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.