Hestrolledtotheboulevardandstoppedatajeweler’stolookatachronometerhehadwantedforsometimeandwhichwouldcosteighteenhundredfrancs.Hethoughtwithjoy：\"IfImakemyseventythousandfrancs，Icanpayforit\"——andhebegantodreamofallthethingshewoulddowhenhegotthemoney.Firstofallhewouldbecomeadeputy;thenhewouldbuythechronometer;thenhewouldspeculateon’Change，andthen，andthen——hedidnotentertheoffice，preferringtoconferwithMadeleinebeforeseeingWalteragainandwritinghisarticle;heturnedtowardhome.HereachedRueDrouotwhenhepaused;hehadforgottentoinquireforCountdeVaudrec，wholivedonChausseed’Antin.Heretracedhisstepswithalightheart，thinkingofathousandthings——ofthefortunehewouldmake，——ofthatrascalofaLaroche，andofoldWalter.
HewasnotatalluneasyastoClotilde’sanger，knowingthatshewouldsoonforgivehim.
WhenheaskedthejanitorofthehouseinwhichCountdeVaudreclived：\"HowisM.deVaudrec？Ihaveheardthathehasbeenailingoflate，\"themanreplied;\"TheCountisveryill，sir;theythinkhewillnotlivethroughthenight;thegouthasreachedhisheart.\"
DuRoywassostartledhedidnotknowwhattodo！Vaudrecdying！Hestammered：\"Thanks——Iwillcallagain\"——unconsciousofwhathewassaying.Hejumpedintoacabanddrovehome.Hiswifehadreturned.
Heenteredherroomoutofbreath：\"Didyouknow？Vaudrecisdying！\"
Shewasreadingaletterandturningtohimasked：\"Whatdidyousay？\"
\"IsaidthatVaudrecisdyingofanattackofgout.\"
Thenheadded：\"Whatshallyoudo？\"
Sherose;herfacewaslivid;sheburstintotearsandburiedherfaceinherhands.Sheremainedstanding，shakenbysobs，tornbyanguish.Suddenlysheconqueredhergriefandwipinghereyes，said：
\"Iamgoingtohim——donotworryaboutme——IdonotknowwhattimeI
shallreturn——donotexpectme.\"
Hereplied：\"Verywell.Go.\"
Theyshookhandsandsheleftinsuchhastethatsheforgothergloves.Georges，afterdiningalone，begantowritehisarticle.Hewroteitaccordingtotheminister’sinstructions，hintingtothereadersthattheexpeditiontoMoroccowouldnottakeplace.Hetookit，whencompleted，totheoffice，conversedseveralmomentswithM.
Walter，andsetoutagain，smoking，withalightheart，heknewnotwhy.
Hiswifehadnotreturned.Heretiredandfellasleep.TowardmidnightMadeleinecamehome.Georgessatupinbedandasked：
\"Well？\"
Hehadneverseenhersopaleandagitated.Shewhispered：\"Heisdead！\"
\"Ah——and——hetoldyounothing？\"
\"Nothing.HewasunconsciouswhenIarrived.\"
QuestionswhichhedarednotaskarosetoGeorges’lips.
\"Liedownandrest，\"saidhe.
Shedisrobedhastilyandslippedintobed.
Hecontinued：\"Hadheanyrelativesathisdeath—bed？\"
\"Onlyanephew.\"
\"Ah！Didheoftenseethatnephew？\"
\"Theyhadnotmetfortenyears.\"
\"Hadheotherrelatives？\"
\"No，Ibelievenot.\"
\"Willthatnephewbehisheir？\"
\"Idonotknow.\"
\"WasVaudrecveryrich？\"
\"Yes，very.\"
\"Doyouknowwhathewasworth？\"
\"No，notexactly——oneortwomillionsperhaps.\"
Hesaidnomore.Sheextinguishedthelight.Hecouldnotsleep.HelookeduponMme.Walter’spromisedseventythousandfrancsasveryinsignificant.SuddenlyhethoughtheheardMadeleinecrying.Inordertoinsurehimselfheasked：\"Areyouasleep？\"
\"No.\"Hervoicewastearfulandunsteady.
Hecontinued：\"Iforgottotellyouthatyourministerhasdeceivedus.\"
\"How？\"
HegaveheradetailedaccountofthecombinationpreparedbyLarocheandWalter.Whenheconcludedsheasked：\"Howdidyouknowthat？\"
Hereplied：\"PardonmeifIdonottellyou！YouhaveyourmeansofobtaininginformationintowhichIdonotinquire;IhaveminewhichIdesiretokeep.Icanvouchatanyrateforthetruthofmystatements.\"
Shemuttered：\"Itmaybepossible.Isuspectedthattheyweredoingsomethingwithoutourknowledge.\"
AsshespokeGeorgesdrewnearher;shepaidnoheedtohisproximity，however，andturningtowardthewall，heclosedhiseyesandfellasleep.
CHAPTERXIV.
