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cheeks； and fell upon the child at her breast。 So hard is it to give
up illusions sanctioned by family feeling； illusions that have grown
with our growth； that Eve had doubted Eugene de Rastignac。 She would
rather hear a true friend's account of her brother。 Lucien had given
them d'Arthez's address in the days when he was full of enthusiasm for
the brotherhood； she wrote a pathetic letter to d'Arthez； and received
the following reply：
D'Arthez to Mme。 Sechard。
〃MADAME；You ask me to tell you the truth about the life that
your brother is leading in Paris； you are anxious for
enlightenment as to his prospects； and to encourage a frank answer
on my part； you repeat certain things that M。 de Rastignac has
told you； asking me if they are true。 With regard to the purely
personal matter； madame； M。 de Rastignac's confidences must be
corrected in Lucien's favor。 Your brother wrote a criticism of my
book； and brought it to me in remorse； telling me that he could
not bring himself to publish it； although obedience to the orders
of his party might endanger one who was very dear to him。 Alas！
madame； a man of letters must needs comprehend all passions； since
it is his pride to express them； I understood that where a
mistress and a friend are involved； the friend is inevitably
sacrificed。 I smoothed your brother's way； I corrected his
murderous article myself； and gave it my full approval。
〃You ask whether Lucien has kept my friendship and esteem； to this
it is difficult to make an answer。 Your brother is on a road that
leads him to ruin。 At this moment I still feel sorry for him；
before long I shall have forgotten him； of set purpose； not so
much on account of what he has done already as for that which he
inevitably will do。 Your Lucien is not a poet； he has the poetic
temper； he dreams； he does not think； he spends himself in
emotion； he does not create。 He is； in factpermit me to say it
a womanish creature that loves to shine； the Frenchman's great
failing。 Lucien will always sacrifice his best friend for the
pleasure of displaying his own wit。 He would not hesitate to sign
a pact with the Devil to…morrow if so he might secure a few years
of luxurious and glorious life。 Nay； has he not done worse
already？ He has bartered his future for the short…lived delights
of living openly with an actress。 So far； he has not seen the
dangers of his position； the girl's youth and beauty and devotion
（for she worships him） have closed his eyes to the truth； he
cannot see that no glory or success or fortune can induce the
world to accept the position。 Very well； as it is now； so it will
be with each new temptationyour brother will not look beyond the
enjoyment of the moment。 Do not be alarmed： Lucien will never go
so far as a crime； he has not the strength of character； but he
would take the fruits of a crime； he would share the benefit but
not the riska thing that seems abhorrent to the whole world；
even to scoundrels。 Oh； he would despise himself； he would repent；
but bring him once more to the test； and he would fail again； for
he is weak of will； he cannot resist the allurements of pleasure；
nor forego the least of his ambitions。 He is indolent； like all
who would fain be poets； he thinks it clever to juggle with the
difficulties of life instead of facing and overcoming them。 He
will be brave at one time； cowardly at another； and deserves
neither credit for his courage； nor blame for his cowardice。
Lucien is like a harp with strings that are slackened or tightened
by the atmosphere。 He might write a great book in a glad or angry
mood； and care nothing for the success that he had desired for so
long。
〃When he first came to Paris he fell under the influence of an
unprincipled young fellow； and was dazzled by his companion's
adroitness and experience in the difficulties of a literary life。
This juggler completely bewitched Lucien； he dragged him into a
life which a man cannot lead and respect himself； and； unluckily
for Lucien； love shed its magic over the path。 The admiration that
is given too readily is a sign of want of judgment； a poet ought
not to be paid in the same coin as a dancer on the tight…rope。 We
all felt hurt when intrigue and literary rascality were preferred
to the courage and honor of those who counseled Lucien rather to
face the battle than to filch success； to spring down into the
arena rather than become a trumpet in the orchestra。
〃Society； madame； oddly enough； shows plentiful indulgence to
young men of Lucien's stamp； they are popular； the world is
fascinated by their external gifts and good looks。 Nothing is
asked of them； all their sins are forgiven； they are treated like
perfect natures； others are blind to their defects； they are the
world's spoiled children。 And； on the other hand； the world is
stern beyond measure to strong and complete natures。 Perhaps in
this apparently flagrant injustice society acts sublimely； taking
a harlequin at his just worth； asking nothing of him but
amusement； promptly forgetting him； and asking divine great deeds
of those before whom she bends the knee。 Everything is judged by
laws of its being； the diamond must be flawless； the ephemeral
creation of fashion may be flimsy； bizarre； inconsequent。 So
Lucien may perhaps succeed to admiration in spite of his mistakes；
he has only to profit by some happy vein or to be among good
companions； but if an evil angel crosses his path； he will go to
the very depths of hell。 'Tis a brilliant assemblage of good
qualities embroidered upon too slight a tissue； time wears the
flowers away till nothing but the web is left； and if that is poor
stuff； you behold a rag at the last。 So long as Lucien is young；
people will like him； but where will he be as a man of thirty？
That is the question which those who love him sincerely are bound
to ask themselves。 If I alone had come to think in this way of
Lucien； I might perhaps have spared you the pain which my plain
speaking will give you； but to evade the questions put by your
anxiety； and to answer a cry of anguish like your letter with
commonplaces； seemed to me alike unworthy of you and of me； whom
you esteem too highly； and besides； those of my friends who knew
Lucien are unanimous in their judgment。 So it appeared to me to be
a duty to put the truth before you； terrible though it may be。
Anything may be expected of Lucien； anything good or evil。 That is
our opinion； and this letter is summed up in that sentence。 If the
vicissitudes of his present way of life （a very wretched and
slippery one） should bring the poet back to you； use all your
influence to keep him among you； for until his character has
acquired stability； Paris will not be safe for him。 He used to
speak of you； you and your husband； as his guardian angels； he has
forgotten you； no doubt； but he will remember you again when
tossed by tempest； with no refuge left to him but his home。 Keep
your heart for him； madame； he will need it。