Chapter
1 I | friend in the~direst poverty. Lucien Chardon, a young fellow
2 I | successor in the business. Lucien's sister worked for a~laundress,
3 I | whole of it was needed for Lucien. Mme. Chardon~and her daughter
4 I | daughter Eve believed in Lucien as Mahomet's wife believed
5 I | for a very low rent, and Lucien slept in the poor garret~
6 I | follow in the same path. Lucien was one of~the most brilliant
7 I | school-fellows together again, Lucien was~weary of drinking from
8 I | forty francs a month if Lucien would come to~him and learn
9 I | printer's reader, but he saved Lucien from~despair. The ties of
10 I | they had attained to poesy. Lucien, destined for~the highest
11 I | comradeship. Before long, Lucien told David of his own father'
12 I | ways in literature that Lucien must follow~if he meant
13 I | the mother and sister on Lucien's~poet's brow; and knowing
14 I | sacrifice. And in this way Lucien came to be David's chosen
15 I | sister in his belief in Lucien's genius;~he spoiled Lucien
16 I | Lucien's genius;~he spoiled Lucien as a mother spoils her child.~ ~
17 I | stripped by previous comers, Lucien bethought~himself of two
18 I | fortune in it, and~looked upon Lucien as the benefactor whom he
19 I | in May, 1821, David and Lucien were standing together by~
20 I | fastened to it; then~he drew Lucien out into the yard as if
21 I | of soul~and brain, stood Lucien, graceful as some sculptured
22 I | Indian Bacchus.~ ~For in Lucien's face there was the distinction
23 I | of some sorrowing~angel. Lucien's hands denoted race; they
24 I | and women love to kiss. Lucien was slender~and of middle
25 I | seldom misleads, and in~Lucien it was a true indication
26 I | thought, their world by right.~Lucien had read much and compared;
27 I | confidence in himself; but Lucien, on the other hand, with
28 I | graceful though it was, Lucien possessed the Gascon temperament
29 I | glory tries first of~all. Lucien was struggling as yet with
30 I | and that one was David; Lucien ruled him like a woman~sure
31 I | I will be the ox, and Lucien shall be the~eagle."~ ~So
32 I | foundations of future fame.~ ~"Lucien," said David, "do you know
33 I | that is Andre de Chenier!" Lucien exclaimed again and again. "
34 I | rediscovered by a poet!" said Lucien, reading the signature of~
35 I | publishing," added David.~ ~Then Lucien in his turn read aloud the
36 I | Eve whom he worshiped, for Lucien a great lady to whom~he
37 I | which might suit it," put in Lucien,~taking up the roll. "We
38 I | pleasure of addressing M. Lucien Chardon?"~ ~"Yes, sir,"
39 I | Bargeton~sent me here."~ ~Lucien flushed red at the name,
40 I | had gone, David spoke.~ ~"Lucien, are you in love with Mme.
41 I | victorious over all things," said~Lucien, lowering his eyes.~ ~"You
42 I | sacrificed my love to you," cried~Lucien.~ ~"What do you mean?"~ ~"
43 I | from his eyes, and wrung Lucien's hand. The~clock struck
44 I | must be anxious; good-bye," Lucien added abruptly.~ ~He hurried
45 I | himself, as his eyes followed~Lucien across the workshop.~ ~ ~
46 II | II~Lucien went down to L'Houmeau along
47 II | steep~flights of steps which Lucien was descending. Youth and
48 II | city and~the suburb, yet Lucien was as uneasy in his mind
49 II | whose~influence decided Lucien's career.~ ~M. de Bargeton
50 II | chronicle which must~be given if Lucien's position with regard to
51 II | is to be~comprehensible. Lucien's introduction came about
52 III | through the headmaster) for Lucien's~appearance in the Hotel
53 III | comprehend the ferment in Lucien's heart and brain, when~
54 III | their hinges at his~fame! Lucien and David, walking together