THEWILL
Thechurchwasdrapedinblack，andoverthedooralargeescutcheonsurmountedbyacoronetannouncedtothepassers—bythatanoblemanwasbeingburied.Theceremonywasjustover;thosepresentwentoutslowly，passingbythecoffin，andbyCountdeVaudrec’snephew，whoshookhandsandreturnedsalutations.
WhenGeorgesduRoyandhiswifeleftthechurch，theywalkedalongsidebysideontheirwayhome.Theydidnotspeak;theywerebothpreoccupied.AtlengthGeorgessaid，asiftalkingtohimself：
\"Trulyitisveryastonishing！\"
Madeleineasked：\"What，myfriend？\"
\"ThatVaudrecleftusnothing.\"
Sheblushedandsaid：\"Whyshouldheleaveusanything？Hadheanyreasonfordoingso？\"Thenafterseveralmomentsofsilence，shecontinued：\"Perhapsthereisawillatalawyer’s;weshouldnotknowofit.\"
Hereplied：\"Thatispossible，forhewasourbestfriend.Hedinedwithustwiceaweek;hecameatanytime;hewasathomewithus.
Helovedyouasafather;hehadnofamily，nochildren，nobrothersnorsisters，onlyanephew.Yes，thereshouldbeawill.Iwouldnotcareformuch——aremembrancetoprovethathethoughtofus——thatherecognizedtheaffectionwefeltforhim.Weshouldcertainlyhaveamarkoffriendship.\"
Shesaidwithapensiveandindifferentair：\"Itispossiblethatthereisawill.\"
Whentheyenteredthehouse，thefootmanhandedMadeleinealetter.
Sheopeneditandofferedittoherhusband.
\"OFFICEOFM.LAMANEUR，Notary.
17RuedesVosges，\"
\"Madame：Kindlycallatmyofficeataquarterpasttwoo’clockTuesday，Wednesday，orThursday，onbusinesswhichconcernsyou.\"
\"Yoursrespectfully，\"
\"LAMANEUR.\"
Georges，inhisturn，colored.
\"Thatisasitshouldbe.Itisstrange，however，thatheshouldwritetoyouandnottome，forIamtheheadofthefamilylegally.\"
\"Shallwegoatonce？\"sheasked.
\"Yes，Ishouldliketo.\"
AfterluncheontheysetoutforM.Lamaneur’soffice.
Thenotarywasashort，roundman——roundallover.Hisheadlookedlikeaballfastenedtoanotherball，whichwassupportedbylegssoshortthattheytooalmostresembledballs.
Hebowed，asDuRoyandhiswifewereshownintohisoffice，pointedtoseats，andsaid，turningtoMadeleine：\"Madame，IsentforyouinordertoinformyouofCountdeVaudrec’swill，whichwillbeofinteresttoyou.\"
Georgescouldnothelpmuttering：\"Isuspectedthat.\"
Thenotarycontinued：\"Ishallreadyouthedocumentwhichisverybrief.\"
\"’I，theundersigned，PaulEmileCyprienGontran，CountdeVaudrec，soundbothinbodyandmind，hereexpressmylastwishes.Asdeathmighttakemeawayatanymoment，Iwishtotaketheprecautionofdrawingupmywill，tobedepositedwithM.Lamaneur.’\"
\"’Havingnodirectheirs，Ibequeathallmyfortune，comprisingstocksandbondsforsixhundredthousandfrancsandlandedpropertyforfivehundredthousand，toMme.ClaireMadeleineduRoyunconditionally.Ibeghertoacceptthatgiftfromadeadfriendasaproofofdevoted，profound，andrespectfulaffection.’\"
Thenotarysaid：\"Thatisall.ThatdocumentbearsthedateofAugustlast，andtooktheplaceofoneofthesamenaturemadetwoyearsagointhenameofMme.ClaireMadeleineForestier.Ihavethefirstwill，whichwouldprove，incaseofcontestationonthepartofthefamily，thatCountdeVaudrechadnotchangedhismind.\"
Madeleinecastdownhereyes;hercheekswerepale.Georgesnervouslytwistedhismustache.
