to his millions.  When he was being pinioned to be conveyed back to the galleys, Collin looked upon his late fellow boarders with fierce scorn.  “Are you any better than we convicts are?” said he.  “We have less infamy branded on our shoulders than you have in your hearts—­you flabby members of a gangrened society.  There is some virtue here,” exclaimed he, striking his breast.  “I have never betrayed anyone.  As for you, you old female Judas,” turning to Mademoiselle Michonneau, “look at these people.  They regard me with terror, but their hearts turn with disgust even to glance at you.  Pick up your ill-gotten gains and begone.”  As Jacques Collin disappeared from the Maison Vauquer, and from our story, Sylvie, the fat cook, exclaimed:  “Well, he was a man all the same!”

Although the way was now clear for Rastignac to marry the enormously wealthy Victorine, he paid court instead to Delphine, the Baroness de Nucingen, and dined with her every night.  Old Goriot was informed of the intrigue by the baroness’s maid.  He did not resent but rather encouraged the liaison, and spent his last ten thousand francs in furnishing a suite of apartments for the young couple, on condition that he was to be allowed to occupy an adjoining room, and see his daughter every day.

IV.—­Old Goriot’s Death-Bed

The Viscomtesse de Beauseant was broken-hearted when the marriage of her lover was accomplished, but to maintain a brave spirit in the face of society she gave a farewell ball before retiring to her country estate.  Among those invited was the Countess de Restaud, who ordered a rich costume for the occasion, which, however, she was unable to pay for.  Her husband, the count, insisted on her appearing at the ball and wearing the family diamonds, which she had pawned to discharge her lover’s gambling debts, and which had been redeemed to save the family honour.  Anastasie sent her maid to Old Goriot, who rose from a sick-bed, sold his last forks and spoons for six hundred francs, pledged his annuity for four hundred francs, and so raised a thousand, which enabled Anastasie to obtain the gown and shine at the ball.  Through Rastignac’s influence, Delphine, Baroness de Nucingen, received from the viscomtesse a ticket for the dance, and insisted on going, as Rastignac declared “even over the dead body of her father,” to challenge her sister’s social precedence at the supreme society function.  The ball was the most brilliant of the Parisian season.  Both Goriot’s daughters satisfied their selfish ambitions and gave never a thought to their old parent in the wretched Maison Vauquer.

For Old Goriot was sick unto death.  His garret was bare; the walls dripped with moisture; the floor was damp; the bed was comfortless, and the few faggots which made the handful of fire had been bought only by the money got from pawning Eugene’s watch.  Christophe, the man servant, was sent by Rastignac to tell the daughters of their father’s condition.