Theconversationflagged，althoughthedoctorrelatedanumberofanecdotes.Rivalalonerepliedtohim.Duroytriedtoappearself—
possessed，buthewashauntedcontinuallybythefearofshowinghisfeelingsoroflosinghisself—possession.Rivaladdressedhim，saying：\"ItookthepistolstoGastineRenette.Heloadedthem.Theboxissealed.\"
Duroyrepliedmechanically：\"Thankyou.\"
ThenRivalproceededtogivehimminutedirections，thathemightmakenomistakes.Duroyrepeatedthosedirectionsaschildrenlearntheirlessonsinordertoimpressthemuponhismemory.Ashemutteredthephrasesoverandover，healmostprayedthatsomeaccidentmighthappentothecarriage;ifhecouldonlybreakhisleg！
Attheendofagladehesawacarriagestandingandfourgentlemenstampingtheirfeetinordertokeepthemwarm，andhewasobligedtogaspinordertogetbreath.RivalandBoisrenardalightedfirst，thenthedoctorandthecombatant.
Rivaltooktheboxofpistols，andwithBoisrenardapproachedthetwostrangers，whowereadvancingtowardthem.Duroysawthemgreetoneanotherceremoniously，thenwalkthroughthegladetogetherastheycountedthepaces.
Dr.LeBrumentaskedDuroy：\"Doyoufeelwell？Doyounotwantanything？\"
\"Nothing，thankyou.\"Itseemedtohimthathewasasleep，thathewasdreaming.Washeafraid？Hedidnotknow.JacquesRivalreturnedandsaidinalowvoice：\"Allisready.Fortunehasfavoredusinthedrawingofthepistols.\"ThatwasamatterofindifferencetoDuroy.Theyhelpedhimoffwithhisovercoat，ledhimtothegroundsetapartfortheduel，andgavehimhispistol.Beforehimstoodaman，short，stout，andbald，whoworeglasses.Thatwashisadversary.Avoicebrokethesilence——avoicewhichcamefromafar：
\"Areyouready，sirs？\"
Georgescried：\"Yes.\"
Thesamevoicecommanded：\"Fire！\"
Duroyheardnothingmore，sawnothingmore;heonlyknewthatheraisedhisarmandpressedwithallhisstrengthuponthetrigger.
Soonhesawalittlesmokebeforehim;hisopponentwasstillstandinginthesameposition，andtherewasasmallwhitecloudabovehishead.Theyhadbothfired.Allwasover！Hissecondandthedoctorfelthim，unbuttonedhisgarments，andaskedanxiously：
\"Areyouwounded？\"Hereplied：\"No，Ithinknot.\"
Langremontwasnotwoundedeither，andJacquesRivalmuttereddiscontentedly：\"Thatisalwaysthewaywiththosecursedpistols，oneeithermissesorkillsone’sopponent\"
Duroywasparalyzedwithsurpriseandjoy.Allwasover！Hefeltthathecouldfighttheentireuniverse.Allwasover！Whatbliss！
Hefeltbraveenoughtoprovokeanyone.Thesecondsconsultedseveralmoments，thentheduelistsandtheirfriendsenteredthecarriagesanddroveoff.Whentheofficialreportwasdrawnup，itwashandedtoDuroywhowastoinsertitinthe\"Echoes.\"Hewassurprisedtofindthattwoballshadbeenfired.
HesaidtoRival：\"Weonlyfiredonce！\"
Thelattersmiled：\"Yes——once——onceeach——thatmakestwice！\"
AndDuroy，satisfiedwiththatexplanation，askednomorequestions.
M.Walterembracedhim.
\"Bravo！youhavedefendedthecolorsof’LaVieFrancaise’！Bravo！\"
Thefollowingdayateleveno’clockintheforenoon，Duroyreceivedatelegram：
\"MyGod！Ihavebeenfrightened.ComeatoncetoRuedeConstantinoplethatImayembraceyou，mylove.Howbraveyouare.I
adoreyou.Clo.\"
Herepairedtotheplaceappointed，andMme.deMarellerushedintohisarms，coveringhimwithkisses.
\"Oh，mydarling，ifyouonlyknewhowIfeltwhenIreadthemorningpapers！Tellme，tellmeallaboutit.\"
Duroywasobligedtogiveheradetailedaccount.
\"Youmusthavehadaterriblenightbeforetheduel！\"
\"Why，no;Isleptverywell.\"
\"Ishouldnothaveclosedmyeyes.Tellmewhattookplaceontheground.\"
Forthwithheproceededtogiveheragraphicdescriptionoftheduel.Whenhehadconcluded，shesaidtohim：\"Icannotlivewithoutyou！Imustseeyou，andwithmyhusbandinParisitisnotveryconvenient.IoftenhaveanhourearlyinthemorningwhenIcouldcomeandembraceyou，butIcannotenterthathorriblehouseofyours！Whatcanwedo？\"
Heaskedabruptly：\"Howmuchdoyoupayhere？\"
\"Onehundredfrancsamonth.\"
\"Verywell，Iwilltaketheapartmentsonmyownaccount，andIwillmoveatonce.Minearenotsuitableanywayformenow.\"
Shethoughtamomentandthenreplied：\"NoIdonotwantyouto.\"
Heaskedinsurprise：\"Whynot？\"
\"Because！\"
\"Thatisnoreason.Theseroomssuitmeverywell.Iamhere;I
shallremain.\"Helaughed.\"Moreover，theywerehiredinmyname！\"
Butshepersisted：\"No，no，Idonotwishyouto.\"
\"Whynot，then？\"
Shewhisperedsoftly，tenderly：\"Becauseyouwouldbringothershere，andIdonotwishyouto.\"
Indignantlyhecried：\"Never，Ipromiseyou！\"
\"Youwoulddosoinspiteofyourpromise.\"
\"IswearIwillnot.\"
\"Truly？\"
\"Truly——uponmywordofhonor.Thisisournest——oursalone！\"
Sheembracedhiminatransportofdelight.\"ThenIagree，mydearest.Butifyoudeceivemeonce——justonce，thatwillendallbetweenusforever.\"
Heprotested，anditwasagreedthatheshouldsettleintheroomsthatsameday.Shesaidtohim：
\"YoumustdinewithusSunday.Myhusbandthinksyoucharming.\"
Hewasflattered.\"Indeed？\"
\"Yes，youhavemadeaconquest.Didyounottellmethatyourhomewasinthecountry？\"
\"Yes;why？\"
\"Thenyouknowsomethingaboutagriculture？\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Verywell;talktohimofgardeningandcrops;heenjoysthosesubjects.\"
\"Allright.Ishallnotforget.\"
Shelefthim，afterlavishinguponhiminnumerablecaresses.
CHAPTERVIII.
DEATHANDAPROPOSAL
DuroymovedhiseffectstotheapartmentsinRuedeConstantinople.
Twoorthreetimesaweek，Mme.de—Marellepaidhimvisits.Duroy，tocounterbalancethem，dinedatherhouseeveryThursday，anddelightedherhusbandbytalkingagriculturetohim.
