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that of a sharp lawyer rather than that of a ministerial officer。 Eyes
glazed by the constant use of spectacles made him plainer than he
really was； if by chance he took those appendages off。 To real judges
of character； as well as to upright men who are at ease only with
honest natures； des Lupeaulx was intolerable。 To them； his gracious
manners only draped his lies； his amiable protestations and hackneyed
courtesies； new to the foolish and ignorant； too plainly showed their
texture to an observing mind。 Such minds considered him a rotten
plank； on which no foot should trust itself。
No sooner had the beautiful Madame Rabourdin decided to interfere in
her husband's administrative advancement than she fathomed Clement des
Lupeaulx's true character； and studied him thoughtfully to discover
whether in this thin strip of deal there were ligneous fibres strong
enough to let her lightly trip across it from the bureau to the
department； from a salary of eight thousand a year to twelve thousand。
The clever woman believed she could play her own game with this
political roue； and Monsieur des Lupeaulx was partly the cause of the
unusual expenditures which now began and were continued in the
Rabourdin household。
The rue Duphot； built up under the Empire； is remarkable for several
houses with handsome exteriors； the apartments of which are skilfully
laid out。 That of the Rabourdins was particularly well arranged；a
domestic advantage which has much to do with the nobleness of private
lives。 A pretty and rather wide antechamber； lighted from the
courtyard； led to the grand salon； the windows of which looked on the
street。 To the right of the salon were Rabourdin's study and bedroom；
and behind them the dining…room； which was entered from the
antechamber； to the left was Madame's bedroom and dressing…room； and
behind them her daughter's little bedroom。 On reception days the door
of Rabourdin's study and that of his wife's bedroom were thrown open。
The rooms were thus spacious enough to contain a select company；
without the absurdity which attends many middle…class entertainments；
where unusual preparations are made at the expense of the daily
comfort； and consequently give the effect of exceptional effort。 The
salon had lately been rehung in gold…colored silk with carmelite
touches。 Madame's bedroom was draped in a fabric of true blue and
furnished in a rococo manner。 Rabourdin's study had inherited the late
hangings of the salon； carefully cleaned； and was adorned by the fine
pictures once belonging to Monsieur Leprince。 The daughter of the late
auctioneer had utilized in her dining…room certain exquisite Turkish
rugs which her father had bought at a bargain； panelling them on the
walls in ebony； the cost of which has since become exorbitant。 Elegant
buffets made by Boulle； also purchased by the auctioneer； furnished
the sides of the room； at the end of which sparkled the brass
arabesques inlaid in tortoise…shell of the first tall clock that
reappeared in the nineteenth century to claim honor for the
masterpieces of the seventeenth。 Flowers perfumed these rooms so full
of good taste and of exquisite things； where each detail was a work of
art well placed and well surrounded； and where Madame Rabourdin；
dressed with that natural simplicity which artists alone attain； gave
the impression of a woman accustomed to such elegancies； though she
never spoke of them； but allowed the charms of her mind to complete
the effect produced upon her guests by these delightful surroundings。
Thanks to her father； Celestine was able to make society talk of her
as soon as the rococo became fashionable。
Accustomed as des Lupeaulx was to false as well as real magnificence
in all their stages； he was； nevertheless； surprised at Madame
Rabourdin's home。 The charm it exercised over this Parisian Asmodeus
can be explained by a comparison。 A traveller wearied with the rich
aspects of Italy； Brazil； or India； returns to his own land and finds
on his way a delightful little lake； like the Lac d'Orta at the foot
of Monte Rosa； with an island resting on the calm waters； bewitchingly
simple； a scene of nature and yet adorned； solitary； but well
surrounded with choice plantations and foliage and statues of fine
effect。 Beyond lies a vista of shores both wild and cultivated；
tumultuous grandeur towers above； but in itself all proportions are
human。 The world that the traveller has lately viewed is here in
miniature； modest and pure； his soul； refreshed； bids him remain where
a charm of melody and poesy surrounds him with harmony and awakens
ideas within his mind。 Such a scene represents both life and a
monastery。
A few days earlier the beautiful Madame Firmiani； one of the charming
women of the faubourg Saint…Germain who visited and liked Madame
Rabourdin； had said to des Lupeaulx （invited expressly to hear this
remark）； 〃Why do you not call on Madame ？〃 with a motion towards
Celestine； 〃she gives delightful parties； and her dinners； above all；
arebetter than mine。〃
Des Lupeaulx allowed himself to be drawn into an engagement by the
handsome Madame Rabourdin； who； for the first time； turned her eyes on
him as she spoke。 He had； accordingly； gone to the rue Duphot； and
that tells the tale。 Woman has but one trick； cries Figaro； but that's
infallible。 After dining once at the house of this unimportant
official； des Lupeaulx made up his mind to dine there often。 Thanks to
the perfectly proper and becoming advances of the beautiful woman；
whom her rival； Madame Colleville； called the Celimene of the rue
Duphot； he had dined there every Friday for the last month； and
returned of his own accord for a cup of tea on Wednesdays。
Within a few days Madame Rabourdin； having watched him narrowly and
knowingly； believed she had found on the secretarial plank a spot
where she might safely set her foot。 She was no longer doubtful of
success。 Her inward joy can be realized only in the families of
government officials where for three or four years prosperity has been
counted on through some appointment； long expected and long sought。
How many troubles are to be allayed！ how many entreaties and pledges
given to the ministerial divinities！ how many visits of self…interest
paid！ At last； thanks to her boldness； Madame Rabourdin heard the hour
strike when she was to have twenty thousand francs a year instead of
eight thousand。
〃And I shall have managed well；〃 she said to herself。 〃I have had to
make a little outlay； but these are times when hidden merit is
overlooked； whereas if a man keeps himself well in sight before the
world； cultivates social relations and extends them； he succeeds。
After all； ministers and their friends interest themselves only in the
people they see； but Rabourdin knows nothing of the world！ If I had
not cajoled those three deputies they might have wanted La
Billardiere's place themselves； whereas； now that I have invited them
here； the