Come，takethelamp."
　　Hecarriedthelampandtheyenteredthestudy.Madeleineleaned，againstthemantelpiece，andhavinglightedacigarette，toldhimthenewsandgavehimherplanofthearticle.Helistenedattentively，makingnotesasshespoke，andwhenshehadfinishedheraisedobjections，tookupthequestionand，inhisturn，developedanotherplan.Hiswifeceasedsmoking，forherinterestwasarousedinfollowingGeorges’slineofthought.Fromtimetotimeshemurmured："Yes，yes;verygood——excellent——veryforcible——"Andwhenhehadfinishedspeaking，shesaid："Nowletuswrite."
　　Itwasalwaysdifficultforhimtomakeabeginningandshewouldleanoverhisshoulderandwhisperthephrasesinhisear，thenhewouldaddafewlines;whentheirarticlewascompleted，Georgesre—
　　readit.BothheandMadeleinepronounceditadmirableandkissedoneanotherwithpassionateadmiration.
　　Thearticleappearedwiththesignatureof"G.duRoydeCantel，"
　　andmadeagreatsensation.M.Waltercongratulatedtheauthor，whosoonbecamecelebratedinpoliticalcircles.Hiswife，too，surprisedhimbytheingenuousnessofhermind，theclevernessofherwit，andthenumberofheracquaintances.Atalmostanytimeuponreturninghomehefoundinhissalonasenator，adeputy，amagistrate，orageneral，whotreatedMadeleinewithgravefamiliarity.
　　DeputyLaroche—Mathieu，whodinedatRueFontaineeveryTuesday，wasoneofthelargeststockholdersofM.Walter’spaperandthelatter’scolleagueandassociateinmanybusinesstransactions.DuRoyhoped，lateron，thatsomeofthebenefitspromisedbyhimtoForestiermightfalltohisshare.TheywouldbegiventoMadeleine’snewhusband——thatwasall——nothingwaschanged;evenhisassociatessometimescalledhimForestier，anditmadeDuRoyfuriousatthedead.Hegrewtohatetheveryname;itwastohimalmostaninsult.Evenathometheobsessioncontinued;theentirehouseremindedhimofCharles.
　　OneeveningDuRoy，wholikedsweetmeats，asked：
　　"Whydoweneverhavesweets？"
　　Hiswiferepliedpleasantly："Ineverthinkofit，becauseCharlesdislikedthem."
　　Heinterruptedherwithanimpatientgesture："DoyouknowIamgettingtiredofCharles？ItisCharleshere，Charlesthere，Charleslikedthis，Charleslikedthat.SinceCharlesisdead，lethimrestinpeace."
　　Madeleineascribedherhusband’sburstofillhumortopuerilejealousy，butshewasflatteredanddidnotreply.Onretiring，hauntedbythesamethought，heasked：
　　"DidCharleswearacottonnightcaptokeepthedraftoutofhisears？"
　　Sherepliedpleasantly："No，alaceone！"
　　Georgesshruggedhisshouldersandsaidscornfully："Whatabird！"
　　FromthattimeGeorgesnevercalledCharlesanythingbut"poorCharles，"withanaccentofinfinitepity.OneeveningasDuRoywassmokingacigaretteathiswindow，towardtheendofJune，theheatawokeinhimadesireforfreshair.Heasked：
　　"MylittleMade，wouldyouliketogoasfarastheBois？"
　　"Yes，certainly."
　　TheytookanopencarriageanddrovetotheAvenueduBoisdeBoulogne.Itwasasultryevening;ahostofcabslinedthedrive，onebehindanother.WhenthecarriagecontainingGeorgesandMadeleinereachedtheturningwhichledtothefortifications，theykissedoneanotherandMadeleinestammeredinconfusion："WeareaschildishaswewereatRouen."
　　Theroadtheyfollowedwasnotsomuchfrequented，agentlebreezerustledtheleavesofthetrees，theskywasstuddedwithbrilliantstarsandGeorgesmurmured，ashepressedhiswifetohisbreast：
　　"Oh，mylittleMade."
　　Shesaidtohim："DoyourememberhowgloomytheforestatCanteleuwas？Itseemedtomethatitwasfullofhorriblebeastsandthatitwasinterminable，whilehereitischarming.Onecanfeelthecaressingbreezes，andIknowthatSevresisontheotherside."
　　Hereplied："Inourforeststherearenothingbutstags，foxes，roebucks，andboars，withhereandthereaforester’shouse."Hepausedforamomentandthenasked："DidyoucomehereintheeveningwithCharlesoccasionally？"
　　Shereplied："Frequently."
　　Hefeltadesiretoreturnhomeatonce.Forestier’simagehauntedhim，however;hecouldthinkofnothingelse.ThecarriagerolledontowardtheArcdeTriompheandjoinedthestreamofcarriagesreturninghome.AsGeorgesremainedsilent，hiswife，whodivinedhisthoughts，askedinhersoftvoice："Ofwhatareyouthinking？
　　Forhalfanhouryouhavenotutteredaword."
　　Herepliedwithasneer："Iamthinkingofallthosefoolswhokissoneanother，andIbelievetrulythatthereissomethingelsetobedoneinlife."
　　Shewhispered："Yes，butitisnicesometimes！Itisnicewhenonehasnothingbettertodo."
　　Georges’thoughtswerebusywiththedead;hesaidtohimselfangrily："Iamfoolishtoworry，totormentmyselfasIhavedone."
　　Afterremonstratingthuswithhimself，hefeltmorereconciledtothethoughtofForestier，andfeltlikeexclaiming："Goodevening，oldfellow！"
　　Madeleine，whowasboredbyhissilence，asked："ShallwegotoTortoni’sforicesbeforereturninghome？"
　　Heglancedatherfromhiscornerandthought："Sheispretty;somuchthebetter.Titfortat，mycomrade.Butiftheybeginagaintoannoymewithyou，itwillgetsomewhathotattheNorthPole！"
　　Thenhereplied："Certainly，mydarling，"andbeforeshehadtimetothinkhekissedher.ItseemedtoMadeleinethatherhusband’slipswereicy.Howeverhesmiledasusualandgaveherhishandtoassisthertoalightatthecafe.
　　CHAPTERXI.
　　MADAMEWALTERTAKESAHAND
　　Onenteringtheofficethefollowingday，DuRoysoughtBoisrenardandtoldhimtowarnhisassociatesnottocontinuethefarceofcallinghimForestier，ortherewouldbewar.WhenDuRoyreturnedanhourlater，noonecalledhimbythatname.Fromtheofficeheproceededtohishome，andhearingthesoundofladies’voicesinthedrawing—room，heaskedtheservant："Whoishere？"
　　"Mme.WalterandMme.deMarelle，"wasthereply.
　　Hisheartpulsatedviolentlyasheopenedthedoor.Clotildewasseatedbythefireplace;itseemedtoGeorgesthatsheturnedpaleonperceivinghim.
　　HavinggreetedMme.Walterandhertwodaughtersseatedlikesentinelsbesideher，heturnedtohisformermistress.Sheextendedherhand;hetookandpresseditasiftosay："Iloveyoustill！"
　　Shereturnedthepressure.
　　Hesaid："Haveyoubeenwellsincewelastmet？"
　　"Yes;haveyou，Bel—Ami？"AndturningtoMadeleinesheadded："WillyoupermitmetocallhimBel—Ami？"
　　"Certainly，mydear;Iwillpermitanythingyouwish."