55 III | lowly~origin; and now he (Lucien) was to be made welcome
56 III | savings to buy thin shoes for Lucien of the best~shoemaker in
57 III | countless foolish fears.~Lucien had a habit of resting his
58 III | thing had~happened to them. Lucien in Mme. de Bargeton's house!--
59 III | in the Rue du Minage gave Lucien no sense of surprise. This~
60 III | convent-like, but in good repair.~ ~Lucien went up the old staircase
61 III | she was impressed with Lucien's extreme beauty, with~his
62 III | already~was poetry incarnate. Lucien scrutinized his hostess
63 III | himself in an easy-chair, and Lucien then became aware that~there
64 III | poet from L'Houmeau.~For Lucien those three hours spent
65 III | constant wear, but new to~Lucien, fascinated him so much
66 III | a little~diplomacy; and Lucien was not a little astonished
67 III | this character to give him (Lucien)~the benefit of his advice.~ ~"
68 III | advice.~ ~"Heaven send that Lucien might meet with better treatment
69 III | airs of a bourgeois bravo, Lucien went back again and again
70 III | calling upon Nais, found Lucien in the room,~they met him
71 III | towards their inferiors. Lucien thought them very kind for
72 III | Angoumoisin aristocracy.~ ~Lucien loved Nais as a young man
73 III | things and boundless fame for Lucien.~She used all her skill
74 III | was overawed by her~rank, Lucien experienced the extremes
75 III | address~her poet as "dear Lucien," and then as "dear," without
76 III | him she would be "Louise."~Lucien was in the third heaven.~ ~
77 III | heaven.~ ~One evening when Lucien came in, he found Mme. de
78 III | head to raise up a rival to Lucien in the~portrait? Lucien
79 III | Lucien in the~portrait? Lucien was too much of a boy to
80 III | storm. But on the guileless Lucien these coquetries were~thrown
81 III | with fire brought tears to Lucien's eyes; but her first kiss~
82 III | calmed the storm. Decidedly Lucien was a great man,~and she
83 III | hypocritically; and~poor Lucien was stupid enough to answer, "
84 III | judged it expedient to ask Lucien to dine with M. de Bargeton
85 III | heavy artillery.~ ~When Lucien, obedient to her request,
86 III | superfetation of the particle. Lucien was~forced upon her circle,
87 III | poet, and declared~himself Lucien's friend. The great diplomatist,
88 III | shortsighted Emperor, made much of Lucien, and declared himself his~
89 III | the opportunity of ruining Lucien.~ ~From this time forward,
90 III | aristocracy was summoned to hear Lucien read~his great work. Louise
91 III | and "the Court" dazzled Lucien~like a blaze of fireworks,
92 III | the moment,~she persuaded Lucien to forswear the chimerical
93 III | became a Monarchist in petto; Lucien set his teeth in the apple
94 III | Bargeton's eyes grew soft; and Lucien, seeing~this weakness in
95 III | Bargeton's wit made havoc of~Lucien's prejudices, as she styled
96 III | fertile soil in the worst of Lucien's nature,~and spread corruption
97 III | abhorrence. All unconsciously Lucien stood with the palm of genius~
98 III | century other than he is. Lucien imagined that his scheming~
99 III | of the writer's heart.~ ~Lucien left the letter with the
100 III | reticence. Perhaps, too, Lucien began to dread the~Phocion'
101 III | the thoughts that troubled Lucien's mind as~he went down from
102 III | she receive David? Had he, Lucien, in his ambition, flung
103 III | receive David?~ ~But if Lucien did not see these aspects
104 III | blood on the mother's side, Lucien was a Frank, even down to
105 III | the flat foot of the Gael. Lucien could hear the shower~of
106 III | and of~scheming struck for Lucien.~ ~Down once more in L'Houmeau
107 III | of~Napoleon occurred to Lucien's mind. He flung his schemes
