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all bribery he refused to take advantage of certain profitable
enterprises which were started by means of his paper；he！ who had no
reluctance in compromising friends or in behaving with little decency
to mechanics under certain circumstances。 Such meannesses； the result
of vanity and of ambition； are found in many lives like his。 The
mantle must be splendid before the eyes of the world； and we steal our
friend's or a poor man's cloth to patch it。
Nevertheless； two months after the departure of the countess； Raoul
had a certain Rabelaisian 〃quart d'heure〃 which caused him some
anxiety in the midst of these triumphs。 Du Tillet had advanced a
hundred thousand francs； Florine's money had gone in the costs of the
first establishment of the paper； which were enormous。 It was
necessary to provide for the future。 The banker agreed to let the
editor have fifty thousand francs on notes for four months。 Du Tillet
thus held Raoul by the halter of an IOU。 By means of this relief the
funds of the paper were secured for six months。 In the eyes of some
writers six months is an eternity。 Besides； by dint of advertising and
by offering illusory advantages to subscribers two thousand had been
secured； an influx of travellers added to this semi…success； which was
enough； perhaps； to excuse the throwing of more bank…bills after the
rest。 A little more display of talent； a timely political trial or
crisis； an apparent persecution； and Raoul felt certain of becoming
one of those modern 〃condottieri〃 whose ink is worth more than powder
and shot of the olden time。
This loan from du Tillet was already made when Florine returned with
fifty thousand francs。 Instead of creating a savings fund with that
sum； Raoul； certain of success （simply because he felt it was
necessary）； and already humiliated at having accepted the actress's
money； deceived Florine as to his actual position； and persuaded her
to employ the money in refurnishing her house。 The actress； who did
not need persuasion； not only spent the sum in hand； but she burdened
herself with a debt of thirty thousand francs； with which she obtained
a charming little house all to herself in the rue Pigale； whither her
old society resorted。 Raoul had reserved the production of his great
piece； in which was a part especially suited to Florine； until her
return。 This comedy…vaudeville was to be Raoul's farewell to the
stage。 The newspapers； with that good nature which costs nothing；
prepared the way for such an ovation to Florine that even the Theatre…
Francais talked of engaging her。 The feuilletons proclaimed her the
heiress of Mars。
This triumph was sufficiently dazzling to prevent Florine from
carefully studying the ground on which Nathan was advancing； she
lived； for the time being； in a round of festivities and glory。
According to those about her； he was now a great political character；
he was justified in his enterprise； he would certainly be a deputy；
probably a minister in course of time； like so many others。 As for
Nathan himself； he firmly believed that in the next session of the
Chamber he should find himself in government with two other
journalists； one of whom； already a minister； was anxious to associate
some of his own craft with himself； and so consolidate his power。
After a separation of six months； Nathan met Florine again with
pleasure； and returned easily to his old way of life。 All his comforts
came from the actress； but he embroidered the heavy tissue of his life
with the flowers of ideal passion； his letters to Marie were
masterpieces of grace and style。 Nathan made her the light of his
life； he undertook nothing without consulting his 〃guardian angel。〃 In
despair at being on the popular side； he talked of going over to that
of the aristocracy； but； in spite of his habitual agility； even he saw
the absolute impossibility of such a jump； it was easier to become a
minister。 Marie's precious replies were deposited in one of those
portfolios with patent locks made by Huret or Fichet； two mechanics
who were then waging war in advertisements and posters all over Paris；
as to which could make the safest and most impenetrable locks。
This portfolio was left about in Florine's new boudoir； where Nathan
did much of his work。 No one is easier to deceive than a woman to whom
a man is in the habit of telling everything； she has no suspicions；
she thinks she sees and hears and knows all。 Besides； since her
return； Nathan had led the most regular of lives under her very nose。
Never did she imagine that that portfolio； which she hardly glanced at
as it lay there unconcealed； contained the letters of a rival；
treasures of admiring love which the countess addressed； at Raoul's
request； to the office of his newspaper。
Nathan's situation was； therefore； to all appearance； extremely
brilliant。 He had many friends。 The two plays lately produced had
succeeded well； and their proceeds supplied his personal wants and
relieved him of all care for the future。 His debt to du Tillet； 〃his
friend；〃 did not make him in the least uneasy。
〃Why distrust a friend？〃 he said to Blondet； who from time to time
would cast a doubt on his position； led to do so by his general habit
of analyzing。
〃But we don't need to distrust our enemies；〃 remarked Florine。
Nathan defended du Tillet； he was the best； the most upright of men。
This existence； which was really that of a dancer on the tight rope
without his balance…pole； would have alarmed any one； even the most
indifferent； had it been seen as it really was。 Du Tillet watched it
with the cool eye and the cynicism of a parvenu。 Through the friendly
good humor of his intercourse with Raoul there flashed now and then a
malignant jeer。 One day； after pressing his hand in Florine's boudoir
and watching him as he got into his carriage； du Tillet remarked to
Lousteau （envier par excellence）：
〃That fellow is off to the Bois in fine style to…day； but he is just
as likely； six months hence； to be in a debtor's prison。〃
〃He？ never！〃 cried Lousteau。 〃He has Florine。〃
〃How do you know that he'll keep her？ As for you； who are worth a
dozen of him； I predict that you will be our editor…in…chief within
six months。〃
In October Nathan's notes to du Tillet fell due； and the banker
graciously renewed them； but for two months only； with the discount
added and a fresh loan。 Sure of victory； Raoul was not afraid of
continuing to put his hand in the bag。 Madame Felix de Vandenesse was
to return in a few days； a month earlier than usual； brought back； of
course； by her unconquerable desire to see Nathan； who felt that he
could not be short of money at a time when he renewed that assiduous
life。
Correspondence； in which the pen is always bolder than speech； and
thought； wreathing itself with flowers； allows itself to be seen
without disguise； and brought the countess to the highest pitch of
enthusiasm。 She believed she saw in Raoul one of the noblest spirits
of the epoch； a delicate but misjudged heart without a stain and
worthy of adoration； she saw him advancing with a brave hand to grasp
the sceptre of power。 Soon that speech so beautiful in love would echo
from the tribune。 Marie now lived only in this life of a world outside
her own。 Her taste was lost for the tranquil joys of home； and she
gave herself up to the agitations of this whirlwind life communicated
by a clever and adoring pen。 She kissed Raoul's letters； written in
the midst of the ceaseless battles of the press； with time taken from
necessary studies； she felt their value； she was certain of being
loved； and loved only； with no rival but the fame and ambition he
adored。 She found enough in her country solitude to fill her soul and
employ her faculties；happy； indeed； to have been so chosen by such a
man； who to her was an angel。
During the last days of autumn Marie and Raoul again met and renewed
their walks in the Bois； where alone they could see each other until
the salons reopened。 But when the winter fairly began； Raoul appeared
in social life at his apogee。 He was almost a personage。 Rastignac；
now out of power with the ministry； which went to pieces on the death
of de Marsay； leaned upon Nathan； and gave him in return the warmest
praise。 Madame de Vandenesse； feeling this change in public opinion；
was desirous of knowing if her husband's judgment had altered also。
She questioned him again； perhaps with the hope of obtaining one of
those brilliant revenges which please all women； even the noblest and
least worldly；for may we not believe that even the angels retain
some portion of their self…love as they gather in serried ranks before
the Holy of Holies？
〃Nothing was wanting to Raoul Nathan but to be the dupe he now is to a
parcel of intriguing sharpers；〃 replied the count。
Felix； whose knowledge of the world and politics enabled him to judge
clearly； had seen Nathan's true