rm to the man you love, but
you will permit me to put your own interests before his, and to beg you
to study him, to be fully aware of the serious nature of this step that
you are taking. And, then, if you find all doors closed against you, and
that none of the women call upon you, make sure at least that you will
feel no regret for all that you have renounced for him. Be very certain
first that he for whom you will have given up so much will always be
worthy of your sacrifices and appreciate them.

"Just now," continued Chatelet, "Mme. d'Espard is the more prudish and
particular because she herself is separated from her husband, nobody
knows why. The Navarreins, the Lenoncourts, the Blamont-Chauvrys,
and the rest of the relations have all rallied round her; the most
strait-laced women are seen at her house, and receive her with respect,
and the Marquis d'Espard has been put in the wrong. The first call that
you pay will make it clear to you that I am right; indeed, knowing Paris
as I do, I can tell you beforehand that you will no sooner enter the
Marquise's salon than you will be in despair lest she should find out
that you are staying at the Gaillard-Bois with an apothecary's son,
though he may wish to be called M. de Rubempre.

"You will have rivals here, women far more astute and shrewd than
Amelie; they will not fail to discover who you are, where you are, where
you come from, and all that you are doing. You have counted upon your
incognito, I see, but you are one of those women for whom an incognito
is out of the question. You will meet Angouleme at every turn. There are
the deputies from the Charente coming up for the opening of the session;
there is the Commandant in Paris on leave. Why, the first man or woman
from Angouleme who happens to see you would cut your career short in a
strange fashion. You would simply be Lucien's mistress.

"If you need me at any time, I am staying with the Receiver-General in
the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, two steps away from Mme. d'Espard's.
I am sufficiently acquainted with the Marechale de Carigliano, Mme.
de Serizy, and the President of the Council to introduce you to those
houses; but you will meet so many people at Mme. d'Espard's, that you
are not likely to require me. So far from wishing to gain admittance to
this set or that, every one will be longing to make your acquaintance."

Chatelet talked on; Mme. de Bargeton made no interruption. She was
struck with his perspi