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tones of his voice during that hour snatched under the Argus eyes
of the Maison Vauquer？ He had trampled on his conscience； he knew
that he was doing wrong； and did it deliberately； he had said to
himself that a woman's happiness should atone for this venial
sin。 The energy of desperation had lent new beauty to his face；
the lurid fire that burned in his heart shone from his eyes。
Luckily for him； the miracle took place。 Vautrin came in in high
spirits； and at once read the hearts of these two young creatures
whom he had brought together by the combinations of his infernal
genius； but his deep voice broke in upon their bliss。
〃A charming girl is my Fanchette
In her simplicity；〃
he sang mockingly。
Victorine fled。 Her heart was more full than it had ever been；
but it was full of joy； and not of sorrow。 Poor child！ A pressure
of the hand； the light touch of Rastignac's hair against her
cheek； a word whispered in her ear so closely that she felt the
student's warm breath on her； the pressure of a trembling arm
about her waist； a kiss upon her throatsuch had been her
betrothal。 The near neighborhood of the stout Sylvie； who might
invade that glorified room at any moment； only made these first
tokens of love more ardent； more eloquent； more entrancing than
the noblest deeds done for love's sake in the most famous
romances。 This plain…song of love； to use the pretty expression
of our forefathers； seemed almost criminal to the devout young
girl who went to confession every fortnight。 In that one hour she
had poured out more of the treasures of her soul than she could
give in later days of wealth and happiness； when her whole self
followed the gift。
〃The thing is arranged；〃 Vautrin said to Eugene； who remained。
〃Our two dandies have fallen out。 Everything was done in proper
form。 It is a matter of opinion。 Our pigeon has insulted my hawk。
They will meet to…morrow in the redoubt at Clignancourt。 By half…
past eight in the morning Mlle。 Taillefer； calmly dipping her
bread and butter in her coffee cup； will be sole heiress of her
father's fortune and affections。 A funny way of putting it； isn't
it？ Taillefer's youngster is an expert swordsman； and quite
cocksure about it； but he will be bled； I have just invented a
thrust for his benefit； a way of raising your sword point and
driving it at the forehead。 I must show you that thrust； it is an
uncommonly handy thing to know。〃
Rastignac heard him in dazed bewilderment； he could not find a
word in reply。 Just then Goriot came in； and Bianchon and a few
of the boarders likewise appeared。
〃That is just as I intended。〃 Vautrin said。 〃You know quite well
what you are about。 Good； my little eaglet！ You are born to
command； you are strong； you stand firm on your feet； you are
game！ I respect you。〃
He made as though he would take Eugene's hand； but Rastignac
hastily withdrew it； sank into a chair； and turned ghastly pale；
it seemed to him that there was a sea of blood before his eyes。
〃Oh！ so we still have a few dubious tatters of the swaddling
clothes of virtue about us！〃 murmured Vautrin。 〃But Papa Doliban
has three millions； I know the amount of his fortune。 Once have
her dowry in your hands； and your character will be as white as
the bride's white dress； even in your own eyes。〃
Rastignac hesitated no longer。 He made up his mind that he would
go that evening to warn the Taillefers； father and son。 But just
as Vautrin left him； Father Goriot came up and said in his ear；
〃You look melancholy； my boy； I will cheer you up。 Come with me。〃
The old vermicelli dealer lighted his dip at one of the lamps as
he spoke。 Eugene went with him； his curiosity had been aroused。
〃Let us go up to your room；〃 the worthy soul remarked； when he
had asked Sylvie for the law student's key。 〃This morning；〃 he
resumed； 〃you thought that SHE did not care about you； did you
not？ Eh？ She would have nothing to say to you； and you went away
out of humor and out of heart。 Stuff and rubbish！ She wanted you
to go because she was expecting ME！ Now do you understand？ We
were to complete the arrangements for taking some chambers for
you； a jewel of a place； you are to move into it in three days'
time。 Don't split upon me。 She wants it to be a surprise； but I
couldn't bear to keep the secret from you。 You will be in the Rue
d'Artois； only a step or two from the Rue Saint…Lazare； and you
are to be housed like a prince！ Any one might have thought we
were furnishing the house for a bride。 Oh！ we have done a lot of
things in the last month； and you knew nothing about it。 My
attorney has appeared on the scene； and my daughter is to have
thirty…six thousand francs a year； the interest on her money； and
I shall insist on having her eight hundred thousand invested in
sound securities； landed property that won't run away。〃
Eugene was dumb。 He folded his arms and paced up and down in his
cheerless； untidy room。 Father Goriot waited till the student's
back was turned； and seized the opportunity to go to the chimney…
piece and set upon it a little red morocco case with Rastignac's
arms stamped in gold on the leather。
〃My dear boy；〃 said the kind soul； 〃I have been up to the eyes in
this business。 You see； there was plenty of selfishness on my
part； I have an interested motive in helping you to change
lodgings。 You will not refuse me if I ask you something； will
you； eh？〃
〃What is it？〃
〃There is a room on the fifth floor； up above your rooms； that is
to let along with them； that is where I am going to live； isn't
that so？ I am getting old： I am too far from my girls。 I shall
not be in the way； but I shall be there； that is all。 You will
come and talk to me about her every evening。 It will not put you
about； will it？ I shall have gone to bed before you come in； but
I shall hear you come up； and I shall say to myself； 'He has just
seen my little Delphine。 He has been to a dance with her； and she
is happy； thanks to him。' If I were ill； it would do my heart
good to hear you moving about below； to know when you leave the
house and when you come in。 It is only a step to the Champs…
Elysees； where they go every day； so I shall be sure of seeing
them； whereas now I am sometimes too late。 And thenperhaps she
may come to see you！ I shall hear her； I shall see her in her
soft quilted pelisse tripping about as daintily as a kitten。 In
this one month she has become my little girl again； so light…
hearted and gay。 Her soul is recovering； and her happiness is
owing to you！ Oh！ I would do impossibilities for you。 Only just
now she said to me； 'I am very happy； papa！' When they say
'father' stiffly； it sends a chill through me； but when they call
me 'papa；' it brings all the old memories back。 I feel most their
father then； I even believe that they belong to me； and to no one
else。〃
The good man wiped his eyes； he was crying。
〃It is a long while since I hav