to pardon the
success of another, condemned to chronic discontent because he was never
content with himself. Lucien began to understand the sour look which
seemed to add to the bleak expression of envy on Vernou's face; the
acerbity of the epigrams with which his conversation was sown, the
journalist's pungent phrases, keen and elaborately wrought as a
stiletto, were at once explained.

"Let us go into my study," Vernou said, rising from the table; "you have
come on business, no doubt."

"Yes and no," replied Etienne Lousteau. "It is a supper, old chap."

"I have brought a message from Coralie," said Lucien (Mme. Vernou looked
up at once at the name), "to ask you to supper to-night at her house
to meet the same company as before at Florine's, and a few more
besides--Hector Merlin and Mme. du Val-Noble and some others. There will
be play afterwards."

"But we are engaged to Mme. Mahoudeau this evening, dear," put in the
wife.

"What does that matter?" returned Vernou.

"She will take offence if we don't go; and you are very glad of her when
you have a bill to discount."

"This wife of mine, my dear boy, can never be made to understand that a
supper engagement for twelve o'clock does not prevent you from going to
an evening party that comes to an end at eleven. She is always with me
while I work," he added.

"You have so much imagination!" said Lucien, and thereby made a mortal
enemy of Vernou.

"Well," continued Lousteau, "you are coming; but that is not all. M. de
Rubempre is about to be one of us, so you must push him in your paper.
Give him out for a chap that will make a name for himself in literature,
so that he can put in at least a couple of articles every month."

"Yes, if he means to be one of us, and will attack our enemies, as
we will attack his, I will say a word for him at the Opera to-night,"
replied Vernou.

"Very well--good-bye till to-morrow, my boy," said Lousteau, shaking
hands with every sign of cordiality. "When is your book coming out?"

"That depends on Dauriat; it is ready," said Vernou _pater-familias_.

"Are you satisfied?"

"Yes and no----"

"We will get up a success," said Lousteau, and he rose with a bow to his
colleague's wife.

The abrupt departure was necessary indeed; for the two infants, engaged
in a noisy quarrel, were fighting with their spoons, and flinging the
pap in each other's faces.

"That, my boy, is a woman who all unconsciously will work great havoc
in