Iamtellingyouthisinordertoexplainsuchaninformalgathering.IshouldlikeyoutobepresentatourSaturdaysattheCafeRicheatseven—thirty.Doyouknowthehouse?"
  Duroyacceptedgladly.Heleftherinatransportofdelightandimpatientlyawaitedthedayofthedinner.Hewasthefirsttoarriveattheplaceappointedandwasshownintoasmallprivateroom,inwhichthetablewaslaidforfour;thattablelookedveryinvitingwithitscoloredglasses,silver,andcandelabra.
  Duroyseatedhimselfuponalowbench.Forestierenteredandshookhandswithhimwithacordialityheneverevincedattheoffice.
  "Thetwoladieswillcometogether,"saidhe."Thesedinnersaretrulydelightful."
  VerysoonthedooropenedandMesdamesForestierandDeMarelleappeared,heavilyveiled,surroundedbythecharmingmysterynecessarytoarendezvousinaplacesopublic.AsDuroygreetedtheformer,shetookhimtotaskfornothavingbeentoseeher;thensheaddedwithasmile:"Ah,youpreferMme.deMarelle;thetimepassesmorepleasantlywithher."
  Whenthewaiterhandedthewine—listtoForestier,Mme.deMarelleexclaimed:"Bringthegentle—menwhatevertheywant;asforus,wewantnothingbutchampagne."
  Forestier,whoseemednottohaveheardher,asked:"Doyouobjecttomyclosingthewindow?Mycoughhastroubledmeforseveraldays."
  "Notatall."
  Hiswifedidnotspeak.Thevariouscoursesweredulyservedandthentheguestsbegantochat.Theydiscussedascandalwhichwasbeingcirculatedaboutasocietybelle.Forestierwasverymuchamusedbyit.Duroysaidwithasmile:"Howmanywouldabandonthemselvestoacaprice,adreamoflove,iftheydidnotfearthattheywouldpayforabriefhappinesswithtearsandanirremediablescandal?"
  Bothwomenglancedathimapprovingly.Forestiercriedwithascepticallaugh:"Thepoorhusbands!"Thentheytalkedoflove.
  Duroysaid:"WhenIloveawoman,everythingelseintheworldisforgotten."
  Mme.Forestiermurmured:,"Thereisnohappinesscomparabletothatfirstclaspofthehand,whenoneasks:’Doyouloveme?’andtheotherreplies:’Yes,Iloveyou.’"Mme.deMarellecriedgailyasshedrankaglassofchampagne:"IamlessPlatonic."
  Forestier,lyinguponthecouch,saidinserioustone:"Thatfranknessdoesyouhonorandprovesyoutobeapracticalwoman.Butmightoneask,whatisM.deMarelle’sopinion?"
  Sheshruggedhershouldersdisdainfullyandsaid:"M.deMarellehasnoopiniononthatsubject."
  Theconversationgrewslow.Mme.deMarelleseemedtoofferprovocationbyherremarks,whileMme.Forestier’scharmingreserve,themodestyinhervoice,inhersmile,allseemedtoextenuatetheboldsallieswhichissuedfromherlips.Thedessertcameandthenfollowedthecoffee.Thehostessandherguestslightedcigarettes,butForestiersuddenlybegantocough.Whentheattackwasover,hegrowledangrily:"Thesepartiesarenotgoodforme;theyarestupid.Letusgohome."
  Mme.deMarellesummonedthewaiterandaskedforherbill.Shetriedtoreadit,butthefiguresdancedbeforehereyes;shehandedthepapertoDuroy.
  "Here,payitforme;Icannotsee."Atthesametime,sheputherpurseinhishand.
  Thetotalwasonehundredandthirtyfrancs.Duroyglancedatthebillandwhenitwassettled,whispered:"HowmuchshallIgivethewaiter?"
  "Whateveryoulike;Idonotknow."
  Helaidfivefrancsupontheplateandhandedthepursetoitsowner,saying:"ShallIescortyouhome?"
  "Certainly;Iamunabletofindthehouse."
  TheyshookhandswiththeForestiersandweresoonrollingalonginacabsidebyside.Duroycouldthinkofnothingtosay;hefeltimpelledtoclaspherinhisarms."IfIshoulddare,whatwouldshedo?"thoughthe.Therecollectionoftheirconversationatdinneremboldened,butthefearofscandalrestrainedhim.Mme.deMarellereclinedsilentlyinhercorner.Hewouldhavethoughtherasleep,hadhenotseenhereyesglistenwheneverarayoflightpenetratedthedarkrecessesofthecarriage.Ofwhatwasshethinking?
  Suddenlyshemovedherfoot,nervously,impatiently.Thatmovementcausedhimtotremble,andturningquickly,hecasthimselfuponher,seekingherlipswithhis.Sheutteredacry,attemptedtorepulsehimandthenyieldedtohiscaressesasifshehadnotthestrengthtoresist.
  Thecarriagestoppedatherdoor,butshedidnotrise;shedidnotmove,stunnedbywhathadjusttakenplace.Fearingthatthecabmanwouldmistrustsomething,Duroyalightedfromthecabfirstandofferedhishandtotheyoungwoman.Finallyshegotout,butinsilence.Georgesrangthebell,andwhenthedoorwasopened,heaskedtimidly:"WhenshallIseeyouagain?"
  Shewhisperedsolowthathecouldbarelyhearher:"Comeandlunchwithmeto—morrow."Withthosewordsshedisappeared.
  Duroygavethecabmanafive—francpiece,andturnedawaywithatriumphant,joyfulair.Hehadatlastconqueredamarriedwoman!A
  womanoftheworld!AParisian!Howeasyithadbeen!
  HewassomewhatnervousthefollowingdayasheascendedMme.deMarelle’sstaircase.Howwouldshereceivehim?Supposesheforbadehimtoenterherhouse?Ifshehadtold——butno,shecouldnottellanythingwithouttellingthewholetruth!Hewasmasterofthesituation!
  Thelittlemaid—servantopenedthedoor.Shewasaspleasantasusual.Duroyfeltreassuredandasked:"IsMadamewell?"
  "Yes,sir;aswellasshealwaysis,"wasthereply,andhewasusheredintothesalon.Hewalkedtothemantelpiecetoseewhatkindofanappearancehepresented:hewasreadjustinghiscravatwhenhesawinthemirrortheyoungwomanstandingonthethresholdlookingathim.Hepretendednottohaveseenher,andforseveralmomentstheygazedatoneanotherinthemirror.Thenheturned.Shehadnotmoved;sheseemedtobewaiting.Herushedtowardhercrying:"HowIloveyou!"Heclaspedhertohisbreast.Hethought:
  "ItiseasierthanIthoughtitwouldbe.Alliswell."Helookedatherwithasmile,withoututteringaword,tryingtoputintohisglanceawealthoflove.Shetoosmiledandmurmured:"Wearealone.
  IsentLaurinetolunchwithafriend."
  Hesighed,andkissingherwristssaid:"Thanks;Iadoreyou."Shetookhisarmasifhehadbeenherhusband,andledhimtoacouch,uponwhichtheyseatedthemselvessidebyside.Duroystammered,incoherently:"Youdonotcareforme."
  Shelaidherhanduponhislips."Besilent!"
  "HowIloveyou!"saidhe.
  Sherepeated:"Besilent!"
  Theycouldheartheservantlayingthetableinthedining—room.Herose:"Icannotsitsonearyou.Ishalllosemyhead."
  Thedooropened:"Madameisserved!"