108 III | for thinking of them. For Lucien was so made that~he went
109 III | with the same~facility.~ ~Lucien had none of the scholar'
110 III | side by way of hand-rail. Lucien's room was an~attic just
111 III | that discovery, words that Lucien felt~like a stab.~ ~"It
112 III | It is a great pity," Lucien answered curtly. He was
113 III | bottles in a~druggist's shop! Lucien sprang in to rescue it.~ ~"
114 III | rescue it.~ ~"Be quick, Lucien! your dinner has been waiting
115 III | half-opened~window; but Lucien did not hear.~ ~"That brother
116 III | heart. He~often said to Lucien, with a smile, "Your sister
117 III | hid their feelings from Lucien as though their~love in
118 III | some pretext of consulting Lucien, he~would leave the Place
119 III | s enthusiastic belief in Lucien that drew~her to him most
120 III | Eve opened the door, and Lucien sat down without a word
121 IV | IV~Lucien did not answer. Eve took
122 IV | full of cream.~ ~"There, Lucien, I have had strawberries
123 IV | strawberries for you."~ ~But Lucien was so absorbed in his letter
124 IV | shall all be happy," cried Lucien, swallowing great spoonfuls
125 IV | instead of eating his dinner, Lucien~read his letter over again;
126 IV | LOUISE DE NEGREPELISSE."~ ~Lucien had no suspicion of the
127 IV | in~their surroundings.~ ~Lucien was tying his cravat when
128 IV | life is cut out for me, Lucien. I am David Sechard,~printer
129 IV | pleasures. I wish you luck, Lucien; I shall enjoy your~success;
130 IV | great as it was--ah, well,~Lucien, that in itself would bind
131 IV | he went on, turning to Lucien, who stood amazed at this,~"
132 IV | s; you can call yourself Lucien de Rubempre; I am and always~
133 IV | yours; won't they,~Eve?"~ ~Lucien sprang up and flung his
134 IV | the very thoughts that he, Lucien,~had reached through ambition?
135 IV | a noble nature increased Lucien's human~tendency to take
136 IV | moi!" with Louis Quatorze? Lucien's~mother and sister had
137 IV | unselfishness was fostering in Lucien; and Mme. de Bargeton was~
138 IV | to make. He thought~that Lucien's poem, Saint John in Patmos,
139 IV | with apocalyptic~poetry. Lucien, making his first appearance
140 IV | pleasure for a dubious~delight. Lucien was a perfect reader, the
141 IV | to discover the infinite. Lucien was about to~have his first
142 IV | We will have a talk about~Lucien."~ ~David longed to fling
143 IV | made a great~impression on Lucien, and his character was peculiarly
144 IV | Bargeton was there,~alone. Lucien had already begun to serve
145 IV | of her power; but so far Lucien had not met the lady's~husband
146 IV | gentleman~for a deputy. Lucien as yet had not lifted the
147 IV | and his figure inspired Lucien with a prodigious~awe. It
148 IV | inhabit every shape; and Lucien took this gentleman,~not
149 IV | said M. de Bargeton.~ ~Lucien took the remark for an epigram;
150 IV | the reason of that?" asked Lucien politely.~ ~"I don't know,"
151 IV | not cared to find out," Lucien began again; "any one who~
152 IV | conversation came to a dead stop; Lucien racked his brains to~resuscitate
153 IV | husband naturally answered.~ ~Lucien looked up at the ceiling
154 IV | M. de Bargeton watched Lucien's slightest movements~like
155 IV | my attentions?" thought Lucien; "he seems~to be anything
156 IV | anything but friendly."~ ~Lucien was not a little embarrassed
157 IV | friend~Bargeton, and favored Lucien with the little nod then
158 IV | said, "I am satisfied." And Lucien, eclipsed at this moment
159 IV | whether I had succeeded," Lucien answered;~"you have been
160 IV | her~shapely white arms. Lucien was charmed with this theatrical
