time I discover that I am a fool, a fool, and nothing but a fool.
But how is one to feel, to think, to rise to heights, to paint in
strong colours, while haunting with such creatures as those whom
one must see if one is to live; in the midst of such talk as one
has to make and to hear, and such idle gossip: "How charming the
boulevard was to-day!" "Have you heard the little Marmotte? Her
playing is ravishing." "Mr. So-and-so had the handsomest pair of
grays in his carriage that you can possibly imagine." "The
beautiful Mrs. So-and-so is beginning to fade; who at the age of
five-and-forty would wear a headdress like that?" "Young
Such-and-such is covered with diamonds, and she gets them cheap."

"You mean she gets them dear."

"No, I do not."

"Where did you see her?"

"At the play."

"The scene of despair was played as it had never been played
before." "The Polichinelle of the Fair has a voice, but no
delicacy, no soul." "Madame So-and-so has produced two at a birth;
each father will have his own child...." And yet you suppose that
this kind of thing, said and said again, and listened to every day
of the week, sets the soul aglow and leads to mighty things.

_I._--Nay, it were better to turn the key of one's garret, drink
cold water, eat dry bread, and seek one's true self.

_He._--Maybe, but I have not the courage. And then the idea of
sacrificing one's happiness for the sake of a success that is
doubtful! And the name that I bear? Rameau! It is not with talents
as it is with nobility; nobility transmits itself, and increases in
lustre by passing from grandfather to father, and from father to
son, and from son to grandson, without the ancestor impressing a
spark of merit on his descendant; the old stock ramifies into an
enormous crop of fools; but what matter? It is not so with talents.
Merely to obtain the renown of your father, you must be cleverer
than he was; you must have inherited his fibre. The fibre has
failed me, but the wrist is nimble, the fiddle-bow scrapes away,
and the pot boils; if there is not glory, there is broth.

_I._--If I were in your place, I would not take it for granted; I
would try.... Whatever it be that a man applies himself to, nature
meant him for it.

_He._--She makes mighty blunders. For