　　Ashadeofironylurkedbeneaththosewords，utteredsopleasantly.
　　Mme.Waltermentionedafencing—matchtobegivenatJacquesRival’sapartments，theproceedstobedevotedtocharities，andinwhichmanysocietyladiesweregoingtoassist.Shesaid："Itwillbeveryentertaining;butIamindespair，forwehavenoonetoescortus，myhusbandhavinganengagement."
　　DuRoyofferedhisservicesatonce.Sheaccepted，saying："MydaughtersandIshallbeverygrateful."
　　Heglancedattheyoungerofthetwogirlsandthought："LittleSuzanneisnotatallbad，notatall."
　　Sheresembledadoll，beingverysmallanddainty，withawell—
　　proportionedform，apretty，delicateface，blue—grayeyes，afairskin，andcurly，flaxenhair.Hereldersister，Rose，wasplain——oneofthosegirlstowhomnoattentioniseverpaid.Hermotherrose，andturningtoGeorges，said："IshallcountonyounextThursdayattwoo’clock."
　　Hereplied："Countuponme，Madame."
　　WhenthedoorcloseduponMme.Walter，Mme.deMarelle，inherturn，rose.
　　"Aurevoir，Bel—Ami."
　　Thistimeshepressedhishandandhewasmovedbythatsilentavowal."Iwillgotoseeherto—morrow，"thoughthe.
　　Leftalonewithhiswife，shelaughed，andlookingintohiseyessaid："Mme.Walterhastakenafancytoyou！"
　　Herepliedincredulously："Nonsense！"
　　"ButIknowit.Shespokeofyoutomewithgreatenthusiasm.Shesaidshewouldliketofindtwohusbandslikeyouforherdaughters.
　　Fortunatelysheisnotsusceptibleherself."
　　Hedidnotunderstandherandrepeated："Susceptibleherself？"
　　Sherepliedinatoneofconviction："Oh，Mme.Walterisirreproachable.HerhusbandyouknowaswellasI.Butsheisdifferent.StillshehassufferedagreatdealinhavingmarriedaJew，thoughshehasbeentruetohim;sheisavirtuouswoman."
　　DuRoywassurprised："IthoughtheraJewess."
　　"SheaJewess！No，indeed！SheistheprimemoverinallthecharitablemovementsattheMadeleine.Shewasevenmarriedbyapriest.IamnotsurebutthatM.Walterwentthroughtheformofbaptism."
　　Georgesmurmured："And——she——likes——me——"
　　"Yes.IfyouwerenotmarriedIshouldadviseyoutoaskforthehandof——Suzanne——wouldyounotpreferhertoRose？"
　　Herepliedashetwistedhismustache："Eh！themotherisnotsobad！"
　　Madeleinereplied："Iamnotafraidofher.Atherageonedoesnotbegintomakeconquests——oneshouldcommencesooner."
　　Georgesthought："IfImighthavehadSuzanne，ah！"Thenheshruggedhisshoulders："Bah，itisabsurd;herfatherwouldnothaveconsented."
　　HedeterminedtotreatMme.Walterveryconsideratelyinordertoretainherregard.AllthateveninghewashauntedbyrecollectionsofhisloveforClotilde;herecalledtheirescapades，herkindness.
　　Herepeatedtohimself："Sheisindeednice.Yes，Ishallcalluponherto—morrow."
　　WhenhehadlunchedthefollowingmorningherepairedtoRueVerneuil.Thesamemaidopenedthedoor，andwiththefamiliarityofanoldservantsheasked："IsMonsieurwell？"
　　Hereplied："Yes，mychild，"andenteredthedrawing—roominwhichsomeonewaspractisingscales.ItwasLaurine.Heexpectedshewouldfalluponhisneck.She，however，roseceremoniously，bowedcoldly，andlefttheroomwithdignity;hermannerwassomuchlikethatofanoutragedwomanthathewasamazed.Hermotherentered.Hekissedherhand.
　　"HowmuchIhavethoughtofyou，"saidhe.
　　"AndIofyou，"shereplied.
　　Theyseatedthemselvesandsmiledastheygazedintooneanother’seyes.
　　"MydearlittleClo，Iloveyou."
　　"AndIloveyou."
　　"Still——still——youdidnotmissme."
　　"Yesandno.Iwasgrieved，butwhenIheardyourreason，Isaidtomyself：’Bah，hewillreturntomesomeday.’"
　　"Idarednotcome.IdidnotknowhowIshouldbereceived.Idarednot，butIlongedtocome.Now，tellmewhatailsLaurine;shescarcelybademegoodmorningandlefttheroomwithanangryair."
　　"Idonotknow，butonecannotmentionyoutohersinceyourmarriage;Ireallybelievesheisjealous."
　　"Nonsense."
　　"Yes，mydear，shenolongercallsyouBel—Ami，butM.Forestierinstead."
　　DuRoycolored，thendrawingnearertheyoungwoman，hesaid："Kissme."
　　Sheobeyedhim.
　　"Wherecanwemeetagain？"heasked.
　　"AtRuedeConstantinople."
　　"Ah，aretheapartmentsnotrented？"
　　"No，Ikeptthem."
　　"Youdid？"
　　"Yes，Ithoughtyouwouldreturn."
　　Hisheartboundedjoyfully.Shelovedhimthenwithalastinglove！
　　Hewhispered："Iadoreyou."Thenheasked："Isyourhusbandwell？"
　　"Yes，verywell.Hehasjustbeenhomeforamonth;hewentawaythedaybeforeyesterday."
　　DuRoycouldnotsuppressasmile："Howopportunelythatalwayshappens！"
　　Sherepliednaively："Yes，ithappensopportunely，butheisnotinthewaywhenheishere;ishe？"
　　"Thatistrue;heisacharmingman！"
　　"Howdoyoulikeyournewlife？"
　　"Tolerably;mywifeisacomrade，anassociate，nothingmore;asformyheart——"
　　"Iunderstand;butsheisgood."
　　"Yes，shedoesnottroubleme."
　　HedrewnearClotildeandmurmured："Whenshallwemeetagain？"
　　"To—morrow，ifyouwill."
　　"Yes，to—morrowattwoo’clock."
　　Herosetotakehisleavesomewhatembarrassed.
　　"YouknowIintendtotakebacktheroomsonRuedeConstantinoplemyself.Iwishto;itisnotnecessaryforyoutopayforthem."
　　Shekissedhishands，saying："Youmaydoasyoulike.Iamsatisfiedtohavekeptthemuntilwemetagain."AndDuRoytookhisleaveverywellsatisfied.
　　WhenThursdaycame，heaskedMadeleine："Aregoingtothefencing—
　　matchatRival’s？"
　　"No，Idonotcareaboutit.Iwillgotothechamberofdeputies."
　　GeorgescalledforMme.Walterinanopencarriage，fortheweatherwasdelightful.Hewassurprisedtofindherlookingsohandsomeandsoyoung.Neverhadsheappearedsofresh.Herdaughter，Suzanne，wasdressedinpink;hersisterlookedlikehergoverness.AtRival’sdoorwasalonglineofcarriages.DuRoyofferedhisarmtoMme.Walterandtheyentered.
　　TheentertainmentwasforthebenefitoftheorphansoftheSixthWardunderthepatronageofallthewilesofthesenatorsanddeputieswhowereconnectedwith"LaVieFrancaise."
