第9章

"Ah！"thoughtthepoorwomantoherself，"Ioughttohavehadagentle，peaceful，learnedmanlikethat。Imighthaveslowlydevelopedinalifeofquietness。Itwasnotthywill，OGod！but，Ipraythee，uniteandblessthesechildren；theyaremadeforoneanother。"

Andshesatthere，pensive，listeningtotheracketmadebyhersister—in—law——aten—horsepoweratwork——whonow，lendingahandtohertwoservants，clearedthetable，takingeverythingoutofthedining—roomtoaccommodatethedancers，vociferating，likethecaptainofafrigateonhisquarter—deckwhentakinghisshipintoaction：

"Haveyouplentyofraspberrysyrup？""Runoutandbuysomemoreorgeat！""There’snotenoughglasses。Where’sthe’eaurougie’？Takethosesixbottlesof’vinordinaire’andmakemore。MindthatCoffinet，theporter，doesn’tgetany。""Caroline，mygirl，youaretowaitatthesideboard；you’llhavetongueandhamtosliceincasetheydancetillmorning。Butmind，nowaste！Keepaneyeoneverything。Passmethebroom；putmoreoilinthoselamps；don’tmakeblunders。Arrangetheremainsofthedessertsoastomakeashowonthesideboard；askmysistertocomeandhelpus。I’msureIdon’tknowwhatshe’sthinkingabout，thatdawdle！Heavens，howslowsheis！

Here，takeawaythesechairs，they’llwantalltheroomtheycanget。"

ThesalonwasfullofBarniols，Collevilles，Phellions，Laudigeois，andmanyotherswhomtheannouncementofadanceattheThuilliers’，spreadaboutintheLuxembourgbetweentwoandfourintheafternoon，thehouratwhichthebourgeoisietakesitswalk，haddrawnthither。

"Areyouready，Brigitte？"saidColleville，boltingintothedining—

room；"itisnineo’clock，andtheyarepackedascloseasherringsinthesalon。Cardot，hiswifeandsonanddaughterandfutureson—in—lawhavejustcome，accompaniedbythatyoungVinet；thewholefaubourgSaintAntoineisdebouching。Can’twemovethepianoinhere？"

Thenhegavethesignal，bytuninghisclarionet，thejoyoussoundsofwhichweregreetedwithhuzzasfromthesalon。

Itisuselesstodescribeaballofthiskind。Thetoilets，faces，andconversationswereallinkeepingwithonefactwhichwillsurelysufficeeventhedullestimagination；theypassedround，ontarnishedanddiscoloredtrays，commontumblersfilledwithwine，"eaurougie，"

and"eausucree。"Thetraysonwhichwereglassesoforgeatandglassesofsyrupandwaterappearedonlyatlongintervals。Therewerefivecard—tablesandtwenty—fiveplayers，andeighteendancersofbothsexes。Atoneo’clockinthemorning，allpresent——MadameThuillier，MademoiselleBrigitte，MadamePhellion，evenPhellionhimself——weredraggedintothevivacitiesofacountry—dance，vulgarlycalled"LaBoulangere，"inwhichDutocqfiguredwithaveiloverhishead，afterthemanneroftheKabyl。Theservantswhowerewaitingtoescorttheirmastershome，andthoseofthehousehold，wereaudiencetothisperformance；andaftertheinterminabledancehadlastedonewholehouritwasproposedtocarryBrigitteintriumphwhenshegavetheannouncementthatsupperwasserved。Thiscircumstancemadeherseethenecessityofhidingadozenbottlesofoldburgundy。Inshort，thecompanyhadamusedthemselvessowell，thematronsaswellastheyounggirls，thatThuillierfoundoccasiontosay：——

"Well，well，thismorningwelittlethoughtweshouldhavesuchafeteto—night。"

"There’snevermorepleasure，"saidthenotaryCardot，"thaninjustsuchimprovisedballs。Don’ttalktomeofpartieswhereeverybodystandsonceremony。"

Thisopinion，wemayremark，isastandingaxiomamongthebourgeoisie。

"Well，formypart，"saidMadameMinard，"Ipreferthedignifiedoldways。"

