Le Père Goriot

Rastignac eventually receives a response from his mother and Laure, his oldest sister. His mother has sold her jewelry and his sisters have given up their allowance to send money to Rastignac. Their lack of reproach and their willingness to sacrifice makes him feel guilty. The 1,550 francs, however, helps him put his shame aside. The postman brings his money while he eats breakfast. The other boarders congratulate Rastignac, though Vautrin’s comments are laced with sarcasm. The men argue for a second time. Rastignac has no money on him to tip the postman, so Vautrin offers a coin from his pocket. Rastignac fetches money from his room rather than be in debt to Vautrin, who is offended. He drags Rastignac outside; the other boarders fear that the men are about to duel. Instead, Vautrin brings the surprised Rastignac into his confidence. There is no point in fighting, he says, and offers to lend Rastignac a million francs to lift himself out of hopeless struggle and poverty. He describes Rastignac’s huge ambitions and the difficulty he faces in achieving these ambitions without money.

Vautrin proposes a scheme: Rastignac should seduce Victorine, and Vautrin will deal with the only impediment to Victorine inheriting her father’s fortune by arranging for Victorine’s brother, Taillefer, to be killed in a duel. All Vautrin asks in return is a modest commission so that he can move to America to run a plantation of enslaved laborers. Rastignac is appalled and tries to end the conversation. When Vautrin leaves, however, Rastignac is impressed by the speed with which Vautrin assessed his urgent need for money. Also, many of Vautrin’s scathing comments about Parisian high society tally with Madame de Beauséant’s comments. Weighing the temptation versus his conscience, Rastignac decides to follow his heart, but his thoughts are interrupted by the delivery of his new, lavish clothes. Goriot speaks to him, revealing that Delphine will attend a ball. He asks Rastignac to attend and spy on his daughters. Rastignac explains that he will obtain an invitation from his cousin. Goriot talks more about his daughters, excusing their callousness toward him by disparaging himself.

Returning to the Maison Vauquer later, Rastignac thinks about his evening. He ventured out with Madame de Beauséant and Delphine. Now that people have seen him in their company, he believes he will be welcomed into Parisian high society. He hopes Anastasie might invite him to her home. He might even seduce Delphine and employ her husband’s connections to the world of banking to make a fortune. Reaching the boarding house, Rastignac delivers his report to Goriot. He mentions that he is “smitten” with Delphine, who he says seems to love her father more. Rastignac and Goriot talk about the love between a father and a daughter. Goriot believes that becoming a father has taught him to better understand God. A relationship between Rastignac and Delphine would please Goriot. Rastignac is touched by Goriot’s comments, and the reality of Delphine’s thoughtless attitude upsets him as he parts from Goriot. From this point on, a new friendship develops between Goriot and Rastignac.

At breakfast the following day, Rastignac sits beside Goriot. The old man listens attentively to Rastignac, who feels Vautrin staring at him. Rastignac feels uneasy. He throws cautious glances toward Victorine, remembering his conversation with Vautrin. He hopes that his ascendency into the Parisian elite will prevent him from being tempted to seduce Victorine, as Vautrin suggested. For the rest of the day, he wanders around the city aimlessly, “plagued by evil thoughts” (124). He speculates about his future success and fortune. In a park, he runs into Bianchon and tries to explain his thoughts. Bianchon urges him to look inside himself for happiness rather than looking to fortune and status. Bianchon mentions that he has seen Mademoiselle Michonneau and Poiret talking to someone who he believes to be a “police spy.” He plans to study the pair for more information.

Rastignac returns to the Maison Vauquer. A letter from Delphine is waiting for him, inviting him to dine with her and then attend the opera. At first, he suspects that Delphine is using him to make her lover, the unfaithful de Marsay, jealous. Nevertheless, he plans to go because he is curious as to what might happen. He prepares with care, admiring his reflection. When he goes out, the other boarders compliment his outfit. Vautrin mocks him.

Rastignac arrives at the Nucingen house. Delphine is in a downcast mood, though she tries to hide it. Rastignac is surprised but encourages her to speak about the problem. In a desperate state, Delphine takes him to a gambling house. She hands him 100 francs and tells him to gamble the amount up to 6,000. Rastignac has never been in such a place. He is nervous but gets lucky and wins 7,000 francs at the roulette table. Delphine is delighted. She needs the money, she says, to leave her loveless marriage. She is saving up money that she borrows from her father and her lover. Since de Marsay is not faithful to her, however, she plans to return his money. Her husband refused to help her repay de Marsay, but the amount won by Rastignac will solve her problem.

Rastignac and Delphine dine together at her house and then go to the opera. They arrive in a swirl of attention from the other attendees, who love scandal and gossip. After the opera, Delphine takes Rastignac home. She stops the carriage a short distance from the Maison Vauquer. They part ways, agreeing to meet the following Monday when he will accompany her to the upcoming ball. Entering the boarding house, Rastignac is both happy and sad. He is happy that his relationship with Delphine seems to be going well but sad that her broken relationship with her husband will scupper his business opportunities. He stops by Goriot’s room. The old man has been waiting for Rastignac, who tells him about the evening. The story of the gambling house upsets Goriot: He is angered by his son-in-law’s behavior and threatens legal action. Rastignac gives the 1,000 francs won at the gambling house to Goriot. This gesture touches Goriot, who sheds a thankful tear. Rastignac is pleased as he retires to bed.

Two days pass. Rastignac prepares to attend the ball in the company of Madame de Beauséant. There, Delphine greets him and introduces him to the rest of the Parisian elite. He receives many social invitations. The realization of his acceptance hits him; Rastignac realizes how many people will envy his friendship with Madame de Beauséant. The next day, he speaks to the other boarders at the Maison Vauquer. He describes the ball, prompting derisive comments from Vautrin, who questions how he will fund his newly lavish lifestyle. Vautrin casts a suspicious gaze at Victorine.

In the following weeks, Rastignac spends more time with Delphine. They dine together most nights and then venture out. He rises at midday each day and strolls through the park with her. He also gambles often, winning enough to pay back his family and even send them presents. The situation is unsustainable, however, and he is soon broke. Nevertheless, he refuses to abandon the “extravagant pleasures of such a life” (141). Vautrin notices his fretful demeanor and spies on him from the hallway. As Rastignac speaks to Victorine about whether—if she suddenly became wealthy—she could ever love a poor man, Vautrin listens in. Vautrin bursts back into the room, loudly declaring that the young couple have become engaged.

Rastignac stays up to talk with Vautrin, who correctly surmises that Rastignac is in debt. He offers a loan of 3,500 francs, which Rastignac turns down. However, when Vautrin suggests that he think of it as a business deal, Rastignac accepts the loan and writes out a promissory note. Vautrin departs, hinting that he will set his original plan into action. Rastignac uses his loaned money to settle debts to Monsieur de Trailles and Monsieur d’Ajuda. Then, he gambles again and wins. The following morning, he repays Vautrin with his winnings. He insists that he does not want to be part of any of Vautrin’s schemes, but Vautrin acts as though he cannot hear Rastignac.