161 IV | so glad to be~praised in Lucien's hearing. But she scarcely
162 IV | to a glorious close after Lucien's reading~that night.~ ~
163 IV | seemed very alarming to Lucien, and his heart beat~fast
164 IV | experience of the world. Lucien, all eyes and ears, noticed~
165 IV | audience he was M. Chardon. Lucien's~courage sank under their
166 IV | benefit of the description.~Lucien, luckless poet that he was,
167 V | fact, was~at last secured, Lucien went to the round table
168 V | the audience at ease.~ ~Lucien began with Le Malade, and
169 V | sympathy was lacking, and Lucien in consequence was in~the
170 V | mentioned, every murmur rang in Lucien's ear; he saw all the~gaps
171 V | listen~to the letter.~ ~Lucien felt profoundly discouraged;
172 V | Laure de Rastignac besought Lucien to continue, and this time~
173 V | a smothered murmur, but Lucien did not~heed it. The intoxication
174 V | had no choice but to ask Lucien~to recite his own verses
175 V | she~asked, smiling.~ ~Lucien had essayed to deify his
176 V | could not help trembling for Lucien.~Her face was troubled,
177 V | apparently combined to humiliate Lucien by various~aristocrats'
178 V | the only way of dealing Lucien his deathblow~was by the
179 V | He told the Bishop that Lucien's mother was a woman of
180 V | verses. Nothing pleased Lucien so much, according to the~
181 V | joined the little group where Lucien~stood, the circle who gave
182 V | de Pimentel,~addressing Lucien for the purpose of calling
183 V | bludgeon stroke stunned Lucien, but he raised his head
184 V | he added laying~a hand on Lucien's head; "do you not see
185 V | so generously championed, Lucien made his acknowledgments~
186 V | Ah, monseigneur," cried Lucien, hoping to break thick heads
187 V | should I not?" answered Lucien. "And besides, such~sublime
188 V | prostration at the~outset of life. Lucien had sunk to the depths at
189 V | native product by leaving Lucien~and Mme. de Bargeton to
190 V | knowledge.~ ~Louise drew Lucien to her mattress-cushioned
191 V | say them over.' "~ ~And Lucien took comfort from the pretty
192 V | expressing her~artless belief in Lucien's powers.~ ~"The great sacred
193 V | them as food for laughter. Lucien pleaded a defective memory
194 V | So this is society!" Lucien said to himself as he went
195 V | repulsed ambition gave~ ~Lucien new strength. Like all those
196 V | can hold their own~in it, Lucien vowed to make any sacrifice
197 V | towards them.~ ~ ~ ~While Lucien was hastening to the torture
198 V | were quite as generous as~Lucien when he made the demand
199 V | you about my anxiety as to~Lucien's present step, dear Eve.
200 V | tastes incline him? I know Lucien;~he likes to reap, he does
201 V | days spent at her feet? Lucien has too much spirit to~accept
202 V | may make a plaything of~Lucien. If she cares for him sincerely,
203 V | perhaps,~between us to keep Lucien until success comes. My
204 V | earn money enough to send Lucien into the~great world. There
205 V | great work. Believe me, Lucien's~horror of privation is
206 V | I could be a brother to Lucien! You~alone can give me that
207 V | too. Eve, my~darling, give Lucien a store from which he need
208 V | knew~all my thoughts about Lucien's position! If he means
209 V | will all be smoothed away.~Lucien might live on the second
210 V | him. The wish to support Lucien will~give me a better will
211 V | Eve, marry me for love of Lucien; perhaps afterwards you
212 V | tastes; we have few~wants; Lucien's welfare shall be the great
213 V | As much as you love Lucien?" he broke in.~ ~"Enough
214 V | I have said~nothing to Lucien, his enthusiastic nature
215 V | gain wealth for you and Lucien will~give me persistence
