It serves me right for wishing well to
those ladies at that poor man's expense. Mme. Couture and Victorine
want me to send their things, because they are going to live with her
father. M. Taillefer allows his daughter to keep old Mme. Couture as
her lady companion. Four rooms to let! and five lodgers gone! . . ."
She sat up, and seemed about to burst into tears.
"Bad luck has come to lodge here, I think," she cried.
Once more there came a sound of wheels from the street outside.
"What! another windfall for somebody!" was Sylvie's comment.
But it was Goriot who came in, looking so radiant, so flushed with
happiness, that he seemed to have grown young again.
"Goriot in a cab!" cried the boarders; "the world is coming to an
end."
The good soul made straight for Eugene, who was standing wrapped in
thought in a corner, and laid a hand on the young man's arm.
"Come," he said, with gladness in his eyes.
"Then you haven't heard the news?" said Eugene. "Vautrin was an
escaped convict; they have just arrested him; and young Taillefer is
dead."
"Very well, but what business is it of ours?" replied Father Goriot.
"I am going to dine with my daughter in _your house_, do you
understand? She is expecting you.
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