下载辰思小说免费APP
CHAPTERI.
POVERTY
Afterchanginghisfive—francpieceGeorgesDuroylefttherestaurant.Hetwistedhismustacheinmilitarystyleandcastarapid，sweepingglanceuponthediners，amongwhomwerethreesaleswomen，anuntidymusic—teacherofuncertainage，andtwowomenwiththeirhusbands.
Whenhereachedthesidewalk，hepausedtoconsiderwhatrouteheshouldtake.Itwasthetwenty—eighthofJuneandhehadonlythreefrancsinhispockettolasthimtheremainderofthemonth.Thatmeanttwodinnersandnolunches，ortwolunchesandnodinners，accordingtochoice.Ashepondereduponthisunpleasantstateofaffairs，hesauntereddownRueNotreDamedeLorette，preservinghismilitaryairandcarriage，andrudelyjostledthepeopleuponthestreetsinordertoclearapathforhimself.Heappearedtobehostiletothepassers—by，andeventothehouses，theentirecity.
Tall，well—built，fair，withblueeyes，acurledmustache，hairnaturallywavyandpartedinthemiddle，herecalledtheheroofthepopularromances.
Itwasoneofthosesultry，Parisianeveningswhennotabreathofairisstirring;thesewersexhaledpoisonousgasesandtherestaurantsthedisagreeableodorsofcookingandofkindredsmells.
Portersintheirshirt—sleeves，astridetheirchairs，smokedtheirpipesatthecarriagegates，andpedestriansstrolledleisurelyalong，hatsinhand.
WhenGeorgesDuroyreachedtheboulevardhehaltedagain，undecidedastowhichroadtochoose.FinallyheturnedtowardtheMadeleineandfollowedthetideofpeople.
Thelarge，well—patronizedcafestemptedDuroy，butwerehetodrinkonlytwoglassesofbeerinanevening，farewelltothemeagersupperthefollowingnight！Yethesaidtohimself："IwilltakeaglassattheAmericain.ByJove，Iamthirsty."
Heglancedatmenseatedatthetables，menwhocouldaffordtoslaketheirthirst，andhescowledatthem."Rascals！"hemuttered.
Ifhecouldhavecaughtoneofthematacornerinthedarkhewouldhavechokedhimwithoutascruple！HerecalledthetwoyearsspentinAfrica，andthemannerinwhichhehadextortedmoneyfromtheArabs.Asmilehoveredabouthislipsattherecollectionofanescapadewhichhadcostthreementheirlives，aforaywhichhadgivenhistwocomradesandhimselfseventyfowls，twosheep，money，andsomethingtolaughaboutforsixmonths.Theculpritswereneverfound;indeed，theywerenotsoughtfor，theArabbeinglookeduponasthesoldier’sprey.
ButinParisitwasdifferent;thereonecouldnotcommitsuchdeedswithimpunity.Heregrettedthathehadnotremainedwherehewas;
buthehadhopedtoimprovehiscondition——andforthatreasonhewasinParis！
HepassedtheVaudevilleandstoppedattheCafeAmericain，debatingastowhetherheshouldtakethat"glass."Beforedeciding，heglancedataclock;itwasaquarterpastnine.Heknewthatwhenthebeerwasplacedinfrontofhim，hewoulddrinkit;andthenwhatwouldhedoateleveno’clock？Sohewalkedon，intendingtogoasfarastheMadeleineandreturn.
WhenhereachedthePlacedel’Opera，atall，youngmanpassedhim，whosefacehefanciedwasfamiliar.Hefollowedhim，repeating：
"WherethedeucehaveIseenthatfellow？"
Foratimeherackedhisbraininvain;thensuddenlyhesawthesameman，butnotsocorpulentandmoreyouthful，attiredintheuniformofaHussar.Heexclaimed："Wait，Forestier！"andhasteninguptohim，laidhishandupontheman’sshoulder.Thelatterturned，lookedathim，andsaid："Whatdoyouwant，sir？"
Duroybegantolaugh："Don’tyourememberme？"
"No."
"NotrememberGeorgesDuroyoftheSixthHussars."
Forestierextendedbothhands.
"Ah，mydearfellow，howareyou？"
"Verywell.Andhowareyou？"
"Oh，Iamnotverywell.IcoughsixmonthsoutofthetwelveasaresultofbronchitiscontractedatBougival，aboutthetimeofmyreturntoParisfouryearsago."
"Butyoulookwell."
Forestier，takinghisformercomrade’sarm，toldhimofhismalady，oftheconsultations，theopinionsandtheadviceofthedoctorsandofthedifficultyoffollowingtheiradviceinhisposition.Theyorderedhimtospendthewinterinthesouth，buthowcouldhe？Hewasmarriedandwasajournalistinaresponsibleeditorialposition.
"Imanagethepoliticaldepartmenton’LaVieFrancaise’;IreportthedoingsoftheSenatefor’LeSalut，’andfromtimetotimeI
writefor’LaPlanete.’ThatiswhatIamdoing."
Duroy，insurprise，glancedathim.Hewasverymuchchanged.
FormerlyForestierhadbeenthin，giddy，noisy，andalwaysingoodspirits.ButthreeyearsoflifeinParishadmadeanothermanofhim;nowhewasstoutandserious，andhishairwasgrayonhistemplesalthoughhecouldnotnumbermorethantwenty—sevenyears.
Forestierasked："Whereareyougoing？"
Duroyreplied："Nowhereinparticular."
"Verywell，willyouaccompanymetothe’VieFrancaise’whereI
havesomeproofstocorrect;andafterwardtakeadrinkwithme？"
"Yes，gladly."
Theywalkedalongarm—in—armwiththatfamiliaritywhichexistsbetweenschoolmatesandbrother—officers.
"WhatareyoudoinginParis？"askedForestier，Duroyshruggedhisshoulders.
"Dyingofhunger，simply.Whenmytimewasup，Icamehithertomakemyfortune，orrathertoliveinParis——andforsixmonthsIhavebeenemployedinarailroadofficeatfifteenhundredfrancsayear."
Forestiermurmured："Thatisnotverymuch."
"ButwhatcanIdo？"answeredDuroy."Iamalone，Iknownoone，I
havenorecommendations.Thespiritisnotlacking，butthemeansare."
Hiscompanionlookedathimfromheadtofootlikeapracticalmanwhoisexaminingasubject;thenhesaid，inatoneofconviction：
"Yousee，mydearfellow，alldependsonassurance，here.Ashrewd，observingmancansometimesbecomeaminister.Youmustobtrudeyourselfandyetnotaskanything.Buthowisityouhavenotfoundanythingbetterthanaclerkshipatthestation？"
Duroyreplied："Ihuntedeverywhereandfoundnothingelse.ButI
knowwhereIcangetthreethousandfrancsatleast——asriding—
masteratthePellerinschool."
Forestierstoppedhim："Don’tdoit，foryoucanearntenthousandfrancs.Youwillruinyourprospectsatonce.Inyourofficeatleastnooneknowsyou;youcanleaveitifyouwishtoatanytime.
Butwhenyouareonceariding—masterallwillbeover.YoumightaswellbeabutlerinahousetowhichallPariscomestodine.Whenyouhavegivenridinglessonstomenoftheworldortotheirsons，theywillnolongerconsideryoutheirequal."
Hepaused，reflectedseveralsecondsandthenasked：
"Areyouabachelor？"
"Yes，thoughIhavebeensmittenseveraltimes."
"Thatmakesnodifference.IfCiceroandTiberiuswerementionedwouldyouknowwhotheywere？"
"Yes."
"Good，nooneknowsanymoreexceptaboutascoreoffools.Itisnotdifficulttopassforbeinglearned.Thesecretisnottobetrayyourignorance.Justmaneuver，avoidthequicksandsandobstacles，andtherestcanbefoundinadictionary."
