Vautrin," said Mme. Vauquer.
"I am all sorts of things," said Vautrin.
"Queer, isn't it?" said Mme. Vauquer, stringing together a succession
of commonplaces suited to the occasion. "Death takes us off without
asking us about it. The young often go before the old. It is a lucky
thing for us women that we are not liable to fight duels, but we have
other complaints that men don't suffer from. We bear children, and it
takes a long time to get over it. What a windfall for Victorine! Her
father will have to acknowledge her now!"
"There!" said Vautrin, looking at Eugene, "yesterday she had not a
penny; this morning she has several millions to her fortune."
"I say, M. Eugene!" cried Mme. Vauquer, "you have landed on your
feet!"
At this exclamation, Father Goriot looked at the student, and saw the
crumpled letter still in his hand.
"You have not read it through! What does this mean? Are you going to
be like the rest of them?" he asked.
"Madame, I shall never marry Mlle. Victorine," said Eugene, turning to
Mme. Vauquer with an expression of terror and loathing that surprised
the onlookers at this scene.
Father Goriot caught the student's hand and grasped it warmly.
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