　　JacquesRivalreceivedthearrivalsattheentrancetohisapartments，thenhepointedtoasmallstaircasewhichledtothecellarinwhichwerehisshooting—galleryandfencing—room，saying：
　　"Downstairs，ladies，downstairs.Thematchwilltakeplaceinthesubterraneanapartments."
　　PressingDuRoy’shand，hesaid："Goodevening，Bel—Ami."
　　DuRoywassurprised："Whotoldyouaboutthatname？"
　　Rivalreplied："Mme.Walter，whothinksitverypretty."
　　Mme.Walterblushed.
　　"Yes，IconfessthatifIknewyoubetter，IshoulddoaslittleLaurine，andIshouldcallyouBel—Ami，too.Itsuitsyouadmirably."
　　DuRoylaughed."Ibegyoutodoso，Madame."
　　Shecastdownhereyes."No，wearenotwellenoughacquainted."
　　Hemurmured："Permitmetohopethatweshallbecomeso."
　　"Well，weshallsee，"saidshe.
　　Theydescendedthestairsandenteredalargeroom，whichwaslightedbyVenetianlanternsanddecoratedwithfestoonsofgauze.
　　Nearlyallthebencheswerefilledwithladies，whowerechattingasiftheywereatatheater.Mme.Walterandherdaughtersreachedtheirseatsinthefrontrow.
　　DuRoy，havingobtainedtheirplacesforthem，whispered："Ishallbeobligedtoleaveyou;mencannotoccupytheseats."
　　Mme.Walterrepliedhesitatingly："Ishouldliketokeepyou，justthesame.Youcouldtellmethenamesoftheparticipants.See，ifyoustandattheendoftheseat，youwillnotannoyanyone."Sheraisedherlarge，softeyestohisandinsisted："Come，staywithus——Bel—Ami——weneedyou！"
　　Hereplied："Iobeywithpleasure，Madame！"
　　SuddenlyJacquesRival’svoiceannounced："Wewillbegin，ladies."
　　Thenfollowedthefencing—match.DuRoyretainedhisplacebesidetheladiesandgavethemallthenecessaryinformation.Whentheentertainmentwasoverandallexpenseswerepaid，twohundredandtwentyfrancsremainedfortheorphansoftheSixthWard.
　　DuRoy，escortingtheWalters，awaitedhiscarriage.WhenseatedfacetofacewithMme.Walter，hemethertroubledbutcaressingglance.
　　"Egad，Ibelievesheisaffected，"thoughthe;andhesmiledasherecognizedthefactthathewasreallysuccessfulwiththefemalesex，forMme.deMarelle，sincetherenewaloftheirrelations，seemedtolovehimmadly.
　　Withalighthearthereturnedhome.Madeleinewasawaitinghiminthedrawing—room.
　　"Ihavesomenews，"saidshe."TheaffairwithMoroccoisbecomingcomplicated.Francemaysendanexpeditionoutthereinseveralmonths.InanycasetheministrywillbeoverthrownandLarochewillprofitbytheoccasion."
　　DuRoy，inordertodrawouthiswife，pretendednottobelieveit.
　　"FrancewouldnotbesillyenoughtocommenceanyfollywithTunis！"
　　Sheshruggedhershouldersimpatiently."Itellyoushewill！Youdonotunderstandthatitisaquestionofmoney——youareassimpleasForestier."
　　Herobjectwastowoundandirritatehim，butheonlysmiledandreplied："What！assimpleasthatstupidfellow？"
　　Sheceasedandmurmured："Oh，Georges！"
　　Headded："Poordevil！"inatoneofprofoundpity.
　　Madeleineturnedherbackuponhimscornfully;afteramomentofsilence，shecontinued："WeshallhavesomecompanyTuesday.Mme.
　　Laroche—MathieuiscomingheretodinewithViscountessdePercemur.
　　WillyouinviteRivalandNorbertdeVarenne？IshallgotoMmes.
　　WalteranddeMarelleto—morrow.Perhaps，too，wemayhaveMme.
　　Rissolin."
　　DuRoyreplied："Verywell，IwillseetoRivalandNorbert."
　　Thefollowingdayhethoughthewouldanticipatehiswife’svisittoMme.Walterandattempttofindoutifshereallywasinlovewithhim.HearrivedatBoulevardMalesherbesattwoo’clock.Hewasusheredintothesalonandwaited.FinallyMme.Walterappearedandofferedhimherhandcordially."Whatgoodwindblowsyouhere？"
　　"Nogoodwind，butadesiretoseeyou.Somepowerhasimpelledmehither，Idonotknowwhy;IhavenothingtosayexceptthatIhavecome;hereIam！Pardonthemorningcallandthecandorofmyexplanation."
　　Heutteredthosewordswithasmileuponhislipsandaseriousaccentinhisvoice.
　　Inherastonishment，shestammeredwithablush："Butindeed——Idonotunderstand——yousurpriseme."
　　Headded："Itisadeclarationmadeinjestinordernottostartleyou."
　　Theywereseatedneareachother.Shetookthematterasajest."Isitadeclaration——seriously？"
　　"Yes，foralongtimeIhavewishedtomakeit，butIdarednot;
　　theysayyouaresoaustere，sorigid."
　　Shehadrecoveredherself—possessionandreplied：
　　"Whydidyouchooseto—day？"
　　"Idonotknow."Thenheloweredhisvoice："OrratherbecauseI
　　havethoughtonlyofyousinceyesterday."
　　Suddenlyturningpale，shegasped："Come，enoughofthischildishness！Letustalkofsomethingelse."
　　Buthefelluponhiskneesbeforeher.Shetriedtorise;hepreventedherbytwininghisarmsaboutherwaist，andrepeatedinapassionatevoice："Yes，itistruethatIhavelovedyoumadlyforsometime.Donotanswerme.Iammad——Iloveyou.Oh，ifyouknewhowIloveyou！"
　　Shecouldutternosound;inheragitationsherepulsedhimwithbothhands，forshecouldfeelhisbreathuponhercheek.Herosesuddenlyandattemptedtoembraceher，butgainingherlibertyforamoment，sheescapedhimandranfromchairtochair.He，consideringsuchpursuitbeneathhisdignity，sankintoachair，buriedhisfaceinhishands，andfeignedtosobconvulsively.Thenherose，cried：
　　"Adieu，adieu！"andfled.
　　Inthehallhetookhiscanecalmlyandleftthehousesaying：
　　"Cristi！Ibelieveshelovesme！"
　　HewentatoncetothetelegraphofficetosendamessagetoClotilde，appointingarendezvousforthenextday.
　　Onenteringthehouseathisusualtime，hesaidtohiswife："Well，iseveryonecomingtodinner？"
　　Shereplied："Yes，allbutMme.Walter，whoisuncertainastowhethershecancome.Sheactedverystrangely.Nevermind，perhapsshecanmanageitanyway."
　　Hereplied："Shewillcome."
　　Hewasnot，however，certainandwasrendereduneasyuntilthedayofthedinner.ThatmorningMadeleinereceivedamessagefromMme.
　　Waltertothiseffect："IhavesucceededinarrangingmattersandI
　　shallbewithyou，butmyhusbandcannotaccompanyme."
　　DuRoythought："Ididrightnottoreturnthere.Shehascalmeddown."Stillheawaitedherarrivalanxiously.