Hespokelikeonewhounderstoodhumannature，andhesmiledasthecrowdpassedthemby.Suddenlyhebegantocoughandstoppedtoallowtheparoxysmtospenditself;thenhesaidinadiscouragedtone：
"Isn’tittiresomenottobeabletogetridofthisbronchitis？Andhereismidsummer！ThiswinterIshallgotoMentone.Healthbeforeeverything."
TheyreachedtheBoulevardePoissoniere;behindalargeglassdooranopenpaperwasaffixed;threepeoplewerereadingit.Abovethedoorwasprintedthelegend，"LaVieFrancaise."
Forestierpushedopenthedoorandsaid："Comein."Duroyentered;
theyascendedthestairs，passedthroughanantechamberinwhichtwoclerksgreetedtheircomrade，andthenenteredakindofwaiting—
room.
"Sitdown，"saidForestier，"Ishallbebackinfiveminutes，"andhedisappeared.
Duroyremainedwherehewas;fromtimetotimemenpassedhimby，enteringbyonedoorandgoingoutbyanotherbeforehehadtimetoglanceatthem.
Nowtheywereyoungmen，veryyoung，withabusyair，holdingsheetsofpaperintheirhands;nowcompositors，theirshirtsspottedwithink——carefullycarryingwhatwereevidentlyfreshproofs.
Occasionallyagentlemanentered，fashionablydressed，somereporterbringingnews.
Forestierreappearedarm—in—armwithatall，thinmanofthirtyorforty，dressedinablackcoat，withawhitecravat，adarkcomplexion，andaninsolent，self—satisfiedair.Forestiersaidtohim："Adieu，mydearsir，"andtheotherpressedhishandwith："Aurevoir，myfriend."Thenhedescendedthestairswhistling，hiscaneunderhisarm.
Duroyaskedhisname.
"ThatisJacquesRival，thecelebratedwriterandduelist.Hecametocorrecthisproofs.Garin，MontelandhearethebestwittyandrealisticwriterswehaveinParis.Heearnsthirtythousandfrancsayearfortwoarticlesaweek."
Astheywentdownstairs，theymetastout，littlemanwithlonghair，whowasascendingthestairswhistling.Forestierbowedlow.
"NorbertdeVarenne，"saidhe，"thepoet，theauthorof’LesSoleilsMorts，’——averyexpensiveman.Everypoemhegivesuscoststhreehundredfrancsandthelongesthasnottwohundredlines.ButletusgointotheNapolitain，Iamgettingthirsty."
Whentheywereseatedatatable，Forestierorderedtwoglassesofbeer.Heemptiedhisatasingledraught，whileDuroysippedhisbeerslowlyasifitweresomethingrareandprecious.Suddenlyhiscompanionasked，"Whydon’tyoutryjournalism？"
Duroylookedathiminsurpriseandsaid："BecauseIhaveneverwrittenanything."
"Bah，weallhavetomakeabeginning.Icouldemployyoumyselfbysendingyoutoobtaininformation.Atfirstyouwouldonlygettwohundredandfiftyfrancsamonthbutyourcabfarewouldbepaid.
ShallIspeaktothemanager？"
"Ifyouwill."
"Well，thencomeanddinewithmeto—morrow;Iwillonlyaskfiveorsixtomeetyou;themanager，M.Walter，hiswife，withJacquesRival，andNorbertdeVarennewhomyouhavejustseen，andalsoafriendofMme.Forestier，Willyoucome？"
Duroyhesitated，blushingandperplexed.Finallyhe，murmured："I
havenosuitableclothes."
Forestierwasamazed."Youhavenodresssuit？Egad，thatisindispensable.InParis，itisbettertohavenobedthannoclothes."Then，fumblinginhisvest—pocket，hedrewfromittwolouis，placedthembeforehiscompanion，andsaidkindly："Youcanrepaymewhenitisconvenient.Buyyourselfwhatyouneedandpayaninstallmentonit.Andcomeanddinewithusathalfpastseven，at17RueFontaine."
InconfusionDuroypickedupthemoneyandstammered："Youareverykind——Iammuchobliged——besureIshallnotforget."
Forestierinterruptedhim："That’sallright，takeanotherglassofbeer.Waiter，twomoreglasses！"Whenhehadpaidthescore，thejournalistasked："Wouldyoulikeastrollforanhour？"
"Certainly."
TheyturnedtowardtheMadeleine."Whatshallwedo？"askedForestier."TheysaythatinParisanidlercanalwaysfindamusement，butitisnottrue.AturnintheBoisisonlyenjoyableifyouhavealadywithyou，andthatisarareoccurrence.Thecafeconcertsmaydivertmytailorandhiswife，buttheydonotinterestme.Sowhatcanwedo？Nothing！Thereoughttobeasummergardenhere，openatnight，whereamancouldlistentogoodmusicwhiledrinkingbeneaththetrees.Itwouldbeapleasantloungingplace.
Youcouldwalkinalleysbrightwithelectriclightandseatyourselfwhereyoupleasedtohearthemusic.Itwouldbecharming.
Wherewouldyouliketogo？"
Duroydidnotknowwhattoreply;finallyhesaid："IhaveneverbeentotheFoliesBergeres.Ishouldliketogothere."
Hiscompanionexclaimed："TheFoliesBergeres！Verywell！"
TheyturnedandwalkedtowardtheFaubourgMontmartre.Thebrilliantlyilluminatedbuildingloomedupbeforethem.Forestierentered，Duroystoppedhim."Weforgottopassthroughthegate."
Theotherrepliedinaconsequentialtone："Ineverpay，"andapproachedthebox—office.
"Haveyouagoodbox？"
"Certainly，M.Forestier."
Hetookthetickethandedhim，pushedopenthedoor，andtheywerewithinthehall.Acloudoftobaccosmokealmosthidthestageandtheoppositesideofthetheater.Inthespaciousfoyerwhichledtothecircularpromenade，brilliantlydressedwomenmingledwithblack—coatedmen.
Forestierforcedhiswayrapidlythroughthethrongandaccostedanusher.
"Box17？"
"Thisway，sir."
Thefriendswereshownintoatinybox，hungandcarpetedinred，withfourchairsupholsteredinthesamecolor.Theyseatedthemselves.Totheirrightandleftweresimilarboxes.Onthestagethreemenwereperformingontrapezes.ButDuroypaidnoheedtothem，hiseyesfindingmoretointeresttheminthegrandpromenade.
Forestierremarkeduponthemotleyappearanceofthethrong，butDuroydidnotlistentohim.Awoman，leaningherarmsupontheedgeofherloge，wasstaringathim.Shewasatall，voluptuousbrunette，herfacewhitenedwithenamel，herblackeyespenciled，andherlipspainted.Withamovementofherhead，shesummonedafriendwhowaspassing，ablondewithauburnhair，likewiseinclinedtoembonpoint，andsaidtoherinawhisperintendedtobeheard;
"Thereisanicefellow！"
Forestierheardit，andsaidtoDuroywithasmile："Youarelucky，mydearboy.Mycongratulations！"
Theci—devantsoldierblushedandmechanicallyfingeredthetwopiecesofgoldinhispocket.
Thecurtainfell——theorchestraplayedavalse——andDuroysaid：
"Shallwewalkaroundthegallery？"
"Ifyoulike."
Soontheywerecarriedalonginthecurrentofpromenaders.Duroydrankinwithdelighttheair，vitiatedasitwasbytobaccoandcheapperfume，butForestierperspired，panted，andcoughed.
"Letusgointothegarden，"hesaid.Turningtotheleft，theyenteredakindofcoveredgardeninwhichtwolargefountainswereplaying.Undertheyews，menandwomensatattablesdrinking.
"Anotherglassofbeer？"askedForestier.
"Gladly."