ItwasalmosttheendofFebruary.Duroywasfreefromcare.Onenight，whenhereturnedhome，hefoundaletterunderhisdoor.Heexaminedthepostmark;itwasfromCannes.Havingopenedit，heread：
\"Cannes，VillaJolie.\"
\"Dearsirandfriend：Youtoldme，didyounot，thatIcouldcountuponyouatanytime？Verywell.Ihaveafavortoaskofyou;itistocomeandhelpme——nottoleavemealoneduringCharles’slastmoments.Hemaynotlivethroughtheweek，althoughheisnotconfinedtohisbed，butthedoctorhaswarnedme.Ihavenotthestrengthnorthecouragetoseethatagonydayandnight，andIthinkwithterroroftheapproachingendIcanonlyasksuchathingofyou，formyhusbandhasnorelatives.Youwerehiscomrade;hehelpedyoutoyourposition;come，Ibegofyou;Ihavenooneelsetoask.\"
\"Yourfriend，\"
\"MadeleineForestier.\"
Georgesmurmured：\"CertainlyIwillgo.PoorCharles！\"
Themanager，towhomhecommunicatedthecontentsofthatletter，grumblinglygavehisconsent.Herepeated：\"Butreturnspeedily，youareindispensabletous.\"
GeorgesDuroyleftforCannesthenextdaybytheseveno’clockexpress，afterhavingwarnedMme.deMarellebytelegram.Hearrivedthefollowingdayatfouro’clockintheafternoon.A
commissionnaireconductedhimtoVillaJolie.Thehousewassmallandlow，andoftheItalianstyleofarchitecture.
Aservantopenedthedoorandcried：\"Oh，sir，Madameisawaitingyoupatiently.\"
Duroyasked：\"Howisyourmaster？\"
\"Notverywell，sir.Hewillnotbeherelong.\"
Thefloorofthedrawing—roomwhichtheyoungmanenteredwascoveredwithaPersianrug;thelargewindowslookeduponthevillageandthesea.
Duroymurmured：\"Howcozyitishere！Wherethedeucedotheygetthemoneyfrom？\"
Therustlingofagowncausedhimtoturn.Mme.Forestierextendedbothherhands，saying：
\"Howkindofyoutocome.\"
Shewasatriflepalerandthinner，butstillasbrightasever，andperhapsprettierforbeingmoredelicate.Shewhispered：\"Itisterrible——heknowshecannotbesavedandhetyrannizesoverme.I
havetoldhimofyourarrival.Butwhereisyourtrunk？\"
Duroyreplied：\"Ileftitatthestation，notknowingwhichhotelyouwouldadvisemetostopat，inordertobenearyou.\"
Shehesitated，thensaid：\"Youmuststophere，atthevilla.Yourchamberisready.Hemightdieanymoment，andifitshouldcomeinthenight，Iwouldbealone.Iwillsendforyourluggage.\"
Hebowed.\"Asyouwill.\"
\"Now，letusgoupstairs，\"saidshe;hefollowedher.Sheopenedadooronthefirstfloor，andDuroysawaformnearawindow，seatedinaneasy—chair，andwrappedincoverlets.Hedivinedthatitwashisfriend，thoughhescarcelyrecognizedhim.Forestierraisedhishandslowlyandwithdifficulty，saying：
\"Youarehere;youhavecometoseemedie.Iammuchobliged.\"
Duroyforcedasmile.\"Toseeyoudie？Thatwouldnotbeaverypleasantsight，andIwouldnotchoosethatoccasiononwhichtovisitCannes.Icameheretorest.\"
\"Sitdown，\"saidForestier，andhebowedhisheadasifdeepinhopelessmeditation.Seeingthathedidnotspeak，hiswifeapproachedthewindowandpointingtothehorizon，said，\"Lookatthat？Isitnotbeautiful？\"
InspiteofhimselfDuroyfeltthegrandeuroftheclosingdayandexclaimed：\"Yes，indeed，itismagnificent\"
Forestierraisedhisheadandsaidtohiswife：\"Givememoreair.\"
Shereplied：\"Youmustbecareful;itislate，thesunissetting;
youwillcatchmorecoldandthatwouldbeaseriousthinginyourcondition.\"
Hemadeafeeblegestureofangerwithhisrighthand，andsaid：\"I
tellyouIamsuffocating！WhatdifferencedoesitmakeifIdieadaysoonerorlater，sinceImustdie？\"
Sheopenedthewindowwide.Theairwassoftandbalmy.Forestierinhaleditinfeverishgasps.Hegraspedthearmsofhischairandsaidinalowvoice：\"Shutthewindow.Iwouldratherdieinacellar.\"
Hiswifeslowlyclosedthewindow，thenleanedherbrowagainstthepaneandlookedout.Duroy，illatease，wishedtoconversewiththeinvalidtoreassurehim，buthecouldthinkofnowordsofcomfort.
Hestammered：\"Haveyounotbeenbettersinceyouarehere？\"
Hisfriendshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently：\"Youwillseeverysoon.\"Andhebowedhisheadagain.
Duroycontinued：\"Athomeitisstillwintry.Itsnows，hails，rains，andissodarkthattheyhavetolightthelampsatthreeo’clockintheafternoon.\"
Forestierasked：\"Isthereanythingnewattheoffice？\"
\"Nothing.TheyhavetakenlittleLacrinofthe’Voltaire’tofillyourplace，butheisincapable.Itistimeyoucameback.\"
Theinvalidmuttered：\"I？Iwillsoonbewritingundersixfeetofsod.\"Alongsilenceensued.
Mme.Forestierdidnotstir;shestoodwithherbacktotheroom，herfacetowardthewindow.AtlengthForestierbrokethesilenceinagaspingvoice，heartrendingtolistento：\"HowmanymoresunsetsshallIsee——eight——ten——fifteen——twenty——orperhapsthirty——nomore.Youhavemoretime，youtwo——asforme——allisatanend.AndeverythingwillgoonwhenIamgoneasifIwerehere.\"Hepausedafewmoments，thencontinued：\"EverythingthatIseeremindsmethatIshallnotseethemlong.Itishorrible.Ishallnolongerseethesmallestobjects——theglasses——thedishes——thebedsonwhichwerest——thecarriages.Itisfinetodriveintheevening.HowIlovedallthat.\"
AgainNorbertdeVarenne’swordsoccurredtoDuroy.Theroomgrewdark.Forestieraskedirritably：
\"Arewetohavenolampto—night？Thatiswhatiscalledcaringforaninvalid！\"
Theformoutlinedagainstthewindowdisappearedandanelectricbellwasheardtoring.Aservantsoonenteredandplacedalampuponthemantel—piece.Mme.Forestieraskedherhusband：\"Doyouwishtoretire，orwillyougodownstairstodinner？\"
\"Iwillgodowntodinner.\"
ThemealseemedtoDuroyinterminable，fortherewasnoconversation，onlythetickingofaclockbrokethesilence.Whentheyhadfinished，Duroy，pleadingfatigue，retiredtohisroomandtriedinvaintoinventsomepretextforreturninghomeasquicklyaspossible.Heconsoledhimselfbysaying：\"Perhapsitwillnotbeforlong.\"
ThenextmorningGeorgesroseearlyandstrolleddowntothebeach.
