelecteddeputy。But，alas！poorambitiousman，myfirstdutyistosilencemyambition。Knowingmyselfatthebottomofthebaglikethelastnumberinafamilylottery，Icanonlyofferyoumyarmandnotmyheart。Ihopeallfromagoodmarriage，and，believeme，I
　　shallmakemywifenotonlyhappy，butIshallmakeheroneofthefirstintheland，receivingfromherthemeansofsuccess。Itissofineaday，willyounottakeaturnintheLuxembourg？"headded，astheyreachedtherued’EnferatthecornerofColleville’shouse，oppositetowhichwasapassageleadingtothegardensbythestairwayofalittlebuilding，thelastremainsofthefamousconventoftheChartreux。
　　Thesoftyieldingofthearmwithinhisown，indicatedatacitconsenttothisproposal，andasFlaviedeservedthehonorofasortofenthusiasm，hedrewhervehementlyalong，exclaiming：——
　　"Come！wemayneverhavesogoodamoment——Butsee！"headded，"thereisyourhusbandatthewindowlookingatus；letuswalkslowly。"
　　"YouhavenothingtofearfromMonsieurColleville，"saidFlavie，smiling；"heleavesmemistressofmyownactions。"
　　"Ah！here，indeed，isthewomanIhavedreamedof，"criedtheProvencal，withthatecstasythatinflamesthesoulonly，andintonesthatissueonlyfromSouthernlips。"Pardonme，madame，"hesaid，recoveringhimself，andreturningfromanupperspheretotheexiledangelwhomhelookedatpiously，——"pardonme，IabandonwhatIwassaying；buthowcanamanhelpfeelingforthesorrowshehasknownhimselfwhenheseesthemthelotofabeingtowhomlifeshouldbringonlyjoyandhappiness？Yoursufferingsaremine；Iamnomoreinmyrightplacethanyouareinyours；thesamemisfortunehasmadeusbrotherandsister。Ah！dearFlavie，thefirstdayitwasgrantedtometoseeyou——thelastSundayinSeptember，1838——youwereverybeautiful；Ishalloftenrecallyoutomemoryinthatprettylittlegownofmousseline—de—laineofthecolorofsomeScottishtartan！ThatdayIsaidtomyself：’WhyisthatwomansooftenattheThuilliers’；
　　aboveall，whydidsheeverhaveintimaterelationswithThuillierhimself？——’"
　　"Monsieur！"saidFlavie，alarmedatthesingularcourselaPeyradewasgivingtotheconversation。
　　"Eh！Iknowall，"hecried，accompanyingthewordswithashrugofhisshoulders。"Iexplainitalltomyownmind，andIdonotrespectyouless。Younowhavetogatherthefruitsofyoursin，andIwillhelpyou。Celestewillbeveryrich，andinthatliesyourownfuture。Youcanhaveonlyoneson—in—law；chosehimwisely。Anambitiousmanmightbecomeaminister，butyouwouldhumbleyourdaughterandmakehermiserable；andifsuchamanlosthisplaceandfortunehecouldneverrecoverit。Yes，Iloveyou，"hecontinued。"Iloveyouwithanunlimitedaffection；youarefarabovethemassofpettyconsiderationsinwhichsillywomenentanglethemselves。Letusunderstandeachother。"
　　Flaviewasbewildered；shewas，however，awaketotheextremefranknessofsuchlanguage，andshesaidtoherself，"Heisnotasecretmanoeuvrer，certainly。"Moreover，sheadmittedtoherownmindthatnoonehadeversodeeplystirredandexcitedherasthisyoungman。
　　"Monsieur，"shesaid，"Idonotknowwhocouldhaveputintoyourmindsogreatanerrorastomylife，norbywhatrightyou——"
　　"Ah！pardonme，madame，"interruptedtheProvencalwithacoolnessthatsmackedofcontempt。"Imusthavedreamedit。Isaidtomyself，’Sheisallthat！’ButIseeIwasjudgingfromtheoutside。Iknownowwhyyouarelivingandwillalwaysliveonafourthfloorintherued’Enfer。"
　　AndhepointedhisspeechwithanenergeticgesturetowardtheCollevillewindows，whichcouldbeseenthroughthepassagefromthealleyoftheLuxembourg，wheretheywerewalkingalone，inthatimmensetracttroddenbysomanyandvariousyoungambitions。
　　"Ihavebeenfrank，andIexpectedreciprocity，"resumedTheodose。"I
　　myselfhavehaddayswithoutfood，madame；Ihavemanagedtolive，pursuemystudies，obtainmydegree，withtwothousandfrancsformysoledependence；andIenteredParisthroughtheBarriered’Italie，withfivehundredfrancsinmypocket，firmlyresolved，likeoneofmycompatriots，tobecome，someday，oneoftheforemostmenofourcountry。Themanwhohasoftenpickedhisfoodfrombasketsofscrapswheretherestaurateursputtheirrefuse，whichareemptiedatsixo’clockeverymorning——thatmanisnotlikelytorecoilbeforeanymeans，——avowable，ofcourse。Well，doyouthinkmethefriendofthepeople？"hesaid，smiling。"Onehastohaveaspeaking—trumpettoreachtheearofFame；shedoesn’tlistenifyouspeakwithyourlips；
