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.