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caustic； and powerful critic； he possessed all the qualities that his
defects permitted。 An outspoken giber； he made numberless epigrams on
a friend to his face； but would defend him； if absent； with courage
and loyalty。 He laughed at everything； even at his own career。 Always
impecunious； he yet lived； like all men of his calibre； plunged in
unspeakable indolence。 He would fling some word containing volumes in
the teeth of folk who could not put a syllable of sense into their
books。 He lavished promises that he never fulfilled； he made a pillow
of his luck and reputation； on which he slept； and ran the risk of
waking up to old age in a workhouse。 A steadfast friend to the gallows
foot； a cynical swaggerer with a child's simplicity； a worker only
from necessity or caprice。
〃In the language of Maitre Alcofribas； we are about to make a famous
troncon de chiere lie；〃 he remarked to Raphael as he pointed out the
flower…stands that made a perfumed forest of the staircase。
〃I like a vestibule to be well warmed and richly carpeted；〃 Raphael
said。 〃Luxury in the peristyle is not common in France。 I feel as if
life had begun anew here。〃
〃And up above we are going to drink and make merry once more； my dear
Raphael。 Ah！ yes；〃 he went on； 〃and I hope we are going to come off
conquerors； too； and walk over everybody else's head。〃
As he spoke； he jestingly pointed to the guests。 They were entering a
large room which shone with gilding and lights； and there all the
younger men of note in Paris welcomed them。 Here was one who had just
revealed fresh powers； his first picture vied with the glories of
Imperial art。 There； another； who but yesterday had launched forth a
volume； an acrid book filled with a sort of literary arrogance； which
opened up new ways to the modern school。 A sculptor； not far away；
with vigorous power visible in his rough features； was chatting with
one of those unenthusiastic scoffers who can either see excellence
anywhere or nowhere； as it happens。 Here； the cleverest of our
caricaturists； with mischievous eyes and bitter tongue； lay in wait
for epigrams to translate into pencil strokes； there； stood the young
and audacious writer； who distilled the quintessence of political
ideas better than any other man； or compressed the work of some
prolific writer as he held him up to ridicule； he was talking with the
poet whose works would have eclipsed all the writings of the time if
his ability had been as strenuous as his hatreds。 Both were trying not
to say the truth while they kept clear of lies； as they exchanged
flattering speeches。 A famous musician administered soothing
consolation in a rallying fashion； to a young politician who had just
fallen quite unhurt； from his rostrum。 Young writers who lacked style
stood beside other young writers who lacked ideas； and authors of
poetical prose by prosaic poets。
At the sight of all these incomplete beings； a simple Saint Simonian；
ingenuous enough to believe in his own doctrine； charitably paired
them off； designing； no doubt； to convert them into monks of his
order。 A few men of science mingled in the conversation； like nitrogen
in the atmosphere； and several vaudevillistes shed rays like the
sparking diamonds that give neither light nor heat。 A few paradox…
mongers； laughing up their sleeves at any folk who embraced their
likes or dislikes in men or affairs； had already begun a two…edged
policy； conspiring against all systems； without committing themselves
to any side。 Then there was the self…appointed critic who admires
nothing； and will blow his nose in the middle of a cavatina at the
Bouffons； who applauds before any one else begins； and contradicts
every one who says what he himself was about to say； he was there
giving out the sayings of wittier men for his own。 Of all the
assembled guests； a future lay before some five； ten or so should
acquire a fleeting renown； as for the rest； like all mediocrities；
they might apply to themselves the famous falsehood of Louis XVIII。；
Union and oblivion。
The anxious jocularity of a man who is expending two thousand crowns
sat on their host。 His eyes turned impatiently towards the door from
time to time； seeking one of his guests who kept him waiting。 Very
soon a stout little person appeared； who was greeted by a
complimentary murmur； it was the notary who had invented the newspaper
that very morning。 A valet…de…chambre in black opened the doors of a
vast dining…room； whither every one went without ceremony； and took
his place at an enormous table。
Raphael took a last look round the room before he left it。 His wish
had been realized to the full。 The rooms were adorned with silk and
gold。 Countless wax tapers set in handsome candelabra lit up the
slightest details of gilded friezes； the delicate bronze sculpture；
and the splendid colors of the furniture。 The sweet scent of rare
flowers； set in stands tastefully made of bamboo； filled the air。
Everything； even the curtains； was pervaded by elegance without
pretension； and there was a certain imaginative charm about it all
which acted like a spell on the mind of a needy man。
〃An income of a hundred thousand livres a year is a very nice
beginning of the catechism； and a wonderful assistance to putting
morality into our actions；〃 he said； sighing。 〃Truly my sort of virtue
can scarcely go afoot； and vice means； to my thinking； a garret； a
threadbare coat； a gray hat in winter time； and sums owing to the
porter。 。 。 。 I should like to live in the lap of luxury a year； or
six months； no matter！ And then afterwards； die。 I should have known；
exhausted； and consumed a thousand lives； at any rate。〃
〃Why； you are taking the tone of a stockbroker in good luck；〃 said
Emile； who overheard him。 〃Pooh！ your riches would be a burden to you
as soon as you found that they would spoil your chances of coming out
above the rest of us。 Hasn't the artist always kept the balance true
between the poverty of riches and the riches of poverty？ And isn't
struggle a necessity to some of us？ Look out for your digestion； and
only look；〃 he added； with a mock…heroic gesture； 〃at the majestic；
thrice holy； and edifying appearance of this amiable capitalist's
dining…room。 That man has in reality only made his money for our
benefit。 Isn't he a kind of sponge of the polyp order； overlooked by
naturalists； which should be carefully squeezed before he is left for
his heirs to feed upon？ There is style； isn't there； about those bas…
reliefs that adorn the walls？ And the lustres； and the pictures； what
luxury well carried out！ If one may believe those who envy him； or who
know； or think they know； the origins of his life； then this man got
rid of a German and some othershis best friend for one； and the
mother of that friend； during the Revolution。 Could you house crimes
under the venerable Taillefer's silvering locks？ He looks to me a very
worthy man。 Only see how the silver sparkles； and is every glittering
ray like a stab of a dagger to him？ 。 。 。 Let us go in； one might as
well believe in Mahomet。 If common report speak truth； here are thirty
men of talent； and good fellows too； prepared to dine off the fle