Le Père Goriot

Several days pass. Mademoiselle Michonneau and Poiret are together in the botanical gardens, speaking with the man described to Rastignac by Bianchon. This mysterious man is Monsieur Gondureau. He is a detective looking for information about Vautrin. He believes that Vautrin is an escaped convict named Jacques Collin, also known as Death-Dodger. This “dangerous” criminal, he explains, is a notorious underworld banker and is known to arrange for the best lawyers for his clients. He also plots prison escapes. Gondureau warns that he needs evidence of Vautrin’s identity to show his boss. The police cannot afford any mistakes, so the evidence must be good. Jacques Collin received a brand on his shoulder, so if they were to drug Vautrin, then Mademoiselle Michonneau and Poiret might be able to check for this brand. Mademoiselle Michonneau and Poiret agree to expose Vautrin and receive a reward of 3,000 francs. After, Michonneau wonders whether they might make more money by warning Vautrin.

At the boarding house, Mademoiselle Michonneau and Poiret notice that Rastignac is again speaking to Victorine. Rastignac is upset by Delphine’s recent coldness toward him. Remembering Vautrin’s suggestions, Rastignac has turned his attention back to Victorine. He hopes that she might offer him a miraculous return to the Parisian elite. Vautrin enters, telling Rastignac that his trap is set. He reveals that he has arranged for Frederic Taillefer to fight in a duel and be killed, making Victorine the sole heir to her father’s fortune. Rastignac is stunned. Before he can say anything, other people enter the room. Goriot is among them and asks Rastignac to speak in private.

In Rastignac’s room, Goriot explains Delphine’s recent coldness. He explains that he was sent away from her house because she had invited Goriot to meet with her to discuss a surprise for Rastignac—one besides the expensive watch she recently gifted to him. This surprise is that they have rented him an apartment in a fashionable district. Goriot asks only to be allowed use of the maid’s quarters so that he can be close to his daughter. At the same time, Rastignac will receive the interest that accumulates from Delphine’s considerable dowry. He will be able to live on this with Delphine, Goriot explains. This is the miracle that Rastignac has sought. He no longer needs to seduce Victorine, so he can send a warning to the Taillefer family of Vautrin’s plot.

When Rastignac comes to dinner that night, Vautrin is in a celebratory mood. He offers his wine to the other boarders, who are becoming drunk and merry. The boarders notice that Rastignac and Goriot are falling asleep, seemingly drunker than the others. Vautrin has laced their wine with a soporific, as he overhead Rastignac tell Goriot of his plan to warn the Taillefers. Victorine tends to Rastignac, helping him to his room. She is convinced that Rastignac loves her, which makes her “the happiest person in Paris” (172). At the same time, the boisterous dinner has hardened Mademoiselle Michonneau’s resolve to find evidence that Vautrin is an escaped convict. She goes to meet the police inspector and promises to find the brand. The police officer assures her that he and his men will be waiting. He hopes that Vautrin will respond violently so that they will have an excuse to shoot him.

The celebrations of the previous night mean that almost everyone in the Maison Vauquer wakes up late. Breakfast is served at a later hour, though Vautrin has already gone out. Mademoiselle Michonneau uses this opportunity to slip the drug into his coffee. Rastignac appears, seemingly upset. He has overslept and, as a result, he cannot warn the Taillefers. A letter from Delphine also criticizes him for not coming to see her. Vautrin, now returned, glances at Rastignac with “one of those coldly compelling looks” (175). A servant of the Taillefer family rushes into the room, bringing news that Frederic has been shot in a duel and is not expected to survive. Vautrin cynically comments on the folly of youth, causing Rastignac to scream in horror. The boarders talk animatedly about fate, referencing how Victorine now stands to inherit millions of francs. They suggest that Rastignac, who they presume is romantically involved with Victorine, is very lucky. Rastignac dismisses their comments. He has no plans to marry Victorine. He leaves to visit Delphine, but not before the drug in Vautrin’s coffee begins to have an effect. He falls down, and Mademoiselle Michonneau feigns to help by removing his shirt, revealing the brand as she does. When she is alone in Vautrin’s room with Poiret, she wants to search for hidden money, but Madame Vauquer interrupts them.

Elsewhere, Rastignac meets Bianchon on his way to Delphine’s house. Bianchon knows all about the duel and jokes about Rastignac’s good fortune. Now upset, Rastignac again insists that he has no plans to marry Victorine. Bianchon’s insistence angers Rastignac, who seems almost ill. Rastignac, hoping to be left alone, tells Bianchon that he is needed to help with Vautrin at the Maison Vauquer. Once he is alone, Rastignac walks to clear his head. He insists to himself that there is nothing indecent about his relationship with Delphine.

At the boarding house, Bianchon examines the stricken Vautrin. Having spotted Poiret and Mademoiselle Michonneau talking to the police and noticed their suspicious behavior, he suspects that they have plotted against Vautrin. As Vautrin recovers, Bianchon mentions that he overheard a conversation about Death-Dodger. The mention of these words changes Vautrin’s demeanor immediately. He is suddenly “thunderstruck.” A rumble is heard outside, and then the police burst in. Vautrin tries to resist arrest but calms down when the police draw their guns. His transformation back into Jacques Collin shocks the boarders and Madame Vauquer. Vautrin snarls at Mademoiselle Michonneau but insists that he will, as a good Christian, forgive her. He is taken away, bidding a brief farewell to Rastignac, who has since returned. Vautrin reminds Rastignac that his friend—the man who killed Taillefer—will remain in Vautrin’s place.

Vautrin’s arrest sets the boarders talking. They blame Mademoiselle Michonneau, accusing her of being a traitor and demanding that she be kicked out of the boarding house. Madame Vauquer agrees and tells the elderly servant to leave. Eventually, Mademoiselle Michonneau agrees. She and Poiret leave together. As Madame Vauquer reflects on the sudden loss of boarders, a letter arrives. Frederic Taillefer has died of his wounds. Victorine must go to stay at her father’s house, taking Madame Couture with her.

Goriot returns, a happy expression on his face, and speaks quietly to Rastignac, telling him that Delphine is now waiting for him. Delighted, Rastignac waits until the evening. He goes to the new apartment with Goriot. Delphine is there to greet them, and her tender words delight Rastignac, washing away any lingering fears about living in such “utter luxury.” Goriot assures him that he will do anything to make his daughter happy, including paying all the bills until Delphine’s separation from her husband is settled. Rastignac weeps at the old man’s generosity. All Goriot wants is for Delphine to visit him occasionally in the maid’s quarters. That evening, Rastignac, Delphine, and Goriot remain together until midnight, when Rastignac and Goriot return to the boarding house. They agree to meet again the next day.

At the boarding house, they find Madame Vauquer talking to the servants. She is complaining about her sudden loss of income after the chaotic day. When Rastignac and Goriot announce that they also plan to leave, she becomes stern and angry with them. When she is told that her cat is also missing, she feels overwhelmed and collapses.