Whenhereturnedtheservantsaidtohim：\"Monsieurhasaskedforyoutwoorthreetimes.Willyougoupstairs？\"
Heascendedthestairs.Forestierappearedtobeinachair;hiswife，reclininguponacouch，wasreading.Theinvalidraisedhishead.Duroyasked：
\"Well，howareyou？Youlookbetterthismorning.\"
Forestiermurmured：\"Yes，Iambetterandstronger.LunchashastilyasyoucanwithMadeleine，becausewearegoingtotakeadrive.\"
WhenMme.ForestierwasalonewithDuroy，shesaidtohim：\"Yousee，to—dayhethinksheisbetter！Heismakingplansforto—morrow.WearenowgoingtoGulfJuantobuypotteryforourroomsinParis.Heisdeterminedtogo，buthecannotstandthejoltingontheroad.\"
Thecarriagearrived，Forestierdescendedthestairs，stepbystep，supportedbyhisservant.Whenhesawtheclosedlandau，hewantedituncovered.Hiswifeopposedhim：\"Itissheermadness！Youwilltakecold.\"
Hepersisted：\"No，Iamgoingtobebetter，Iknowit.\"
Theyfirstdrovealongashadyroadandthentooktheroadbythesea.Forestierexplainedthedifferentpointsofinterest.Finallytheyarrivedatapavilionoverwhichwerethesewords：\"GulfJuanArtPottery，\"andthecarriagedrewupatthedoor.Forestierwantedtobuyavasetoputonhisbookcase.Ashecouldnotleavethecarriage，theybroughtthepiecestohimonebyone.Ittookhimalongtimetochoose，consultinghiswifeandDuroy：\"Youknowitisformystudy.Frommyeasy—chairIcanseeitconstantly.Iprefertheancientform——theGreek.\"
Atlengthhemadehischoice.\"IshallreturntoParisinafewdays，\"saidhe.
Ontheirwayhomealongthegulfacoolbreezesuddenlysprangup，andtheinvalidbegantocough.Atfirstitwasnothing，onlyaslightattack，butitgrewworseandturnedtoasortofhiccough——arattle;Forestierchoked，andeverytimehetriedtobreathehecoughedviolently.Nothingquietedhim.Hehadtobecarriedfromthelandautohisroom.Theheatofthebeddidnotstoptheattack，whichlasteduntilmidnight.Thefirstwordsthesickmanutteredweretoaskforabarber，forheinsistedonbeingshavedeverymorning.Herosetobeshaved，butwasobligedtogotobedatonce，andbegantobreathesopainfullythatMme.ForestierinaffrightwokeDuroyandaskedhimtofetchthedoctor.HereturnedalmostimmediatelywithDr.Gavantwhoprescribedforthesickman.Whenthejournalistaskedhimhisopinion，hesaid：\"Itisthefinalstage.Hewillbedeadto—morrowmorning.Preparethatpoor，youngwifeandsendforapriest.Icandonothingmore.However，Iamentirelyatyourdisposal\"DuroywenttoMme.Forestier.\"Heisgoingtodie.Thedoctoradvisesmetosendforapriest.Whatwillyoudo？\"
Shehesitatedamomentandthensaidslowly：
\"Iwillgoandtellhimthatthecurewishestoseehim.Willyoubekindenoughtoprocureonewhowillrequirenothingbuttheconfession，andwhowillnotmakemuchfuss？\"
Theyoungmanbroughtwithhimakind，oldpriestwhoaccommodatedhimselftocircumstances.Whenhehadenteredthedeathchamber，Mme.ForestierwentoutandseatedherselfwithDuroyinanadjoiningroom.
\"Thathasupsethim，\"saidshe.\"WhenImentionedthepriesttohim，hisfaceassumedascaredexpression.Heknewthattheendwasnear.
Ishallneverforgethisface.\"
Atthatmomenttheyheardthepriestsayingtohim：\"Whyno，youarenotsolowasthat.Youareill，butnotindanger.TheproofofthatisthatIcameasafriend，aneighbor.\"Theycouldnothearhisreply.Thepriestcontinued：\"No，Ishallnotadministerthesacrament.Wewillspeakofthatwhenyouarebetter.Ifyouwillonlyconfess，Iasknomore.Iamapastor;Itakeadvantageofeveryoccasiontogatherinmysheep.\"
Alongsilencefollowed.Thensuddenlythepriestsaid，inthetoneofoneofficiatingatthealtar：
\"ThemercyofGodisinfinite;repeatthe’Confiteor，’myson.
Perhapsyouhaveforgottenit;Iwillhelpyou.Repeatwithme：
’ConfiteorDeoomnipotenti;BeataMariaesempervirgini.’\"Hepausedfromtimetotimetopermitthedyingmantocatchuptohim.
Thenhesaid：\"Now，confess.\"Thesickmanmurmuredsomething.Thepriestrepeated：\"Youhavecommittedsins：ofwhatkind，myson？\"
Theyoungwomanroseandsaidsimply：\"Letusgointothegarden.Wemustnotlistentohissecrets.\"
Theyseatedthemselvesuponabenchbeforethedoor，beneathablossomingrosebush.AfterseveralmomentsofsilenceDuroyasked：
\"WillitbesometimebeforeyoureturntoParis？\"
\"No，\"shereplied;\"whenallisover，Iwillgoback.\"
\"Inabouttendays？\"
\"Yes，atmost.\"
Hecontinued;\"Charleshasnorelativesthen？\"
\"None，savecousins.Hisfatherandmotherdiedwhenhewasveryyoung.\"
Inthecourseofafewminutes，theservantcametotellthemthatthepriesthadfinished，andtogethertheyascendedthestairs.
Forestierseemedtohavegrownthinnersincetheprecedingday.Thepriestwasholdinghishand.
\"Aurevoir，myson.Iwillcomeagainto—morrowmorning\";andheleft.Whenhewasgone，thedyingman，whowaspanting，triedtoraisehistwohandstowardhiswifeandgasped：
\"Saveme——saveme，mydarling.Idonotwanttodie——oh，saveme——goforthedoctor.Iwilltakeanything.Idonotwanttodie.\"Hewept;thetearscourseddownhispallidcheeks.Thenhishandscommencedtowanderhitherandthithercontinually，slowly，andregularly，asifgatheringsomethingonthecoverlet.Hiswife，whowasalsoweeping，sobbed：
\"No，itisnothing.Itisonlyanattack;youwillbebetterto—
morrow;youtiredyourselfwiththatdrive.\"
Forestierdrewhisbreathquicklyandsofaintlythatonecouldscarcelyhearhim.Herepeated：
\"Idonotwanttodie！Oh，myGod——myGod——whathashappenedtome？
Icannotsee.Oh，myGod！\"Hisstaringeyessawsomethinginvisibletotheothers;hishandspluckedcontinuallyatthecounterpane.
Suddenlyheshudderedandgasped：\"Thecemetery——me——myGod！\"Hedidnotspeakagain.Helaytheremotionlessandghastly.Thehoursdraggedon;theclockofaneighboringconventchimednoon.
Duroylefttheroomtoobtainsomefood.Hereturnedanhourlater;
Mme.Forestierwouldeatnothing.Theinvalidhadnotstirred.Theyoungwomanwasseatedinaneasy—chairatthefootofthebed.
Duroylikewiseseatedhimself，andtheywatchedinsilence.Anurse，sentbythedoctor，hadarrivedandwasdozingbythewindow.
Duroyhimselfwasalmostasleepwhenhefeltapresentimentthatsomethingwasabouttohappen.HeopenedhiseyesjustintimetoseeForestierclosehis.Hecoughedslightly，andtwostreamsofbloodissuedfromthecornersofhismouthandfloweduponhisnightrobe;hishandsceasedtheirperpetualmotion;hehadbreathedhislast.Hiswife，perceivingit，utteredacryandfelluponherkneesbythebedside.Georges，insurpriseandaffright，mechanicallymadethesignofthecross.