　　andwithoutfameofwhatuseistalent？Thepoorman’sadvocatemeanstobesomedaytheadvocateoftherich。Isthatplainspeaking？Don’tIopenmyinmostbeingtoyou？Thenopenyourhearttome。Saytome，’Letusbefriends，’andthedaywillcomewhenweshallbothbehappy。"
　　"Goodheavens！whydidIevercomehere？WhydidIevertakeyourarm？"criedFlavie。
　　"Becauseitisinyourdestiny，"hereplied。"Ah！mydear，belovedFlavie，"headded，againpressingherarmuponhisheart，"didyouexpecttohearthevulgaritiesoflovefromme？Wearebrotherandsister；thatisall。"
　　Andheledhertowardsthepassagetoreturntotherued’Enfer。
　　Flaviefeltasortofterrorinthedepthsofthecontentmentwhichallwomenfindinviolentemotions；andshetookthatterrorforthesortoffearwhichanewpassionalwaysexcites；butforallthat，shefeltshewasfascinated，andshewalkedalonginabsolutesilence。
　　"Whatareyouthinkingof？"askedTheodose，whentheyreachedthemiddleofthepassage。
　　"Ofwhatyouhavejustsaidtome，"sheanswered。
　　"Atourage，"hesaid，"itisbesttosuppresspreliminaries；wearenotchildren；webothbelongtoasphereinwhichweshouldunderstandeachother。Rememberthis，"headded，astheyreachedtherued’Enfer。
　　——"Iamwhollyyours。"
　　Sosaying，hebowedlowtoher。
　　"Theiron’sinthefirenow！"hethoughttohimselfashewatchedhisgiddypreyonherwayhome。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　AKEYNOTE
　　WhenTheodosereachedhomehefound，waitingforhimonthelanding，apersonagewhois，asitwere，thesubmarinecurrentofthishistory；
　　hewillbefoundwithinitlikesomeburiedchurchonwhichhasrisenthefacadeofapalace。Thesightofthisman，who，aftervainlyringingatlaPeyrade’sdoor，wasnowtryingthatofDutocq，madetheProvencalbarristertremble——butsecretly，withinhimself，notbetrayingexternallyhisinwardemotion。ThismanwasCerizet，whomDutocqhadmentionedtoThuillierashiscopying—clerk。
　　Cerizetwasonlythirty—eightyearsold，buthelookedamanoffifty，soagedhadhebecomefromcauseswhichageallmen。Hishairlessheadhadayellowskull，ill—coveredbyarusty，discoloredwig；themaskofhisface，pale，flabby，andunnaturallyrough，seemedthemorehorriblebecausethenosewaseatenaway，thoughnotsufficientlytoadmitofitsbeingreplacedbyafalseone。Fromthespringofthisnoseattheforehead，downtothenostrils，itremainedasnaturehadmadeit；butdisease，aftergnawingawaythesidesneartheextremities，hadlefttwoholesoffantasticshape，whichvitiatedpronunciationandhamperedspeech。Theeyes，originallyhandsome，butweakenedbymiseryofallkindsandbysleeplessnights，wereredaroundtheedges，anddeeplysunken；theglanceofthoseeyes，whenthesoulsentintothemanexpressionofmalignancy，wouldhavefrightenedbothjudgesandcriminals，oranyotherswhomnothingusuallyaffrights。
　　Themouth，toothlessexceptforafewblackfangs，wasthreatening；
　　thesalivamadeafoamwithinit，whichdidnot，however，passthepalethinlips。Cerizet，ashortman，lesssparethanshrunken，endeavoredtoremedythedefectsofhispersonbyhisclothes，andalthoughhisgarmentswerenotthoseofopulence，hekepttheminaconditionofneatnesswhichmayevenhaveincreasedhisforlornappearance。Everythingabouthimseemeddubious；hisage，hisnose，hisglanceinspireddoubt。Itwasimpossibletoknowifhewerethirty—eightorsixty；ifhisfadedbluetrousers，whichfittedhimwell，wereofacomingorapastfashion。Hisboots，wornattheheels，butscrupulouslyblacked，resoledforthethirdtime，andverychoice，originally，mayhavetroddenintheirdayaministerialcarpet。Thefrockcoat，soakedbymanyadown—pour，withitsbrandebourgs，thefrogsofwhichwereindiscreetenoughtoshowtheirskeletons，testifiedbyitscuttodepartedelegance。Thesatinstock—
