The
Duchesse de Langeais, with wounding abruptness, tells the
vicomtesse that tomorrow, the wedding banns between
d’Ajuda-Pinto and
Mademoiselle de Rochefide are going to be published. The vicomtesse turns pale but laughs off this news as a rumor. She turns her attention back to
Rastignac, giving him a warm look contrasting with the cold appraisal of the duchesse. Rastignac describes his experience with
Madame de Restaud, her husband, and her lover. The vicomtesse explains that Madame de Restaud really
is Goriot’s daughter—that Goriot is crazy about both his daughters, even though they barely acknowledge him. His second daughter,
Delphine de Nucingen, is married to a German baron.