Thenurse，awakening，approachedthebedandsaid：\"Ithascome.\"
Duroy，recoveringhisself—possession，murmuredwithasighofrelief：\"ItwasnotashardasIfeareditwouldbe.\"
ThatnightMme.ForestierandDuroywatchedinthechamberofdeath.
Theywerealonebesidehimwhowasnomore.Theydidnotspeak，Georges’seyesseemedattractedtothatemaciatedfacewhichtheflickeringlightmademorehollow.Thatwashisfriend，CharlesForestier，whothedaybeforehadspokentohim.Forseveralyearshehadlived，eaten，laughed，loved，andhopedasdideveryone——andnowallwasendedforhimforever.
Lifelastedafewmonthsoryears，andthenfled！Onewasborn，grew，washappy，anddied.Adieu！manorwoman，youwillneverreturntoearth！Hethoughtoftheinsectswhichliveseveralhours，ofthefeastswhichliveseveraldays，ofthemenwholiveseveralyears，oftheworldswhichlastseveralcenturies.Whatwasthedifferencebetweenoneandtheother？Afewmoredawns，thatwasall.
Duroyturnedawayhiseyesinordernottoseethecorpse.Mme.
Forestier’sheadwasbowed;herfairhairenhancedthebeautyofhersorrowfulface.Theyoungman’sheartgrewhopeful.Whyshouldhelamentwhenhehadsomanyyearsstillbeforehim？Heglancedatthehandsomewidow.Howhadsheeverconsentedtomarrythatman？Thenhepondereduponallthehiddensecretsoftheirlives.HerememberedthathehadbeentoldofaCountdeVaudrecwhohaddoweredandgivenherinmarriage.Whatwouldshedonow？Whomwouldshemarry？Hadsheprojects，plans？Hewouldhavelikedtoknow.Whythatanxietyastowhatshewoulddo？
Georgesquestionedhimself，andfoundthatitwascausedbyadesiretowinherforhimself.Whyshouldhenotsucceed？Hewaspositivethatshelikedhim;shewouldhaveconfidenceinhim，forsheknewthathewasintelligent，resolute，tenacious.Hadshenotsentforhim？Wasnotthatakindofavowal？Hewasimpatienttoquestionher，tofindoutherintentions.Hewouldsoonhavetoleavethatvilla，forhecouldnotremainalonewiththeyoungwidow;thereforehemustfindoutherplansbeforereturningtoParis，inorderthatshemightnotyieldtoanother’sentreaties.Hebroketheoppressivesilencebysaying：
\"Youmustbefatigued.\"
\"Yes，butaboveallIamgrieved.\"
Theirvoicessoundedstrangeinthatroom.Theyglancedinvoluntarilyatthecorpseasiftheyexpectedtoseeitmove.
Duroycontinued：
\"Itisaheavyblowforyou，andwillmakeacompletechangeinyourlife.\"
Shesigheddeeply，butdidnotreply.Headded：
\"Itisverysadforayoungwomanlikeyoutobeleftalone.\"Hepaused;shestilldidnotreply，andhestammered：\"Atanyrate，youwillrememberthecompactbetweenus;youcancommandmeasyouwill.Iamyours.\"
Sheheldoutherhandtohimandsaidmournfullyandgently：
\"Thanks，youareverykind.IfIcandoanythingforyou，Isaytoo：
’Countonme.’\"
Hetookherprofferedhand，gazedatit，andwasseizedwithanardentdesiretokissit.Slowlyheraisedittohislipsandthenrelinquishedit.Asherdelicatefingerslayuponherkneetheyoungwidowsaidgravely：
\"Yes，Ishallbeallalone，butIshallforcemyselftobebrave.\"
Hedidnotknowhowtotellherthathewouldbedelightedtowedher.Certainlyitwasnotimetospeaktoheronsuchasubject;
however，hethoughthemightbeabletoexpresshimselfbymeansofsomephrasewhichwouldhaveahiddenmeaningandwouldinferwhathewishedtosay.Butthatrigidcorpselaybetweenthem.Theatmospherebecameoppressive，almostsuffocating.Duroyasked：\"Canwenotopenthewindowalittle？Theairseemstobeimpure.\"
\"Certainly，\"shereplied;\"Ihavenoticedittoo.\"
Heopenedthewindow，lettinginthecoolnightair.Heturned：
\"Comeandlookout，itisdelightful.\"
Sheglidedsoftlytohisside.Hewhispered：\"Listentome.DonotbeangrythatIbroachthesubjectatsuchatime，butthedayafterto—morrowIshallleavehereandwhenyoureturntoParisitmightbetoolate.YouknowthatIamonlyapoordevil，whohashispositiontomake，butIhavethewillandsomeintelligence，andI
amadvancing.Amanwhohasattainedhisambitionknowswhattocounton;amanwhohashiswaytomakedoesnotknowwhatmaycome—
—itmaybebetterorworse.Itoldyouonedaythatmymostcherisheddreamwastohaveawifelikeyou.\"
\"Irepeatittoyouto—day.Donotreply，butletmecontinue.Thisisnoproposal——thetimeandplacewouldrenderitodious.Ionlywishtotellyouthatbyawordyoucanmakemehappy，andthatyoucanmakeofmeasyouwill，eitherafriendorahusband——formyheartandmybodyareyours.Idonotwantyoutoanswermenow.I
donotwishtospeakanymoreonthesubjecthere.WhenwemeetinParis，youcantellmeyourdecision.\"
Heutteredthesewordswithoutglancingather，andsheseemednottohaveheardthem，forshestoodbyhissidemotionless，staringvaguelyandfixedlyatthelandscapebeforeher，bathedinmoonlight.
Atlengthshemurmured：\"Itisratherchilly，\"andturnedtowardthebed.Duroyfollowedher.Theydidnotspeakbutcontinuedtheirwatch.TowardmidnightGeorgesfellasleep.Atdaybreakthenurseenteredandhestartedup.BothheandMme.Forestierretiredtotheirroomstoobtainsomerest.Ateleveno’clocktheyroseandlunchedtogether;whilethroughtheopenwindowwaswaftedthesweet，perfumedairofspring.Afterlunch，Mme.Forestierproposedthattheytakeaturninthegarden;astheywalkedslowlyalong，shesuddenlysaid，withoutturningherheadtowardhim，inalow，gravevoice：
\"Listentome，mydearfriend;Ihavealreadyreflecteduponwhatyouproposedtome，andIcannotallowyoutodepartwithoutawordofreply.Iwill，however，sayneitheryesnorno.Wewillwait，wewillsee;wewillbecomebetteracquainted.Youmustthinkitwellovertoo.Donotyieldtoanimpulse.ImentionthistoyoubeforeevenpoorCharlesisburied，becauseitisnecessary，afterwhatyouhavesaidtome，thatyoushouldknowmeasIam，inordernottocherishthehopeyouexpressedtomeanylonger，ifyouarenotamanwhocanunderstandandbearwithme.\"
\"Nowlistencarefully：Marriage，tome，isnotachainbutanassociation.Imustbefree，entirelyunfettered，inallmyactions—
—mycomingandmygoing;Icantolerateneithercontrol，jealousy，norcriticismastomyconduct.Ipledgemyword，however，nevertocompromisethenameofthemanImarry，nortorenderhimridiculousintheeyesoftheworld.Butthatmanmustpromisetolookuponmeasanequal，anally，andnotasaninferior，orasanobedient，submissivewife.Myideas，Iknow，arenotlikethoseofotherpeople，butIshallneverchangethem.Donotanswerme，itwouldbeuseless.Weshallmeetagainandtalkitalloverlater.Nowtakeawalk;Ishallreturntohim.Good—byeuntilto—night.\"
Hekissedherhandandleftherwithouthavingutteredaword.Thatnighttheymetatdinner;directlyafterthemealtheysoughttheirrooms，wornoutwithfatigue.
