In this dreadful battle, selfishness, the most overbearing or the most adroit selfishness, gains the victory; and it is envied and applauded in spite, as Moliere said, of outcries, and we all know it.
When, in his capacity as enemy to the new dynasty, Raoul was introduced in the salon of Madame de Montcornet, his apparent grandeurs were flourishing.

He was accepted as the political critic of the de Marsays, the Rastignacs, and the Roche-Hugons, who had stepped into power.

Emile Blondet, the victim of incurable hesitation and of his innate repugnance to any action that concerned only himself, continued his trade of scoffer, took sides with no one, and kept well with all.

He was friendly with Raoul, friendly with Rastignac, friendly with Montcornet.
"You are a political triangle," said de Marsay, laughing, when they met at the Opera.

"That geometric form, my dear fellow, belongs only to the Deity, who has nothing to do; ambitious men ought to follow curved lines, the shortest road in politics." Seen from a distance, Raoul Nathan was a very fine meteor.