　　Sheappearedverycomposed，somewhatreserved，andhaughty.Hewasveryhumble，verycareful，andsubmissive.Mmes.Laroche—MathieuandRissolinwereaccompaniedbytheirhusbands.Mme.deMarellelookedbewitchinginanoddcombinationofyellowandblack.
　　AtDuRoy’srightsatMme.Walter，andhespoketoheronlyofseriousmatterswithexaggeratedrespect.FromtimetotimeheglancedatClotilde.
　　"Sheisreallyveryprettyandfreshlooking，"thoughthe.ButMme.
　　Walterattractedhimbythedifficultyoftheconquest.Shetookherleaveearly.
　　"Iwillescortyou，"saidhe.
　　Shedeclinedhisoffer.Heinsisted："Whydoyounotwantme？Youwoundmedeeply.DonotletmefeelthatIamnotforgiven.YouseethatIamcalm."
　　Shereplied："Youcannotleaveyourgueststhus."
　　Hesmiled："Bah！Ishallbeabsenttwentyminutes.Noonewillevennoticeit;ifyourefuseme，youwillbreakmyheart."
　　"Verywell，"shewhispered，"Iwillaccept."
　　Whentheywereseatedinthecarriage，heseizedherhand，andkissingitpassionatelysaid："Iloveyou，Iloveyou.Letmetellittoyou.Iwillnottouchyou.IonlywishtorepeatthatIloveyou."
　　Shestammered："Afterwhatyoupromisedme——itistoobad——toobad."
　　Heseemedtomakeagreateffort，thenhecontinuedinasubduedvoice："See，howIcancontrolmyself——andyet——letmeonlytellyouthis——Iloveyou——yes，letmegohomewithyouandkneelbeforeyoufiveminutestoutterthosethreewordsandgazeuponyourbelovedface."
　　Shesufferedhimtotakeherhandandrepliedinbrokenaccents：
　　"No，Icannot——Idonotwishto.Thinkofwhatmyservants，mydaughters，wouldsay——no——no——itisimpossible."
　　Hecontinued："Icannotlivewithoutseeingyou;whetheritbeatyourhouseorelsewhere，ImustseeyouforonlyamomenteachdaythatImaytouchyourhand，breathetheairstirredbyyourgown，contemplatetheoutlinesofyourform，andseeyourbeautifuleyes."
　　Shelistenedtremblinglytothemusicallanguageoflove，andmadeanswer："No，itisimpossible.Besilent！"
　　Hespokeverylow;hewhisperedinherear，comprehendingthatitwasnecessarytowinthatsimplewomangradually，topersuadehertoappointameetingwhereshewilledatfirst，andlateronwherehewilled.
　　"Listen：Imustseeyou！Iwillwaitatyourdoorlikeabeggar.Ifyoudonotcomedown，Iwillcometoyou，butIshallseeyouto—
　　morrow."
　　Sherepeated："No，donotcome.Ishallnotreceiveyou.Thinkofmydaughters！"
　　"ThentellmewhereIcanmeetyou——inthestreet——itmattersnotwhere——atanyhouryouwish——providedthatIcanseeyou.Iwillgreetyou;Iwillsay，Iloveyou;andthengoaway."
　　Shehesitated，almostdistracted.Asthecoupestoppedatthedoor，shewhisperedhastily："IwillbeatLaTriniteto—morrow，athalfpastthree."
　　Afteralighting，shesaidtohercoachman："TakeM.duRoyhome."
　　Whenhereturned，hiswifeasked："Wherehaveyoubeen？"
　　Herepliedinalowvoice："Ihavebeentosendanimportanttelegram."
　　Mme.deMarelleapproachedhim："Youmusttakemehome，Bel—Ami;youknowthatIonlydinesofarfromhomeonthatcondition."TurningtoMadeleine，sheasked："Youarenotjealous？"
　　Mme.duRoyrepliedslowly："No，notatall."
　　Theguestsdeparted.Clotilde，envelopedinlaces，whisperedtoMadeleineatthedoor："Yourdinnerwasperfect.InashortwhileyouwillhavethebestpoliticalsaloninParis."
　　WhenshewasalonewithGeorges，shesaid："Oh，mydarlingBel—Ami，Iloveyoumoredearlyeveryday."
　　Thecabrolledon，andGeorges’thoughtswerewithMme.Walter.
　　CHAPTERXII.
　　AMEETINGANDTHERESULT
　　TheJulysunshoneuponthePlacedelaTrinite，whichwasalmostdeserted.DuRoydrewouthiswatch.Itwasonlythreeo’clock：hewashalfanhourtooearly.Helaughedashethoughtoftheplaceofmeeting.HeenteredthesacrededificeofLaTrinite;thecoolnesswithinwasrefreshing.Hereandthereanoldwomankneeledatprayer，herfaceinherhands.DuRoylookedathiswatchagain.Itwasnotyetaquarterpastthree.Hetookaseat，regrettingthathecouldnotsmoke.Attheendofthechurchnearthechoir;hecouldhearthemeasuredtreadofacorpulentmanwhomhehadnoticedwhenheentered.Suddenlytherustleofagownmadehimstart.Itwasshe.Hearoseandadvancedquickly.Shedidnotofferhimherhandandwhispered："Ihaveonlyafewminutes.Youmustkneelnearmethatnoonewillnoticeus."
　　SheproceededtoasideaisleaftersalutingtheHostontheHighAltar，tookafootstool，andkneeleddown.Georgestookonebesideitandwhentheywereintheattitudeofprayer，hesaid："Thankyou，thankyou.Iadoreyou.IshouldliketotellyouconstantlyhowIbegantoloveyou，howIwasconqueredthefirsttimeIsawyou.Willyoupermitmesomedaytounburdenmyheart，toexplainalltoyou？"
　　Sherepliedbetweenherfingers："Iammadtoletyouspeaktomethus——madtohavecomehither——madtodoasIhavedone，toletyoubelievethatthis——thisadventurecanhaveanyresults.Forgetit，andneverspeaktomeofitagain."Shepaused.
　　Hereplied："Iexpectnothing——Ihopenothing——Iloveyou——whateveryoumaydo，Iwillrepeatitsooften，withsomuchforceandardorthatyouwillfinallyunderstandme，andreply：’Iloveyoutoo.’"
　　Hefeltherframetrembleassheinvoluntarilyrepeated："Iloveyoutoo."
　　Hewasovercomebyastonishment.
　　"Oh，myGod！"shecontinuedincoherently，"ShouldIsaythattoyou？
　　Ifeelguilty，despicable——I——whohavetwodaughters——butIcannot——
　　cannot——Ineverthought——itwasstrongerthanI——listen——listen——I
　　haveneverloved——anyother——butyou——Iswearit——Ihavelovedyouayearinsecret——Ihavesufferedandstruggled——Icannolonger;I
　　loveyou."Sheweptandherbowedformwasshakenbytheviolenceofheremotion.
　　Georgesmurmured："GivemeyourhandthatImaytouch，maypressit."
　　Sheslowlytookherhandfromherface，heseizeditsaying："I
　　shouldliketodrinkyourtears！"
　　Placingthehandhehelduponhisheartheasked："Doyoufeelitbeat？"
　　InafewmomentsthemanGeorgeshadnoticedbeforepassedbythem.
　　WhenMme.Walterheardhimnearher，shesnatchedherfingersfromGeorges’sclaspandcoveredherfacewiththem.Afterthemanhaddisappeared，DuRoyasked，hopingforanotherplaceofmeetingthanLaTrinite："WhereshallIseeyouto—morrow？"
　　Shedidnotreply;sheseemedtransformedintoastatueofprayer.