  Heofferedherhisarmgravely.Theylunchedwithoutknowingwhattheywereeating.Theservantcameandwentwithoutseemingtonoticeanything.Whenthemealwasfinished,theyreturnedtothedrawing—roomandresumedtheirseatsonthecouchsidebyside.
  Graduallyhedrewnearerherandtriedtoembraceher.
  "Becareful,someonemightcomein."
  Hewhispered:"WhencanIseeyoualonetotellyouhowIloveyou?"
  Sheleanedtowardhimandsaidsoftly:"Iwillpayyouavisitoneofthesedays."
  Hecolored."Myrooms——are——are——verymodest."
  Shesmiled:"Thatmakesnodifference.Ishallcometoseeyouandnotyourrooms."
  Heurgedhertotellhimwhenshewouldcome.Shefixedadayinthefollowingweek,whilehebesoughtherwithglowingeyestohastentheday.Shewasamusedtoseehimimploresoardentlyandyieldedadayatatime.Herepeated:"To—morrow,say——to—morrow."Finallysheconsented."Yes,to—morrowatfiveo’clock."
  Hedrewadeepbreath;thentheychattedtogetherascalmlyasiftheyhadknownoneanotherfortwentyyears.Aringcausedthemtostart;theyseparated.Shemurmured:"ItisLaurine."
  Thechildentered,pausedinsurprise,thenrantowardDuroyclappingherhands,delightedtoseehim,andcrying:"Ah,’Bel—
  Ami!’"
  Mme.deMarellelaughed."Bel—Ami!Laurinehaschristenedyou.Itisaprettyname.IshallcallyouBel—Ami,too!"
  Hetookthechilduponhisknee.Attwentyminutesofthreeherosetogototheoffice;atthehalf—opendoorhewhispered:"To—morrow,fiveo’clock."Theyoungwomanreplied:"Yes,"withasmileanddisappeared.
  Afterhehadfinishedhisjournalisticwork,hetriedtorenderhisapartmentsmorefittoreceivehisexpectedvisitor.Hewaswellsatisfiedwiththeresultsofhiseffortsandretired,lulledtorestbythewhistlingofthetrains.EarlythenextmorningheboughtacakeandabottleofMadeira.Hespreadthecollationonhisdressing—tablewhichwascoveredwithanapkin.Thenhewaited.
  Shecameataquarterpastfiveandexclaimedassheentered:"Why,itisnicehere.Buttherewereagreatmanypeopleonthestairs."
  Hetookherinhisarmsandkissedherhair.Anhourandahalflaterheescortedhertoacab—standontheRuedeRome.Whenshewasseatedinthecab,hewhispered:"Tuesday,atthesamehour."
  Sherepeatedhiswords,andasitwasnight,shekissedhim.Thenasthecabmanstarteduphishorse,shecried:"Adieu,Bel—Ami!"andtheoldcouperumbledoff.
  ForthreeweeksDuroyreceivedMme.deMarelleeverytwoorthreedays,sometimesinthemorning,sometimesintheevening.
  Ashewasawaitingheroneafternoon,anoiseonthestaircasedrewhimtohisdoor.Achildscreamed.Aman’sangryvoicecried:"Whatisthebrathowlingabout?"
  Awoman’svoicereplied:"Nicolashasbeentrippeduponthelanding—placebythejournalist’ssweetheart."
  Duroyretreated,forheheardtherustlingofskirts.Soontherewasaknockathisdoor,whichheopened,andMme.deMarellerushedin,crying:"Didyouhear?"Georgesfeignedignoranceofthematter.
  "No;what?"
  "Howtheyinsultedme?"
  "Who?"
  "Thosemiserablepeoplebelow."
  "Why,no;whatisit?Tellme."
  Shesobbedandcouldnotspeak.Hewasforcedtoplaceheruponhisbedandtolayadampclothuponhertemples.Whenshegrewcalmer,angersucceededheragitation.ShewantedDuroytogodownstairsatonce,tofightthem,tokillthem.
  Hereplied:"Theyareworking—people.Justthink,itwouldbenecessarytogotocourtwhereyouwouldberecognized;onemustnotcompromiseoneselfwithsuchpeople."
  Shesaid:"Whatshallwedo?Icannotcomehereagain."
  Hereplied:"Thatisverysimple.Iwillmove."
  Shemurmured:"Yes,butthatwilltakesometime."
  Suddenlyshesaid:"Listentome,Ihavefoundameans;donotworryaboutit.Iwillsendyoua’littleblue’to—morrowmorning."Shecalledatelegrama"littleblue."
  Shesmiledwithdelightatherplans,whichshewouldnotreveal.
  Shewas,however,verymuchaffectedasshedescendedthestaircaseandleanedwithallherstrengthuponherlover’sarm.Theymetnoone.
  Hewasstillinbedthefollowingmorningwhenthepromisedtelegramwashandedhim.Duroyopeneditandread:
  "Comeatfiveo’clocktoRuedeConstantinople,No.127.AskfortheroomrentedbyMme.Duroy.CLO."
  Atfiveo’clockpreciselyheenteredalargefurnishedhouseandaskedthejanitor:"HasMme.Duroyhiredaroomhere?"
  "Yes,sir."
  "Willyoushowmetoit,ifyouplease?"
  Theman,accustomednodoubttosituationsinwhichitwasnecessarytobeprudent,lookedhimstraightintheeyes;thenselectingakey,heasked:"AreyouM.Duroy?"
  "Certainly."
  Heopenedasmallsuite,comprisingtworoomsonthegroundfloor.
  Duroythoughtuneasily:"Thiswillcostafortune.Ishallhavetorunintodebt.Shehasdoneaveryfoolishthing."
  ThedooropenedandClotilderushedin.Shewasenchanted."Isitnotfine?Therearenostairstoclimb;itisonthegroundfloor!
  Onecouldcomeandgothroughthewindowwithouttheporterseeingone."
  Heembracedhernervously,notdaringtoaskthequestionthathovereduponhislips.Shehadplacedalargepackageonthestandinthecenteroftheroom.Openingitshetookoutatabletofsoap,abottleofLubin’sextract,asponge,aboxofhairpins,abutton—
  hook,andcurling—tongs.Thensheamusedherselfbyfindingplacesinwhichtoputthem.
  Shetalkedincessantlyassheopenedthedrawers:"Imustbringsomelineninordertohaveachange.Weshalleachhaveakey,besidestheoneatthelodge,incaseweshouldforgetours.Irentedtheapartmentsforthreemonths——inyourname,ofcourse,forIcouldnotgivemine."
  Thenheasked:"Willyoutellmewhentopay?"
  Sherepliedsimply:"Itispaid,mydear."
  Hemadeapretenseofbeingangry:"Icannotpermitthat."
  Shelaidherhanduponhisshoulderandsaidinasupplicatorytone:
  "Georges,itwillgivemepleasuretohavethenestmine.Saythatyoudonotcare,dearGeorges,"andheyielded.Whenshehadlefthim,hemurmured:"Sheiskind—hearted,anyway."
  Severaldayslaterhereceivedatelegramwhichread:
  "Myhusbandiscominghomethisevening.Weshallthereforenotmeetforaweek.Whatabore,mydearest!"
  "YOURCLO."
  Duroywasstartled;hehadnotrealizedthefactthatMme.deMarellewasmarried.Heimpatientlyawaitedherhusband’sdeparture.
  Onemorninghereceivedthefollowingtelegram:
  "Fiveo’clock.——CLO."