CharlesForestierwasburiedthenextdayinthecemeteryatCanneswithoutanypomp，andGeorgesreturnedtoParisbytheexpresswhichleftatone—thirty.Mme.Forestieraccompaniedhimtothestation.
Theywalkedupanddowntheplatformawaitingthehourofdepartureandconversingonindifferentsubjects.
Thetrainarrived，thejournalisttookhisseat;aportercried：
\"Marseilles，Lyons，Paris！Allaboard！\"Thelocomotivewhistledandthetrainmovedslowlyoutofthestation.
Theyoungmanleanedoutofthecarriage，andlookedattheyouthfulwidowstandingontheplatformgazingafterhim.Justasshewasdisappearingfromhissight，hethrewherakiss，whichshereturnedwithamorediscreetwaveofherhand.
CHAPTERIX.
MARRIAGE
GeorgesDuroyresumedhisoldhabits.InstalledinthecozyapartmentsonRuedeConstantinople，hisrelationswithMme.deMarellebecamequiteconjugal.
Mme.Forestierhadnotreturned;shelingeredatCannes.He，however，receivedaletterfromherannouncingherreturnaboutthemiddleofApril，butcontainingnotawordastotheirparting.Hewaited.Hewasresolvedtoemployeverymeanstomarryherifsheseemedtohesitate;hehadfaithinhisgoodfortune，inthatpowerofattractionwhichhefeltwithinhim——apowersoirresistiblethatallwomenyieldedtoit.
Atlengthashortnoteadmonishedhimthatthedecisivemomenthadarrived.
\"IaminParis.Cometoseeme.\"
\"MadeleineForestier.\"
Nothingmore.Hereceiveditatnineo’clock.Atthreeo’clockofthesamedayhecalledatherhouse.Sheextendedbothhandstohimwithasweetsmile，andtheygazedintoeachother’seyesforseveralseconds，thenshemurmured：
\"Howkindofyoutocome！\"
Hereplied：\"Ishouldhavecome，whensoeveryoubademe.\"
Theysatdown;sheinquiredabouttheWalters，hisassociates，andthenewspaper.
\"Imissthatverymuch，\"saidshe.\"Ihadbecomeajournalistinspirit.Iliketheprofession.\"Shepaused.Hefanciedhesawinhersmile，inhervoice，inherwords，akindofinvitation，andalthoughhehadresolvednottohastenmatters，hestammered：
\"Well——why——whydoyounotresume——thatprofession——under——thenameofDuroy？\"
Shebecamesuddenlyserious，andplacingherhandonhisarm，shesaid：\"Donotletusspeakofthatyet.\"
Diviningthatshewouldaccepthim，hefelluponhisknees，andpassionatelykissedherhands，saying：
\"Thankyou——thankyou——howIloveyou.\"
Sherose，shewasverypale.Duroykissedherbrow.Whenshehaddisengagedherselffromhisembrace，shesaidgravely：\"Listen，myfriend，Ihavenotyetfullydecided;butmyanswermaybe’yes.’
Youmustwaitpatiently，however，untilIdisclosethesecrettoyou.\"
Hepromisedandlefther，hisheartoverflowingwithjoy.Heworkedsteadily，spentlittle，triedtosavesomemoneythathemightnotbewithoutasouatthetimeofhismarriage，andbecameasmiserlyashehadoncebeenprodigal.Summerglidedby;thenautumn，andnoonesuspectedthetieexistingbetweenDuroyandMme.Forestier，fortheyseldommetinpublic.
OneeveningMadeleinesaidtohim：\"YouhavenotyettoldMme.deMarelleourplans？\"
\"No，mydear;asyouwishedthemkeptsecret，Ihavenotmentionedthemtoasoul.\"
\"Verywell;thereisplentyoftime.IwilltelltheWalters.\"
Sheturnedawayherheadandcontinued：\"Ifyouwish，wecanbemarriedthebeginningofMay.\"
\"Iobeyyouinallthingsjoyfully.\"
\"ThetenthofMay，whichfallsonSaturday，wouldpleaseme，foritismybirthday.\"
\"Verywell，thetenthofMay.\"
\"YourparentslivenearRouen，dotheynot？\"
\"Yes，nearRouen，atCanteleu.\"
\"Iamveryanxioustoseethem！\"
Hehesitated，perplexed：\"But——theyare——\"Thenheaddedmorefirmly：\"Mydear，theyareplain，countrypeople，innkeepers，whostrainedeverynervetogivemeaneducation.Iamnotashamedofthem，buttheir——simplicity——theirrusticitymightannoyyou.\"
Shesmiledsweetly.\"No，Iwilllovethemverymuch.Wewillvisitthem;Iwishto.I，too，amthechildofhumbleparents——butIlostmine——Ihavenooneintheworld\"——sheheldoutherhandtohim——
\"butyou.\"
Hewasaffected，conqueredashehadneverbeenbyanywoman.
\"Ihavebeenthinkingofsomething，\"saidshe，\"butitisdifficulttoexplain.\"
Heasked：\"Whatisit？\"
\"Itisthis：Iamlikeallwomen.Ihavemy——myweaknesses.Ishouldliketobearanoblename.Canyounotontheoccasionofourmarriagechangeyournamesomewhat？\"Sheblushedasifshehadproposedsomethingindelicate.
Herepliedsimply：\"Ihaveoftenthoughtofit，butitdoesnotseemeasytome.\"
\"Whynot？\"
Helaughed.\"BecauseIamafraidIshouldberidiculed.\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders.\"Notatall——notatall.Everyonedoesit，andnoonelaughs.Separateyournameinthisway：DuRoy.Itsoundsverywell.\"
Hereplied：\"No，thatwillnotdo;itistoocommonaproceeding.I
havethoughtofassumingthenameofmynativeplace，firstasaliterarypseudonymandthenasmysurnameinconjunctionwithDuroy，whichmightlateron，asyouproposed，beseparated.\"
Sheasked：\"IsyournativeplaceCanteleu？\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Idonotlikethetermination.Couldwenotmodifyit？\"
Shetookapenandwrotedownthenamesinordertostudythem.
Suddenlyshecried：\"NowIhaveit，\"andheldtowardhimasheetofpaperonwhichwaswritten：\"Mme.DuroydeCantel.\"
Gravelyhereplied：\"Yes，itisverynice.\"
Shewasdelighted，andrepeated：\"DuroydeCantel.Mme.DuroydeCantel.Itisexcellent，excellent！\"
Thensheaddedwithanairofconviction：\"Youwillseehoweasilyitwillbeacceptedbyeveryone！Afterto—morrow，signyourarticles’D.deCantel，’andyour’Echoes’simply’Duroy.’Thatisdoneonthepresseverydayandnoonewillbesurprisedtoseeyoutakeanomdeplume.Whatisyourfather’sname？\"
\"Alexandre.\"
Shemurmured\"Alexandre！\"twoorthreetimesinsuccession;thenshewroteuponablanksheet：
\"M.andMme.AlexandreduRoydeCantelannouncethemarriageoftheirson，M.GeorgesduRoydeCantelwithMme.Forestier.\"
Sheexaminedherwriting，and，charmedwiththeeffect，exclaimed：
\"Withalittlemethodonecansucceedinanything.\"
WhenGeorgesreachedthestreetresolvedtocallhimself，henceforth，\"DuRoy，\"oreven\"DuRoydeCantel，\"itseemedtohimthathewasofmoreimportance.Heswaggeredmoreboldly，heldhisheadmoreerectandwalkedashethoughtgentlemenshould.Hefeltadesiretoinformthepassers—by，\"MynameisDuRoydeCantel.\"
ScarcelyhadheenteredhisapartmentswhenthethoughtofMme.deMarellerenderedhimuneasy，andhewrotetoherimmediately，appointingameetingforthefollowingday.