216 V | me! I do~not think that Lucien can be as happy as I am."~ ~
217 VI | extremely well~drawn.~ ~"Lucien told me that your father,
218 VI | you have a right to----"~ ~Lucien came up at that moment and
219 VI | cruel time for me."~ ~"Poor Lucien! what can have happened?"
220 VI | before long, no doubt," Lucien said, as he made an end, "
221 VI | and began at once to tell Lucien about his own~plans.~ ~If
222 VI | about his own~plans.~ ~If Lucien was full of his troubles,
223 VI | were they, so eager that Lucien should approve~their happiness,
224 VI | the thought that tortured~Lucien's inmost mind. "Louise is
225 VI | announced immediately after Lucien's~fancy had put M. de Bargeton
226 VI | with boyish good faith~for Lucien, and rooms above the shed
227 VI | brother-in-law so independent, that Lucien fell under the spell of~
228 VI | live with~your daughter and Lucien in Angouleme."~ ~The three
229 VI | clock in the morning when Lucien and his~future brother-in-law
230 VI | thought he, and seeing~Lucien come in, he called out to
231 VI | men looked enviously after Lucien as he passed on~his way
232 VI | had been at school with~Lucien, and treated him with small,
233 VI | quite wild about him."~ ~Lucien had waited impatiently until
234 VI | fast, and for all answer Lucien took Louise's hand~and gave
235 VI | absorbed in thought, my Lucien."~ ~Lucien, in fear and
236 VI | in thought, my Lucien."~ ~Lucien, in fear and trembling,
237 VI | married shortly.~ ~"Poor Lucien!" said Louise, "he was afraid
238 VI | her fingers toying with Lucien's~hair. "What is your family
239 VI | greater interest than my Lucien in the world? Be great,
240 VI | This selfish answer made Lucien the happiest of mortals.
241 VI | in came M. de Bargeton. Lucien~frowned and seemed to be
242 VI | favored guest of the house, Lucien~remained in the Hotel de
243 VI | rightful accessories of~Lucien de Rubempre. He felt his
244 VI | between Mme. de Bargeton and Lucien outweighed twelve~years
245 VI | timbered second story for Lucien, so as~not to put too great
246 VI | happiness for the friends. Lucien~was tired of the shabbiness
247 VI | beginning of September, Lucien had ceased to be a printer'
248 VI | Eve and David had set Lucien's happiness before their
249 VI | to buy the furniture, and Lucien's affairs had been settled~
250 VI | settled~first. No one who knew Lucien could wonder at their devotion.
251 VI | wonder at their devotion. Lucien~was so engaging, he had
252 VI | is the ruin of many more. Lucien and his~like find a world
253 VI | devotion; and yet, since Lucien's triumph, David had watched~
254 VI | misgivings; he was afraid that Lucien would change towards~them,
255 VI | great world, and saw that Lucien gave up the~delights of
256 VI | things in a small town.~ ~Lucien and Louise had a spy in
257 VI | compromise herself with Lucien in such a way that she should
258 VI | humble~confidant, admired Lucien in the Rue du Minage, and
259 VI | great despair of~Louise and Lucien.~ ~There are, for that matter,
260 VI | herself to visitors when Lucien~was with her, it would have
261 VI | now grown so familiar to Lucien that he felt as if he had
262 VI | could wish to be alone with Lucien. If he had been the only~
263 VI | To take a walk alone with Lucien out~of Angouleme would have
264 VI | comments the next day if Lucien had stayed on till~midnight
265 VI | lay in wait, and~watched Lucien into the house, and followed
266 VI | better~to lull suspicion in Lucien and in Mme. de Bargeton,
267 VI | simply amusing~herself with Lucien; she was too proud, too
268 VI | kept~Mme. de Bargeton and Lucien well in sight.~ ~At length