  Whentheymet,sherushedintohisarms,kissedhimpassionately,andasked:"Afterawhilewillyoutakemetodine?"
  "Certainly,mydarling,whereveryouwishtogo."
  "Ishouldliketogotosomerestaurantfrequentedbytheworking—
  classes."
  Theyrepairedtoawinemerchant’swheremealswerealsoserved.
  Clotilde’sentrancecausedasensationonaccountoftheeleganceofherdress.Theypartookofaragoutofmuttonandleftthatplacetoenteraball—roominwhichshepressedmorecloselytohisside.Infifteenminuteshercuriositywassatisfiedandheconductedherhome.Thenfollowedaseriesofvisitstoallsortsofplacesofamusement.Duroysoonbegantotireofthoseexpeditions,forhehadexhaustedallhisresourcesandallmeansofobtainingmoney.InadditiontothatheowedForestierahundredfrancs,JacquesRivalthreehundred,andhewashamperedwithinnumerablepettydebtsrangingfromtwentyfrancstoonehundredsous.
  OnthefourteenthofDecember,hewasleftwithoutasouinhispocket.Ashehadoftendonebefore,hedidnotlunch,andspenttheafternoonworkingattheoffice.Atfouro’clockhereceivedatelegramfromMme.deMarelle,saying:"Shallwedinetogetherandafterwardhaveafrolic?"
  Herepliedatonce:"Impossibletodine,"thenheadded:"ButIwillexpectyouatourapartmentsatnineo’clock."Havingsentaboywiththenoteinordertosavethemoneyforatelegram,hetriedtothinkofsomewaybywhichhecouldobtainhiseveningmeal.Hewaiteduntilallofhisassociateshadgoneandwhenhewasalone,herangfortheporter,puthishandinhispocketandsaid:
  "Foucart,IhaveleftmypurseathomeandIhavetodineattheLuxembourg.Lendmefiftysoustopayformycab."
  Themanhandedhimthreefrancsandasked:
  "Isthatenough?"
  "Yes,thankyou."Takingthecoins,Duroyrusheddownthestaircaseanddinedatacookshop.
  Atnineo’clock,Mme.deMarelle,whomheawaitedinthetinysalon,arrived.Shewishedtotakeawalkandheobjected.Hisoppositionirritatedher.
  "Ishallgoalone,then.Adieu!"
  Seeingthatthesituationwasbecominggrave,heseizedherhandsandkissedthem,saying:
  "Pardonme,darling;Iamnervousandoutofsortsthisevening.I
  havebeenannoyedbybusinessmatters."
  Somewhatappeasedbutstill,vexed,shereplied:
  "Thatdoesnotconcernme;Iwillnotbethebuttforyourillhumor."
  Heclaspedherinhisarmsandmurmuredhisapologies.Stillshepersistedinherdesiretogoout.
  "Ibeseechyou,remainherebythefirewithme.Sayyes."
  "No,"shereplied,"Iwillnotyieldtoyourcaprices."
  Heinsisted:"Ihaveareason,aseriousreason——"
  "Ifyouwillnotgowithme,Ishallgoalone.Adieu!"
  Shedisengagedherselffromhisembraceandfledtothedoor.Hefollowedher:
  "ListenClo,mylittleClo,listentome——"
  Sheshookherhead,evadedhiscaressesandtriedtoescapefromhisencirclingarms.
  "Ihaveareason——"
  Lookinghimintheface,shesaid:"Youlie!Whatisit?"
  Hecolored,andinordertoavoidarupture,confessedinaccentsofdespair:"Ihavenomoney!"
  Shewouldnotbelievehimuntilhehadturnedallhispocketsinsideout,toprovehiswords.Thenshefelluponhisbreast:"Oh,mypoordarling!HadIknown!Howdidithappen?"
  Heinventedatouchingstorytothiseffect:Thathisfatherwasinstraitenedcircumstances,thathehadgivenhimnotonlyhissavings,buthadrunhimselfintodebt.
  "Ishallhavetostarveforthenextsixmonths."
  "ShallIlendyousome?"shewhispered.
  Herepliedwithdignity:"Youareverykind,dearest;butdonotmentionthatagain;itwoundsme."
  Shemurmured:"YouwillneverknowhowmuchIloveyou."Ontakingleaveofhim,sheasked:"Shallwemeetagainthedayafterto—
  morrow?"
  "Certainly."
  "Atthesametime?"
  "Yes,mydarling."
  Theyparted.
  WhenDuroyopenedhisbedroomdoorandfumbledinhisvestpocketforamatch,hewasamazedtofindinitapieceofmoney——atwenty—
  francpiece!Atfirsthewonderedbywhatmiracleithadgotthere;
  suddenlyitoccurredtohimthatMme.deMarellehadgivenhimalms!
  Angryandhumiliated,hedeterminedtoreturnitwhennexttheymet.
  Thenextmorningitwaslatewhenheawoke;hetriedtoovercomehishunger.Hewentoutandashepassedtherestaurantshecouldscarcelyresisttheirtemptations.Atnoonhesaid:"Bah,IshalllunchuponClotilde’stwentyfrancs;thatwillnothindermefromreturningthemoneyto—morrow."
  Heatehislunch,forwhichhepaidtwofrancsfifty,andonenteringtheofficeof"LaVieFrancaise"herepaidtheporterthethreefrancshehadborrowedfromhim.Heworkeduntilseveno’clock,thenhedined,andhecontinuedtodrawuponthetwentyfrancsuntilonlyfourfrancstwentyremained.HedecidedtosaytoMme.deMarelleuponherarrival:
  "Ifoundthetwenty—francpieceyouslippedintomypocket.Iwillnotreturnthemoneyto—day,butIwillrepayyouwhenwenextmeet."
  WhenMadamecame,hedarednotbroachthedelicatesubject.TheyspenttheeveningtogetherandappointedtheirnextmeetingforWednesdayofthefollowingweek,forMme.deMarellehadanumberofengagements.DuroycontinuedtoacceptmoneyfromClotildeandquietedhisconsciencebyassuringhimself:"Iwillgiveitbackinalump.Itisnothingbutborrowedmoneyanyway."Sohekeptaccountofallthathereceivedinordertopayitbacksomeday.
  Oneevening,Mme.deMarellesaidtohim:"WouldyoubelievethatI
  haveneverbeentotheFolies—Bergeres;willyoutakemethere?"
  Hehesitated,fearingameetingwithRachel.Thenhethought:"Bah,Iamnotmarriedafterall.Ifsheshouldseeme,shewouldtakeinthesituationandnotaccostme.Moreover,wewouldhaveabox."
  Whentheyenteredthehall,itwascrowded;withdifficultytheymadetheirwaytotheirseats.Mme.deMarelledidnotlookatthestage;shewasinterestedinwatchingthewomenwhowerepromenading,andshefeltanirresistibledesiretotouchthem,toseeofwhatthosebeingsweremade.Suddenlyshesaid:
  "Thereisalargebrunettewhostaresatusallthetime.Ithinkeveryminuteshewillspeaktous.Haveyouseenher?"
  Hereplied:"No,youaremistaken."
  Hetoldanuntruth,forhehadnoticedthewoman,whowasnootherthanRachel,withangerinhereyesandviolentwordsuponherlips.