\"Itwillbehard，\"thoughthe.\"Therewillbeaquarrelsurely.\"
ThenextmorninghereceivedatelegramfromMadame，informinghimthatshewouldbewithhimatoneo’clock.Heawaitedherimpatiently，determinedtoconfessatonceandafterwardtoarguewithher，totellherthathecouldnotremainabachelorindefinitely，andthat，asM.deMarellepersistedinliving，hehadbeencompelledtochoosesomeoneelseasalegalcompanion.Whenthebellrang，hisheartgaveabound.
Mme.deMarelleenteredandcastherselfintohisarms，saying：
\"Goodafternoon，Bel—Ami.\"Perceivingthathisembracewascolderthanusual，sheglancedupathimandasked：\"Whatailsyou？\"
\"Takeaseat，\"saidhe.\"Wemusttalkseriously.\"
Sheseatedherselfwithoutremovingherhat，andwaited.Hecastdownhiseyes;hewaspreparingtocommence.
Finallyhesaidslowly：\"Mydearfriend，youseethatIamverymuchperplexed，verysad，andverymuchembarrassedbywhatIhavetoconfesstoyou.Iloveyou;Iloveyouwithallmyheart，andthefearofgivingyoupaingrievesmemorethanwhatIhavetotellyou.\"
Sheturnedpale，trembled，andasked：\"Whatisit？Tellmequickly.\"
Hesaidsadlybutresolutely：\"Iamgoingtobemarried.\"
Shesighedlikeoneabouttoloseconsciousness;thenshegasped，butdidnotspeak.
Hecontinued：\"YoucannotimaginehowmuchIsufferedbeforetakingthatresolution.ButIhaveneitherpositionnormoney.IamaloneinParis，Imusthavenearmesomeonewhocancounsel，comfort，andsupportme.WhatIneedisanassociate，anally，andIhavefoundone！\"Hepaused，hopingthatshewouldreply，expectinganoutburstoffuriousrage，reproaches，andinsults.Shepressedherhandtoherheartandbreathedwithdifficulty.Hetookthehandrestingonthearmofthechair，butshedrewitawayandmurmuredasifstupefied：\"Oh，myGod！\"
Hefelluponhiskneesbeforeher，without，however，venturingtotouchher，moremovedbyhersilencethanhewouldhavebeenbyheranger.
\"Clo，mylittleClo，youunderstandmyposition.Oh，ifIcouldhavemarriedyou，whathappinessitwouldhaveaffordedme！Butyouweremarried！WhatcouldIdo？Justthinkofit！ImustmakemywayintheworldandIcanneverdosoaslongasIhavenodomesticties.
Ifyouknew.TherearedayswhenIshouldliketokillyourhusband.\"Hespokeinalow，seductivevoice.HesawtwotearsgatherinMme.deMarelle’seyesandtrickleslowlydownhercheeks.
Hewhispered：\"Donotweep，Clo，donotweep，Ibeseechyou.Youbreakmyheart.\"
Shemadeanefforttoappeardignifiedandhaughty，andasked，thoughsomewhatunsteadily：\"Whoisit？\"
Foramomenthehesitatedbeforehereplied：\"MadeleineForestier！\"
Mme.deMarellestarted;hertearscontinuedtoflow.Sherose.
Duroysawthatshewasgoingtoleavehimwithoutawordofreproachorpardon，andhefelthumbled，humiliated.Heseizedhergownandimplored：
\"Donotleavemethus.\"
Shelookedathimwiththatdespairing，tearfulglancesocharmingandsotouching，whichexpressesallthemiserypent—upinawoman’sheart，andstammered：\"Ihavenothing——tosay;Icandonothing.
You——youareright;youhavemadeagoodchoice.\"
Anddisengagingherselfshelefttheroom.
Withasighofreliefatescapingsoeasily，herepairedtoMme.
Forestier’s，whoaskedhim：\"HaveyoutoldMme.deMarelle？\"
Herepliedcalmly：\"Yes.\"
\"Diditaffecther？\"
\"Notatall.Onthecontrary，shethoughtitanexcellentplan.\"
Thenewswassoonnoisedabroad.Someweresurprised，otherspretendedtohaveforeseenit，andothersagainsmiled，inferringthattheywerenotatallastonished.Theyoungman，whosignedhisarticles，\"D.deCantel，\"his\"Echoes，\"\"Duroy，\"andhispoliticalsketches，\"DuRoy，\"spentthebestpartofhistimewithhisbetrothed，whohaddecidedthatthedatefixedfortheweddingshouldbekeptsecret，thattheceremonyshouldbecelebratedinthepresenceofwitnessesonly，thattheyshouldleavethesameeveningforRouen，andthatthedayfollowingtheyshouldvisitthejournalist’sagedparentsandspendseveraldayswiththem.DuroyhadtriedtopersuadeMadeleinetoabandonthatproject，butnotsucceedinginhiseffortshewasfinallycompelledtosubmit.
ThetenthofMayarrived.Thinkingareligiousceremonyunnecessary，astheyhadissuednoinvitations，thecoupleweremarriedatamagistrate’sandtookthesixo’clocktrainforNormandy.
Asthetrainglidedalong，Duroyseatedinfrontofhiswife，tookherhand，kissedit，andsaid：\"WhenwereturnwewilldineatChatousometimes.\"
Shemurmured：\"Weshallhaveagreatmanythingstodo！\"inatonewhichseemedtosay：\"Wemustsacrificepleasuretoduty.\"
Heretainedherhandwonderinganxiouslyhowhecouldmanagetocaressher.Hepressedherhandslightly，butshedidnotrespondtothepressure.
Hesaid：\"Itseemsstrangethatyoushouldbemywife.\"
Sheappearedsurprised：\"Why？\"
\"Idonotknow.Itseemsdroll.IwanttoembraceyouandIamsurprisedthatIhavetheright.\"
Shecalmlyofferedhimhercheekwhichhekissedashewouldhavekissedhissister’s.Hecontinued：
\"ThefirsttimeIsawyou（youremember，atthatdinnertowhichI
wasinvitedatForestier’s），Ithought：’Sacristi，ifIcouldonlyfindawifelikethat！’AndnowIhaveone.\"
Sheglancedathimwithsmilingeyes.
Hesaidtohimself：\"Iamtoocold.Iamstupid.Ishouldmakemoreadvances.\"Andheasked：\"HowdidyoumakeForestier’sacquaintance？\"
Sherepliedwithprovokingarchness：\"ArewegoingtoRouentotalkofhim？\"
Hecolored.\"Iamafool.Youintimidateme.\"
Shewasdelighted.\"I？Impossible.\"
Heseatedhimselfbesideher.Sheexclaimed：\"Ah！astag！\"ThetrainwaspassingthroughtheforestofSaint—Germainandshehadseenafrighteneddeerclearanalleyatabound.Asshegazedoutoftheopenwindow，Duroybendingoverher，pressedakissuponherneck.
