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I received yesterday the last instalment, five thousand francs, from my business. As for the Ragons, they have put their whole fortune into the affair." "How do they contrive to life?" "Never mind how; they do live." "Uncle, I understand!" said Birotteau, deeply moved, pressing the hand of the austere old man. "How is the affair arranged?" asked Pillerault, brusquely.
"There," said he, "there's a cheque on the Bank of France for a hundred thousand francs for the Ragons and for me. Those poor folks have just sold to your scoundrel of a du Tillet their fifteen shares in the mines at Wortschin to make up the amount. Worthy people in trouble, it wrings my heart; and such good, noble souls, the very flower of the old bourgeoisie!
Cesar received from the Ragons his food, six francs a month as wages, and a pallet to sleep upon in the garret near the cook. The clerks who taught him to pack the goods, to do the errands, and sweep up the shop and the pavement, made fun of him as they did so, according to the manners and customs of shop-keeping, in which chaff is a principal element of instruction.
When this family, so tenderly bound together, re-entered the house, even Cesar, little observing as he was, saw a change in the manner of the Ragons which seemed to denote some remarkable event. The greeting of Madame Ragon was particularly impressive; her look and accent seemed to say to Cesar, "We are paid." At the dessert, the notary of Sceaux appeared.
"You have a good brother," said Monsieur Loraux, "a virtuous and gentle wife, a tender daughter, two good friends, your uncle and our dear Anselme, two indulgent creditors, the Ragons: all these kind hearts will pour balm upon your wounds daily, and will help you to bear your cross. Promise me to have the firmness of a martyr, and to face the blow without faltering."
Anselme, brought up by virtuous people, by the Ragons, models of the honorable bourgeoisie, and by his uncle the judge, had been led, through his ingenuous nature and his deep religious sentiments, to redeem the slight deformity of his person by the perfection of his character.
"Want bread, uncle?" "Yes, bread. See things as they are, Cesar. You cannot extricate yourself. With five thousand six hundred francs income, I could set aside four thousand francs for you and the Ragons. If misfortune overtakes you, I know Constance, she will work herself to the bone, she will deny herself everything; and so will you, Cesar." "All is not hopeless, uncle."
Though sure of the Ragons' friendship, nothing could induce him to dine with them, nor with the Lebas, nor the Matifats, nor the Protez and Chiffrevilles, not even with Monsieur Vauquelin; all of whom were eager to do honor to his rare virtue. Cesar preferred to be alone in his room rather than meet the eye of a creditor.
I haf receifed die aggonts. You vill haf one hundert tousant francs, Matame de Nucingen, so you can buy chewels and oder tings to make you bretty, as if you could be brettier!" "Good God! the Ragons sold their shares!" exclaimed Birotteau. "Who are those persons?" asked the elegant de Marsay, smiling. "Egzactly," said Monsieur de Nucingen, turning back when he was almost at the door.
Madame Matifat, whom we lately met crowned with a turban for the ball, now wore a gown of blue velvet, with coarse cotton stockings, leather shoes, gloves of chamois-skin with a border of green plush, and a bonnet lined with pink, filled in with white puffs about the face. These ten personages assembled at five o'clock. The old Ragons always requested their guests to be punctual.
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