Theytooktheirseatsandwatchedthepromenaders.Occasionallyawomanwouldstopandaskwithacoarsesmile："Whathaveyoutooffer，sir？"
Forestier’sinvariableanswerwas："Aglassofwaterfromthefountain."Andthewomanwouldmutter，"Goalong，"andwalkaway.
Atlastthebrunettereappeared，arm—in—armwiththeblonde.Theymadeahandsomecouple.TheformersmiledonperceivingDuroy，andtakingachairshecalmlyseatedherselfinfrontofhim，andsaidinaclearvoice："Waiter，twoglasses."
Inastonishment，Forestierexclaimed："Youarenotatallbashful！"
Shereplied："Yourfriendhasbewitchedme;heissuchafinefellow.Ibelievehehasturnedmyhead."
Duroysaidnothing.
Thewaiterbroughtthebeer，whichthewomenswallowedrapidly;thentheyrose，andthebrunette，noddingherheadandtappingDuroy’sarmwithherfan，saidtohim："Thankyou，mydear！However，youarenotverytalkative."
Astheydisappeared，Forestierlaughedandsaid："Tell，me，oldman，didyouknowthatyouhadacharmfortheweakersex？Youmustbecareful."
Withoutreplying，Duroysmiled.Hisfriendasked："Shallyouremainanylonger？Iamgoing;Ihavehadenough."
Georgesmurmured："Yes，Iwillstayalittlelonger：itisnotlate."
Forestierarose："Verywell，then，good—byeuntilto—morrow.Donotforget：17RueFontaineatseventhirty."
"Ishallnotforget.Thankyou."
ThefriendsshookhandsandthejournalistleftDuroytohisowndevices.
Forestieronceoutofsight，Duroyfeltfree，andagainhejoyouslytouchedthegoldpiecesinhispocket;thenrising，hemingledwiththecrowd.
Hesoondiscoveredtheblondeandthebrunette.Hewenttowardthem，butwhennearthemdarednotaddressthem.
Thebrunettecalledouttohim："Haveyoufoundyourtongue？"
Hestammered："Zounds！"toobashfultosayanotherword.Apauseensued，duringwhichthebrunettetookhisarmandtogethertheyleftthehall.
CHAPTERII.
MADAMEFORESTIER
"WheredoesM.Forestierlive？"
"Thirdfloorontheleft，"saidtheporterpleasantly，onlearningDuroy’sdestination.
Georgesascendedthestaircase.Hewassomewhatembarrassedandill—
at—ease.Hehadonanewsuitbuthewasuncomfortable.Hefeltthatitwasdefective;hisbootswerenotglossy，hehadboughthisshirtthatsameeveningattheLouvreforfourfrancsfifty，histrousersweretoowideandbetrayedtheircheapnessintheirfit，orrather，misfit，andhiscoatwastootight.
Slowlyheascendedthestairs，hisheartbeating，hismindanxious.
Suddenlybeforehimstoodawell—dressedgentlemanstaringathim.
ThepersonresembledDuroysoclosethatthelatterretreated，thenstopped，andsawthatitwashisownimagereflectedinapier—
glass！Nothavinganythingbutasmallmirrorathome，hehadnotbeenabletoseehimselfentirely，andhadexaggeratedtheimperfectionsofhistoilette.Whenhesawhisreflectionintheglass，hedidnotevenrecognizehimself;hetookhimselfforsomeoneelse，foraman—of—the—world，andwasreallysatisfiedwithhisgeneralappearance.Smilingtohimself，Duroyextendedhishandandexpressedhisastonishment，pleasure，andapprobation.Adooropenedonthestaircase，Hewasafraidofbeingsurprisedandbegantoascendmorerapidly，fearingthathemighthavebeenseenposingtherebysomeofhisfriend’sinvitedguests.
Onreachingthesecondfloor，hesawanothermirror，andoncemoreslackenedhispacetolookathimself.Helikewisepausedbeforethethirdglass，twirledhismustache，tookoffhishattoarrangehishair，andmurmuredhalfaloud，ahabitofhis："Hallmirrorsaremostconvenient."
Thenherangthebell.Thedooropenedalmostimmediately，andbeforehimstoodaservantinablackcoat，withagrave，shavenface，soperfectinhisappearancethatDuroyagainbecameconfusedashecomparedthecutoftheirgarments.
Thelackeyasked：
"WhomshallIannounce，Monsieur？"Heraisedaportiereandpronouncedthename.
Duroylosthisself—possessionuponbeingusheredintoaworldasyetstrangetohim.However，headvanced.Ayoung，fairwomanreceivedhimaloneinalarge，well—lightedroom.Hepaused，disconcerted.Whowasthatsmilinglady？HerememberedthatForestierwasmarried，andthethoughtthatthehandsomeblondewashisfriend’swiferenderedhimawkwardandill—at—ease.Hestammeredout：
"Madame，Iam——"
Sheheldoutherhand."Iknow，Monsieur——Charlestoldmeofyourmeetinglastnight，andIamverygladthatheaskedyoutodinewithusto—day."
Duroyblushedtotherootsofhishair，notknowinghowtoreply;hefeltthathewasbeinginspectedfromhisheadtohisfeet.Hehalfthoughtofexcusinghimself，ofinventinganexplanationofthecarelessnessofhistoilette，buthedidnotknowhowtotouchuponthatdelicatesubject.
Heseatedhimselfuponachairshepointedouttohim，andashesankintoitsluxuriousdepths，itseemedtohimthathewasenteringanewandcharminglife，thathewouldmakehismarkintheworld，thathewassaved.HeglancedatMme.Forestier.Sheworeagownofpalebluecashmerewhichclunggracefullytohersuppleformandroundedoutlines;herarmsandthroatrosein，lily—whitepurityfromthemassoflacewhichornamentedthecorsageandshortsleeves.Herhairwasdressedhighandcurledonthenapeofherneck.
Duroygrewmoreathiseaseunderherglance，whichrecalledtohim，heknewnotwhy，thatofthegirlhehadmettheprecedingeveningattheFolies—Bergeres.Mme.Forestierhadgrayeyes，asmallnose，fulllips，andaratherheavychin，anirregular，attractiveface，fullofgentlenessandyetofmalice.
Afterashortsilence，sheasked："HaveyoubeeninParisalongtime？"
Graduallyregaininghisself—possession，hereplied："afewmonths，Madame.Iamintherailroademploy，butmyfriendForestierhasencouragedmetohopethat，thankstohim，Icanenterintojournalism."
Shesmiledkindlyandmurmuredinalowvoice："Iknow."
Thebellrangagainandtheservantannounced："Mme.deMarelle."
Shewasadaintybrunette，attiredinasimple，darkrobe;aredroseinherblacktressesseemedtoaccentuateherspecialcharacter，andayounggirl，orratherachild，forsuchshewas，followedher.
Mme.Forestiersaid："Goodevening，Clotilde."
"Goodevening，Madeleine."
Theyembracedeachother，thenthechildofferedherforeheadwiththeassuranceofanadult，saying：
"Goodevening，cousin."
Mme.Forestierkissedher，andthenmadetheintroductions：
"M.GeorgesDuroy，anoldfriendofCharles.Mme.deMarelle，myfriend，arelativeinfact."Sheadded："Here，youknow，wedonotstandonceremony."
Duroybowed.Thedooropenedagainandashortmanentered，uponhisarmatall，handsomewoman，tallerthanheandmuchyounger，withdistinguishedmannersandadignifiedcarriage.ItwasM.Walter，deputy，financier，amoneyedman，andamanofbusiness，managerof"LaVieFrancaise，"withhiswife，neeBasileRavalade，daughterofthebankerofthatname.
ThencameJacquesRival，veryelegant，followedbyNorbertdeVarenne.ThelatteradvancedwiththegraceoftheoldschoolandtakingMme.Forestier’shandkissedit;hislonghairfallinguponhishostess’sbarearmashedidso.