Thenotarycontinuedafteramoment’spause：\"ItisofcourseunderstoodthatMadamecannotacceptthatlegacywithoutyourconsent.\"
DuRoyroseandsaidshortly：\"Iasktimeforreflection.\"
Thenotarysmiled，bowed，andrepliedpleasantly：\"Icomprehendthescrupleswhichcauseyoutohesitate.ImayaddthatM.deVaudrec’snephew，whowasinformedthismorningofhisuncle’slastwishes，expresseshimselfasreadytorespectthemifhebegivenonehundredthousandfrancs.Inmyopinionthewillcannotbebroken，butalawsuitwouldcauseasensationwhichyouwouldprobablyliketoavoid.Theworldoftenjudgesuncharitably.CanyouletmehaveyourreplybeforeSaturday？\"
Georgesbowed，andtogetherwithhiswifelefttheoffice.Whentheyarrivedhome，DuRoyclosedthedoorandthrowinghishatonthebed，asked：\"WhatweretherelationsbetweenyouandVaudrec？\"
Madeleine，whowastakingoffherveil，turnedaroundwithashudder：\"Betweenus？\"
\"Yes，betweenyouandhim！Onedoesnotleaveone’sentirefortunetoawomanunless——\"
Shetrembled，andcouldscarcelytakeoutthepinswhichfastenedthetransparenttissue.Thenshestammeredinanagitatedmanner：
\"Youaremad——youare——youare——youdidnotthink——hewouldleaveyouanything！\"
Georgesreplied，emphazingeachword：\"Yes，hecouldhaveleftmesomething;me，yourhusband，hisfriend;butnotyou，mywifeandhisfriend.Thedistinctionismaterialintheeyesoftheworld.\"
Madeleinegazedathimfixedly：\"Itseemstomethattheworldwouldhaveconsideredalegacyfromhimtoyouverystrange.\"
\"Why？\"
\"Because，\"——shehesitated，thencontinued：\"Becauseyouaremyhusband;becauseyouwerenotwellacquainted;becauseIhavebeenhisfriendsolong;becausehisfirstwill，madeduringForestier’slifetime，wasalreadyinmyfavor.\"
Georgesbegantopacetoandfro.Hefinallysaid：\"Youcannotacceptthat.\"
Sheansweredindifferently：\"Verywell;itisnotnecessarythentowaituntilSaturday;youcaninformM.Lamaneuratonce.\"
Hepausedbeforeher，andtheygazedintooneanother’seyesasifbythatmuteandardentinterrogationtheyweretryingtoexamineeachother’sconsciences.Inalowvoicehemurmured：\"Come，confessyourrelations.\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders.\"Youareabsurd.Vaudrecwasveryfondofme，very，buttherewasnothingmore，never.\"
Hestampedhisfoot.\"Youlie！Itisnotpossible.\"
Sherepliedcalmly：\"Itisso，nevertheless.\"
Heresumedhispacingtoandfro;thenpausingagain，hesaid：
\"Explaintome，then，whyheleftallhisfortunetoyou.\"
Shedidsowithanonchalantair：\"Itisverysimple.Asyousaidjustnow，wewerehisonlyfriends，orrather，Iwashisonlyfriend，forheknewmewhenachild.Mymotherwasagovernessinhisfather’shouse.Hecameherecontinually，andashehadnolegalheirs，heselectedme.Itispossiblethatheevenlovedmealittle.Butwhatwomanhasneverbeenlovedthus？HebroughtmeflowerseveryMonday.Youwereneversurprisedatthat，andheneverbroughtyouany.To—dayheleavesmehisfortuneforthesamereason，becausehehadnooneelsetoleaveitto.Itwouldontheotherhandhavebeenextremelysurprisingifhehadleftittoyou.\"
\"Why？\"
\"Whatareyoutohim？\"
ShespokesonaturallyandsocalmlythatGeorgeshesitatedbeforereplying：\"Itmakesnodifference;wecannotacceptthatbequestunderthoseconditions.Everyonewouldtalkaboutitandlaughatme.Myfellow—journalistsarealreadytoomuchdisposedtobejealousofmeandtoattackme.Ihavetobeespeciallycarefulofmyhonorandmyreputation.Icannotpermitmywifetoacceptalegacyofthatkindfromamanwhomrumorhasalreadyassignedtoherasherlover.Forestiermightperhapshavetoleratedthat，butI
shallnot.\"
Sherepliedgently：\"Verywell，mydear，wewillnottakeit;itwillbeamillionlessinourpockets，thatisall.\"
Georgespacedtheroomandutteredhisthoughtsaloud，thusspeakingtohiswifewithoutaddressingher：
\"Yes，amillion——somuchtheworse.Hedidnotthinkwhenmakinghiswillwhatabreachofetiquettehewascommitting.Hedidnotrealizeinwhatafalse，ridiculouspositionhewasplacingme.Heshouldhavelefthalfofittome——thatwouldhavemademattersright.\"
Heseatedhimself，crossedhislegsandbegantotwisttheendsofhismustache，aswashiscustomwhenannoyed，uneasy，orponderingoveraweightyquestion.