　　Hecontinued："ShallImeetyouto—morrowatParkMonceau？"
　　Sheturnedalividfacetowardhimandsaidunsteadily："Leaveme——
　　leavemenow——go——goaway——foronlyfiveminutes——Isuffertoomuchnearyou.Iwanttopray——go.Letmeprayalone——fiveminutes——letmeaskGod——topardonme——tosaveme——leaveme——fiveminutes."
　　Shelookedsopitifulthatherosewithoutawordandaskedwithsomehesitation："ShallIreturnpresently？"
　　Shenoddedherheadintheaffirmativeandhelefther.Shetriedtopray;sheclosedhereyesinordernottoseeGeorges.Shecouldnotpray;shecouldonlythinkofhim.Shewouldratherhavediedthanhavefallenthus;shehadneverbeenweak.Shemurmuredseveralwordsofsupplication;sheknewthatallwasover，thatthestrugglewasinvain.Shedidnothoweverwishtoyield，butshefeltherweakness.Someoneapproachedwitharapidstep;sheturnedherhead.Itwasapriest.Sherose，rantowardhim，andclaspingherhands，shecried："Saveme，saveme！"
　　Hestoppedinsurprise.
　　"Whatdoyouwant，Madame？"
　　"Iwantyoutosaveme.Havepityonme.Ifyoudonothelpme，Iamlost！"
　　Hegazedather，wonderingifsheweremad.
　　"WhatcanIdoforyou？"Thepriestwasayoungmansomewhatinclinedtocorpulence.
　　"Receivemyconfession，"saidshe，"andcounselme，sustainme，tellmewhattodo."
　　Hereplied："IconfesseverySaturdayfromthreetosix."
　　Seizinghisarmsherepeated："No，now，atonce——atonce！Itisnecessary！Heishere！Inthischurch！Heiswaitingforme."
　　Thepriestasked："Whoiswaitingforyou？"
　　"Aman——whowillbemyruinifyoudonotsaveme.Icannolongerescapehim——Iamtooweak——tooweak，"
　　Shefelluponherkneessobbing："Oh，father，havepityuponme.
　　Saveme，forGod’ssake，saveme！"Sheseizedhisgownthathemightnotescapeher，whileheuneasilyglancedaroundonallsidestoseeifanyonenoticedthewomanathisfeet.Finally，seeingthathecouldnotfreehimselffromher，hesaid："Rise;Ihavethekeytotheconfessionalwithme."
　　*******
　　DuRoyhavingwalkedaroundthechoir，wassaunteringdownthenave，whenhemetthestout，boldmanwanderingabout，andhewondered：
　　"Whatcanhebedoinghere？"
　　ThemanslackenedhispaceandlookedatGeorgeswiththeevidentdesiretospeaktohim.Whenhewasnearhim，hebowedandsaidpolitely：
　　"Ibegyourpardon，sir，fordisturbingyou;butcanyoutellmewhenthischurchwasbuilt？"
　　DuRoyreplied："Idonotknow;Ithinkitistwentyortwenty—fiveyears.ItisthefirsttimeIhavebeenhere.Ihaveneverseenitbefore."Feelinginterestedinthestranger，thejournalistcontinued："Itseemstomethatyouareexaminingintoitverycarefully."
　　Themanreplied："Iamnotvisitingthechurch;Ihaveanappointment."Hepausedandinafewmomentsadded："Itisverywarmoutside."
　　DuRoylookedathimandsuddenlythoughtthatheresembledForestier."Areyoufromtheprovinces？"heasked.
　　"Yes，IamfromRennes.Anddidyou，sir，enterthischurchfromcuriosity？"
　　"No，Iamwaitingforalady."Andwithasmileuponhislips，hewalkedaway.
　　HedidnotfindMme.Walterintheplaceinwhichhehadlefther，andwassurprised.Shehadgone.Hewasfurious.Thenhethoughtshemightbelookingforhim，andhewalkedaroundthechurch.Notfindingher，hereturnedandseatedhimselfonthechairshehadoccupied，hopingthatshewouldrejoinhimthere.Soonheheardthesoundofavoice.Hesawnoone;whencecameit？Herosetoexamineintoit，andsawinachapelnearby，thedoorsoftheconfessionals.Hedrewnearerinordertoseethewomanwhosevoiceheheard.HerecognizedMme.Walter;shewasconfessing.Atfirsthefeltadesiretoseizeherbythearmanddragheraway;thenheseatedhimselfnearbyandbidedhistime.Hewaitedquiteawhile.
　　AtlengthMme.Walterrose，turned，sawhimandcametowardhim.Herfacewascoldandsevere.
　　"Sir，"saidshe，"Ibeseechyounottoaccompanyme，nottofollowmeandnottocometomyhousealone.Youwillnotbeadmitted.
　　Adieu！"Andshewalkedawayinadignifiedmanner.
　　Hepermittedhertogo，becauseitwasagainsthisprinciplestoforcematters.Asthepriestinhisturnissuedfromtheconfessional，headvancedtowardhimandsaid："Ifyoudidnotwearagown，Iwouldgiveyouasoundthrashing."Thenheturneduponhisheelandleftthechurchwhistling.Inthedoorwayhemetthestoutgentleman.WhenDuRoypassedhim，theybowed.
　　Thejournalistthenrepairedtotheofficeof"LaVieFrancaise."Asheenteredhesawbytheclerks’busyairthatsomethingofimportancewasgoingon，andhehastenedtothemanager’sroom.ThelatterexclaimedjoyfullyasDuRoyentered："Whatluck！hereisBel—Ami."
　　Hestoppedinconfusionandapologized："Ibegyourpardon，Iamverymuchbotheredbycircumstances.AndthenIhearmywifeanddaughtercallyouBel—Amifrommorninguntilnight，andIhaveacquiredthehabitmyself.Areyoudispleased？"
　　Georgeslaughed."Notatall."
　　M.Waltercontinued："Verywell，thenIwillcallyouBel—Amiaseveryoneelsedoes.Greatchangeshavetakenplace.Theministryhasbeenoverthrown.Marrotistoformanewcabinet.HehaschosenGeneralBoutind’Acreasministerofwar，andourfriendLaroche—
　　Mathieuasministerofforeignaffairs.Weshallbeverybusy.I
　　mustwritealeadingarticle，asimpledeclarationofprinciples;
　　thenImusthavesomethinginterestingontheMoroccoquestion——youmustattendtothat."
　　DuRoyreflectedamomentandthenreplied："Ihaveit.IwillgiveyouanarticleonthepoliticalsituationofourAfricancolony，"
　　andheproceededtoprepareM.Walteranoutlineofhiswork，whichwasnothingbutamodificationofhisfirstarticleon"SouvenirsofaSoldierinAfrica."
　　Themanagerhavingreadthearticlesaid："Itisperfect;youareatreasure.Manythanks."
　　DuRoyreturnedhometodinnerdelightedwithhisday，notwithstandinghisfailureatLaTrinite.Hiswifewasawaitinghimanxiously.Sheexclaimedonseeinghim：
　　"YouknowthatLarocheisministerofforeignaffairs."
　　"Yes，Ihavejustwrittenanarticleonthatsubject."
　　"How？"
　　"Doyourememberthefirstarticlewewroteon’SouvenirsofaSoldierinAfrica’？Well，Irevisedandcorrecteditfortheoccasion."