"Wedidn’tmeanthatforyou，madame；yoursalonisthechosenhauntofpleasure，"saidDutocq。

When"LaBoulangere"cametoanend，TheodosepulledDutocqfromthesideboardwherehewaspreparingtoeatasliceoftongue，andsaidtohim：——

"Letusgo；wemustbeatCerizet’sveryearlyinthemorning；weoughtbothofustothinkoverthataffair；itisnotsoeasytomanageasCerizetseemstoimagine。"

"Whynot？"askedDutocq，bringinghissliceoftonguetoeatinthesalon。

"Don’tyouknowthelaw？"

"Iknowenoughofittobeawareofthedangersoftheaffair。Ifthatnotarywantsthehouseandwefilchitfromhim，therearemeansbywhichhecanrecoverit；hecanputhimselfintotheskinofaregisteredcreditor。Bythepresentlegalsystemrelatingtomortgages，whenahouseissoldattherequestofcreditors，ifthepriceobtainedforitatauctionisnotenoughtopayalldebts，theownershavetherighttobiditinandholditforahighersum；nowthenotary，seeinghimselfcaught，maybackoutofthesaleinthatway。"

"Well，"saidlaPeyrade，"itneedsattention。"

"Verygood，"repliedDutocq，"we’llgoandseeCerizet。"

Thesewords，"goandseeCerizet，"wereoverheardbyMinard，whowasfollowingthetwoassociates；buttheyofferednomeaningtohismind。

Thetwomenweresooutsideofhisowncourseandprojectsthatheheardthemwithoutlisteningtothem。

"Thishasbeenoneofthefinestdaysinourlives，"saidBrigittetoherbrother，whenshefoundherselfalonewithhiminthedesertedsalon，athalf—pasttwointhemorning。"Whatadistinction！tobethusselectedbyyourfellow—citizens！"

"Don’tbemistakenaboutit，Brigitte；weoweitall，mychild，tooneman。"

"Whatman？"

"Toourfriend，laPeyrade。"

CHAPTERIX

THEBANKEROFTHEPOOR

Itwasnotonthenextday，Monday，butonthefollowingday，Tuesday，thatDutocqandTheodosewenttoseeCerizet，theformerhavingcalledlaPeyrade’sattentiontothefactthatCerizetalwaysabsentedhimselfonSundaysandMondays，takingadvantageofthetotalabsenceofclientsonthosedays，whicharedevotedbythepopulacetodebauch。ThehousetowardwhichtheydirectedtheirstepsisoneofthestrikingfeaturesinthefaubourgSaint—Jacques，anditisquiteasimportanttostudyithereasitwastostudythoseofPhellionandThuillier。Itisnotknown（true，nocommissionhasyetbeenappointedtoexaminethisphenomenon），nooneknowswhycertainquartersbecomedegradedandvulgarized，morallyaswellasmaterially；why，forinstance，theancientresidenceofthecourtandthechurch，theLuxembourgandtheLatinquarter，havebecomewhattheyareto—day，inspiteofthepresenceofthefinestpalacesintheworld，inspiteoftheboldcupolaofSainte—Genevieve，thatofMansardontheVal—de—

Grace，andthecharmsoftheJardindesPlantes。Oneasksone’sselfwhytheeleganceoflifehasleftthatregion；whytheVauquerhouses，thePhellionandtheThuillierhousesnowswarmwithtenantsandboarders，onthesiteofsomanynobleandreligiousbuildings，andwhysuchmudanddirtytradesandpovertyshouldhavefastenedonahillypieceofground，insteadofspreadingoutupontheflatlandbeyondtheconfinesoftheancientcity。