  DuroyhadpassedherwhenheandMme.deMarelleenteredandshehadsaidtohim:"Goodevening,"inalowvoiceandwithawinkwhichsaid"Iunderstand."Buthehadnotreplied;forfearofbeingseenbyhissweethearthepassedhercoldly,disdainfully.Thewoman,herjealousyaroused,followedthecoupleandsaidinalouderkey:
  "Goodevening,Georges."Hepaidnoheedtoher.Thenshewasdeterminedtoberecognizedandsheremainedneartheirbox,awaitingafavorablemoment.WhenshesawthatshewasobservedbyMme.deMarelle,shetouchedDuroy’sshoulderwiththetipofherfinger,andsaid:
  "Goodevening.Howareyou?"
  ButGeorgesdidnotturnhishead.
  Shecontinued:"HaveyougrowndeafsinceThursday?"
  Stillhedidnotreply.Shelaughedangrilyandcried:
  "Areyoudumb,too?PerhapsMadamehasyourtongue?"
  Withafuriousglance,Duroythenexclaimed:
  "Howdareyouaccostme?GoalongorIwillhaveyouarrested."
  Withflamingeyes,shecried:"Ah,isthatso!Becauseyouarewithanotherisnoreasonthatyoucannotrecognizeme.Ifyouhadmadetheleastsignofrecognitionwhenyoupassedme,Iwouldnothavemolestedyou.Youdidnotevensaygoodeveningtomewhenyoumetme."
  DuringthattiradeMme.deMarelleinaffrightopenedthedooroftheboxandfledthroughthecrowdseekinganexit.Duroyrushedafterher.Rachel,seeinghimdisappear,cried:"Stopher!shehasstolenmylover!"
  Twomenseizedthefugitivebytheshoulder,butDuroy,whohadcaughtupwithher,badethemdesist,andtogetherheandClotildereachedthestreet.
  Theyenteredacab.Thecabmanasked:"WhereshallIdriveto?"
  Duroyreplied:"Whereyouwill!"
  Clotildesobbedhysterically.Duroydidnotknowwhattosayordo.
  Atlengthhestammered:
  "ListenClo——mydearestClo,letmeexplain.Itisnotmyfault.I
  knewthatwoman——longago——"
  Sheraisedherheadandwiththefuryofabetrayedwoman,shecrieddisconnectedly:"Ah,youmiserablefellow——whatarascalyouare!Isitpossible?Whatdisgrace,oh,myGod!Yougavehermymoney——didyounot?Igavehimthemoney——forthatwoman——oh,thewretch!"
  Forseveralmomentssheseemedtobevainlyseekinganepithetmoreforcible.Suddenlyleaningforwardshegraspedthecabman’ssleeve.
  "Stop!"shecried,andopeningthedoor,shealighted.Georgeswasabouttofollowherbutshecommanded:"Iforbidyoutofollowme,"
  inavoicesoloudthatthepassers—bycrowdedaroundher,andDuroydarednotstirforfearofascandal.
  Shedrewoutherpurse,andtakingtwofrancsfiftyfromit,shehandedittothecabman,sayingaloud:"Hereisthemoneyforyourhour.TakethatrascaltoRueBoursaultatBatignolles!"
  Thecrowdapplauded;onemansaid:"Bravo,littleone!"andthecabmovedon,followedbythejeersofthebystanders.
  CHAPTERVI.
  ASTEPUPWARD
  ThenextmorningGeorgesDuroyarose,dressedhimself,anddeterminedtohavemoney;hesoughtForestier.Hisfriendreceivedhiminhisstudy.
  "Whatmadeyourisesoearly?"heasked.
  "Averyseriousmatter.Ihaveadebtofhonor."
  "Agamingdebt?"
  Hehesitated,thenrepeated:"Agamingdebt."
  "Isitlarge?"
  "Fivehundredfrancs."Heonlyneededtwohundredandeighty.
  Forestieraskedsceptically:"Towhomdoyouowethatamount?"
  Duroydidnotreplyatonce."To——to——a——M.deCarleville."
  "Ah,wheredoeshelive?"
  "Rue——Rue——"
  Forestierlaughed."Iknowthegentleman!Ifyouwanttwentyfrancsyoucanhavethem,butnomore."
  Duroytookthegold—piece,calleduponmorefriends,andbyfiveo’clockhadcollectedeightyfrancs.Asherequiredtwohundredmore,hekeptwhathehadbeggedandmuttered:"Ishallnotworryaboutit.IwillpayitwhenIcan."
  Fortwoweekshelivedeconomically,butattheendofthattime,thegoodresolutionshehadformedvanished,andoneeveninghereturnedtotheFoliesBergeresinsearchofRachel;butthewomanwasimplacableandheapedcoarseinsultsuponhim,untilhefelthischeekstingleandheleftthehall.
  Forestier,outofhealthandfeeble,madeDuroy’sexistenceattheofficeinsupportable.Thelatterdidnotreplytohisruderemarks,butdeterminedtobeavenged.HecalleduponMme.Forestier.Hefoundherreclininguponacouch,reading.Sheheldoutherhandwithoutrisingandsaid:"Goodmorning,Bel—Ami!"
  "Whydoyoucallmebythatname?"
  Sherepliedwithasmile:"IsawMme.deMarellelastweekandI
  knowwhattheyhavechristenedyouatherhouse."
  Hetookaseatnearhishostessandglancedathercuriously;shewasacharmingblonde,fairandplump,madeforcaresses,andhethought:"Sheiscertainlynicerthantheotherone."Hedidnotdoubtthathewouldonlyhavetoextendhishandinordertogatherthefruit.Ashegazeduponhershechidedhimforhisneglectofher.
  Hereplied:"Ididnotcomebecauseitwasforthebest——"
  "How?Why?"
  "Why?Canyounotguess?"
  "No!"
  "BecauseIlovedyou;alittle,onlyalittle,andIdidnotwishtoloveyouanymore."
  Shedidnotseemsurprised,norflattered;shesmiledindifferentlyandrepliedcalmly:"Oh,youcancomejustthesame;noonelovesmelong."
  "Whynot?"
  "Becauseitisuseless,andItellthemsoatonce.Ifyouhadconfessedyourfearstomesooner,Iwouldhavereassuredyou.Mydearfriend,amaninloveisnotonlyfoolishbutdangerous.I
  ceaseallintercoursewithpeoplewholovemeorpretendto;
  firstly,becausetheyboreme,andsecondly,becauseIlookuponthemwithdread,asIwoulduponamaddog.Iknowthatyourloveisonlyakindofappetite;whilewithmeitwouldbeacommunionofsouls.Now,lookmeintheface——"shenolongersmiled."Iwillneverbeyoursweetheart;itisthereforeuselessforyoutopersistinyourefforts.AndnowthatIhaveexplained,shallwebefriends?"
  Heknewthatthatsentencewasirrevocable,anddelightedtobeabletoformsuchanallianceassheproposed,heextendedbothhands,saying:
  "Iamyours,Madame,todowithasyouwill"
  Hekissedherhandsandraisinghisheadsaid:"IfIhadfoundawomanlikeyou,howgladlywouldIhavemarriedher."
  Shewastouchedbythosewords,andinasoftvoice,placingherhanduponhisarm,shesaid:"Iamgoingtobeginmyofficesatonce.Youarenotdiplomatic——"shehesitated."MayIspeakfreely?"
  "Yes."
  "CalluponMme.Walterwhohastakenafancytoyou.Butbeguardedastoyourcompliments,forsheisvirtuous.Youwillmakeabetterimpressiontherebybeingcarefulinyourremarks.Iknowthatyourpositionattheofficeisunsatisfactory,butdonotworry;alltheiremployeesaretreatedalike."