Forestiernowentered，apologizingforbeinglate;hehadbeendetained.
Theservantannounceddinner，andtheyenteredthedining—room.
DuroywasplacedbetweenMme.deMarelleandherdaughter.Hewasagainrendereduncomfortableforfearofcommittingsomeerrorintheconventionalmanagementofhisfork，hisspoon，orhisglasses，ofwhichhehadfour.Nothingwassaidduringthesoup;thenNorbertdeVarenneaskedageneralquestion："HaveyoureadtheGauthiercase？Howdrollitwas！"
Thenfollowedadiscussionofthesubjectinwhichtheladiesjoined.ThenaduelwasmentionedandJacquesRivalledtheconversation;thatwashisprovince.Duroydidnotventurearemark，butoccasionallyglancedathisneighbor.Adiamonduponaslight，goldenthreaddependedfromherear;fromtimetotimesheutteredaremarkwhichevokedasmileuponhislips.Duroysoughtvainlyforsomecomplimenttopayher;hebusiedhimselfwithherdaughter，filledherglass，waiteduponher，andthechild，moredignifiedthanhermother，thankedhimgravelysaying，"Youareverykind，Monsieur，"whileshelistenedtotheconversationwithareflectiveair.Thedinnerwasexcellentandeveryonewasdelightedwithit.
TheconversationreturnedtothecolonizationofAlgeria.M.Walterutteredseveraljocoseremarks;Forestieralludedtothearticlehehadpreparedforthemorrow;JacquesRivaldeclaredhimselfinfavorofamilitarygovernmentwithgrantsoflandtoalltheofficersafterthirtyyearsofcolonialservice.
"Inthatway，"saidhe，"youcanestablishastrongcolony，familiarwithandlikingthecountry，knowingitslanguageandabletocopewithallthoselocalyetgravequestionswhichinvariablyconfrontnewcomers."
NorbertdeVarenneinterrupted："Yes，theywouldknoweverything，exceptagriculture.TheywouldspeakArabic，buttheywouldnotknowhowtotransplantbeet—root，andhowtosowwheat.Theywouldbestronginfencing，butweakintheartoffarming.Onthecontrary，thenewcountryshouldbeopenedtoeveryone.Intelligentmenwouldmakepositionsforthemselves;theotherswouldsuccumb.Itisanaturallaw."
Apauseensued.Everyonesmiled.GeorgesDuroy，startledatthesoundofhisownvoice，asifhehadneverheardit，said：
"Whatisneededthemostdownthereisgoodsoil.ReallyfertilelandcostsasmuchasitdoesinFranceandisboughtbywealthyParisians.Therealcolonists，thepoor，aregenerallycastoutintothedesert，wherenothinggrowsforlackofwater."
Alleyesturneduponhim.Hecolored.M.Walterasked："DoyouknowAlgeria，sir？"
Hereplied："Yes，sir，Iwastheretwenty—eightmonths."Leavingthesubjectofcolonization，NorbertdeVarennequestionedhimastosomeoftheAlgeriancustoms.Georgesspokewithanimation;excitedbythewineandthedesiretoplease，herelatedanecdotesoftheregiment，ofArabianlife，andofthewar.
Mme.Waltermurmuredtohiminhersofttones："Youcouldwriteaseriesofcharmingarticles."
ForestiertookadvantageofthesituationtosaytoM.Walter："Mydearsir，IspoketoyouashortwhilesinceofM.GeorgesDuroyandaskedyoutopermitmetoincludehimonthestaffofpoliticalreporters.SinceMarambothasleftus，Ihavehadnoonetotakeurgentandconfidentialreports，andthepaperissufferingbyit."
M.WalterputonhisspectaclesinordertoexamineDuroy.Thenhesaid："IamconvincedthatM.Duroyisoriginal，andifhewillcalluponmetomorrowatthreeo’clock，wewillarrangematters."Afterapause，turningtotheyoungman，hesaid："YoumaywriteusashortsketchonAlgeria，M.Duroy.Simplyrelateyourexperiences;Iamsuretheywillinterestourreaders.Butyoumustdoitquickly."
Mme.Walteraddedwithhercustomary，seriousgrace："Youwillhaveacharmingtitle：’SouvenirsofaSoldierinAfrica.’Willhenot，M.Norbert？"
Theoldpoet，whohadattainedrenownlateinlife，dislikedandmistrustednewcomers.Hereplieddryly："Yes，excellent，providedthatitiswrittenintherightkey，forthereliesthegreatdifficulty."
Mme.ForestiercastuponDuroyaprotectingandsmilingglancewhichseemedtosay："Youshallsucceed."Theservantfilledtheglasseswithwine，andForestierproposedthetoast："Tothelongprosperityof’LaVieFrancaise.’"Duroyfeltsuperhumanstrengthwithinhim，infinitehope，andinvincibleresolution.Hewasathiseasenowamongthesepeople;hiseyesrestedupontheirfaceswithrenewedassurance，andforthefirsttimeheventuredtoaddresshisneighbor：
"YouhavethemostbeautifulearringsIhaveeverseen."
Sheturnedtowardhimwithasmile："Itisafancyofminetoweardiamondslikethis，simplyonathread."
Hemurmuredinreply，tremblingathisaudacity："Itischarming——
buttheearincreasesthebeautyoftheornament."
Shethankedhimwithaglance.Asheturnedhishead，hemetMme.
Forestier’seyes，inwhichhefanciedhesawamingledexpressionofgaiety，malice，andencouragement.Allthemenweretalkingatthesametime;theirdiscussionwasanimated.
Whenthepartyleftthedining—room，Duroyofferedhisarmtothelittlegirl.Shethankedhimgravelyandstoodupontiptoeinordertolayherhanduponhisarm.Uponenteringthedrawing—room，theyoungmancarefullysurveyedit.Itwasnotalargeroom;buttherewerenobrightcolors，andonefeltatease;itwasrestful.Thewallsweredrapedwithviolethangingscoveredwithtinyembroideredflowersofyellowsilk.Theportiereswereofagrayishblueandthechairswereofallshapes，ofallsizes;scatteredabouttheroomwerecouchesandlargeandsmalleasy—chairs，allcoveredwithLouisXVI.brocade，orUtrechtvelvet，acreamcoloredgroundwithgarnetflowers.
"Doyoutakecoffee，M.Duroy？"Mme.Forestierofferedhimacup，withthesmilethatwasalwaysuponherlips.
"Yes，Madame，thankyou."Hetookthecup，andashedidso，theyoungwomanwhisperedtohim："PayMme.Waltersomeattention."Thenshevanishedbeforehecouldreply.
Firsthedrankhiscoffee，whichhefearedheshouldletfalluponthecarpet;thenhesoughtapretextforapproachingthemanager’swifeandcommencingaconversation.Suddenlyheperceivedthatsheheldanemptycupinherhand，andasshewasnotnearatable，shedidnotknowwheretoputit.Herushedtowardher：
"Allowme，Madame."
"Thankyou，sir."
Hetookawaythecupandreturned："Ifyou，butknew，Madame，whatpleasantmoments’LaVieFrancaise’affordedme，whenIwasinthedesert！ItisindeedtheonlypaperonecarestoreadoutsideofFrance;itcontainseverything."
Shesmiledwithamiableindifferenceasshereplied："M.Walterhadagreatdealoftroubleinproducingthekindofjournalwhichwasrequired."