Theangelwhosebeneficenceoncehoveredabovethisquarterbeingdead，usury，onthelowestscale，rushedinandtookhisplace。Totheoldjudge，Popinot，succeededCerizet；andstrangetosay，——afactwhichitiswelltostudy，——theeffectproduced，sociallyspeaking，wasmuchthesame。Popinotloanedmoneywithoutinterest，andwaswillingtolose；Cerizetlostnothing，andcompelledthepoortoworkhardandstayvirtuous。ThepooradoredPopinot，buttheydidnothateCerizet。Here，inthisregion，revolvesthelowestwheelofParisianfinanciering。Atthetop，Nucingen&Co。，theKellers，duTillet，andtheMongenods；alittlelowerdown，thePalmas，Gigonnets，andGobsecks；lowerstill，theSamonons，Chaboisseaus，andBarbets；andlastly（afterthepawn—shops）comesthiskingofusury，whospreadshisnetsatthecornersofthestreetstoentangleallmiseriesandmissnone，——Cerizet，"moneylenderbythelittleweek。"

Thefroggedfrock—coatwillhavepreparedyouforthedeninwhichthisconvictedstock—brokercarriedonhispresentbusiness。

Thehousewashumidwithsaltpetre；thewalls，sweatingmoisture，wereenamelledalloverwithlargeslabsofmould。StandingatthecorneroftheruedesPostesandruedesPoules，itpresentedfirstaground—

floor，occupiedpartlybyashopforthesaleofthecommonestkindofwine，paintedacoarsebrightred，decoratedwithcurtainsofredcalico，furnishedwithaleadencounter，andguardedbyformidableironbars。Abovethegateofanodiousalleyhungafrightfullantern，onwhichwerethewords"Nightlodgingshere。"Theouterwallswerecoveredwithironcrossbars，showing，apparently，theinsecurityofthebuilding，whichwasownedbythewine—merchant，whoalsoinhabitedtheentresol。ThewidowPoiret（neeMichonneau）keptfurnishedlodgingsonthefirst，second，andthirdfloors，consistingofsingleroomsforworkmenandforthepoorestclassofstudents。

Cerizetoccupiedoneroomontheground—floorandanotherintheentresol，towhichhemountedbyaninteriorstaircase；thisentresollookedoutuponahorriblepavedcourt，fromwhicharosemephiticodors。CerizetpaidfortyfrancsamonthtothewidowPoiretforhisbreakfastanddinner；hethusconciliatedherbybecomingherboarder；

healsomadehimselfacceptabletothewine—merchantbyprocuringhimanimmensesaleofwineandliquorsamonghisclients——profitsrealizedbeforesunrise；thewine—shopbeginningoperationsaboutthreeinthemorninginsummer，andfiveinwinter。

ThehourofthegreatMarket，whichsomanyofhisclients，maleandfemale，attended，wasthedeterminingcauseofCerizet’searlyhours。

TheSieurCadenet，thewine—merchant，inviewofthecustomwhichheowedtotheusurer，hadlethimthetworoomsforthelowpriceofeightyfrancsayear，andhadgivenhimaleasefortwelveyears，whichCerizetalonehadarighttobreak，withoutpayingindemnity，atthreemonths’notice。Cadenetalwayscarriedinabottleofexcellentwineforthedinnerofthisusefultenant；andwhenCerizetwasshortofmoneyhehadonlytosaytohisfriend，"Cadenet，lendmeafewhundredfrancs，"——loanswhichhefaithfullyrepaid。

Cadenet，itwassaid，hadproofofthewidowPoirethavingdepositedinCerizet’shandssometwothousandfrancsforinvestment，whichmayexplaintheprogressofthelatter’saffairssincethedaywhenhefirsttookuphisabodeinthequarter，suppliedwithalastnoteofathousandfrancsandDutocq’sprotection。Cadenet，promptedbyacupiditywhichsuccessincreased，hadproposed，earlyintheyear，toputtwentythousandfrancsintothehandsofhisfriendCerizet。ButCerizethadpositivelydeclinedthem，onthegroundthatheranrisksofanaturetobecomeapossiblecauseofdisputewithassociates。

"Icouldonly，"hesaidtoCadenet，"takethematsixpercentinterest，andyoucandobetterthanthatinyourownbusiness。Wewillgointopartnershiplater，ifyoulike，insomeseriousenterprise，somegoodopportunitywhichmayrequire，say，fiftythousandfrancs。Whenyouhavegotthatsumtoinvest，letmeknow，andwe’lltalkaboutit。"