Forseveralmomentssheremainedmotionless，thenraisingherhead，shesaid：\"Youtickleme，stop！\"
Buthedidnotobeyher.
Sherepeated：\"Stop，Isay！\"
Heseizedherheadwithhisrighthand，turnedittowardhimandpressedhislipstohers.Shestruggled，pushedhimawayandrepeated：\"Stop！\"
Hedidnotheedher.Withaneffort，shefreedherselfandrising，said：\"Georges，havedone.Wearenotchildren，weshallsoonreachRouen.\"
\"Verywell，\"saidhe，gaily，\"Iwillwait.\"
Reseatingherselfnearhimshetalkedofwhattheywoulddoontheirreturn;theywouldkeeptheapartmentsinwhichshehadlivedwithherfirsthusband，andDuroywouldreceiveForestier’spositionon\"LaVieFrancaise.\"Inthemeantime，forgettingherinjunctionsandhispromise，heslippedhisarmaroundherwaist，pressedhertohimandmurmured：\"Iloveyoudearly，mylittleMade.\"
Thegentlenessofhistonemovedtheyoungwoman，andleaningtowardhimsheofferedhimherlips;asshedidso，awhistleannouncedtheproximityofthestation.Pushingbacksomestraylocksuponhertemples，sheexclaimed：
\"Wearefoolish.\"
Hekissedherhandsfeverishlyandreplied：
\"Iadoreyou，mylittleMade.\"
OnreachingRouentheyrepairedtoahotelwheretheyspentthenight.Thefollowingmorning，whentheyhaddrunktheteaplaceduponthetableintheirroom，Duroyclaspedhiswifeinhisarmsandsaid：\"MylittleMade，IfeelthatIloveyouvery，verymuch.\"
Shesmiledtrustfullyandmurmuredasshereturnedhiskisses：\"I
loveyoutoo——alittle.\"
ThevisittohisparentsworriedGeorges，althoughhehadpreparedhiswife.Hebeganagain：\"Youknowtheyarepeasants，real，notsham，comic—operapeasants.\"
Shesmiled.\"Iknowit，youhavetoldmeoftenenough.\"
\"Weshallbeveryuncomfortable.Thereisonlyastrawbedinmyroom;theydonotknowwhathairmattressesareatCanteleu.\"
Sheseemeddelighted.\"Somuchthebetter.Itwouldbecharmingtosleepbadly——when——nearyou——andtobeawakenedbythecrowingofthecocks.\"
Hewalkedtowardthewindowandlightedacigarette.Thesightoftheharbor，oftheriverfilledwithshipsmovedhimandheexclaimed：\"Egad，butthatisfine！\"
Madeleinejoinedhimandplacingbothofherhandsonherhusband’sshoulder，cried：\"Oh，howbeautiful！Ididnotknowthatthereweresomanyships！\"
Anhourlatertheydepartedinordertobreakfastwiththeoldcouple，whohadbeeninformedseveraldaysbeforeoftheirintendedarrival.BothDuroyandhiswifewerecharmedwiththebeautiesofthelandscapepresentedtotheirview，andthecabmanhaltedinordertoallowthemtogetabetterideaofthepanoramabeforethem.Ashewhippeduphishorse，Duroysawanoldcouplenotahundredmetersoff，approaching，andheleapedfromthecarriagecrying：\"Heretheyare，Iknowthem.\"
Themanwasshort，corpulent，florid，andvigorous，notwithstandinghisage;thewomanwastall，thin，andmelancholy，withstoopingshoulders——awomanwhohadworkedfromchildhood，whohadneverlaughednorjested.
Madeleine，too，alightedandwatchedthecoupleadvance，withacontractionofherheartshehadnotanticipated.Theydidnotrecognizetheirsoninthatfinegentleman，andtheywouldneverhavetakenthathandsomeladyfortheirdaughter—in—law.Theywalkedalong，passedthechildtheywereexpecting，withoutglancingatthe\"cityfolks.\"
Georgescriedwithalaugh：\"Goodday，FatherDuroy.\"
Boththeoldmanandhiswifewerestruckdumbwithastonishment;
thelatterrecoveredherself—possessionfirstandasked：\"Isityou，son？\"
Theyoungmanreplied：\"Yes，itisI，MotherDuroy，\"andapproachingher，hekissedheruponbothcheeksandsaid：\"Thisismywife.\"
ThetworusticsstaredatMadeleineasifshewereacuriosity，withanxiousfear，combinedwithasortofsatisfiedapprobationonthepartofthefatherandofjealousenmityonthatofthemother.
M.Duroy，senior，whowasnaturallyjocose，madesoboldastoaskwithatwinkleinhiseye：\"MayIkissyoutoo？\"HissonutteredanexclamationandMadeleineofferedhercheektotheoldpeasant;whoafterwardwipedhislipswiththebackofhishand.Theoldwoman，inherturn，kissedherdaughter—in—lawwithhostilereserve.Heridealwasastout，rosy，countrylass，asredasanappleandasround.
Thecarriageprecededthemwiththeluggage.Theoldmantookhisson’sarmandaskedhim：\"Howareyougettingon？\"
\"Verywell.\"
\"Thatisright.Tellme，hasyourwifeanymeans？\"
Georgesreplied：\"Fortythousandfrancs.\"
Hisfatherwhistledsoftlyandmuttered：\"Whew！\"Thenheadded：\"Sheisahandsomewoman.\"Headmiredhisson’swife，andinhisdayhadconsideredhimselfaconnoisseur.
Madeleineandthemotherwalkedsidebysideinsilence;thetwomenjoinedthem.Theysoonreachedthevillage，attheentrancetowhichstoodM.Duroy’stavern.Apineboardfastenedoverthedoorindicatedthatthirstypeoplemightenter.Thetablewaslaid.A
neighbor，whohadcometoassist，madealowcourtesyonseeingsobeautifulaladyappear;thenrecognizingGeorges，shecried：\"OhLord，isityou？\"
Herepliedmerrily：\"Yes，itisI，MotherBrulin，\"andhekissedherashehadkissedhisfatherandmother.Thenheturnedtohiswife：
\"Comeintoourroom，\"saidhe，\"youcanlayasideyourhat.\"
Theypassedthroughadoortotherightandenteredaroompavedwithbrick，withwhitewashedwallsandabedwithcottonhangings.
Acrucifixaboveaholy—waterbasinandtwocoloredprints，representingPaulandVirginiabeneathabluepalm—tree，andNapoleonI.onayellowhorse，weretheonlyornamentsinthatneat，butbareroom.
Whentheywerealone，GeorgesembracedMadeleine.
\"Goodmorning，Made！Iamgladtoseetheoldpeopleoncemore.WhenoneisinParisonedoesnotthinkofthisplace，butwhenonereturns，oneenjoysitjustthesame.\"
Atthatmomenthisfathercried，knockingonthepartitionwithhisfist：\"Come，thesoupisready.\"
Theyre—enteredthelargepublic—roomandtooktheirseatsatthetable.Themealwasalongone，servedinatrulyrusticfashion.
FatherDuroy，enlivenedbytheciderandseveralglassesofwine，relatedmanyanecdotes，whileGeorges，towhomtheywereallfamiliar，laughedatthem.