Madeleinetookupapieceofembroideryuponwhichsheworkedoccasionally，andsaid：\"Ihavenothingtosay.Youmustdecide.\"
Itwassometimebeforehereplied;thenhesaidhesitatingly：\"TheworldwouldneverunderstandhowitwasthatVaudrecconstitutedyouhissoleheiressandthatIallowedit.Toacceptthatlegacywouldbetoavowguiltyrelationsonyourpartandaninfamouslackofself—respectonmine.Doyouknowhowtheacceptanceofitmightbeinterpreted？Weshouldhavetofindsomeadroitmeansofpalliatingit.Weshouldhavetogivepeopletosuppose，forinstance，thathedividedhisfortunebetweenus，givinghalftoyouandhalftome.\"
Shesaid：\"Idonotseehowthatcanbedone，sincethereisaformalwill.\"
Hereplied：\"Oh，thatisverysimple.Wehavenochildren;youcanthereforedeedmepartoftheinheritance.Inthatwaywecansilencemalignanttongues.\"
Sheansweredsomewhatimpatiently：\"Idonotseehowwecansilencemalignanttonguessincethewillisthere，signedbyVaudrec.\"
Hesaidangrily：\"Doyouneedtoexhibitit，oraffixittothedoor？Youareabsurd！WewillsaythatthefortunewasleftusjointlybyCountdeVaudrec.Thatisall.Youcannot，moreover，acceptthelegacywithoutmyauthority;Iwillonlyconsentontheconditionofapartitionwhichwillpreventmefrombecomingalaughing—stockfortheworld.\"
Sheglancedsharplyathim：\"Asyouwill.Iamready.\"
Heseemedtohesitateagain，rose，pacedthefloor，andavoidinghiswife’spiercinggaze，hesaid：\"No——decidedlyno——perhapsitwouldbebettertorenounceitaltogether——itwouldbemorecorrect——morehonorable.Fromthenatureofthebequestevencharitably—disposedpeoplewouldsuspectillicitrelations.\"
HepausedbeforeMadeleine.\"Ifyoulike，mydarling，IwillreturntoM.Lamaneur’salone，toconsulthimandtoexplainthemattertohim.IwilltellhimofmyscruplesandIwilladdthatwehaveagreedtodivideitinordertoavoidanyscandal.FromthemomentthatIacceptaportionoftheinheritanceitwillbeevidentthatthereisnothingwrong.Icansay：’MywifeacceptsitbecauseI，herhusband，accept’——I，whoamthebestjudgeofwhatshecandowithoutcompromisingherself.\"
Madeleinesimplymurmured：\"Asyouwish.\"
Hecontinued：\"Yes，itwillbeasclearasdayifthatisdone.Weinheritafortunefromafriendwhowishedtomakenodistinctionbetweenus，therebyshowingthathislikingforyouwaspurelyPlatonic.Youmaybesurethatifhehadgivenitathought，thatiswhathewouldhavedone.Hedidnotreflect——hedidnotforeseetheconsequences.Asyousaidjustnow，heofferedyouflowerseveryweek，heleftyouhiswealth.\"
Sheinterruptedhimwithashadeofannoyance：
\"Iunderstand.Nomoreexplanationsarenecessary.Gotothenotaryatonce.\"
Hestammeredinconfusion：\"Youareright;Iwillgo.\"Hetookhishat，and，ashewasleavingtheroom，heasked：\"ShallItrytocompromisewiththenephewforfiftythousandfrancs？\"
Sherepliedhaughtily：\"No.Givehimthehundredthousandfrancshedemands，andtakethemfrommyshareifyouwish.\"
Abashed，hemurmured：\"No，wewillshareit.Afterdeductingfiftythousandfrancseachwewillstillhaveamillionnet.\"Thenheadded：\"Untillater，mylittleMade.\"
Heproceededtothenotary’stoexplainthearrangementdecidedupon，whichheclaimedoriginatedwithhiswife.Thefollowingdaytheysignedadeedforfivehundredthousandfrancs，whichMadeleineduRoygaveuptoherhusband.
Onleavingtheoffice，asitwaspleasant，Georgesproposedthattheytakeastrollalongtheboulevards.Hewasverytender，verycarefulofher，andlaughedjoyouslywhilesheremainedpensiveandgrave.
Itwasacold，autumnday.Thepedestriansseemedinhasteandwalkedalongrapidly.
DuRoyledhiswifetotheshopintothewindowsofwhichhehadsooftengazedatthecovetedchronometer.
\"ShallIbuyyousometrinket？\"heasked.
Sherepliedindifferently：\"Asyoulike.\"
Theyenteredtheshop：\"Whatwouldyouprefer，anecklace，abracelet，orearrings？\"
Thesightofthebrilliantgemsmadehereyessparkleinspiteofherself，assheglancedatthecasesfilledwithcostlybaubles.
Suddenlysheexclaimed：\"Thereisalovelybracelet.\"
Itwasachain，veryuniqueinshape，everylinkofwhichwassetwithadifferentstone.
Georgesasked：\"Howmuchisthatbracelet？\"
Thejewelerreplied：\"Threethousandfrancs，sir.\"
\"Ifyouwillletmehaveitfortwothousandfivehundred，Iwilltakeit.\"
Themanhesitated，thenreplied：\"No，sir，itisimpossible.\"
DuRoysaid：\"Seehere——throwinthischronometeratfifteenhundredfrancs;thatmakesfourthousand，andIwillpaycash.Ifyoudonotagree，Iwillgosomewhereelse.\"
Thejewelerfinallyyielded.\"Verywell，sir.\"
Thejournalist，afterleavinghisaddress，said：\"YoucanhavemyinitialsG.R.C.interlacedbelowabaron’scrown，engravedonthechronometer.\"
Madeleine，insurprise，smiled，andwhentheylefttheshop，shetookhisarmquiteaffectionately.Shethoughthimveryshrewdandclever.Hewasright;nowthathehadafortunehemusthaveatitle.
TheypassedtheVaudevilleontheirwayarid，entering，securedabox.ThentheyrepairedtoMme，deMarelle’satGeorges’suggestion，toinvitehertospendtheeveningwiththem.GeorgesratherdreadedthefirstmeetingwithClotilde，butshedidnotseemtobearhimanymalice，oreventoremembertheirdisagreement.Thedinner，whichtheytookatarestaurant，wasexcellent，andtheeveningaltogetherenjoyable.