CerizethadonlysuggestedtheaffairofthehousetoTheodoseaftermakingsurethatamongthethree，MadamePoiret，Cadenet，andhimself，itwasimpossibletoraisethefullsumofonehundredthousandfrancs。

The"lenderbythelittleweek"wasthusinperfectsafetyinhisden，wherehecouldeven，ifnecessitycame，appealtothelaw。Oncertainmorningstheremightbeseenasmanyassixtyoreightypersons，menasoftenaswomen，eitherinthewine—shop，orthealley，orsittingonthestaircase，forthedistrustfulCerizetwouldonlyadmitsixpersonsatatimeintohisoffice。Thefirstcomerswerefirstserved，andeachhadtogobyhisnumber，whichthewine—merchant，orhisshop—boy，affixedtothehatsofthemanandthebacksofthewomen。

Sometimestheclientswouldselltoeachother（ashackney—coachmendoonthecabstands），headnumbersfortailnumbers。Oncertaindays，whenthemarketbusinesswaspressing，aheadnumberwasoftensoldforaglassofbrandyandasou。Thenumbers，astheyissuedfromCerizet’soffice，calledupthesucceedingnumbers；andifanydisputesaroseCadenetputastoptothefrayatoncemyremarking：——

"Ifyougetthepolicehereyouwon’tgainanything；HE’llshutupshop。"

HEwasCerizet’sname。When，inthecourseoftheday，somehaplesswoman，withoutanatomoffoodinherroom，andseeingherchildrenpalewithhunger，wouldcometoborrowtenortwentysous，shewouldsaytothewine—merchantanxiously：——

"IsHEthere？"

Cadenet，ashort，stoutman，dressedinblue，withoutersleevesofblackstuffandawine—merchant’sapron，andalwayswearingacap，seemedanangeltothesemotherswhenherepliedtothem：——

"HEtoldmethatyouwereanhonestwomanandImightgiveyoufortysous。Youknowwhatyoumustdoaboutit——"

And，strangetosay，HEwasblessedbythesepoorpeople，evenastheyhadlatelyblessedPopinot。

ButCerizetwascursedonSundaymorningswhenaccountsweresettled；

andtheycursedhimevenmoreonSaturdays，whenitwasnecessarytoworkinordertorepaythesumborrowedwithinterest。But，afterall，hewasProvidence，hewasGodfromTuesdaytoFridayofeveryweek。

Theroomwhichhemadehisoffice，formerlythekitchenofthenextfloor，wasbare；thebeamsoftheceilinghadbeenwhitewashed，butstillboremarksofsmoke。Thewalls，alongwhichhehadputbenches，andthestonefloor，retainedandgaveoutdampness。Thefireplace，wherethecraneremained，waspartlyfilledbyanironstoveinwhichCerizetburnedsea—coalwhentheweatherwassevere。Aplatformabouthalfafoothighandeightfeetsquareextendedfromtheedgeofthefireplace；onitwasfastenedacommontableandanarmchairwitharoundcushioncoveredwithgreenleather。Behindhim，Cerizethadsheathedthewallswithplanks；alsoprotectinghimselfwithalittlewoodenscreen，paintedwhite，fromthedraughtbetweenthewindowanddoor；butthisscreen，madeoftwoleaves，wassoplacedthatthewarmthfromthestovereachedhim。Thewindowhadenormousinsideshuttersofcast—iron，held，whenclosed，byabar。Thedoorcommandedrespectbyanarmorofthesamecharacter。

Atthefartherendofthisroom，inacorner，wasaspiral—staircase，coming，evidently，fromsomepulled—downshop，andboughtintherueChaponbyCadenet，whohadfitteditthroughtheceilingintotheroomintheentresoloccupiedbyCerizet。Inordertopreventallcommunicationwiththeupperfloors，Cerizethadexactedthatthedoorofthatroomwhichopenedonthecommonlandingshouldbewalledup。

