Rastignac eventually receives a response from his mother and Laure, his oldest sister. His mother has sold her jewelry and his sisters have given up their allowance to send money to Rastignac. Their lack of reproach and their willingness to sacrifice makes him feel guilty. The 1,550 francs, however, helps him put his shame aside. The postman brings his money while he eats breakfast. The other boarders congratulate Rastignac, though Vautrin’s comments are laced with sarcasm. The men argue for a second time. Rastignac has no money on him to tip the postman, so Vautrin offers a coin from his pocket. Rastignac fetches money from his room rather than be in debt to Vautrin, who is offended. He drags Rastignac outside; the other boarders fear that the men are about to duel. Instead, Vautrin brings the surprised Rastignac into his confidence. There is no point in fighting, he says, and offers to lend Rastignac a million francs to lift himself out of hopeless struggle and poverty. He describes Rastignac’s huge ambitions and the difficulty he faces in achieving these ambitions without money.

Vautrin proposes a scheme: Rastignac should seduce Victorine, and Vautrin will deal with the only impediment to Victorine inheriting her father’s fortune by arranging for Victorine’s brother, Taillefer, to be killed in a duel.