　　Shesmiled."Ah，yes，thatwilldoverywell."
　　Atthatmomenttheservantenteredwithadispatchcontainingthesewordswithoutanysignature：
　　"Iwasbesidemyself.Pardonmeandcometo—morrowatfouro’clocktoParkMonceau."
　　Heunderstoodthemessage，andwithajoyfulheart，slippedthetelegramintohispocket.Duringdinnerherepeatedthewordstohimself;asheinterpretedthem，theymeant，"Iyield——Iamyourswhereandwhenyouwill."Helaughed.
　　Madeleineasked："Whatisit？"
　　"Nothingmuch.IwasthinkingofacomicaloldpriestImetashortwhilesince."
　　*******
　　DuRoyarrivedattheappointedhourthefollowingday.Thebencheswerealloccupiedbypeopletryingtoescapefromtheheatandbynurseswiththeircharges.
　　HefoundMme.Walterinalittleantiqueruin;sheseemedunhappyandanxious.Whenhehadgreetedher，shesaid："Howmanypeoplethereareinthegarden！"
　　Hetookadvantageoftheoccasion："Yes，thatistrue;shallwegosomewhereelse？"
　　"Where？"
　　"Itmattersnotwhere;foradrive，forinstance.Youcanlowertheshadeonyoursideandyouwillbewellconcealed."
　　"Yes，Ishouldlikethatbetter;Ishalldieoffearhere."
　　"Verywell，meetmeinfiveminutesatthegatewhichopensontheboulevard.Iwillfetchacab."
　　Whentheywereseatedinthecab，sheasked："Wheredidyoutellthecoachmantodriveto？"
　　Georgesreplied："Donotworry;heknows."
　　HehadgiventhemanhisaddressontheRuedeConstantinople.
　　Mme.WaltersaidtoDuRoy："YoucannotimaginehowIsufferonyouraccount——howIamtormented，tortured.YesterdayIwasharsh，butI
　　wantedtoescapeyouatanyprice.Iwasafraidtoremainalonewithyou.Haveyouforgivenme？"
　　Hepressedherhand."Yes，yes，whyshouldInotforgiveyou，lovingyouasIdo？"
　　Shelookedathimwithabeseechingair："Listen：Youmustpromisetorespectme，otherwiseIcouldneverseeyouagain."
　　Atfirsthedidnotreply;asmilelurkedbeneathhismustache;thenhemurmured："Iamyourslave."
　　Shetoldhimhowshehaddiscoveredthatshelovedhim，onlearningthathewastomarryMadeleineForestier.Suddenlysheceasedspeaking.Thecarriagestopped.DuRoyopenedthedoor.
　　"Wherearewe？"sheasked.
　　Hereplied："Alightandenterthehouse.Weshallbeundisturbedthere."
　　"Wherearewe？"sherepeated.
　　"Atmyrooms;theyaremybachelorapartmentswhichIhaverentedforafewdaysthatwemighthaveacornerinwhichtomeet."
　　Sheclungtothecab，startledatthethoughtofatete—a—tete，andstammered："No，no，Idonotwantto."
　　Hesaidfirmly："Isweartorespectyou.Come，youseethatpeoplearelookingatus，thatacrowdisgatheringaroundus.Makehaste！"
　　Andherepeated，"Isweartorespectyou."
　　Shewasterror—strickenandrushedintothehouse.Shewasabouttoascendthestairs.Heseizedherarm："Itishere，onthegroundfloor."
　　Whenhehadclosedthedoor，heshoweredkissesuponherneck，hereyes，herlips;inspiteofherself，shesubmittedtohiscaressesandevenreturnedthem，hidingherfaceandmurmuringinbrokenaccents："IswearthatIhaveneverhadalover";whilehethought：
　　"Thatisamatterofindifferencetome."
　　CHAPTERXIII.
　　MADAMEDEMARELLE
　　Autumnhadcome.TheDuRoyshadspenttheentiresummerinParis，leadingavigorouscampaignin"LaVieFrancaise，"infavorofthenewcabinet.AlthoughitwasonlytheearlypartofOctober，thechamberwasabouttoresumeitssessions，foraffairsinMoroccowerebecomingmenacing.ThecelebratedspeechmadebyCountdeLambertSarrazinhadfurnishedDuRoywithmaterialfortenarticlesontheAlgeriancolony."LaVieFrancaise"hadgainedconsiderableprestigebyitsconnectionwiththepower;itwasthefirsttogivepoliticalnews，andeverynewspaperinParisandtheprovincessoughtinformationfromit.Itwasquoted，feared，andbegantoberespected：itwasnolongertheorganofagroupofpoliticalintriguers，buttheavowedmouthpieceofthecabinet.Laroche—
　　MathieuwasthesoulofthejournalandDuRoyhisspeaking—trumpet.
　　M.Walterretireddiscreetlyintothebackground.Madeleine’ssalonbecameaninfluentialcenterinwhichseveralmembersofthecabinetmeteveryweek.Thepresidentofthecouncilhadevendinedtheretwice;theministerofforeignaffairswasquiteathomeattheDuRoys;hecameatanyhour，bringingdispatchesorinformation，whichhedictatedeithertothehusbandorwifeasiftheywerehissecretaries.Aftertheministerhaddeparted，whenDuRoywasalonewithMadeleine，heutteredthreatsandinsinuationsagainstthe"parvenu，"ashecalledhim.Hiswifesimplyshruggedhershouldersscornfully，repeating："Becomeaministerandyoucandothesame;
　　untilthen，besilent."
　　Hisreplywas："NooneknowsofwhatIamcapable;perhapstheywillfindoutsomeday."
　　Sheansweredphilosophically："Hewholiveswillsee."
　　ThemorningofthereopeningoftheChamber，DuRoylunchedwithLaroche—Mathieuinordertoreceiveinstructionsfromhim，beforethesession，forapoliticalarticlethefollowingdayin"LaVieFrancaise，"whichwastobeasortofofficialdeclarationoftheplansofthecabinet.AfterlisteningtoLaroche—Mathieu’seloquenceforsometimewithjealousyinhisheart，DuRoysaunteredslowlytowardtheofficetocommencehiswork，forhehadnothingtodountilfouro’clock，atwhichhourhewastomeetMme.deMarelleatRuedeConstantinople.Theymetthereregularlytwiceaweek，MondaysandWednesdays.
　　Onenteringtheoffice，hewashandedasealeddispatch;itwasfromMme.Walter，andreadthus：
　　"ItisabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldseeyouto—day.Itisimportant.Expectmeattwoo’clockatRuedeConstantinople.I
　　canrenderyouagreatservice;yourfrienduntildeath，"
　　"VIRGINIE."
　　Heexclaimed："Heavens！whatabore！"andlefttheofficeatonce，toomuchannoyedtowork.
　　ForsixweekshehadineffectuallytriedtobreakwithMme.Walter.
　　Atthreesuccessivemeetingsshehadbeenapreytoremorse，andhadoverwhelmedherloverwithreproaches.Angeredbythosescenesandalreadywearyofthedramaticwoman，hehadsimplyavoidedher，hopingthattheaffairwouldendinthatway.
　　Butshepersecutedhimwithheraffection，summonedhimatalltimesbytelegramstomeetheratstreetcorners，inshops，orpublicgardens.Shewasverydifferentfromwhathehadfanciedshewouldbe，tryingtoattracthimbyactionsridiculousinoneofherage.
