1853. The
next edition of the _Theatre Complet_, in 1855, reinstated the
prefaces. It was not until 1865 that _Mercadet_ joined the other four
in a single volume published by Mme. Houssiaux.

_Vautrin_, a drama in five acts, was presented for the first time in
the Porte-Saint-Martin theatre, March 14, 1840. The preface, dated
May 1, 1840, was not ready in time for the printing of the first
edition, which was a small octavo volume published by Delloye &
Tresse. It appeared in the second edition, two months later. The
dedication was to Laurent-Jan. [See "Jan" in Repertory.] The play was
a distinct failure, but its construction and temper combine to explain
this. At the same time it makes interesting reading; and it will prove
especially entertaining to readers of the _Comedie Humaine_ who have
dreaded and half-admired the redoubtable law-breaker, who makes his
initial entrance in _Le Pere Goriot_ and plays so important a part in
_Illusions Perdues_, and _Splendeurs et Miseres des Courtisanes_. Here
we find Vautrin in a favorite situation. He becomes the powerful
protector of an unknown young man--much as he picked up Lucien de
Rubempre in _Illusions Perdues_, and attempted to aid Rastignac in _Le
Pere Goriot_--and devotes all his sinister craft to his protege's
material interests. The playwright is careful to preserve some degree
of the young man's self-respect. Chance favors the two by providing
the unknown hero with worthy parents; and Vautrin's schemes
unexpectedly work out for good. As in the story of _Pere Goriot_
again, Vautrin, after furthering matrimonial deals and other
quasi-benevolent projects, ends in the clutches of the law. Of Raoul
little need be said. He is the foil for his dread protector and he is
saved from dishonor by a narrow margin. The scene is laid at Paris,
just after the second accession of the House of Bourbon, in 1816.
Titles and families are in some confusion on account of the change of
dynasties. It is therefore an opportune time for Vautrin to
manufacture scutcheons as occasion may demand. Since this story of
Vautrin is not included in the _Comedie_, it will not be found among
the biographical facts recorded in the _Repertory_.

_Les Ressources de Quinola_, a comedy in a prologue and five acts, was
presented at the Theatre de l'Odeon, Paris, March 19, 1842. Souverain
published it in an octavo volume. Balzac was disposed to complain
bitterly of the treatment this play received (note his pre