  Hesaid:"Thanks;youareanangel——aguardianangel."
  Ashetookhisleave,heaskedagain:"Arewefriends——isitsettled?"
  "Itis."
  Havingobservedtheeffectofhislastcompliment,hesaid:"Ifyoueverbecomeawidow,Ihaveputinmyapplication!"Thenhelefttheroomhastilyinordernottoallowhertimetobeangry.
  DuroydidnotliketocallonMme.Walter,forhehadneverbeeninvited,andhedidnotwishtocommitabreachofetiquette.Themanagerhadbeenkindtohim,appreciatedhisservices,employedhimtododifficultwork,whyshouldhenotprofitbythatshowoffavortocallathishouse?Oneday,therefore,herepairedtothemarketandboughttwenty—fivepears.HavingcarefullyarrangedtheminabaskettomakethemappearasiftheycamefromadistancehetookthemtoMme.Walter’sdoorwithhiscardonwhichwasinscribed:
  "GeorgesDuroybegsMme.WaltertoacceptthefruitwhichhereceivedthismorningfromNormandy."
  Thefollowingdayhefoundinhisletter—boxattheofficeanenvelopecontainingMme,Walter’scardonwhichwaswritten:
  "Mme.WalterthanksM.GeorgesDuroyverymuch,andisathomeonSaturdays."
  ThenextSaturdayhecalled.M.WalterlivedonBoulevardMalesherbesinadoublehousewhichheowned.Thereception—roomswereonthefirstfloor.Intheantechamberweretwofootmen;onetookDuroy’sovercoat,theotherhiscane,putitaside,openedadoorandannouncedthevisitor’sname.InthelargemirrorintheapartmentDuroycouldseethereflectionofpeopleseatedinanotherroom.Hepassedthroughtwodrawing—roomsandenteredasmallboudoirinwhichfourladiesweregatheredaroundatea—table.
  NotwithstandingtheassurancehehadgainedduringhislifeinParis,andespeciallysincehehadbeenthrownincontactwithsomanynotedpersonages,Duroyfeltabashed.Hestammered:
  "Madame,Itooktheliberty."
  Themistressofthehouseextendedherhandandsaidtohim:"Youareverykind,M.Duroy,tocometoseeme."Shepointedtoachair.
  Theladieschattedon.Visitorscameandwent.Mme.WalternoticedthatDuroysaidnothing,thatnooneaddressedhim,thatheseemeddisconcerted,andshedrewhimintotheconversationwhichdealtwiththeadmissionofacertainM.LinettotheAcademy.WhenDuroyhadtakenhisleave,oneoftheladiessaid:"Howoddheis!Whoishe?"
  Mme.Walterreplied:"Oneofourreporters;heonlyoccupiesaminorposition,butIthinkhewilladvancerapidly."
  Inthemeantime,whilehewasbeingdiscussed,DuroywalkedgailydownBoulevardMalesherbes.
  Thefollowingweekhewasappointededitorofthe"Echoes,"andinvitedtodineatMme.Walter’s.The"Echoes"were,M.Waltersaid,theverypithofthepaper.Everythingandeverybodyshouldberemembered,allcountries,allprofessions,Parisandtheprovinces,thearmy,thearts,theclergy,theschools,therulers,andthecourtiers.Themanattheheadofthatdepartmentshouldbewideawake,alwaysonhisguard,quicktojudgeofwhatwasbesttobesaidandbesttobeomitted,todivinewhatwouldpleasethepublicandtopresentitwell.Duroywasjustthemanfortheplace.
  Hewasenjoyingthefactofhispromotion,whenhereceivedanengravedcardwhichread:
  "M.andMme.WalterrequestthepleasureofM.GeorgesDuroy’scompanyatdinneronThursday,January20."
  Hewassodelightedthathekissedtheinvitationasifithadbeenalove—letter.
  Thenhesoughtthecashiertosettletheimportantquestionofhissalary.AtfirsttwelvehundredfrancswereallowedDuroy,whointendedtosavealargeshareofthemoney.Hewasbusytwodaysgettingsettledinhisnewposition,inalargeroom,oneendofwhichheoccupied,andtheotherendofwhichwasallottedtoBoisrenard,whoworkedwithhim.
  Thedayofthedinner—partyhelefttheofficeingoodseason,inordertohavetimetodress,andwaswalkingalongRuedeLondreswhenhesawbeforehimaformwhichresembledMme.deMarelle’s.Hefelthischeeksglowandhisheartthrob.Hecrossedthestreetinordertoseethelady’sface;hewasmistaken,andbreathedmorefreely.HehadoftenwonderedwhatheshoulddoifhemetClotildefacetoface.Shouldhebowtoherorpretendnottoseeher?"I
  shouldnotseeher,"thoughthe.
  WhenDuroyenteredhisroomshethought:"Imustchangemyapartments;thesewillnotdoanylonger."Hefeltbothnervousandgay,andsaidaloudtohimself:"Imustwritetomyfather."
  Occasionallyhewrotehome,andhislettersalwaysdelightedhisoldparents.Ashetiedhiscravatatthemirrorherepeated:"Imustwritehometo—morrow.IfmyfathercouldseemethiseveninginthehousetowhichIamgoing,hewouldbesurprised.Sacristi,Ishallsoongiveadinnerwhichhasneverbeenequaled!"
  Thenherecalledhisoldhome,thefacesofhisfatherandmother.
  Hesawthemseatedattheirhomelyboard,eatingtheirsoup.Herememberedeverywrinkleontheiroldfaces,everymovementoftheirhandsandheads;heevenknewwhattheysaidtoeachothereveryeveningastheysupped.Hethought:"Iwillgotoseethemsomeday."Histoilettecompleted,heextinguishedhislightanddescendedthestairs.
  Onreachinghisdestination,heboldlyenteredtheantechamber,lightedbybronzelamps,andgavehiscaneandhisovercoattothetwolackeyswhoapproachedhim.Allthesalonswerelighted.Mme.
  Walterreceivedinthesecond,thelargest.ShegreetedDuroywithacharmingsmile,andheshookhandswithtwomenwhoarrivedafterhim,M.FirminandM.Laroche—Mathieu;thelatterhadespecialauthorityattheofficeonaccountofhisinfluenceinthechamberofdeputies.
  ThentheForestiersarrived,Madeleinelookingcharminginpink.
  Charleshadbecomeverymuchemaciatedandcoughedincessantly.
  NorbertdeVarenneandJacquesRivalcametogether.Adooropenedattheendoftheroom,andM.Walterenteredwithtwotallyounggirlsofsixteenandseventeen;oneplain,theotherpretty.Duroyknewthatthemanagerwasapaterfamilias,buthewasastonished.Hehadthoughtofthemanager’sdaughtersasonethinksofadistantcountryonewillneversee.Then,too,hehadfanciedthemchildren,andhesawwomen.Theyshookhandsuponbeingintroducedandseatedthemselvesatatablesetapartforthem.Oneoftheguestshadnotarrived,andthatembarrassingsilencewhichprecedesdinnersingeneralreignedsupreme.
  Duroyhappeningtoglanceatthewalls,M.Waltersaid:"Youarelookingatmypictures?Iwillshowthemalltoyou."Andhetookalampthattheymightdistinguishallthedetails.TherewerelandscapesbyGuillemet;"AVisittotheHospital,"byGervex;"A
  Widow,"byBouguereau;"AnExecution,"byJeanPaulLaurens,andmanyothers.