　　Itdisgustedhimtohearhercallhim："Myrat——mydog——mytreasure—
　　—myjewel——myblue—bird"——andtoseeherassumeakindofchildishmodestywhenheapproached.Itseemedtohimthatbeingthemotherofafamily，awomanoftheworld，sheshouldhavebeenmoresedate，andhaveyieldedWithtearsifshechose，butwiththetearsofaDidoandnotofaJuliette.Heneverheardhercallhim"Littleone"
　　or"Baby，"withoutwishingtoreply"Oldwoman，"totakehishatwithanoathandleavetheroom.
　　AtfirsttheyhadoftenmetatRuedeConstantinople，butDuRoy，whofearedanencounterwithMme.deMarelle，inventedathousandandonepretextsinordertoavoidthatrendezvous.Hewasthereforeobligedtoeitherlunchordineatherhousedaily，whenshewouldclasphishandundercoverofthetableorofferhimherlipsbehindthedoors.Aboveall，GeorgesenjoyedbeingthrownsomuchincontactwithSuzanne;shemadesportofeverythingandeverybodywithcuttingappropriateness.Atlength，however，hebegantofeelanunconquerablerepugnancetothelovelavisheduponhimbythemother;hecouldnolongerseeher，hearher，northinkofherwithoutanger.Heceasedcallinguponher，replyingtoherletters，andyieldingtoherappeals.Shefinallydivinedthathenolongerlovedher，andthediscoverycausedherunutterableanguish;butshewatchedhim，followedhiminacabwithdrawnblindstotheoffice，tohishouse，inthehopeofseeinghimpassby.Hewouldhavelikedtostrangleher，buthecontrolledhimselfonaccountofhispositionon"LaVieFrancaise"andheendeavoredbymeansofcoldness，andevenattimesharshwords，tomakehercomprehendthatallwasatanendbetweenthem.
　　Then，too，shepersistedindevisingrusesforsummoninghimtoRuedeConstantinople，andhewasinconstantfearthatthetwowomenwouldsomedaymeetfacetofaceatthedoor.
　　Ontheotherhand，hisaffectionforMme.deMarellehadincreasedduringthesummer.TheywerebothBohemiansbynature;theytookexcursionstogethertoArgenteuil，Bougival，Maisons，andPoissy，andwhenhewasforcedtoreturnanddineatMme.Walter’s，hedetestedhismaturemistressmorethoroughly，asherecalledtheyouthfulonehehadjustleft.Hewascongratulatinghimselfuponhavingfreedhimselfalmostentirelyfromtheformer’sclutches，whenhereceivedthetelegramabovementioned.
　　Here—readitashewalkedalong.Hethought："Whatdoesthatoldowlwantwithme？Iamcertainshehasnothingtotellmeexceptthatsheadoresme.However，Iwillsee，perhapsthereissometruthinit.Clotildeiscomingatfour，Imustgetridoftheotheroneatthreeorsoonafter，providedtheydonotmeet.Whatjadeswomenare！"
　　Asheutteredthosewordshewasremindedofhiswife，whowastheonlyonewhodidnottormenthim;shelivedbyhissideandseemedtolovehimverymuchatthepropertime，forsheneverpermittedanythingtointerferewithherordinaryoccupationsoflife.Hestrolledtowardtheappointedplaceofmeeting，mentallycursingMme.Walter.
　　"Ah，Iwillreceiveherinsuchamannerthatshewillnottellmeanything.Firstofall，IwillgivehertounderstandthatIshallnevercrossherthresholdagain."
　　Heenteredtoawaither.Shesoonarrivedand，seeinghim，exclaimed："Ah，youreceivedmydispatch！Howfortunate！"
　　"Yes，IreceiveditattheofficejustasIwassettingoutfortheChamber.Whatdoyouwant？"heaskedungraciously.
　　Shehadraisedherveilinordertokisshim，andapproachedhimtimidlyandhumblywiththeairofabeatendog.
　　"Howunkindyouaretome;howharshlyyouspeak！WhathaveIdonetoyou？YoudonotknowwhatIhavesufferedforyou！"
　　Hemuttered："Areyougoingtobeginthatagain？"
　　Shestoodnearhimawaitingasmile，awordofencouragement，tocastherselfintohisarms，andwhispered："Youneednothavewonmetotreatmethus;youmighthaveleftmevirtuousandhappy.Doyourememberwhatyousaidtomeinthechurchandhowyouforcedmetoenterthishouse？Andnowthisisthewayyouspeaktome，receiveme！MyGod，myGod，howyoumaltreatme！"
　　Hestampedhisfootandsaidviolently："Enough，besilent！Icanneverseeyouamomentwithouthearingthatrefrain.Youwerematurewhenyougaveyourselftome.Iammuchobligedtoyou;Iaminfinitelygrateful，butIneednotbetiedtoyourapron—stringsuntilIdie！YouhaveahusbandandIawife.Neitherofusisfree;
　　itwasallacaprice，andnowitisatanend！"
　　Shesaid："Howbrutalyouare，howcoarseandvillainous！No，Iwasnolongerayounggirl，butIhadneverloved，neverwaveredinmydignity."
　　Heinterruptedher："Iknowit，youhavetoldmethattwentytimes;
　　butyouhavehadtwochildren."
　　Shedrewbackasifshehadbeenstruck："Oh，Georges！"Andpressingherhandstoherheart，sheburstintotears.
　　Whenshebegantoweep，hetookhishat："Ah，youarecryingagain！
　　Goodevening！Isitforthisthatyousentforme？"
　　Shetookastepforwardinordertobartheway，anddrawingahandkerchieffromherpocketshewipedhereyes.Hervoicegrewsteadier："No，Icameto——togiveyou——politicalnews——togiveyouthemeansofearningfiftythousandfrancs——orevenmoreifyouwishto."
　　Suddenlysoftenedheasked："How？"
　　"BychancelasteveningIheardaconversationbetweenmyhusbandandLaroche.Walteradvisedtheministernottoletyouintothesecretforyouwouldexposeit."
　　DuRoyplacedhishatuponachairandlistenedattentively.
　　"TheyaregoingtotakepossessionofMorocco！"
　　"Why，IlunchedwithLarochethismorning，andhetoldmethecabinet’splans！"
　　"No，mydear，theyhavedeceivedyou，becausetheyfearedtheirsecretwouldbemadeknown."
　　"Sitdown，"saidGeorges.
　　Hesankintoanarmchair，whileshedrewupastoolandtookherseatathisfeet.Shecontinued：
　　"AsIthinkofyoucontinually，Ipayattentiontowhatistalkedofaroundme，"andsheproceededtotellhimwhatshehadheardrelativetotheexpeditiontoTangierswhichhadbeendecideduponthedaythatLarocheassumedhisoffice;shetoldhimhowtheyhadlittlebylittleboughtup，throughagentswhoarousednosuspicions，theMoroccanloan，whichhadfallentosixty—fourorsixty—fivefrancs;howwhentheexpeditionwasenteredupontheFrenchgovernmentwouldguaranteethedebt，andtheirfriendswouldmakefiftyorsixtymillions.
　　Hecried："Areyousureofthat？"
　　Shereplied："Yes，Iamsure."