GeorgesandMadeleinereturnedhomelate.Thegaswasextinguished，andinordertolightthewaythejournalistfromtimetotimestruckamatch.Onreachingthelandingonthefirstfloortheysawtheirreflectionsinthemirror.DuRoyraisedhishandwiththelightedmatchinit，inordertodistinguishtheirimagesmoreclearly，andsaid，withatriumphantsmile：
\"Themillionairesarepassingby.\"
CHAPTERXV.
SUZANNE
Moroccohadbeenconquered;France，themistressofTangiers，hadguaranteedthedebtoftheannexedcountry.Itwasrumoredthattwoministers，Laroche—Mathieubeingoneofthem，hadmadetwentymillions.
AsforWalter，inafewdayshehadbecomeoneofthemastersoftheworld——afinanciermoreomnipotentthanaking.HewasnolongertheJew，Walter，thedirectorofabank，theproprietorofayellownewspaper;hewasM.WalterthewealthyIsraelite，andhewishedtoproveit.
KnowingthestraitenedcircumstancesofthePrincedeCarlsbourgwhoownedoneofthefairestmansionsonRueduFaubourgSaint—Honore，heproposedtobuyit.Heofferedthreemillionfrancsforit.Theprince，temptedbythesum，acceptedhisoffer;thenextday，Waltertookpossessionofhisnewdwelling.Thenanotherideaoccurredtohim——anideaofconqueringallParis——anideaalaBonaparte.
AtthattimeeveryonewasravingoverapaintingbytheHungarian，KarlMarcovitch，exhibitedbyJacquesLenobleandrepresenting\"ChristWalkingontheWater.\"Artcriticsenthusiasticallydeclaredittobethemostmagnificentpaintingoftheage.Walterboughtit，therebycausingentireParistotalkofhim，toenvyhim，tocensureorapprovehisaction.Heissuedanannouncementinthepapersthateveryonewasinvitedtocomeonacertaineveningtoseeit.
DuRoywasjealousofM.Walter’ssuccess.Hehadthoughthimselfwealthywiththefivehundredthousandfrancsextortedfromhiswife，andnowhefeltpoorashecomparedhispaltryfortunewiththeshowerofmillionsaroundhim.Hisenviousrageincreaseddaily.
Hecherishedillwilltowardeveryone——towardtheWalters，eventowardhiswife，andabovealltowardthemanwhohaddeceivedhim，madeuseofhim，andwhodinedtwiceaweekathishouse.Georgesactedashissecretary，agent，mouthpiece，andwhenhewroteathisdictation，hefeltamaddesiretostranglehim.LarochereignedsupremeintheDuRoyhousehold，havingtakentheplaceofCountdeVaudrec;hespoketotheservantsasifheweretheirmaster.
Georgessubmittedtoitall，likeadogwhichwishestobiteanddaresnot.ButhewasoftenharshandbrutaltoMadeleine，whomerelyshruggedhershouldersandtreatedhimasonewouldafretfulchild.Shewassurprised，too，athisconstantillhumor，andsaid：
\"Idonotunderstandyou.Youarealwayscomplaining.Yourpositionisexcellent.\"
Hisonlyreplywastoturnhisbackuponher.HedeclaredthathewouldnotattendM.Walter’sfete——thathewouldnotcrossthemiserableJew’sthreshold.FortwomonthsMme.Walterhadwrittentohimdaily，beseechinghimtocometoseeher，toappointameetingwherehewould，inorderthatshemightgivehimtheseventythousandfrancsshehadmadeforhim.Hedidnotreplyandthrewherlettersintothefire.Notthathewouldhaverefusedtoaccepthisshareoftheprofits，butheenjoyedtreatingherscornfully，tramplingherunderfoot;shewastoowealthy;hewouldbeinflexible.
Thedayoftheexhibitionofthepicture，asMadeleinechidedhimfornotgoing，hereplied：\"Leavemeinpeace.Ishallremainathome.\"
Aftertheyhaddined，hesaidsuddenly，\"IsupposeIshallhavetogothroughwithit.Getreadyquickly.\"
\"Ishallbereadyinfifteenminutes，\"shesaid.
AstheyenteredthecourtyardoftheHoteldeCarlsbourgitwasoneblazeoflight.Amagnificentcarpetwasspreaduponthestepsleadingtotheentrance，anduponeachonestoodamaninlivery，asrigidasmarble.
DuRoy’sheartwastornwithjealousy.Heandhiswifeascendedthestepsandgavetheirwrapstothefootmenwhoapproachedthem.
Attheentrancetothedrawing—room，twochildren，oneinpink，theotherinblue，handedbouquetstotheladies.
Theroomswerealreadywellfilled.Themajorityoftheladieswereinstreetcostumes，aproofthattheycamethitherastheywouldgotoanyexhibition.Thefewwhointendedtoremaintotheballwhichwastofollowworeeveningdress.