　　cravatfortunatelyconcealedtheshirt，butthetongueofthebucklebehindtheneckhadfrayedthesatin，whichwasre—satined，thatis，re—polished，byaspeciesofoildistilledfromthewig。Inthedaysofitsyouththewaistcoatwasnot，ofcourse，withoutfreshness，butitwasoneofthosewaistcoats，boughtforfourfrancs，whichcomefromthehooksoftheready—madeclothingdealer。Allthesethingswerecarefullybrushed，andsowastheshinyandmisshapenhat。Theyharmonizedwitheachother，eventotheblackgloveswhichcoveredthehandsofthissubalternMephistopheles，whosewholeanteriorlifemaybesummedupinasinglephrase：——
　　Hewasanartistinevil，withwhom，fromthefirst，evilhadsucceeded；amanmisledbytheseearlysuccessestocontinuetheplottingofinfamousdeedswithinthelinesofstrictlegality。
　　Becomingtheheadofaprinting—officebybetrayinghismaster[see"LostIllusions"]，hehadafterwardsbeencondemnedtoimprisonmentaseditorofaliberalnewspaper。Intheprovinces，undertheRestoration，hebecamethebetenoireofthegovernment，andwascalled"thatunfortunateCerizet"bysome，aspeoplespokeof"theunfortunateChauvet"and"theheroicMercier。"Heowedtothisreputationofpersecutedpatriotismaplaceassub—prefectin1830。
　　Sixmonthslaterhewasdismissed；butheinsistedthathewasjudgedwithoutbeingheard；andhemadesomuchtalkaboutitthat，undertheministryofCasimirPerier，hebecametheeditorofananti—republicannewspaperinthepayofthegovernment。Heleftthatpositiontogointobusiness，onephaseofwhichwasthemostnefariousstock—companythateverfellintothehandsofthecorrectionalpolice。Cerizetproudlyacceptedtheseveresentencehereceived；declaringittobearevengefulplotonthepartoftherepublicans，who，hesaid，wouldneverforgivehimforthehardblowshehaddealttheminhisjournal。
　　Hespentthetimeofhisimprisonmentinahospital。Thegovernmentbythistimewereashamedofamanwhosealmostinfamoushabitsandshamefulbusinesstransactions，carriedonincompanywithaformerbanker，namedClaparon，ledhimatlastintowell—deservedpubliccontempt。
　　Cerizet，thusfallen，stepbystep，tothelowestrungofthesocialladder，hadrecoursetopityinordertoobtaintheplaceofcopyingclerkinDutocq’soffice。Inthedepthsofhiswretchednessthemanstilldreamedofrevenge，and，ashehadnothingtolose，heemployedallmeanstothatend。Dutocqandhimselfwereboundtogetherindepravity。CerizetwastoDutocqwhatthehoundisthehuntsman。
　　Knowinghimselfthenecessitiesofpovertyandwretchedness，hesetupthatbusinessofgutterusurycalled，inpopularparlance，"theloanbythelittleweek。"HebeganthisatfirstbyhelpofDutocq，whosharedtheprofits；but，atthepresentmomentthismanofmanylegalcrimes，nowthebankeroffishwives，themoney—lenderofcostermongers，wasthegnawingrodentofthewholefaubourg。
　　"Well，"saidCerizetasDutocqopenedhisdoor，"Theodosehasjustcomein；letusgotohisroom。"
　　Theadvocateofthepoorwasfaintoallowthetwomentopassbeforehim。
　　Allthreecrossedalittleroom，thetiledfloorofwhich，coveredwithacoatingofredencaustic，shoneinthelight；thenceintoalittlesalonwithcrimsoncurtainsandmahoganyfurniture，coveredwithredUtrechtvelvet；thewalloppositethewindowbeingoccupiedbybook—shelvescontainingalegallibrary。Thechimney—piecewascoveredwithvulgarornaments，aclockwithfourcolumnsinmahogany，andcandelabraunderglassshades。Thestudy，wherethethreemenseatedthemselvesbeforeasoft—coalfire，wasthestudyofalawyerjustbeginningtopractise。Thefurnitureconsistedofadesk，anarmchair，littlecurtainsofgreensilkatthewindows，agreencarpet，shelvesforlawyer’sboxes，andacouch，abovewhichhunganivoryChristonavelvetbackground。Thebedroom，kitchen，andrestoftheapartmentlookedoutuponthecourtyard。
　　"Well，"saidCerizet，"howarethingsgoing？Arewegettingon？"
　　"Yes，"repliedTheodose。
　　"Youmustadmit，"criedDutocq，"thatmyideawasafamousone，inlayingholdofthatimbecileofaThuillier？"