  Duroyexclaimed:"Charming,charming,char——"butstoppedshortonhearingbehindhimthevoiceofMme.deMarellewhohadjustentered.M.Waltercontinuedtoexhibitandexplainhispictures;
  butDuroysawnothing——heardwithoutcomprehending.Mme.deMarellewasthere,behindhim.Whatshouldhedo?Ifhegreetedher,mightshenotturnherbackuponhimoruttersomeinsultingremark?Ifhedidnotapproachher,whatwouldpeoplethink?Hewassoillateasethatatonetimehethoughtheshouldfeignindispositionandreturnhome.
  Thepictureshadallbeenexhibited.M.Walterplacedthelamponthetableandgreetedthelastarrival,whileDuroyrecommencedaloneanexaminationofthecanvas,asifhecouldnottearhimselfaway.Whatshouldhedo?Heheardtheirvoicesandtheirconversation.Mme.Forestiercalledhim;hehastenedtowardher.Itwastointroducehimtoafriendwhowasonthepointofgivingafete,andwhowantedadescriptionofitin"LaVieFrancaise."
  Hestammered:"Certainly,Madame,certainly."
  MadamedeMarellewasverynearhim;hedarednotturntogoaway.
  Suddenlytohisamazement,sheexclaimed:"Goodevening,Bel—Ami;doyounotrememberme?"
  Heturneduponhisheelhastily;shestoodbeforehimsmiling,hereyesoverflowingwithroguishnessandaffection.Sheofferedhimherhand;hetookitdoubtfully,fearingsomeperfidy.Shecontinuedcalmly:"Whathasbecomeofyou?Oneneverseesyou!"
  Nothavingregainedhisself—possession,hemurmured:"Ihavehadagreatdealtodo,Madame,agreatdealtodo.M.Walterhasgivenmeanotherpositionandthedutiesareveryarduous."
  "Iknow,butthatisnoexcuseforforgettingyourfriends."
  Theirconversationwasinterruptedbytheentranceofalargewoman,decollette,withredarms,redcheeks,andattiredingaycolors.Asshewasreceivedwitheffusion,DuroyaskedMme.Forestier:"Whoisthatperson?"
  "ViscountessdePercemur,whosenomdeplumeis’PatteBlanche.’"
  Hewassurprisedandwithdifficultyrestrainedaburstoflaughter.
  "PatteBlanche?Ifanciedherayoungwomanlikeyou.IsthatPatteBlanche?Ah,sheishandsome,veryhandsome!"
  Aservantappearedatthedoorandannounced:"Madameisserved."
  Duroywasplacedbetweenthemanager’splaindaughter,Mlle.Rose,andMme.deMarelle.Theproximityofthelatterembarrassedhimsomewhat,althoughsheappearedateaseandconversedwithherusualspirit.Gradually,however,hisassurancereturned,andbeforethemealwasover,heknewthattheirrelationswouldberenewed.
  Wishing,too,tobepolitetohisemployer’sdaughter,headdressedherfromtimetotime.Sherespondedashermotherwouldhavedone,withoutanyhesitationastowhatsheshouldsay.AtM.Walter’srightsatViscountessdePercemur,andDuroy,lookingatherwithasmile,askedMme.deMarelleinalowvoice:"Doyouknowtheonewhosignsherself’DominoRose’?"
  "Yes,perfectly;BaronessdeLivar."
  "IssheliketheCountess?"
  "No.Butsheisjustascomical.Sheissixtyyearsold,hasfalsecurlsandteeth,witofthetimeoftheRestoration,andtoilettesofthesameperiod."
  Whentheguestsreturnedtothedrawing—room,DuroyaskedMme.deMarelle:"MayIescortyouhome?"
  "No."
  "Whynot?"
  "BecauseM.Laroche—Mathieu,whoismyneighbor,leavesmeatmydooreverytimethatIdinehere."
  "WhenshallIseeyouagain?"
  "Lunchwithmeto—morrow."
  Theypartedwithoutanotherword.Duroydidnotremainlate;ashedescendedthestaircase,hemetNorbertdeVarenne,whowaslikewisegoingaway.Theoldpoettookhisarm;fearingnorivalryonthenewspaper,theirworkbeingessentiallydifferent,hewasveryfriendlytotheyoungman.
  "Shallwewalkalongtogether?"
  "Ishallbepleasedto,"repliedDuroy.
  Thestreetswerealmostdesertedthatnight.Atfirstthetwomendidnotspeak.ThenDuroy,inordertomakesomeremark,said:"ThatM.Laroche—Mathieulooksveryintelligent."
  Theoldpoetmurmured:"Doyouthinkso?"
  Theyoungermanhesitatedinsurprise:"Why,yes!IshenotconsideredoneofthemostcapablemenintheChamber?"
  "Thatmaybe.Inakingdomofblindmentheblindarekings.Allthosepeoplearedividedbetweenmoneyandpolitics;theyarepedantstowhomitisimpossibletospeakofanythingthatisfamiliartous.Ah,itisdifficulttofindamanwhoisliberalinhisideas!Ihaveknownseveral,theyaredead.Still,whatdifferencedoesalittlemoreoralittlelessgeniusmake,sinceallmustcometoanend?"Hepaused,andDuroysaidwithasmile:
  "Youaregloomyto—night,sir!"
  Thepoetreplied:"Ialwaysam,mychild;youwillbetooinafewyears.Whileoneisclimbingtheladder,oneseesthetopandfeelshopeful;butwhenonehasreachedthatsummit,oneseesthedescentandtheendwhichisdeath.Itisslowworkascending,butonedescendsrapidly.Atyourageoneisjoyous;onehopesformanythingswhichnevercometopass.Atmine,oneexpectsnothingbutdeath."
  Duroylaughed:"Egad,youmakemeshudder."
  NorbertdeVarennecontinued:"Youdonotunderstandmenow,butlateronyouwillrememberwhatIhavetoldyou.Webreathe,sleep,drink,eat,work,andthendie!Theendoflifeisdeath.Whatdoyoulongfor?Love?Afewkissesandyouwillbepowerless.Money?
  Whatfor?Togratifyyourdesires.Glory?Whatcomesafteritall?
  Death!Deathaloneiscertain."
  Hestopped,tookDuroybyhiscoatcollarandsaidslowly:"Ponderuponallthat,youngman;thinkitoverfordays,months,andyears,andyouwillseelifefromadifferentstandpoint.Iamalonely,oldman.Ihaveneitherfather,mother,brother,sister,wife,children,norGod.Ihaveonlypoetry.Marry,myfriend;youdonotknowwhatitistolivealoneatmyage.Itissolonesome.Iseemtohavenooneuponearth.Whenoneisolditisacomforttohavechildren."
  WhentheyreachedRuedeBourgogne,thepoethaltedbeforeahighhouse,rangthebell,pressedDuroy’shandandsaid:"ForgetwhatI
  havesaidtoyou,youngman,andliveaccordingtoyourage.Adieu!"
  Withthosewordshedisappearedinthedarkcorridor.
  DuroyfeltsomewhatdepressedonleavingVarenne,butonhiswayaperfumeddamselpassedbyhimandrecalledtohismindhisreconciliationwithMme.deMarelle.Howdelightfulwastherealizationofone’shopes!
  Thenextmorninghearrivedathislady—love’sdoorsomewhatearly;
  shewelcomedhimasiftherehadbeennorupture,andsaidasshekissedhim:
  "YoudonotknowhowannoyedIam,mybeloved;Ianticipatedadelightfulhoneymoonandnowmyhusbandhascomehomeforsixweeks.