269 VI | de Bargeton's and found Lucien~there, there was not a sign
270 VI | him to his bargain.~ ~For Lucien that morrow was the day
271 VI | Bargeton read fixed purpose in Lucien's eyes and forehead, and~
272 VI | literature, and meant that Lucien, as in duty bound, should~
273 VI | which~she had kindled in Lucien should give him the energy
274 VI | the part of Dulcinea in~Lucien's life for seven or eight
275 VI | time to judge her lover.~ ~Lucien began the strife by a piece
276 VI | that your promise to me, Lucien?" she said, as she made
277 VI | nothing at all~for him," cried Lucien, frantic with passion.~ ~"
278 VI | responding to it," cried Lucien, and he flung himself weeping
279 VII | either of the pair.~He beheld Lucien in tears, half reclining
280 VII | now, I am lost," she told Lucien.~ ~"So much the better!"
281 VII | Everybody knew in a moment that Lucien had been~detected at Nais
282 VII | Later in the evening, when Lucien had taken his leave, and
283 VII | misinterpreted. This morning Lucien threw himself here at my~
284 VII | put a bar between her and~Lucien, the cause of the quarrel.
285 VIII | Early next morning, as Lucien sat at breakfast with David,
286 VIII | a scared face.~ ~"Well, Lucien," she said, "have you heard
287 VIII | Bargeton is innocent," cried Lucien.~ ~"I heard about the duel
288 VIII | had come with a note for Lucien; it was from Louise.~ ~"
289 VIII | Dear David," returned Lucien, "she asks me to go to her
290 VIII | his~embarrassment to spare Lucien; he was afraid that Lucien
291 VIII | Lucien; he was afraid that Lucien might be~overwhelmed by
292 VIII | those days.~ ~As soon as Lucien saw his mother and David
293 VIII | after all that had passed. Lucien~saw the dignified face of
294 VIII | singled out for notice.~Lucien's extreme beauty made such
295 VIII | Bargeton together; she beckoned Lucien to follow her as she~withdrew.~ ~"
296 VIII | lover made no answer.~ ~To Lucien, listening to the alluring
297 VIII | fainting upon the sofa. Lucien went to her, entreating
298 VIII | wedding dinner for my~sake."~ ~Lucien was ready to kill himself;
299 VIII | paces out of Mansle."~ ~Lucien felt the globe shrink under
300 VIII | vain. Then it occurred to Lucien~that his mother might take
301 VIII | Eve and her mother heard~Lucien's confidences. Both the
302 VIII | thousand francs on Eve. Lucien~then spoke of his idea of
303 VIII | a twelve-month.~ ~"But, Lucien," said Eve, as a thought
304 VIII | spare you to us for a~week, Lucien, when we brought you up
305 VIII | you the thousand francs, Lucien," she said,~"but only for
306 VIII | squandering all that I~had! Oh! Lucien, as I came along, bringing
307 VIII | can tell from your face, Lucien, that you have~quite made
308 VIII | made up your mind to go."~ ~Lucien's head sank dejectedly;
309 VIII | trouble, and went out~to Lucien.~ ~"Do not worry yourself,"
310 VIII | signatures to the bill."~ ~When Lucien and David came back again
311 VIII | The women felt sure that Lucien's~return would bring the
312 VIII | with innumerable~fears for Lucien.~ ~"If you could ever forget
313 VIII | this sight," David said in Lucien's ear,~"you would be the
314 VIII | instability of character, Lucien was so easily led for good
315 VIII | or~evil. Eve soon packed Lucien's clothes; the Fernando
316 VIII | to keep the parcel~until Lucien sent for it.~ ~In spite
317 VIII | traveling alone or with Lucien, he sent his man to Ruffec
318 VIII | he, "I have her now."~ ~Lucien set out before daybreak
319 VIII | coach-house, appeared~in sight, Lucien felt more deeply moved than
320 VIII | presentiments of the fate~awaiting Lucien in Paris.~ ~ ~ ~
321 Addendum| the further adventures~of Lucien. Part three is titled Eve
|