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.