第2章

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.