Mme.Walter，surroundedbyfriends，stoodinthesecondsalonandreceivedthevisitors.Manydidnotknowher，andwalkedthroughtheroomsasifinamuseum——withoutpayinganyheedtothehostandhostess.
WhenVirginieperceivedDuRoy，shegrewlividandmadeamovementtowardhim;thenshepausedandwaitedforhimtoadvance.Hebowedceremoniously，whileMadeleinegreetedhereffusively.GeorgeslefthiswifenearMme.Walterandmingledwiththeguests.Fivedrawing—
roomsopenedoneintotheother;theywerecarpetedwithrich，orientalrugs，andupontheirwallshungpaintingsbytheoldmasters.Ashemadehiswaythroughthethrong，someoneseizedhisarm，andafresh，youthfulvoicewhisperedinhisear：\"Ah，hereyouareatlast，naughtyBel—Ami！Whydoweneverseeyouanymore？\"
ItwasSuzanneWalter，withherazureeyesandwealthofgoldenhair.Hewasdelightedtoseeher，andapologizedastheyshookhands.
\"IhavebeensobusyfortwomonthsthatIhavebeennowhere.\"
Sherepliedgravely：\"Thatistoobad.Youhavegrievedusdeeply，formammaandIadoreyou.Asformyself，Icannotdowithoutyou.
Ifyouarenothere，Iamboredtodeath.YouseeItellyousofrankly，thatyouwillnotremainawaylikethatanymore.Givemeyourarm;Iwillshowyou’ChristWalkingontheWater’myself;itisattheveryend，behindtheconservatory.Papaputitbacktheresothateveryonewouldbeobligedtogothroughtherooms.Itisastonishinghowproudpapaisofthishouse.\"
Astheywalkedthroughtherooms，allturnedtolookatthathandsomemanandthatbewitchinggirl.Awell—knownpaintersaid：
\"Thereisafinecouple.\"Georgesthought：\"Ifmypositionhadbeenmade，Iwouldhavemarriedher.WhydidIneverthinkofit？HowcouldIhavetakentheotherone？Whatfolly！Onealwaysactstoohastily——oneneverreflectssufficiently.\"Andlonging，bitterlongingpossessedhim，corruptingallhispleasure，renderinglifeodious.
Suzannesaid：\"Youmustcomeoften，Bel—Ami;wecandoanythingwelikenowpapaisrich.\"
Hereplied：\"Oh，youwillsoonmarry——someprince，perhaps，andweshallnevermeetanymore.\"
Shecriedfrankly：\"Oh，oh，Ishallnot！IshallchoosesomeoneI
loveverydearly.Iamrichenoughfortwo.\"
Hesmiledironicallyandsaid：\"Igiveyousixmonths.BythattimeyouwillbeMadamelaMarquise，MadamelaDuchesse，orMadamelaPrincesse，andyouwilllookdownuponme，Mademoiselle.\"
Shepretendedtobeangry，pattedhisarmwithherfan，andvowedthatshewouldmarryaccordingtothedictatesofherheart.
Hereplied：\"Weshallsee;youaretoowealthy.\"
\"You，too，haveinheritedsomemoney.\"
\"Barelytwentythousandlivresayear.Itisamerepittancenowadays.\"
\"Butyourwifehasthesame.\"
\"Yes，wehaveamilliontogether;fortythousandayear.Wecannotevenkeepacarriageonthat.\"
Theyhad，inthemeantime，reachedthelastdrawing—room，andbeforethemlaytheconservatorywithitsrareshrubsandplants.Totheirleft，underadomeofpalms，wasamarblebasin，ontheedgesofwhichfourlargeswansofdelftwareemittedthewaterfromtheirbeaks.
Thejournaliststoppedandsaidtohimself：\"Thisisluxury;thisisthekindofhouseinwhichtolive.WhycanInothaveone？\"
Hiscompaniondidnotspeak.Helookedatherandthoughtoncemore：
\"IfIonlyhadtakenher！\"
SuddenlySuzanneseemedtoawakenfromherreverie.\"Come，\"saidshe，draggingGeorgesthroughagroupwhichbarredtheirway，andturninghimtotheright.Beforehim，surroundedbyverdureonallsides，wasthepicture.Onehadtolookcloselyatitinordertounderstandit.Itwasagrandwork——theworkofamaster——oneofthosetriumphsofartwhichfurnishesoneforyearswithfoodforthought.