　　Hecontinued："Thatisindeedfine！AsforthatrascalofaLaroche，lethimbeware！Iwillgethisministerialcarcassbetweenmyfingersyet！"
　　Then，afteramoment’sreflection，hemuttered："Onemightprofitbythat！"
　　"Youtoocanbuysomestock，"saidshe;"itisonlyseventy—twofrancs."
　　Hereplied："ButIhavenoreadymoney."
　　Sheraisedhereyestohis——eyesfullofsupplication.
　　"Ihavethoughtofthat，mydarling，andifyoulovemealittle，youwillletmelendittoyou."
　　Herepliedabruptly，almostharshly："No，indeed."
　　Shewhisperedimploringly："Listen，thereissomethingyoucandowithoutborrowingmoney.Iintendedbuyingtenthousandfrancs’
　　worthofthestock;instead，Iwilltaketwentythousandandyoucanhavehalf.Therewillbenothingtopayatonce.Ifitsucceeds，wewillmakeseventythousandfrancs;ifnot，youwillowemetenthousandwhichyoucanrepayatyourpleasure."
　　Hesaidagain："No，Idonotlikethosecombinations."
　　Shetriedtopersuadehimbytellinghimthatsheadvancednothing——
　　thatthepaymentsweremadebyWalter’sbank.Shepointedouttohimthathehadledthepoliticalcampaignin"LaVieFrancaise，"andthathewouldbeverysimplenottoprofitbytheresultshehadhelpedtobringabout.Ashestillhesitated，sheadded："ItisinrealityWalterwhowilladvancethemoney，andyouhavedoneenoughforhimtooffsetthatsum."
　　"Verywell，"saidhe，"Iwilldoit.IfweloseIwillpayyoubacktenthousandfrancs."
　　Shewassodelightedthatsherose，tookhisheadbetweenherhands，andkissedhim.Atfirsthedidnotrepulseher，butwhenshegrewmorelavishwithhercaresses，hesaid：
　　"Come，thatwilldo."
　　Shegazedathimsadly."Oh，Georges，Icannolongerevenembraceyou."
　　"No，notto—day.Ihaveaheadache."
　　Shereseatedherselfwithdocilityathisfeetandasked：
　　"Willyoudinewithusto—morrow？Itwouldgivemesuchpleasure，"
　　Hehesitatedatfirst，butdarednotrefuse.
　　"Yes，certainly."
　　"Thankyou，dearest."Sherubbedhercheekagainsttheyoungman’svest;asshedidso，oneofherlongblackhairscaughtonabutton;
　　shetwistedittightlyaround，thenshetwistedanotheraroundanotherbuttonandsoon.Whenherose，hewouldtearthemoutofherhead，andwouldcarryawaywithhimunwittinglyalockofherhair.Itwouldbeaninvisiblebondbetweenthem.Involuntarilyhewouldthink，woulddreamofher;hewouldloveheralittlemorethenextday.
　　Suddenlyhesaid："Imustleaveyou，forIamexpectedattheChamberforthecloseofthesession.Icannotbeabsentto—day."
　　Shesighed："Already！"Thenaddingresignedly："Go，mydarling，butyouwillcometodinnertomorrow";sheroseabruptly.Foramomentshefeltasharp，stingingpain，asifneedleshadbeenstuckintoherhead，butshewasgladtohavesufferedforhim.
　　"Adieu，"saidshe.
　　Hetookherinhisarmsandkissedhereyescoldly;thensheofferedhimherlipswhichhebrushedlightlyashesaid："Come，come，letushurry;itisafterthreeo’clock."
　　Shepassedoutbeforehimsaying："To—morrowatseven";herepeatedherwordsandtheyseparated.
　　DuRoyreturnedatfouro’clocktoawaithismistress.Shewassomewhatlatebecauseherhusbandhadcomehomeforaweek.Sheasked：
　　"Canyoucometodinnerto—morrow？Hewillbedelightedtoseeyou."
　　"No;IdineattheWalters.Wehaveagreatmanypoliticalandfinancialmatterstotalkover."
　　Shetookoffherhat.Hepointedtoabagonthemantelpiece："I
　　boughtyousomesweetmeats."
　　Sheclappedherhands."Whatadarlingyouare！"Shetookthem，tastedone，andsaid："Theyaredelicious.Ishallnotleaveone.
　　Come，sitdowninthearmchair，Iwillsitatyourfeetandeatmybonbons."
　　HesmiledashesawhertaketheseatashortwhilesinceoccupiedbyMme.Walter.Shetoo，calledhim"darling，littleone，dearest，"
　　andthewordsseemedtohimsweetandcaressingfromherlips，whilefromMme.Walter’stheyirritatedandnauseatedhim.
　　Suddenlyherememberedtheseventythousandfrancshewasgoingtomake，andbluntlyinterruptingMme.deMarelle’schatter，hesaid：
　　"Listen，mydarling;Iamgoingtointrustyouwithamessagetoyourhusband.Tellhimfrommetobuyto—morrowtenthousandfrancs’
　　worthofMoroccanstockwhichisatseventy—two，andIpredictthatbeforethreemonthsarepassedhewillhavemadeeightythousandfrancs.Tellhimtomaintainabsolutesilence.TellhimthattheexpeditiontoTangiers，isdecidedupon，andthattheFrenchgovernmentwillguaranteetheMoroccandebt.ItisastatesecretI
　　amconfidingtoyou，remember！"
　　Shelistenedtohimgravelyandmurmured：
　　"Thankyou.Iwilltellmyhusbandthisevening.Youmayrelyuponhim;hewillnotspeakofit;hecanbedependedupon;thereisnodanger."
　　Shehadeatenallofherbonbonsandbegantotoywiththebuttonsonhisvest.Suddenlyshedrewalonghairoutofthebuttonholeandbegantolaugh.
　　"See！HereisoneofMadeleine’shairs;youareafaithfulhusband！"
　　Thengrowingserious，sheexaminedthescarcelyperceptiblethreadmorecloselyandsaid："ItisnotMadeleine’s，itisdark."
　　Hesmiled."Itprobablybelongstothehousemaid."
　　Butsheglancedatthevestwiththecareofapolice—inspectorandfoundasecondhairtwistedaroundasecondbutton;thenshesawathird;andturningpaleandtremblingsomewhat，sheexclaimed："Oh，somewomanhaslefthairsaroundallyourbuttons."
　　Insurprise，hestammered："Whyyou——youaremad."
　　Shecontinuedtounwindthehairsandcastthemuponthefloor.Withherwoman’sinstinctshehaddivinedtheirmeaningandgaspedinheranger，readytocry：
　　"Shelovesyouandshewishedyoutocarryawaywithyousomethingofhers.Oh，youareatraitor."Sheutteredashrill，nervouscry：
　　"Oh，itisanoldwoman’shair——hereisawhiteone——youhavetakenafancytoanoldwomannow.Thenyoudonotneedme——keeptheotherone."Sherose.
　　Heattemptedtodetainherandstammered："No——Clo——youareabsurd——
　　Idonotknowwhoseitis——listen——stay——see——stay——"
　　Butsherepeated："Keepyouroldwoman——keepher——haveachainmadeofherhair——ofhergrayhair——thereisenoughforthat——"
　　Hastilyshedonnedherhatandveil，andwhenheattemptedtotouchhershestruckhimintheface，andmadeherescapewhilehewasstunnedbytheblow.Whenhefoundthathewasalone，hecursedMme.
　　Walter，bathedhisface，andwentoutvowingvengeance.Thattimehewouldnotpardon.No，indeed.