TheytalkedofParis，thesuburbs，theSeine，thedelightsofsummer，ofeverythingtheycouldthinkof.FinallyM.NorbertdeVarenneadvanced，aglassofliqueurinhishand，andDuroydiscreetlywithdrew.Mme.deMarelle，whowaschattingwithherhostess，calledhim："So，sir，"shesaidbluntly，"youaregoingtotryjournalism？"ThatquestionledtoarenewaloftheinterruptedconversationwithMme.Walter.InherturnMme.deMarellerelatedanecdotes，andbecomingfamiliar，laidherhanduponDuroy’sarm.Hefeltthathewouldliketodevotehimselftoher，toprotecther——
andtheslownesswithwhichherepliedtoherquestionsindicatedhispreoccupation.Suddenly，withoutanycause，Mme.deMarellecalled："Laurine！"andthegirlcametoher."Sitdownhere，mychild，youwillbecoldnearthewindow."
Duroywasseizedwithaneagerdesiretoembracethechild，asifpartofthatembracewouldreverttothemother.Heaskedinagallant，yetpaternaltone："Willyoupermitmetokissyou，Mademoiselle？"Thechildraisedhereyeswithanairofsurprise.
Mme.deMarellesaidwithasmile："Reply."
"Iwillallowyouto—day，Monsieur，butnotallthetime."
Seatinghimself，DuroytookLaurineuponhisknee，andkissedherlipsandherfinewavyhair.Hermotherwassurprised："Well，thatisstrange！Ordinarilysheonlyallowsladiestocaressher.Youareirresistible，Monsieur！"
Duroycolored，butdidnotreply.
WhenMme.Forestierjoinedthem，acryofastonishmentescapedher：
"Well，Laurinehasbecomesociable;whatamiracle！"
Theyoungmanrosetotakehisleave，fearinghemightspoilhisconquestbysomeawkwardword.Hebowedtotheladies，claspedandgentlypressedtheirhands，andthenshookhandswiththemen.HeobservedthatJacquesRival’swasdryandwarmandrespondedcordiallytohispressure;NorbertdeVarenne’swasmoistandcoldandslippedthroughhisfingers;Walter’swascoldandsoft，withoutlife，expressionless;Forestier’sfatandwarm.
Hisfriendwhisperedtohim："To—morrowatthreeo’clock;donotforget."
"Neverfear！"
Whenhereachedthestaircase，hefeltlikerunningdown，hisjoywassogreat;hewentdowntwostepsatatime，butsuddenlyonthesecondfloor，inthelargemirror，hesawagentlemanhurryingon，andheslackenedhispace，asmuchashamedasifhehadbeensurprisedinacrime.
Hesurveyedhimselfsometimewithacomplacentsmile;thentakingleaveofhisimage，hebowedlow，ceremoniously，asifsalutingsomegrandpersonage.
CHAPTERIII.
FIRSTATTEMPTS
WhenGeorgesDuroyreachedthestreet，hehesitatedastowhatheshoulddo.Hefeltinclinedtostrollalong，dreamingofthefutureandinhalingthesoftnightair;butthethoughtoftheseriesofarticlesorderedbyM.Walteroccurredtohim，andhedecidedtoreturnhomeatonceandbeginwork.HewalkedrapidlyalonguntilhecametoRueBoursault.Thetenementinwhichhelivedwasoccupiedbytwentyfamilies——familiesofworkingmen——andashemountedthestaircaseheexperiencedasensationofdisgustandadesiretoliveaswealthymendo.Duroy’sroomwasonthefifthfloor.Heenteredit，openedhiswindow，andlookedout：theviewwasanythingbutprepossessing.
Heturnedaway，thinking："Thiswon’tdo.Imustgotowork."Soheplacedhislightuponthetableandbegantowrite.Hedippedhispenintotheinkandwroteattheheadofhispaperinaboldhand：
"SouvenirsofaSoldierinAfrica."Thenhecastaboutforthefirstphrase.Herestedhisheaduponhishandandstaredattheblanksheetbeforehim.Whatshouldhesay？Suddenlyhethought："Imustbeginwithmydeparture，"andhewrote："In1874，aboutthefifteenthofMay，whenexhaustedFrancewasrecruitingafterthecatastropheoftheterribleyears——"Herehestoppedshort，notknowinghowtointroducehissubject.Afterafewminutes’
reflection，hedecidedtolayasidethatpageuntilthefollowingday，andtowriteadescriptionofAlgiers.Hebegan："Algiersisaverycleancity——"buthecouldnotcontinue.Afteraneffortheadded："ItisinhabitedpartlybyArabs."Thenhethrewhispenuponthetableandarose.Heglancedaroundhismiserableroom;mentallyherebelledagainsthispovertyandresolvedtoleavethenextday.
Suddenlythedesiretoworkcameonhim，andhetriedtobeginthearticleagain;hehadvagueideasofwhathewantedtosay，buthecouldnotexpresshisthoughtsinwords.Convincedofhisinabilityhearoseoncemore，hisbloodcoursingrapidlythroughhisveins.Heturnedtothewindowjustasthetrainwascomingoutofthetunnel，andhisthoughtsrevertedtohisparents.HesawtheirtinyhomeontheheightsoverlookingRouenandthevalleyoftheSeine.Hisfatherandmotherkeptaninn，LaBelle—Vue，atwhichthecitizensofthefaubourgstooktheirlunchesonSundays.Theyhadwishedtomakea"gentleman"oftheirsonandhadsenthimtocollege.Hisstudiescompleted，hehadenteredthearmywiththeintentionofbecominganofficer，acolonel，orageneral.Butbecomingdisgustedwithmilitarylife，hedeterminedtotryhisfortuneinParis.Whenhistimeofservicehadexpired，hewentthither，withwhatresultswehaveseen.Heawokefromhisreflectionsasthelocomotivewhistledshrilly，closedhiswindow，andbegantodisrobe，muttering："Bah，Ishallbeabletoworkbetterto—morrowmorning.
Mybrainisnotclearto—night.Ihavedrunkalittletoomuch.I
can’tworkwellundersuchcircumstances."Heextinguishedhislightandfellasleep.
Heawokeearly，and，rising，openedhiswindowtoinhalethefreshair.Inafewmomentsheseatedhimselfathistable，dippedhispenintheink，restedhisheaduponhishandandthought——butinvain！
However，hewasnotdiscouraged，butinthoughtreassuredhimself：
"Bah，Iamnotaccustomedtoit！Itisaprofessionthatmustbelearnedlikeallprofessions.Someonemusthelpmethefirsttime.
I’llgotoForestier.He’llstartmyarticleformeintenminutes."
Whenhereachedthestreet，Duroydecidedthatitwasratherearlytopresenthimselfathisfriend’shouse，sohestrolledalongunderthetreesononeoftheboulevardsforatime.OnarrivingatForestier’sdoor，hefoundhisfriendgoingout.
"Youhere——atthishour！CanIdoanythingforyou？"
Duroystammeredinconfusion："I——I——cannotwritethatarticleonAlgeriathatM.Walterwants.Itisnotverysurprising，seeingthatIhaveneverwrittenanything.Itrequirespractice.Icouldwriteveryrapidly，Iamsure，ifIcouldmakeabeginning.IhavetheideasbutIcannotexpressthem."Hepausedandhesitated.
Forestiersmiledmaliciously："Iunderstandthat."
Duroycontinued："Yes，anyoneisliabletohavethattroubleatthebeginning;and，well——Ihavecometoaskyoutohelpme.Intenminutesyoucansetmeright.Youcangivemealessoninstyle;
withoutyouIcandonothing."
Theothersmiledgaily.Hepattedhiscompanion’sarmandsaidtohim："Gotomywife;shewillhelpyoubetterthanIcan.Ihavetrainedherforthatwork.IhavenottimethismorningorIwoulddoitwillingly."
ButDuroyhesitated："AtthishourIcannotinquireforher."
"Oh，yes，youcan;shehasrisen.Youwillfindherinmystudy."
"Iwillgo，butIshalltellheryousentme！"
Forestierwalkedaway，andDuroyslowlyascendedthestairs，wonderingwhatheshouldsayandwhatkindofareceptionhewouldreceive.
Theservantwhoopenedthedoorsaid："Monsieurhasgoneout."