DuRoygazedatitforsometime，andthenturnedaway，tomakeroomforothers.Suzanne’stinyhandstillresteduponhisarm.Sheasked：
\"Wouldyoulikeaglassofchampagne？Wewillgotothebuffet;weshallfindpapathere.\"
Slowlytheytraversedthecrowdedrooms.SuddenlyGeorgesheardavoicesay：\"ThatisLarocheandMme.duRoy.\"
Heturnedandsawhiswifepassingupontheminister’sarm.Theyweretalkinginlowtonesandsmilingintoeachother’seyes.Hefanciedhesawsomepeoplewhisper，astheygazedatthem，andhefeltadesiretofalluponthosetwobeingsandsmitethemtotheearth.Hiswifewasmakingalaughing—stockofhim.Whowasshe？A
shrewdlittleparvenue，thatwasall.Hecouldnevermakehiswaywithawifewhocompromisedhim.Shewouldbeastumbling—blockinhispath.Ah，ifhehadforeseen，ifhehadknown.Hewouldhaveplayedforhigherstakes.WhatabrilliantmatchhemighthavemadewithlittleSuzanne！Howcouldhehavebeensoblind？
Theyreachedthedining—roomwithitsmarblecolumnsandwallshungwitholdGobelinstapestry.Walterspiedhiseditor，andhastenedtoshakehands.Hewasbesidehimselfwithjoy.\"Haveyouseeneverything？Say，Suzanne，haveyoushownhimeverything？Whatalotofpeople，eh？HaveyouseenPrincedeGuerche？hejustdrankaglassofpunch.\"ThenhepounceduponSenatorRissolinandhiswife.
AgentlemangreetedSuzanne——atall，slendermanwithfairwhiskersandaworldlyair.GeorgesheardhercallhimMarquisdeCazolles，andhewassuddenlyinspiredwithjealousy.Howlonghadsheknownhim？Sinceshehadbecomewealthynodoubt.Hesawinhimapossiblesuitor.Someoneseizedhisarm.ItwasNorbertdeVarenne.Theoldpoetsaid：\"Thisiswhattheycallamusingthemselves.Afterawhiletheywilldance，thentheywillretire，andtheyounggirlswillbesatisfied.Takesomechampagne;itisexcellent.\"
Georgesscarcelyheardhiswords.HewaslookingforSuzanne，whohadgoneoffwiththeMarquisdeCazolles;heleftNorbertdeVarenneabruptlyandwentinpursuitoftheyounggirl.Thethirstycrowdstoppedhim;whenhehadmadehiswaythroughit，hefoundhimselffacetofacewithM.andMme.deMarelle.Hehadoftenmetthewife，buthehadnotmetthehusbandforsometime;thelattergraspedbothofhishandsandthankedhimforthemessagehehadsenthimbyClotilderelativetothestocks.
DuRoyreplied：\"InexchangeforthatserviceIshalltakeyourwife，orratherofferhermyarm.Husbandandwifeshouldalwaysbeseparated.\"
M.deMarellebowed.\"Verywell.IfIloseyouwecanmeethereagaininanhour.\"
Thetwoyoungpeopledisappearedinthecrowd，followedbythehusband.Mme.deMarellesaid：\"Therearetwogirlswhowillhavetwentyorthirtymillionseach，andSuzanneisprettyinthebargain.\"
Hemadenoreply;hisownthoughtcomingfromthelipsofanotherirritatedhim.HetookClotildetoseethepainting.AstheycrossedtheconservatoryhesawhiswifeseatednearLaroche—Mathieu，bothofthemalmosthiddenbehindagroupofplants.Theyseemedtosay：
\"Wearehavingameetinginpublic，forwedonotcarefortheworld’sopinion.\"
Mme.deMarelleadmiredKarlMarcovitch’spainting，andtheyturnedtorepairtotheotherrooms.TheywereseparatedfromM.deMarelle.Heasked：\"IsLaurinestillvexedwithme？\"
\"Yes.Sherefusestoseeyouandgoesawaywhenyouarementioned.\"
Hedidnotreply.Thechild’ssuddenenmitygrievedandannoyedhim.
Suzannemetthematadoorandcried：\"Oh，hereyouare！Now，Bel—
Ami，youaregoingtobeleftalone，forIshalltakeClotildetoseemyroom.\"Andthetwowomenglidedthroughthethrong.Atthatmomentavoiceathissidemurmured：\"Georges！\"
ItwasMme.Walter.Shecontinuedinalowvoice：\"Howcruelyouare！Howneedlesslyyouinflictsufferinguponme.IbadeSuzannetakethatwomanawaythatImighthaveawordwithyou.Listen：I
mustspeaktoyouthisevening——or——or——youdonotknowwhatIshalldo.Gointotheconservatory.Youwillfindadoortotheleftthroughwhichyoucanreachthegarden.Followthewalkdirectlyinfrontofyou.Attheendofityouwillseeanarbor.Expectmeintenminutes.Ifyoudonotmeetme，IswearIwillcauseascandalhereatonce！\"
Herepliedhaughtily：\"Verywell，Ishallbeattheplaceyounamedintenminutes.\"
ButJacquesRivaldetainedhim.Whenhereachedthealley，hesawMme.Walterinfrontofhim;shecried：\"Ah，hereyouare！Doyouwishtokillme？\"
Herepliedcalmly：\"Ibeseechyou，noneofthat，orIshallleaveyouatonce.\"
Throwingherarmsaroundhisneck，sheexclaimed：\"WhathaveIdonetoyouthatyoushouldtreatmeso？\"
Hetriedtopushheraway：\"Youtwistedyourhairaroundmycoatbuttonsthelasttimewemet，anditcausedtroublebetweenmywifeandmyself.\"
Sheshookherhead：\"Ah，yourwifewouldnotcare.Itwasoneofyourmistresseswhomadeascene.\"
\"Ihavenone.\"
\"Indeed！Whydoyounevercometoseeme？Whydoyourefusetodinewithmeevenonceaweek？Ihavenootherthoughtsthanofyou.I
sufferterribly.Youcannotunderstandthatyourimage，alwayspresent，closesmythroat，stiflesme，andleavesmescarcelystrengthenoughtomovemylimbsinordertowalk.SoIremainalldayinmychairthinkingofyou.\"
Helookedatherinastonishment.Thesewerethewordsofadesperatewoman，capableofanything.He，however，cherishedavagueprojectandreplied：\"Mydear，loveisnoteternal.Onelovesandoneceasestolove.Whenitlastsitbecomesadrawback.Iwantnoneofit！However，ifyouwillbereasonable，andwillreceiveandtreatmeasafriend，Iwillcometoseeyouasformerly.Canyoudothat？\"
Shemurmured：\"Icandoanythinginordertoseeyou.\"
\"Thenitisagreedthatwearetobefriends，nothingmore.\"
Shegasped：\"Itisagreed\";offeringhimherlipsshecriedinherdespair：\"Onemorekiss——onelastkiss！\"
Hegentlydrewback.\"No，wemustadheretoourrules.\"
Sheturnedherheadandwipedawaytwotears，thendrawingfromherbosomapackageofnotestiedwithpinkribbon，sheheldittowardDuRoy：\"HereisyourshareoftheprofitsinthatMoroccanaffair.
