Part 9

“I do not believe in catastrophes. One has to invent such good ones to show that art is quite a match for chance; and nobody reads a book twice, my friend, except for the details.”

“But there is a catastrophe,” persisted Nathan.

“What is it?”

“The Marquise de Rochefide is infatuated with Charles Edward. My story excited her curiosity.”

“Oh, unhappy woman!” cried Mme. de la Baudraye.

“Not so unhappy,” said Nathan, “for Maxime de Trailles and La Palferine have brought about a rupture between the Marquis and Mme. Schontz, and they mean to make it up between Arthur and Beatrix.”

1839 - 1845.

ADDENDUM

The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy.

Bianchon, Horace Father Goriot The Atheist’s Mass Cesar Birotteau The Commission in Lunacy Lost Illusions A Distinguished Provincial at Paris A Bachelor’s Establishment The Secrets of a Princess The Government Clerks Pierrette A Study of Woman Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life Honorine The Seamy Side of History The Magic Skin A Second Home Letters of Two Brides The Muse of the Department The Imaginary Mistress The Middle Classes Cousin Betty The Country Parson In addition, M. Bianchon narrated the following: Another Study of Woman La Grande Breteche

Bruel, Jean Francois du A Bachelor’s Establishment The Government Clerks A Start in Life The Middle Classes A Distinguished Provincial at Paris A Daughter of Eve

Bruel, Claudine Chaffaroux, Madame du A Bachelor’s Establishment A Distinguished Provincial at Paris Letters of Two Brides The Middle Classes

Chaffaroux Cesar Birotteau The Middle Classes

Chocardelle, Mademoiselle Beatrix A Man of Business Cousin Betty The Member for Arcis

La Baudraye, Madame Polydore Milaud de The Muse of the Department Cousin Betty

Laguerre, Mademoiselle The Peasantry

La Palferine, Comte de A Man of Business Cousin Betty Beatrix The Imaginary Mistress

Lousteau, Etienne A Distinguished Provincial at Paris A Bachelor’s Establishment Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life A Daughter of Eve Beatrix The Muse of the Department Cousin Betty A Man of Business The Middle Classes The Unconscious Humorists

Marcas, Zephirin Z. Marcas

Nathan, Raoul Lost Illusions A Distinguished Provincial at Paris Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life The Secrets of a Princess A Daughter of Eve Letters of Two Brides The Seamy Side of History The Muse of the Department A Man of Business The Unconscious Humorists

Nathan, Madame Raoul The Muse of the Department Lost Illusions A Distinguished Provincial at Paris Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life The Government Clerks A Bachelor’s Establishment Ursule Mirouet Eugenie Grandet The Imaginary Mistress A Daughter of Eve The Unconscious Humorists

Popinot, Madame Anselme Cesar Birotteau Cousin Betty Cousin Pons

Rochefide, Marquise de Beatrix The Secrets of a Princess A Daughter of Eve Sarrasine

Tissot, Pierre-Francois Father Goriot