Duroyreplied："AskMme.Forestierifshewillseeme，andtellherthatM.Forestier，whomImetonthestreet，sentme."
ThelackeysoonreturnedandusheredDuroyintoMadame’spresence.
Shewasseatedatatableandextendedherhandtohim.
"Sosoon？"saidshe.Itwasnotareproach，butasimplequestion.
Hestammered："Ididnotwanttocomeup，Madame，butyourhusband，whomImetbelow，insisted——Idarescarcelytellyoumyerrand——I
workedlatelastnightandearlythismorning，towritethearticleonAlgeriawhichM.Walterwants——andIdidnotsucceed——Idestroyedallmyattempts——Iamnotaccustomedtothework——andIcametoaskForestiertoassistme——hisonce."
Sheinterruptedwithalaugh："Andhesentyoutome？"
"Yes，Madame.Hesaidyoucouldhelpmebetterthanhe——but——Idarednot——Ididnotliketo."
Sherose.
"Itwillbedelightfultoworktogetherthatway.Iamcharmedwithyouridea.Wait，takemychair，fortheyknowmyhandwritingonthepaper——wewillwriteasuccessfularticle."
Shetookacigarettefromthemantelpieceandlightedit."Icannotworkwithoutsmoking，"shesaid;"whatareyougoingtosay？"
Helookedatherinastonishment."Idonotknow;Icameheretofindthatout."
Shereplied："Iwillmanageitallright.IwillmakethesaucebutImusthavethedish."Shequestionedhimindetailandfinallysaid：
"Now，wewillbegin.Firstofallwewillsupposethatyouareaddressingafriend，whichwillallowusscopeforremarksofallkinds.Beginthisway：’MydearHenry，youwishtoknowsomethingaboutAlgeria;youshall.’"
ThenfollowedabrilliantlywordeddescriptionofAlgeriaandoftheportofAlgiers，anexcursiontotheprovinceofOran，avisittoSaida，andanadventurewithaprettySpanishmaidemployedinafactory.
Whenthearticlewasconcluded，hecouldfindnowordsofthanks;hewashappytobenearher，gratefulforanddelightedwiththeirgrowingintimacy.Itseemedtohimthateverythingabouthimwasapartofher，eventothebooksupontheshelves.Thechairs，thefurniture，theair——allwerepermeatedwiththatdelightfulfragrancepeculiartoher.
Sheaskedbluntly："WhatdoyouthinkofmyfriendMme.deMarelle？"
"Ithinkherveryfascinating，"hesaid;andhewouldhavelikedtoadd："Butnotasmuchsoasyou."Hehadnotthecouragetodoso.
Shecontinued："Ifyouonlyknewhowcomical，original，andintelligentsheis！SheisatrueBohemian.Itisforthatreasonthatherhusbandnolongerlovesher.Heonlyseesherdefectsandnoneofhergoodqualities."
DuroywassurprisedtohearthatMme.deMarellewasmarried.
"What，"heasked，"isshemarried？Whatdoesherhusbanddo？"
Mme.Forestiershruggedhershoulders."Oh，heissuperintendentofarailroad.HeisinParisaweekoutofeachmonth.Hiswifecallsit’HolyWeek.’or’Theweekofduty.’Whenyougetbetteracquaintedwithher，youwillseehowwittysheis！Comehereandseehersomeday."
Asshespoke，thedooropenednoiselessly，andagentlemanenteredunannounced.Hehaltedonseeingaman.ForamomentMme.Forestierseemedconfused;thenshesaidinanaturalvoice，thoughhercheeksweretingedwithablush：
"Comein，mydearsir;allowmetopresenttoyouanoldcomradeofCharles，M.GeorgesDuroy，afuturejournalist."Theninadifferenttone，shesaid："Ourbestanddearestfriend，CountdeVaudrec."
Thetwomenbowed，gazedintooneanother’seyes，andthenDuroytookhisleave.Neithertriedtodetainhim.
Onreachingthestreethefeltsadanduncomfortable.CountdeVaudrec’sfacewasconstantlybeforehim.Itseemedtohimthatthemanwasdispleasedatfindinghimtete—a—tetewithMme.Forestier，thoughwhyheshouldbe，hecouldnotdivine.
Towhileawaythetimeuntilthreeo’clock，helunchedatDuval’s，andthenloungedalongtheboulevard.Whentheclockchimedthehourofhisappointment，heclimbedthestairsleadingtotheofficeof"LaVieFrancaise."
Duroyasked："IsM.Walterin？"
"M.Walterisengaged，"wasthereply."Willyoupleasetakeaseat？"
Duroywaitedtwentyminutes，thenheturnedtotheclerkandsaid：
"M.Walterhadanappointmentwithmeatthreeo’clock.Atanyrate，seeifmyfriendM.Forestierishere."
Hewasconductedalongacorridorandusheredintoalargeroominwhichfourmenwerewritingatatable.Forestierwasstandingbeforethefireplace，smokingacigarette.AfterlisteningtoDuroy’sstoryhesaid：
"Comewithme;IwilltakeyoutoM.Walter，orelseyoumightremainhereuntilseveno’clock."
Theyenteredthemanager’sroom.NorbertdeVarennewaswritinganarticle，seatedinaneasychair;JacquesRival，stretcheduponadivan，wassmokingacigar.Theroomhadthepeculiarodorfamiliartoalljournalists.WhentheyapproachedM.Walter，Forestiersaid：
"HereismyfriendDuroy."
Themanagerlookedkeenlyattheyoungmanandasked：
"Haveyoubroughtmyarticle？"
Duroydrewthesheetsofmanuscriptfromhispocket.
"Heretheyare，Monsieur."
Themanagerseemeddelightedandsaidwithasmile："Verygood.Youareamanofyourword.NeedIlookoverit，Forestier？"
ButForestierhastenedtoreply："Itisnotnecessary，M.Walter;I
helpedhiminordertoinitiatehimintotheprofession.Itisverygood."Thenbendingtowardhim，hewhispered："YouknowyoupromisedtoengageDuroytoreplaceMarambot.Willyouallowmetoretainhimonthesameterms？"
"Certainly."
Takinghisfriend’sarm，thejournalistdrewhimaway，whileM.
Walterreturnedtothegameofecartehehadbeenengagedinwhentheyentered.ForestierandDuroyreturnedtotheroominwhichGeorgeshadfoundhisfriend.Thelattersaidtohisnewreporter：
"Youmustcomehereeverydayatthreeo’clock，andIwilltellyouwhatplacestogoto.Firstofall，Ishallgiveyoualetterofintroductiontothechiefofthepolice，whowillinturnintroduceyoutooneofhisemployees.Youcanarrangewithhimforallimportantnews，officialandsemiofficial.FordetailsyoucanapplytoSaint—Potin，whoisposted;youwillseehimto—morrow.Aboveall，youmustlearntomakeyourwayeverywhereinspiteofcloseddoors.Youwillreceivetwohundredfrancsamonths，twosousalinefororiginalmatter，andtwosousalineforarticlesyouareorderedtowriteondifferentsubjects."
"WhatshallIdoto—day？"askedDuroy.
"Ihavenoworkforyouto—day;youcangoifyouwishto."
"Andour——ourarticle？"
"Oh，donotworryaboutit;Iwillcorrecttheproofs.Dotherestto—morrowandcomehereatthreeo’clockasyoudidto—day."
Andaftershakinghands，Duroydescendedthestaircasewithalightheart.
CHAPTERIV.
DUROYLEARNSSOMETHING
GeorgesDuroydidnotsleepwell，soanxiouswashetoseehisarticleinprint.Heroseatdaybreak，andwasonthestreetlongbeforethenewsboys.Whenhesecuredapaperandsawhisnameattheendofacolumninlargeletters，hebecameverymuchexcited.Hefeltinclinedtoenactthepartofanewsboyandcryouttothehurryingthrong："Buythis！itcontainsanarticlebyme！"Hestrolledalongtoacafeandseatedhimselfinordertoreadthearticlethrough;thatdonehedecidedtogototherailroadoffice，drawhissalary，andhandinhisresignation.