Theplacehadthusbecomeafortress。Thebedroomabovehadacheapcarpetboughtfortwentyfrancs，anironbedstead，abureau，threechairs，andanironsafe，madebyagoodworkman，whichCerizethadboughtatabargain。Heshavedbeforeaglassonthechimney—piece；heownedtwopairsofcottonsheetsandsixcottonshirts；therestofhisvisiblewardrobewasofthesamecharacter。CadenethadonceseenCerizetdressedlikeadandyoftheperiod；hemust，therefore，havekepthidden，insomedrawerofhisbureau，acompletedisguisewithwhichhecouldgototheopera，seetheworld，andnotberecognized，for，haditnotbeenthatCadenetheardhisvoice，hewouldcertainlyhaveaskedhimwhohewas。

Whatpleasedtheclientsofthismanmostwashisjovialityandhisrepartees；hetalkedtheirlanguage。Cadenet，histwoshop—men，andCerizet，livinginthemidstofdreadfulmisery，behavedwiththecalmnessofundertakersinpresenceofafflictedheirs，ofoldsergeantsoftheGuardamongheapsofdead。Theynomoreshudderedonhearingcriesofhungeranddespairthansurgeonsshudderatthecriesoftheirpatientsinhospital；theysaid，asthesoldiersandthedresserssaid，theperfunctorywords，"Havepatience！alittlecourage！What’sthegoodofgrieving？Supposeyoukillyourself，whatthen？Onegetsaccustomedtoeverything；bereasonable！"

ThoughCerizettooktheprecautiontohidethemoneynecessaryforhismorningoperationsinthehollowseatofthechairinwhichhesat，takingoutnomorethanahundredfrancsatatime，whichheputinthepocketsofhistrousers，neverdippingintothefundsofthechairexceptbetweentheentranceoftwobatchesofclients（keepinghisdoorlockedandnotopeningittillallwassafelystowedinhispockets），hehadreallynothingtofearfromthevariousdespairswhichfoundtheirwayfromallsidestothisrendezvousofmisery。

Certainly，therearemanydifferentwaysofbeinghonestandvirtuous；

andthe"MonographofVirtue"hasnootherbasisthanthissocialaxiom。[*]Amanisfalsetohisconscience；hefails，apparently，indelicacy；heforfeitsthatbloomofhonorwhich，thoughlost，doesnot，asyet，meangeneraldisrepute；atlast，however，hefailsdecidedlyinhonor；ifhefallsintothehandsofthecorrectionalpolice，heisnot，asyet，guiltyofcrimebeforethecourtofassizes；butafterheisbrandedwithinfamybytheverdictofajuryhemaystillbehonoredatthegalleysforthespeciesofhonorandintegritypractisedbycriminalsamongthemselves，whichconsistsinnotbetrayingeachother，insharingbootyloyally，andinrunningalldangers。Well，thislastformofhonor——whichisperhapsacalculation，anecessity，thepracticeofwhichofferscertainopportunitiesforgrandeurtotheguiltymanandthepossibilityofareturntogood——reignedabsolutelybetweenCerizetandhisclients。

NeverdidCerizetmakeanerror，norhispoorpeopleeither；neithersideeverdeniedwhatwasdue，eithercapitalorinterests。ManyatimeCerizet，whowasbornamongthepeople，correctedfromoneweektoanothersomeaccidentalerror，tothebenefitofapoormanwhohadneverdiscoveredit。HewascalledaJew，butanhonestone，andhiswordinthatcityofsorrowswassacred。Awomandied，causingalosstohimofthirtyfrancs：

[*]Abookonwhichtheauthorhasbeenatworksince1833，theyearinwhichitwasfirstannounced。——Author’snote。

"Seemyprofits！theretheygo！"hesaidtohisassemblage，"andyouhowluponme！YouknowI’llnevertroublethebrats；infact，Cadenethasalreadytakenthembreadandheel—taps。"

Afterthatitwassaidofhiminbothfaubourgs：——

"Heisnotabadfellow！"

The"loanbythelittleweek，"asinterpretedbyCerizet，isnot，consideringallthings，socruelathingasthepawn—shop。CerizetloanedtenfrancsTuesdayonconditionofreceivingtwelvefrancsSundaymorning。Infiveweekshedoubledhiscapital；buthehadtomakemanycompromises。Hiskindnessconsistedinaccepting，fromtimetotime，elevenfrancsandfiftycentimes；sometimesthewholeinterestwasstillowing。Whenhegavefiftyfrancsforsixtytoafruit—stallman，orahundredfrancsforonehundredandtwentytoasellerofpeat—fuel，herangreatrisks。

