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.