  ButIcouldnotletsolongatimegobywithoutseeingyou,especiallyafterourlittledisagreement,andthisishowIhavearrangedmatters:CometodinnerMonday.IwillintroduceyoutoM.
  deMarelle,Ihavealreadyspokenofyoutohim."
  Duroyhesitatedinperplexity;hefearedhemightbetraysomethingbyaword,aglance.Hestammered:
  "No,Iwouldrathernotmeetyourhusband."
  "Whynot?Howabsurd!Suchthingshappeneveryday.Ididnotthinkyousofoolish."
  "Verywell,IwillcometodinnerMonday."
  "Tomakeitmorepleasant,IwillhavetheForestiers,thoughIdonotliketoreceivecompanyathome."
  OnMondayasheascendedMme.deMarelle’sstaircase,hefeltstrangelytroubled;notthathedislikedtotakeherhusband’shand,drinkhiswine,andeathisbread,buthedreadedsomething,heknewnotwhat.Hewasusheredintothesalonandhewaitedasusual.Thenthedooropened,andatallmanwithawhitebeard,graveandprecise,advancedtowardhimandsaidcourteously:
  "Mywifehasoftenspokenofyou,sir;Iamcharmedtomakeyouracquaintance."
  Duroytriedtoappearcordialandshookhishost’sprofferedhandwithexaggeratedenergy.M.deMarelleputaloguponthefireandasked:
  "Haveyoubeenengagedinjournalismalongtime?"
  Duroyreplied:"Onlyafewmonths."Hisembarrassmentwearingoff,hebegantoconsiderthesituationveryamusing.HegazedatM.deMarelle,seriousanddignified,andfeltadesiretolaughaloud.AtthatmomentMme.deMarelleenteredandapproachedDuroy,whointhepresenceofherhusbanddarednotkissherhand.Laurineenterednext,andofferedherbrowtoGeorges.Hermothersaidtoher:
  "YoudonotcallM.DuroyBel—Amito—day."
  Thechildblushedasifitwereagrossindiscretiontorevealhersecret.
  WhentheForestiersarrived,DuroywasstartledatCharles’sappearance.Hehadgrownthinnerandpalerinaweekandcoughedincessantly;hesaidtheywouldleaveforCannesonthefollowingThursdayatthedoctor’sorders.Theydidnotstaylate;aftertheyhadleft,Duroysaid,withashakeofhishead:
  "Hewillnotlivelong."
  Mme.deMarellerepliedcalmly:"No,heisdoomed!Hewasaluckymantoobtainsuchawife."
  Duroyasked:"Doesshehelphimverymuch?"
  "Shedoesallthework;sheiswellpostedoneverysubject,andshealwaysgainsherpoint,asshewantsit,andwhenshewantsit!Oh,sheisasmaneuveringasanyone!Sheisatreasuretoamanwhowishestosucceed."
  Georgesreplied:"Shewillmarryverysoonagain,Ihavenodoubt."
  "Yes!Ishouldnotevenbesurprisedifshehadsomeoneinview——adeputy!butIdonotknowanythingaboutit."
  M.deMarellesaidimpatiently:"YouinfersomanythingsthatIdonotlike!Weshouldneverinterfereintheaffairsofothers.
  Everyoneshouldmakethatarule."
  Duroytookhisleavewithaheavyheart.ThenextdayhecalledontheForestiers,andfoundtheminthemidstofpacking.Charleslayuponasofaandrepeated:"Ishouldhavegoneamonthago."ThenheproceededtogiveDuroyinnumerableorders,althougheverythinghadbeenarrangedwithM.Walter.WhenGeorgeslefthim,hepressedhiscomrade’shandandsaid:
  "Well,oldfellow,weshallsoonmeetagain."
  Mme.Forestieraccompaniedhimtothedoorandheremindedheroftheircompact."Wearefriendsandallies,arewenot?Ifyoushouldrequiremyservicesinanyway,donothesitatetocalluponme.
  SendmeadispatchoraletterandIwillobey."
  Shemurmured:"Thankyou,Ishallnotforget."
  AsDuroydescendedthestaircase,hemetM.deVaudrecascending.
  TheCountseemedsad——perhapsattheapproachingdeparture.
  Thejournalistbowed,theCountreturnedhissalutationcourteouslybutsomewhathaughtily.
  OnThursdayeveningtheForestierslefttown.
  CHAPTERVII.
  ADUELWITHANEND
  Charles’sabsencegaveDuroyamoreimportantpositionon"LaVieFrancaise."Onlyonematterarosetoannoyhim,otherwisehisskywascloudless.
  Aninsignificantpaper,"LaPlume,"attackedhimconstantly,orratherattackedtheeditorofthe"Echoes"of"LaVieFrancaise."
  JacquesRivalsaidtohimoneday:"Youareveryforbearing."
  "WhatshouldIdo?Itisnodirectattack."
  But,oneafternoonwhenheenteredtheoffice,Boisrenardhandedhimanumberof"LaPlume."
  "See,hereisanotherunpleasantremarkforyou."
  "Relativetowhat?"
  "TothearrestofoneDameAubert."
  Georgestookthepaperandreadascathingpersonaldenunciation.
  Duroy,itseems,hadwrittenanitemclaimingthatDameAubertwho,astheeditorof"LaPlume,"claimed,hadbeenputunderarrest,wasamyth.ThelatterretaliatedbyaccusingDuroyofreceivingbribesandofsuppressingmatterthatshouldbepublished.
  AsSaint—Potinentered,Duroyaskedhim:"Haveyouseentheparagraphin’LaPlume’?"
  "Yes,andIhavejustcomefromDameAubert’s;sheisnomyth,butshehasnotbeenarrested;thatreporthasnofoundation."
  DuroywentatoncetoM.Walter’soffice.Afterhearingthecase,themanagerbadehimgotothewoman’shousehimself,findoutthedetails,andreply,tothearticle.
  Duroysetoutuponhiserrandandonhisreturntotheoffice,wrotethefollowing:
  "Ananonymouswriterin’LaPlume’istryingtopickaquarrelwithmeonthesubjectofanoldwomanwho,heclaims,wasarrestedfordisorderlyconduct,whichIdeny.IhavemyselfseenDameAubert,whoissixtyyearsoldatleast;shetoldmetheparticularsofherdisputewithabutcherastotheweightofsomecutlets,whichdisputenecessitatedanexplanationbeforeamagistrate.Thatisthewholetruthinanutshell.AsfortheotherinsinuationsIscornthem.Onenevershouldreplytosuchthings,moreover,whentheyarewrittenunderamask.
  GEORGESDUROY."
  M.WalterandJacquesRivalconsideredthatsufficient,anditwasdecidedthatitshouldbepublishedinthatday’sissue.
  Duroyreturnedhomeratheragitatedanduneasy.Whatwouldthisopponentreply?Whowashe?Whythatattack?Hepassedarestlessnight.Whenhere—readhisarticleinthepaperthenextmorning,hethoughtitmoreaggressiveinprintthanitwasinwriting.Hemight,itseemedtohim,havesoftenedcertainterms.Hewasexcitedalldayandfeverishduring—thenight.Heroseearlytoobtainanissueof"LaPlume"whichshouldcontainthereplytohisnote.Heranhiseyesoverthecolumnsandatfirstsawnothing.Hewasbeginningtobreathemorefreelywhenthesewordsmethiseye:
  "M.Duroyof’LaVieFrancaise’givesusthelie!Indoingso,helies.Heowns,however,thatawomannamedAubertexists,andthatshewastakenbeforeamagistratebyanagent.Twowordsonlyremaintobeaddedtotheword’agent,’whichare’ofmorals’andallistold.Buttheconsciencesofcertainjournalistsareonaparwiththeirtalents."