OnreachingtheruedesPoulesthroughtheruedesPostes，TheodoseandDutocqsawagreatassemblageofmenandwomen，andbythelightwhichthewine—merchant’slittleoil—lampscastuponthesegroups，theywerehorrifiedatbeholdingthatmassofred，seamed，haggardfaces；solemnwithsuffering，withered，distorted，swollenwithwine，pallidfromliquor；somethreatening，othersresigned，somesarcasticorjeering，othersbesotted；allrisingfromthemidstofthoseterriblerags，whichnodesignercansurpassinhismostextravagantcaricatures。

"Ishallberecognized，"saidTheodose，pullingDutocqaway；"wehavedoneafoolishthingtocomehereatthishourandtakehiminthemidstofhisbusiness。"

"AllthemorethatClaparonmaybesleepinginhislair，theinteriorofwhichweknownothingabout。Yes，therearedangersforyou，butnoneforme；Ishallbethoughttohavebusinesswithmycopying—

clerk，andI’llgoandtellhimtocomeanddinewithus；thisiscourtday，sowecan’thavehimtobreakfast。I’lltellhimtomeetusatthe’Chaumiere’inoneofthegardendining—rooms。"

"Bad；anybodycouldlistentoustherewithoutbeingseen，"saidlaPeyrade。"Ipreferthe’PetitRocherdeCancale’；wecangointoaprivateroomandspeaklow。"

"ButsupposeyouareseenwithCerizet？"

"Well，then，let’sgotothe’ChevalRouge，’quaidelaTournelle。"

"That’sbest；seveno’clock；nobodywillbetherethen。"

Dutocqadvancedaloneintothemidstofthatcongressofbeggars，andheheardhisownnamerepeatedfrommouthtomouth，forhecouldhardlyfailtoencounteramongthemsomejail—birdfamiliarwiththejudge’soffice，justasTheodosewascertaintohavemetaclient。

Inthesequartersthejustice—of—peaceisthesupremeauthority；alllegalcontestsstopshortathisoffice，especiallysincethelawwaspassedgivingtothosejudgessovereignpowerinallcasesoflitigationinvolvingnotoveronehundredandfortyfrancs。Awaywasmadeforthejudge’sclerk，whowasnotlessfearedthanthejudgehimself。Hesawwomenseatedonthestaircase；ahorribledisplayofpallorandsufferingofmanykinds。Dutocqwasalmostasphyxiatedwhenheopenedthedooroftheroominwhichalreadysixtypersonshadlefttheirodors。

"Yournumber？yournumber？"criedseveralvoices。

"Holdyourjaw！"criedagruffvoicefromthestreet，"that’sthepenofthejudge。"

Profoundsilencefollowed。Dutocqfoundhiscopyingclerkclothedinajacketofyellowleatherlikethatoftheglovesofthegendarmerie，beneathwhichheworeanignoblewaistcoatofknittedwool。Thereadermustimaginetheman’sdiseasedheadissuingfromthisspeciesofscabbardandcoveredwithamiserableMadrashandkerchief，which，leavingtoviewtheforeheadandneck，gavetothathead，bythegleamofatallowcandleoftwelvetothepound，itsnaturallyhideousandthreateningcharacter。

"Itcan’tbedonethatway，papaLantimeche，"Cerizetwassayingtoatalloldman，seemingtobeaboutseventyyearsofage，whowasstandingbeforehimwitharedwoollencapinhishand，exhibitingabaldhead，andabreastcoveredwithwhitehairsvisiblethroughhismiserablelinenjacket。"Tellmeexactlywhatyouwanttoundertake。

Onehundredfrancs，evenonconditionofgettingbackonehundredandtwenty，can’tbeletloosethatway，likeadoginachurch——"

Thefiveotherapplicants，amongwhomweretwowomen，bothwithinfants，oneknitting，theothersucklingherchild，burstoutlaughing。

