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To launch his supposed mistress successfully, he was endeavoring to persuade the Marquise d'Espard, Madame de Nucingen, and the countess, in an eight-ear conversation, that they had better admit Madame Rabourdin to their coalition; and Madame de Camps was supporting him.
The last drop of the primitive Goriot blood had evaporated in this charming young woman, who was particularly remarkable for the high-bred delicacy of all her extremities, the absence of which in Madame de Nucingen had shown the daughter of Pere Goriot. As the colonel wished to retain a footing in the house he now entered for the first time, he talked about his wife.
He did not take a very hopeful view of the case, but thought that there was no immediate danger. Improvements and relapses might be expected, and the good man's life and reason hung in the balance. "It would be better for him to die at once," the doctor said as he took leave. Eugene left Goriot to Bianchon's care, and went to carry the sad news to Mme. de Nucingen.
Receiving it, the old man stood planted on his feet for a long time after the carriage had disappeared. A few moments later the countess entered the court-yard of the hotel de Nucingen. Madame de Nucingen was not yet up; but anxious not to keep a woman of the countess's position waiting, she hastily threw on a shawl and wrapper.
"Nucingen makes no bones about admitting that his wife is his fortune; she is an indispensable chattel, but a wife takes a second place in the high-pressure life of a political leader and great capitalist.
Six weeks afterwards, the Bordeaux shipping intelligence announced that two vessels with cargoes of bullion to the amount of seven millions, consigned to the firm of Nucingen, were lying in the river. "Then it was plain to Palma, Werbrust, and du Tillet that the trick had been played. Nobody else was any the wiser.
"Yes, yes," replied de Marsay. "They dare to say that you are in love." "Dat is true," replied Nucingen piteously; "I am in lof for somebody I do not know." "You, in love, you? You are a coxcomb!" said the Chevalier d'Espard. "In lof, at my aje! I know dat is too ridiculous. But vat can I help it! Dat is so." "A woman of the world?" asked Lucien. "Nay," said de Marsay.
Esther then reappeared in a bewitching, though improvised, costume. When the money had been counted by Louchard, the Baron wished to examine the bills; but Esther snatched them with a cat-like grab, and carried them away to her desk. "What will you give the rabble?" said Contenson to Nucingen. "You hafe not shown much consideration," said the Baron. "And what about my leg?" cried Contenson.
I respect an inveterate passion, as a doctor respects an inveterate complaint. I saw Monsieur de Nucingen, the banker, attacked in the same way " "He is a friend of mine," said the Baron. "Many a time have I supped with his handsome Esther. She was worth the two million francs she cost him." "And more," said the officer. "That caprice of the old Baron's cost four persons their lives.
"Poor Nasie!" said Mme. de Nucingen, drawing her sister to a chair. "We are the only two people in the world whose love is always sufficient to forgive you everything. Family affection is the surest, you see." The Countess inhaled the salts and revived. "This will kill me!" said their father. "There," he went on, stirring the smouldering fire, "come nearer, both of you. It is cold.
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