Withgreatpomposityheinformedthechiefclerkthathewasonthestaffof"LaVieFrancaise，"andbythatmeanswasavengedformanypettyinsultswhichhadbeenofferedhim.Hethenhadsomecardswrittenwithhisnewcallingbeneathhisname，madeseveralpurchases，andrepairedtotheofficeof"LaVieFrancaise."
Forestierreceivedhimloftilyasonewouldaninferior.
"Ah，hereyouare！Verywell;Ihaveseveralthingsforyoutodo.
JustwaittenminutestillIfinishthiswork."Hecontinuedwriting.
Attheotherendofthetablesatashort，paleman，verystoutandbald.Forestieraskedhim，whenhisletterwascompleted，"Saint—
Potin，atwhattimeshallyouinterviewthosepeople？"
"Atfouro’clock."
"TakeDuroy，whoishere，withyouandinitiatehimintothebusiness."
"Verywell."
Thenturningtohisfriend，Forestieradded："HaveyoubroughttheotherpaperonAlgeria？Thearticlethismorningwasverysuccessful."
Duroystammered："No，IthoughtIshouldhavetimethisafternoon.I
hadsomuchtodo——Icouldnot."
Theothershruggedhisshoulders."Ifyouarenotmorecareful，youwillspoilyourfuture.M.Waltercountedonyourcopy.Iwilltellhimitwillbereadyto—morrow.Ifyouthinkyouwillbepaidfordoingnothing，youaremistaken."Afterapause，headded："Youshouldstrikewhiletheironishot."
Saint—Potinrose："Iamready，"saidhe.
Forestierturnedaroundinhischairandsaid，toDuroy："Listen.
TheChinesegeneralLi—Theng—Fao，stoppingattheContinental，andRajahTaposahibRamaderaoPali，stoppingatHotelBishop，havebeeninParistwodays.Youmustinterviewthem."AddressingSaint—Potin，hesaid："DonotforgettheprincipalpointsIindicatedtoyou.AskthegeneralandtherajahtheiropinionsonthedealingsofEnglandintheextremeEast，theirideasoftheirsystemofcolonizationandgovernment，theirhopesrelativetotheinterventionofEuropeandofFranceinparticular."ToDuroyhesaid："ObservewhatSaint—
Potinsays;heisanexcellentreporter，andtrytolearnhowtodrawoutamaninfiveminutes."Thenheresumedhiswork.
Thetwomenwalkeddowntheboulevardtogether，whileSaint—PotingaveDuroyasketchofalltheofficialsconnectedwiththepaper，sparingnooneinhiscriticism.WhenhementionedForestier，hesaid："Asforhim，hewasfortunateinmarryinghiswife."
Duroyasked："Whatabouthiswife？"
Saint—Potinrubbedhishands."Oh，sheisbelovedbyanoldfellownamedVaudrec——hedotesuponher."
DuroyfeltasifhewouldliketoboxSaint—Potin’sears.Tochangethesubjecthesaid："Itseemstomethatitislate，andwehavetwonoblelordstocallupon！"
Saint—Potinlaughed："Youareveryinnocent！DoyouthinkthatIamgoingtointerviewthatChineseandthatIndian？AsifIdidnotknowbetterthantheydowhattheyshouldthinktopleasethereadersof’LaVieFrancaise’！IhaveinterviewedfivehundredChinese，Prussians，Hindoos，Chilians，andJapanese.Theyallsaythesamething.Ineedonlycopymyarticleonthelastcomer，wordforword，changingtheheading，names，titles，andages：inthattheremustbenoerror，orIshallbehauledoverthecoalsbythe’Figaro’or’Gaulois.’Butonthatsubjecttheporterofthehotelswillpostmeinfiveminutes.Wewillsmokeourcigarsandstrollinthatdirection.Total——onehundredsousforcabfare.Thatistheway，mydearfellow."
WhentheyarrivedattheMadeleine，Saint—Potinsaidtohiscompanion："Ifyouhaveanythingtodo，Idonotneedyou."
Duroyshookhandswithhimandwalkedaway.Thethoughtofthearticlehehadtowritethateveninghauntedhim.Mentallyhecollectedthematerialashewendedhiswaytothecafeatwhichhedined.Thenhereturnedhomeandseatedhimselfathistabletowork.Beforehiseyeswasthesheetofblankpaper，butallthematerialhehadamassedhadescapedhim.Aftertryingforanhour，andafterfillingfivepageswithsentenceswhichhadnoconnectiononewiththeother，hesaid："Iamnotyetfamiliarwiththework.I
musttakeanotherlesson."
Atteno’clockthefollowingmorningherangthebell，athisfriend’shouse.Theservantwhoopenedthedoor，said："Monsieurisbusy."
DuroyhadnotexpectedtofindForestierathome.Howeverhesaid：
"TellhimitisM.Duroyonimportantbusiness."
Inthecourseoffiveminuteshewasusheredintotheroominwhichhehadspentsohappyamorning.IntheplaceMme.Forestierhadoccupied，herhusbandwasseatedwriting，whileMme.Forestierstoodbythemantelpieceanddictatedtohim，acigarettebetweenherlips.
Duroypauseduponthethresholdandmurmured："Ibegyourpardon，I
aminterruptingyou."
Hisfriendgrowledangrily："Whatdoyouwantagain？Makehaste;wearebusy."
Georgesstammered："Itisnothing."
ButForestierpersisted："Come，wearelosingtime;youdidnotforceyourwayintothehouseforthepleasureofbiddingusgoodmorning."
Duroy，inconfusion，replied："No，itisthis：Icannotcompletemyarticle，andyouwere——so——sokindthelasttimethatIhoped——thatIdaredtocome——"
Forestierinterruptedwith："SoyouthinkIwilldoyourworkandthatyouhaveonlytotakethemoney.Well，thatisfine！"Hiswifesmokedonwithoutinterfering.
Duroyhesitated："Excuseme.Ibelieved——I——thought——"Then，inaclearvoice，hesaid："Ibegathousandpardons，Madame，andthankyouverymuchforthecharmingarticleyouwroteformeyesterday."
Thenhebowed，andsaidtoCharles："Iwillbeattheofficeatthreeo’clock."
Hereturnedhomesayingtohimself："Verywell，Iwillwriteitaloneandtheyshallsee."Scarcelyhadheenteredthanhebegantowrite，angerspurringhimon.Inanhourhehadfinishedanarticle，whichwasachaosofabsurdmatter，andtookitboldlytotheoffice.DuroyhandedForestierhismanuscript."HereistherestofAlgeria."
"Verywell，Iwillhandittothemanager.Thatwilldo."
WhenDuroyandSaint—Potin，whohadsomepoliticalinformationtolookup，wereinthehall，thelatterasked："Haveyoubeentothecashier’sroom？"
"No，why？"
"Why？Togetyourpay？Youshouldalwaysgetyoursalaryamonthinadvance.Onecannottellwhatmighthappen.Iwillintroduceyoutothecashier."
Duroydrewhistwohundredfrancstogetherwithtwenty—eightfrancsforhisarticleoftheprecedingday，which，inadditiontowhatremainedtohimofhissalaryfromtherailroadoffice，lefthimthreehundredandfortyfrancs.Hehadneverhadsomuch，andhethoughthimselfrichforanindefinitetime.Saint—Potintookhimtotheofficesoffourorfiverivalpapers，hopingthatthenewshehadbeencommissionedtoobtainhadbeenalreadyreceivedbythemandthathecouldobtainitbymeansofhisdiplomacy.