WhenCerizetsawDutocq，heroserespectfullyandwentratherhastilytomeethim，addingtohisclient：——

"Taketimetoreflect；for，don’tyousee？itmakesmedoubtfultohavesuchasumasthat，onehundredfrancs！askedforbyanoldjourneymanlocksmith！"

"ButItellyouitconcernsaninvention，"criedtheoldworkman。

"Aninventionandonehundredfrancs！"saidDutocq。"Youdon’tknowthelaws；youmusttakeoutapatent，andthatcoststwothousandfrancs，andyouwantinfluence。"

"Allthatistrue，"saidCerizet，who，however，reckonedagooddealonsuchchances。"Cometo—morrowmorning，papaLantimeche，atsixo’clock，andwe’lltalkitover；youcan’ttalkinventionsinpublic。"

CerizetthenturnedtoDutocqwhosefirstwordswere：——

"Ifthethingturnsoutwell，halfprofits！"

"Whydidyougetupatthistimeinthemorningtocomehereandsaythattome？"demandedthedistrustfulCerizet，alreadydispleasedwiththementionof"halfprofits。""Youcouldhaveseenmeasusualattheoffice。"

AndhelookedaskanceatDutocq；thelatter，whiletellinghimhiserrandandspeakingofClaparonandthenecessityofpushingforwardintheTheodoseaffair，seemedconfused。

"Allthesameyoucouldhaveseenmethismorningattheoffice，"

repeatedCerizet，conductinghisvisitortothedoor。

"There’saman，"thoughthe，ashereturnedtohisseat，"whoseemstometohavebreathedonhislanternsothatImaynotseeclear。Well，well，I’llgiveupthatplaceofcopyingclerk。Ha！yourturn，littlemother！"hecried；"youinventchildren！That’samusingenough，thoughthetrickiswellknown。"

Itisallthemoreuselesstorelatetheconversationwhichtookplacebetweenthethreeconfederatesatthe"ChevalRouge，"becausethearrangementsthereconcludedwerethebasisofcertainconfidencesmade，asweshallsee，byTheodosetoMademoiselleThuillier；butitisnecessarytoremarkthattheclevernessdisplayedbylaPeyradeseemedalmostalarmingtoCerizetandDutocq。Afterthisconference，thebankerofthepoor，findinghimselfincompanywithsuchpowerfulplayers，haditinmindtomakesureofhisownstakeatthefirstchance。Towinthegameatanypriceovertheheadsoftheablestgamblers，bycheatingifnecessary，istheinspirationofaspecialsortofvanitypeculiartofriendsofthegreencloth。HencecametheterribleblowwhichlaPeyradewasabouttoreceive。

Heknewhistwoassociateswell；andtherefore，inspiteoftheperpetualactivityofhisintellectualforces，inspiteoftheperpetualwatchfulnesshispersonalityoftenfacesrequired，nothingfatiguedhimasmuchastheparthehadtoplaywithhistwoaccomplices。Dutocqwasagreatknave，andCerizethadoncebeenacomicactor；theywerebothexpertsinhumbug。AmotionlessfacelikeTalleyrand’swouldhavemadethenbreakatoncewiththeProvencal，whowasnowintheirclutches；itwasnecessary，therefore，thatheshouldmakeashowofeaseandconfidenceandofplayingaboveboard——

theveryheightofartinsuchaffairs。Todeludethepitisanevery—

daytriumph，buttodeceiveMademoiselleMars，FredericLemaitre，Potier，Talma，Monrose，istheacmeofart。

Thisconferenceatthe"ChevalRouge"hadthereforetheresultofgivingtolaPeyrade，whowasfullyassagaciousasCerizet，asecretfear，which，duringthelatterperiodofthisdaringgame，sofiredhisbloodandheatedhisbrainthattherecamemomentswhenhefellintothemorbidconditionofthegambler，whofollowswithhiseyetherolloftheballonwhichhehasstakedhislastpenny。Thesensesthenhavealucidityintheiractionandthemindtakesarange，whichhumanknowledgehasnomeansofmeasuring。