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.