nor to play 'your obedient servant' like men of the world; how then do
you expect that we could succeed in government places? I shall be
happy at Les Tresorieres, indeed I shall. I have always loved birds
and animals, and I can pass my life very well taking care of the hens
and the farm. Let us sell the business, marry Cesarine, and give up
your visions. We can come and pass the winters in Paris with our
son-in-law; we shall be happy; nothing in politics or commerce can
then change our way of life. Why do you want to crush others? Isn't
our present fortune enough for us? When you are a millionaire can you
eat two dinners; will you want two wives? Look at my uncle Pillerault!
He is wisely content with his little property, and spends his life in
good deeds. Does he want fine furniture? Not he! I know very well you
have been ordering furniture for me; I saw Braschon here, and it was
not to buy perfumery."

"Well, my beauty, yes! Your furniture is ordered; our improvements
begin to-morrow, and are superintended by an architect recommended to
me by Monsieur de la Billardiere."

"My God!" she cried, "have pity upon us!"

"But you are not reasonable, my love. Do you think that at
thirty-seven years of age, fresh and pretty as you are, you can go and
bury yourself at Chinon? I, thank God, am only thirty-nine. Chance
opens to me a fine career; I enter upon it. If I conduct myself
prudently I can make an honorable house among the bourgeoisie of Paris,
as was done in former times. I can found the house of Birotteau, like
the house of Keller, or Jules Desmartes, or Roguin, Cochin, Guillaume,
Lebas, Nucingen, Saillard, Popinot, Matifat, who make their mark, or
have made it, in their respective quarters. Come now! If this affair