Wheneveningcame，Duroy，whohadnothingmoretodo，turnedtowardtheFolies—Bergeres，andwalkinguptotheoffice，hesaid："MynameisGeorgesDuroy.Iamonthestaffof’LaVieFrancaise.’IwasheretheothernightwithM.Forestier，whopromisedtogetmeapass.Idonotknowifherememberedit."
Theregisterwasconsulted，buthisnamewasnotinscribeduponit.
However，thecashier，averyaffableman，saidtohim："Comein，M.
Duroy，andspeaktothemanageryourself;hewillseethateverythingisallright."
HeenteredandalmostatoncecameuponRachel，thewomanhehadseentherebefore.Sheapproachedhim："Goodevening，mydear;areyouwell？"
"Verywell;howareyou？"
"Iamnotill.Ihavedreamedofyoutwicesincetheothernight."
Duroysmiled."Whatdoesthatmean？"
"ThatmeansthatIlikeyou";sheraisedhereyestotheyoungman’sface，tookhisarmandleaninguponit，said："Letusdrinkaglassofwineandthentakeawalk.Ishouldliketogototheoperalikethis，withyou，toshowyouoff."
*******
Atdaybreakheagainsalliedforthtoobtaina"VieFrancaise."Heopenedthepaperfeverishly;hisarticlewasnotthere.Onenteringtheofficeseveralhourslater，hesaidtoM.Walter："IwasverymuchsurprisedthismorningnottoseemysecondarticleonAlgeria."
Themanagerraisedhisheadandsaidsharply："Igaveittoyourfriend，Forestier，andaskedhimtoreadit;hewasdissatisfiedwithit;itwillhavetobedoneover."
Withoutaword，Duroylefttheroom，andenteringhisfriend’soffice，brusquelyasked："Whydidnotmyarticleappearthismorning？"
Thejournalist，whowassmokingacigar，saidcalmly："Themanagerdidnotconsideritgood，andbademereturnittoyoutoberevised.Thereitis."Duroyreviseditseveraltimes，onlytohaveitrejected.Hesaidnothingmoreofhis"souvenirs，"butgavehiswholeattentiontoreporting.Hebecameacquaintedbehindthescenesatthetheaters，andinthehallsandcorridorsofthechamberofdeputies;heknewallthecabinetministers，generals，policeagents，princes，ambassadors，menoftheworld，Greeks，cabmen，waitersatcafes，andmanyothers.Inshorthesoonbecamearemarkablereporter，ofgreatvaluetothepaper，soM.Waltersaid.
Butasheonlyreceivedtencentimesalineinadditiontohisfixedsalaryoftwohundredfrancsandashisexpenseswerelarge，heneverhadasou.Whenhesawcertainofhisassociateswiththeirpocketsfullofmoney，hewonderedwhatsecretmeanstheyemployedinordertoobtainit.Hedeterminedtopenetratethatmystery，toenterintotheassociation，toobtrudehimselfuponhiscomrades，andmakethemsharewithhim.Oftenatevening，ashewatchedthetrainspasshiswindow，hedreamedoftheconducthemightpursue.
CHAPTERV.
THEFIRSTINTRIGUE
Twomonthselapsed.ItwasSeptember.ThefortunewhichDuroyhadhopedtomakesorapidlyseemedtohimslowincoming.Aboveallhewasdissatisfiedwiththemediocrityofhisposition;hewasappreciated，butwastreatedaccordingtohisrank.Forestierhimselfnolongerinvitedhimtodinner，andtreatedhimasaninferior.OftenhehadthoughtofmakingMme.Forestieravisit，buttheremembranceoftheirlastmeetingrestrainedhim.Mme.deMarellehadinvitedhimtocall，saying："Iamalwaysathomeaboutthreeo’clock."Sooneafternoon，whenhehadnothingtodo，heproceededtowardherhouse.ShelivedonRueVerneuil，onthefourthfloor.Amaidansweredhissummons，andsaid："Yes，Madameisathome，butIdonotknowwhethershehasrisen."SheconductedDuroyintothedrawing—room，whichwaslarge，poorlyfurnished，andsomewhatuntidy.Theshabby，threadbarechairswererangedalongthewallsaccordingtotheservant’sfancy，fortherewasnotatracevisibleofthecareofawomanwholovesherhome.Duroytookaseatandwaitedsometime.ThenadooropenedandMme.deMarelleenteredhastily，cladinaJapanesedressing—gown.Sheexclaimed：
"Howkindofyoutocometoseeme.Iwaspositiveyouhadforgottenme."Sheheldoutherhandtohimwithagestureofdelight;andDuroy，quiteathiseaseinthatshabbyapartment，kisseditashehadseenNorbertdeVarennedo.
Examininghimfromheadtofoot，shecried："Howyouhavechanged！
Well;tellmethenews."
Theybegantochatatonceasiftheywereoldacquaintances，andinfiveminutesanintimacy，amutualunderstanding，wasestablishedbetweenthosetwobeingsalikeincharacterandkind.Suddenlytheyoungwomansaidinsurprise："ItisastonishinghowIfeelwithyou.ItseemstomeasifIhadknownyoutenyears.Weshallundoubtedlybecomegoodfriends;wouldthatpleaseyou？"
Hereplied："Certainly，"withasmilemoreexpressivethanwords.Hethoughtherverybewitchinginherprettygown.WhennearMme.
Forestier，whoseimpassive，gracioussmileattractedyetheldatadistance，andseemedtosay："Ilikeyou，yettakecare，"hefeltadesiretocasthimselfatherfeet，ortokissthehemofhergarment.WhennearMme.deMarelle，hefeltamorepassionatedesire.
AgentlerapcameatthedoorthroughwhichMme.deMarellehadentered，andshecried："Youmaycomein，mydarling."
Thechildentered，advancedtoDuroyandofferedhimherhand.Theastonishedmothermurmured："Thatisaconquest."Theyoungman，havingkissedthechild，seatedherbyhisside，andwithaseriousairquestionedherastowhatshehaddonesincetheylastmet.Sherepliedinaflute—likevoiceandwiththemannerofawoman.Theclockstruckthree;thejournalistrose.
"Comeoften，"saidMme.deMarelle;"ithasbeenapleasantcauserie.Ishallalwaysbegladtowelcomeyou.WhydoInevermeetyouattheForestiers？"
"Fornoparticularreason.Iamverybusy.Ihope，however，thatweshallmeetthereoneofthesedays."
Inthecourseofafewdayshepaidanothervisittotheenchantress.Themaidusheredhimintothedrawing—roomandLaurinesoonentered;sheofferedhimnotherhandbutherforehead，andsaid："Mammawishesmetoaskyoutowaitforheraboutfifteenminutes，forsheisnotdressed.Iwillkeepyoucompany."
Duroy，whowasamusedatthechild’sceremoniousmanner，replied：
"Indeed，Mademoiselle，Ishallbeenchantedtospendaquarterofanhourwithyou."Whenthemotherenteredtheywereinthemidstofanexcitinggame，andMme.deMarellepausedinamazement，crying：
"Laurineplaying？Youareasorcerer，sir！"Heplacedthechild，whomhehadcaughtinhisarms，uponthefloor，kissedthelady’shand，andtheyseatedthemselves，thechildbetweenthem.Theytriedtoconverse，butLaurine，usuallysosilent，monopolizedtheconversation，andhermotherwascompelledtosendhertoherroom.
Whentheywerealone，Mme.deMarelleloweredhervoiceandsaid："I
haveagreatproject.Itisthis：AsIdineeveryweekattheForesters’，Ireturnitfromtimetotimebyinvitingthemtoarestaurant.Idonotliketohavecompanyathome;IamnotsosituatedthatIcanhaveany.Iknownothingabouthousekeepingorcooking.Ipreferalifefreefromcare;thereforeIinvitethemtothecafeoccasionally;butitisnotlivelywhenweareonlythree.