  "Isignmyself,LouisLangremont."
  Georges’sheartthrobbedviolently,andhereturnedhomeinordertodresshimself.Hehadbeeninsultedandinsuchamannerthatitwasimpossibletohesitate.Whyhadhebeeninsulted?Fornothing!Onaccountofanoldwomanwhohadquarreledwithherbutcher.
  HedressedhastilyandrepairedtoM.Walter’shouse,althoughitwasscarcelyeighto’clock.M.Walterwasreading"LaPlume."
  "Well,"hesaidgravely,onperceivingDuroy,"youcannotletthatpass."Theyoungmandidnotreply.
  Themanagercontinued:"GoatonceinsearchofRival,whowilllookafteryourinterests."
  DuroystammeredseveralvaguewordsandsetoutforRival’shouse.
  Jacqueswasstillinbed,butherosewhenthebellrang,andhavingreadtheinsultingparagraph,said:"Whomwouldyouliketohavebesidesme?"
  "Idonotknow."
  "Boisrenard?"
  "Yes."
  "Areyouagoodswordsman?"
  "No."
  "Agoodshot?"
  "Ihaveusedapistolagooddeal."
  "Good!ComeandexercisewhileIattendtoeverything.Waitamoment."
  Heenteredhisdressing—roomandsoonreappeared,washed,shaven,andpresentable.
  "Comewithme,"saidhe.Helivedonthegroundfloor,andheledDuroyintoacellarconvertedintoaroomforthepracticeoffencingandshooting.Heproducedapairofpistolsandbegantogivehisordersasbrieflyasiftheywereontheduelingground.HewaswellsatisfiedwithDuroy’suseoftheweapons,andtoldhimtoremainthereandpracticeuntilnoon,whenhewouldreturntotakehimtolunchandtellhimtheresultofhismission.Lefttohisowndevices,Duroyaimedatthetargetseveraltimesandthensatdowntoreflect.
  Suchaffairswereabominableanyway!Whatwouldarespectablemangainbyriskinghislife?AndherecalledNorbertdeVarenne’sremarks,madetohimashortwhilebefore."Hewasright!"hedeclaredaloud.Itwasgloomyinthatcellar,asgloomyasinatomb.Whato’clockwasit?Thetimedraggedslowlyon.Suddenlyheheardfootsteps,voices,andJacquesRivalreappearedaccompaniedbyBoisrenard.TheformercriedonperceivingDuroy:"Allissettled!"
  Duroythoughtthematterhadterminatedwithaletterofapology;
  hisheartgaveaboundandhestammered:"Ah——thankyou!"
  Rivalcontinued:"M.Langremonthasacceptedeverycondition.
  Twenty—fivepaces,firewhenthepistolisleveledandtheordergiven."Thenheadded:"Nowletuslunch;itispasttwelveo’clock."
  Theyrepairedtoaneighboringrestaurant.Duroywassilent.Heatethattheymightnotthinkhewasfrightened,andwentintheafternoonwithBoisrenardtotheoffice,whereheworkedinanabsent,mechanicalmanner.Beforeleaving,JacquesRivalshookhandswithhimandwarnedhimthatheandBoisrenardwouldcallforhiminacarriagethenextmorningatseveno’clocktorepairtothewoodatVesinet,wherethemeetingwastotakeplace.
  Allhadbeensettledwithouthissayingaword,givinghisopinion,acceptingorrefusing,withsuchrapiditythathisbrainwhirledandhescarcelyknewwhatwastakingplace.Hereturnedhomeaboutnineo’clockintheeveningafterhavingdinedwithBoisrenard,whohadnotlefthimallday.Whenhewasalone,hepacedthefloor;hewastooconfusedtothink.Onethoughtalonefilledhismindandthatwas:aduelto—morrow!Hesatdownandbegantomeditate.Hehadthrownuponhistablehisadversary’scardbroughthimbyRival.Hereaditforthetwentiethtimethatday:
  "LouisLANGREMONT,176RueMontmartre."
  Nothingmore!Whowastheman?Howoldwashe?Howtall?Howdidhelook?Howodiousthatatotalstrangershouldwithoutrhymeorreason,outofpurecaprice,annoyhimthusonaccountofanold,woman’squarrelwithherbutcher!Hesaidaloud:"Thebrute!"andglaredangrilyatthecard.
  Hebegantofeelnervous;thesoundofhisvoicemadehimstart;hedrankaglassofwaterandlaiddown.Heturnedfromhisrightsidetohisleftuneasily.Hewasthirsty;herose,hefeltrestless"AmIafraid?"heaskedhimself.
  Whydidhisheartpalpitatesowildlyattheslightestsound?Hebegantoreasonphilosophicallyonthepossibilityofbeingafraid.
  No,certainlyhewasnot,sincehewasreadytofight.Stillhefeltsodeeplymovedthathewonderedifonecouldbeafraidinspiteofoneself.Whatwouldhappenifthatstateofthingsshouldexist?Ifheshouldtrembleorlosehispresenceofmind?Helightedhiscandleandlookedintheglass;hescarcelyrecognizedhisownface,itwassochanged.
  Suddenlyhethought:"To—morrowatthistimeImaybedead."Heturnedtohiscouchandsawhimselfstretchedlifelessuponit.Hehastenedtothewindowandopenedit;butthenightairwassochillythatheclosedit,lightedafire,andbegantopacetheflooroncemore,sayingmechanically:"Imustbemorecomposed.I
  willwritetomyparents,incaseofaccident."Hetookasheetofpaperandafterseveralattemptsbegan:
  "Mydearfatherandmother:"
  "AtdaybreakIamgoingtofightaduel,andassomethingmighthappen——"
  Hecouldwritenomore,herosewithashudder.Itseemedtohimthatnotwithstandinghisefforts,hewouldnothavethestrengthnecessarytofacethemeeting.Hewonderedifhisadversaryhadeverfoughtbefore;ifhewereknown?Hehadneverheardhisname.
  However,ifhehadnotbeenaremarkableshot,hewouldnothaveacceptedthatdangerousweaponwithouthesitation.Hegroundhisteethtopreventhiscryingaloud.Suddenlyherememberedthathehadabottleofbrandy;hefetcheditfromthecupboardandsoonemptiedit.Nowhefelthisbloodcoursemorewarmlythroughhisveins."Ihavefoundameans,"saidhe.
  Daybroke.Hebegantodress;whenhisheartfailedhim,hetookmorebrandy.Atlengththerewasaknockatthedoor.Hisfriendshadcome;theywerewrappedinfurs.Aftershakinghands,Rivalsaid:"ItisascoldasSiberia.Isallwell?"
  "Yes."
  "Areyoucalm?"
  "Verycalm."
  "Haveyoueatenanddrunksomething?"
  "Idonotneedanything."
  Theydescendedthestairs.Agentlemanwasseatedinthecarriage.
  Rivalsaid:"Dr.LeBrument."Duroyshookhandswithhimandstammered:"Thankyou,"asheenteredthecarriage.JacquesRivalandBoisrenardfollowedhim,andthecoachmandroveoff.Heknewwheretogo.