MotherDuroydidnotspeak，butsatattheboard，grimandaustere，glancingatherdaughter—in—lawwithhatredinherheart.
Madeleinedidnotspeaknordidsheeat;shewasdepressed.
Wherefore？Shehadwishedtocome;sheknewthatshewascomingtoasimplehome;shehadformednopoeticalideasofthosepeasants，butshehadperhapsexpectedtofindthemsomewhatmorepolished，refined.Sherecalledherownmother，ofwhomsheneverspoketoanyone——agovernesswhohadbeenbetrayedandwhohaddiedofgriefandshamewhenMadeleinewastwelveyearsold.Astrangerhadhadthelittlegirleducated.Herfatherwithoutdoubt.Whowashe？Shedidnotknowpositively，butshehadvaguesuspicions.
Themealwasnotyetoverwhencustomersentered，shookhandswithM.Duroy，exclaimedonseeinghisson，andseatingthemselvesatthewoodentablesbegantodrink，smoke，andplaydominoes.Thesmokefromtheclaypipesandpennycigarsfilledtheroom.
Madeleinechokedandasked：\"Canwegoout？Icannotremainhereanylonger，\"
OldDuroygrumbledatbeingdisturbed.Madeleineroseandplacedherchairatthedoorinordertowaituntilherfather—in—lawandhiswifehadfinishedtheircoffeeandwine.
Georgessoonjoinedher.
\"WouldyouliketostrolldowntotheSeine？\"
Joyfullyshecried：\"Yes.\"
Theydescendedthehillside，hiredaboatatCroisset，andspenttheremainderoftheafternoonbeneaththewillowsinthesoft，warm，springair，androckedgentlybytheripplingwavesoftheriver.
Theyreturnedatnightfall.Theeveningrepastbycandle—lightwasmorepainfultoMadeleinethanthatofthemorning.NeitherFatherDuroynorhiswifespoke.Whenthemealwasover，Madeleinedrewherhusbandoutsideinordernottohavetoremaininthatroom，theatmosphereofwhichwasheavywithsmokeandthefumesofliquor.
Whentheywerealone，hesaid：\"Youarealreadyweary.\"
Sheattemptedtoprotest;heinterruptedher：
\"Ihaveseenit.Ifyouwishwewillleavetomorrow.\"
Shewhispered：\"Ishouldliketogo.\"
Theywalkedalongandenteredanarrowpathamonghightrees，hedgedinoneithersidebyimpenetrablebrushwood.
Sheasked：\"Wherearewe？\"
Hereplied：\"Intheforest——oneofthelargestinFrance.\"
Madeleine，onraisingherhead，couldseethestarsbetweenthebranchesandheartherustlingoftheleaves.Shefeltstrangelynervous.Why，shecouldnottell.Sheseemedtobelost，surroundedbyperils，abandoned，alone，beneaththatvastvaultedsky.
Shemurmured：\"Iamafraid;Ishouldliketoreturn.\"
\"Verywell，wewill.\"
Ontheirreturntheyfoundtheoldpeopleinbed.ThenextmorningMadeleineroseearlyandwasreadytoleaveatdaybreak.WhenGeorgestoldhisparentsthattheyweregoingtoreturnhome，theyguessedwhosewishitwas.
Hisfatheraskedsimply：\"ShallIseeyousoonagain？\"
\"Yes——inthesummer—time.\"
\"Verywell.\"
Hismothergrumbled：\"Ihopeyouwillnotregretwhatyouhavedone.\"
Georgesgavethemtwohundredfrancstoappeasethem，andthecabarrivingatteno’clock，thecouplekissedtheoldpeasantsandsetout.
Astheyweredescendingthesideofthehill，Duroylaughed.\"Yousee，\"saidhe，\"Iwarnedyou.Ishould，however，nothavepresentedyoutoM.andMme.duRoydeCantel，senior.\"
Shelaughedtooandreplied：\"Iamcharmednow！TheyarenicepeoplewhomIambeginningtolikeverymuch.IshallsendthemconfectionsfromParis.\"Thenshemurmured：\"DuRoydeCantel.Wewillsaythatwespentaweekatyourparents’estate，\"anddrawingnearhim，shekissedhimsaying：
\"Goodmorning，Georges.\"
Hereplied：\"Goodmorning，Madeleine，\"asheslippedhisarmaroundherwaist.
CHAPTERX.
JEALOUSY
TheDuRoyshadbeeninParistwodaysandthejournalisthadresumedwork;hehadgivenuphisownespecialprovincetoassumethatofForestier，andtodevotehimselfentirelytopolitics.Onthisparticulareveningheturnedhisstepstowardhomewithalightheart.Ashepassedaflorist’sonRueNotreDamedeLoretteheboughtabouquetofhalf—openrosesforMadeleine.Havingforgottenhiskey，onarrivingathisdoor，herangandtheservantansweredhissummons.
Georgesasked：\"IsMadameathome？\"\"Yes，sir.\"
Inthedining—roomhepausedinastonishmenttoseecoverslaidforthree：thedoorofthesalonbeingajar，hesawMadeleinearranginginavaseonthemantelpieceabunchofrosessimilartohis.
Heenteredtheroomandasked：\"Haveyouinvitedanyonetodinner？\"
Sherepliedwithoutturningherheadandcontinuingthearrangementofherflowers：\"Yesandno：itismyoldfriend，CountdeVaudrec，whoisinthehabitofdininghereeveryMondayandwhowillcomenowashealwayshas，\"
Georgesmurmured：\"Verywell.\"
Hestoppedbehindher，thebouquetinhishand，thedesirestrongwithinhimtoconcealit——tothrowitaway.However，hesaid：
\"Here，Ihavebroughtyousomeroses！\"
Sheturnedtohimwithasmileandsaid：\"Ah，howthoughtfulofyou！\"andshekissedhimwithsuchevidentaffectionthathefeltconsoled.
Shetooktheflowers，inhaledtheirperfume，andputtheminanemptyvase.Thenshesaidasshenotedtheeffect：\"NowIamsatisfied;mymantelpiecelookspretty，\"addingwithanairofconviction：
\"Vaudrecischarming;youwillbecomeintimatewithhimatonce，\"
AringannouncedtheCount.Heenteredasifhewereathome.AftergallantlykissingMme.DuRoy’shand，heturnedtoherhusbandandcordiallyofferedhishand，saying：\"Howareyou，mydearDuRoy？\"
Hehadnolongerthathaughtyair，butwasveryaffable.Onewouldhavethoughtinthecourseoffiveminutes，thatthetwomenhadknownoneanotherfortenyears.Madeleine，whosefacewasradiant，said：\"Iwillleaveyoutogether.Ihaveworktosuperintendinthekitchen.\"ThedinnerwasexcellentandtheCountremainedverylate.
Whenhewasgone，Madeleinesaidtoherhusband：\"Ishenotnice？Heimproves，too，onacquaintance.Heisagood，true，faithfulfriend.
Ah，withouthim——\"
ShedidnotcompletehersentenceandGeorgesreplied：\"Yes，heisverypleasant，Ithinkweshallunderstandeachotherwell.\"
\"Youdonotknow，\"shesaid，\"thatwehaveworktodoto—nightbeforeretiring.Ididnothavetimetotellyoubeforedinner，forVaudreccame.Laroche—MathieubroughtmeimportantnewsofMorocco.
Wemustmakeafinearticleofthat.Letussettoworkatonce.