“Great heavens!” exclaimed Lucien.  “Money, money at all costs! money is the one power before which the world bends the knee.” ("No!” cried conscience, “not money, but glory; and glory means work!  Work! that was what David said.”) “Great heavens! what am I doing here?  But I will triumph.  I will drive along this avenue in a caleche with a chasseur behind me!  I will possess a Marquise d’Espard.”  And flinging out the wrathful words, he went to Hurbain’s to dine for two francs.

Next morning, at nine o’clock, he went to the Rue Neuve-de-Luxembourg to upbraid Louise for her barbarity.  But Mme. de Bargeton was not at home to him, and not only so, but the porter would not allow him to go up to her rooms; so he stayed outside in the street, watching the house till noon.  At twelve o’clock Chatelet came out, looked at Lucien out of the corner of his eye, and avoided him.

Stung to the quick, Lucien hurried after his rival; and Chatelet, finding himself closely pursued, turned and bowed, evidently intending to shake him off by this courtesy.

“Spare me just a moment for pity’s sake, sir,” said Lucien; “I want just a word or two with you.  You have shown me friendship, I now ask the most trifling service of that friendship.  You have just come from Mme. de Bargeton; how have I fallen into disgrace with her and Mme. d’Espard?—­please explain.”

“M.  Chardon, do you know why the ladies left you at the Opera that evening?” asked Chatelet, with treacherous good-nature.

“No,” said the poor poet.

“Well, it was M. de Rastignac who spoke against you from the beginning.  They asked him about you, and the young dandy simply said that your name was Chardon, and not de Rubempre; that your mother was a monthly nurse; that your father, when he was alive, was an apothecary in L’Houmeau, a suburb of Angouleme; and that your sister, a charming girl, gets up shirts to admiration, and is just about to be married to a local printer named Sechard.  Such is the world!  You no sooner show yourself than it pulls you to pieces.

“M. de Marsay came to Mme. d’Espard to laugh at you with her; so the two ladies, thinking that your presence put them in a false position, went out at once.  Do not attempt to go to either house.  If Mme. de Bargeton continued to receive your visits, her cousin would have nothing to do with her.  You have genius; try to avenge yourself.  The world looks down upon you; look down in your turn upon the world.  Take refuge in some garret, write your masterpieces, seize on power of any kind, and you will see the world at your feet.  Then you can give back the bruises which you have received, and in the very place where they were given.  Mme. de Bargeton will be the more distant now because she has been friendly.  That is the way with women.  But the question now for you is not how to win back Anais’ friendship, but how to avoid making an enemy of her.  I will tell you of a way.  She has written letters to you; send all her letters back to her, she will be sensible that you are acting like a gentleman; and at a later time, if you should need her, she will not be hostile.  For my own part, I have so high an opinion of your future, that I have taken your part everywhere; and if I can do anything here for you, you will always find me ready to be of use.”