THE RUSH FOR THE SPOIL _(LA CURÉE)._ A REALISTIC NOVEL. BY EMILE ZOLA. WITH A PREFACE BY GEORGE MOORE. TRANSLATED WITHOUT ABRIDGMENT FROM THE 34TH FRENCH EDITION. Illustrated with Twelve Page Engravings. LONDON: _VIZETELLY & Co., 42 CATHERINE STREET, STRAND._ 1886. TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS DE MUSSY MEETING RENÉE AND MAXIME DRIVING IN THE BOIS. RENÉE WATCHING MAXIME AND LOUISE IN THE LITTLE DRAWING ROOM. THE DEATH OF ANGÈLE. RENÉE AND MAXIME MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME. MAXIME DISCOVERS HIS FATHER AT THE MAISON DORÉE. THE EMPEROR AND THE OLD GENERAL OGLING RENÉE AT THE BALL AT THE TUILERIES. RENÉE AND MAXIME IN THE PRIVATE ROOM AT THE RESTAURANT. RENÉE AND MAXIME SKATING IN THE BOIS DE BOULOGNE. MAXIME ASSISTING AT RENÉE'S TOILET FOR THE NIGHT. THE TABLEAUX VIVANTS AT SACCARD'S MANSION IN THE PARC MONCEAUX. SACCARD SURPRISES RENÉE AND MAXIME. THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE PARIS IMPROVEMENTS INSPECTING THE DEMOLITIONS. PREFACE. The public and the press have agreed that "L'Assommoir" is M. Zola's _chef d'œuvre_. Against this verdict I have no objection to offer. I believe it will meet with posterity's endorsement. But although "L'Assommoir" may lift its head the highest, there are many other volumes in the Rougon-Macquart series which stand on, and speak from equally lofty platforms of art. In my opinion, these are "La Faute de l'Abbé Mouret," "La Conquête de Plassans," and "La Curée."