“With the scoundrelly scapegraces with whom you have the honor to associate?” said Bixiou. “Upon my word, yes.” “And you?” asked Bixiou, turning to Couture. “Stuff and nonsense!” cried Couture. “The woman that will not make a stepping-stone of her body, that the man she singles out may reach his goal, is a woman that has no heart except for her own purposes.” “And you, Blondet?” “I do not preach, I practise.” “Very good,” rejoined Bixiou in his most ironical tones. “Rastignac was not of your way of thinking. To take without repaying is detestable, and even rather bad form; but to take that you may render a hundred-fold, like the Lord, is a chivalrous deed. This was Rastignac’s view. He felt profoundly humiliated by his community of interests with Delphine de Nucingen; I can tell you that he regretted it; I have seen him deploring his position with tears in his eyes. Yes, he shed tears, he did indeed--after supper. Well, now to _our_ way of thinking----” “I say, you are laughing at us,” said Finot. “Not the least in the world. We were talking of Rastignac. From your point of view his affliction would be a sign of his corruption; for by that time he was not nearly so much in love with Delphine. What would you have? he felt the prick in his heart, poor fellow. But he was a man of noble descent and profound depravity, whereas we are virtuous artists. So Rastignac meant to enrich Delphine; he was a poor man, she a rich woman. Would you believe it?--he succeeded. Rastignac, who might have fought at need, like Jarnac, went over to the opinion of Henri II. on the strength of his great maxim, ‘There is no such thing as absolute right; there are only circumstances.’ This brings us to the history of his fortune.” “You might just as well make a start with your story instead of drawing us on to traduce ourselves,” said Blondet with urbane good humor. “Aha! my boy,” returned Bixiou, administering a little tap to the back of Blondet’s head, “you are making up for lost time over the champagne!” “Oh! by the sacred name of shareholder, get on with your story!” cried Couture. “I was within an ace of it,” retorted Bixiou, “but you with your profanity have brought me to the climax.” “Then, are there shareholders in the tale?” inquired Finot. “Yes; rich as rich can be--like yours.” “It seems to me,” Finot began stiffly, “that some consideration is owing to a good fellow to whom you look for a bill for five hundred francs upon occasion----” “Waiter!” called Bixiou. “What do you want with the waiter?” asked Blondet. “I want five hundred francs to repay Finot, so that I can tear up my I. O. U. and set my tongue free.” “Get on with your story,” said Finot, making believe to laugh.