Iwassogladtomakeitforyou.Here，takeit.\"
Herefused：\"No，Icannotacceptthatmoney.\"
Shebecameexcited：\"Oh，youwillnotrefuseitnow！Itisyours，yoursalone.Ifyoudonottakeit，Iwillthrowitinthesewer.
Youwillnotrefuseit，Georges！\"
Hetookthepackageandslippeditintohispocket\"Wemustreturntothehouse;youwilltakecold.\"
\"Somuchthebetter;ifIcouldbutdie！\"
Sheseizedhishand，kisseditpassionately，andfledtowardthehouse.Hereturnedmoreleisurely，andenteredtheconservatorywithheaderectandsmilinglips.HiswifeandLarochewerenolongerthere.Thecrowdhadgrownthinner.Suzanne，leaningonhersister’sarm，advancedtowardhim.Inafewmoments，Rose，whomtheyteasedaboutacertainCount，turneduponherheelandleftthem.
DuRoy，findinghimselfalonewithSuzanne，saidinacaressingvoice：\"Listen，mydearlittleone;doyoureallyconsidermeafriend？\"
\"Why，yes，Bel—Ami.\"
\"Youhavefaithinme？\"
\"Perfectfaith.\"
\"DoyourememberwhatIsaidtoyouawhilesince？\"
\"Aboutwhat？\"
\"Aboutyour，marriage，orratherthemanyouwouldmarry.\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Well，willyoupromisemeonething？\"
\"Yes;whatisit？\"
\"Toconsultmewhenyoureceiveaproposalandtoacceptnoonewithoutaskingmyadvice.\"
\"Yes，Iwillgladly.\"
\"Anditistobeasecretbetweenus——notawordtoyourfatherormother.\"
\"Notaword.\"
Rivalapproachedthemsaying：\"Mademoiselle，yourfatherwantsyouintheballroom.\"
Shesaid：\"Come，Bel—Ami，\"butherefused，forhehaddecidedtoleaveatonce，wishingtobealonewithhisthoughts.Hewentinsearchofhiswife，andfoundherdrinkingchocolateatthebuffetwithtwostrangemen.Sheintroducedherhusbandwithoutnamingthem.
Inashortwhile，heasked：\"Shallwego？\"
\"Wheneveryoulike.\"
Shetookhisarmandtheypassedthroughthealmostdesertedrooms.
Madeleineasked：\"WhereisMme.Walter;Ishouldliketobidhergood—bye.\"
\"Itisunnecessary.Shewouldtrytokeepusintheballroom，andI
havehadenough.\"
\"Youareright.\"
Onthewayhometheydidnotspeak.Butwhentheyhadenteredtheirroom，Madeleine，withouteventakingoffherveil，saidtohimwithasmile：\"Ihaveasurpriseforyou.\"
Hegrowledill—naturedly：\"Whatisit？\"
\"Guess.\"
\"Icannotmaketheeffort.\"
\"Thedayafterto—morrowisthefirstofJanuary.\"
\"Yes.\"
\"ItistheseasonforNewYear’sgifts.\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Hereisyours，whichLarochehandedmejustnow.\"Shegavehimasmallblackboxwhichresembledajewel—casket.
HeopeneditindifferentlyandsawthecrossoftheLegionofHonor.
Heturnedatriflepale，thensmiled，andsaid：\"Ishouldhavepreferredtenmillions.Thatdidnotcosthimmuch.\"
Shehadexpectedatransportofdelightandwasirritatedbyhisindifference.
\"Youareincomprehensible.Nothingseemstosatisfyyou.\"
Herepliedcalmly：\"Thatmanisonlypayinghisdebts;heowesmeagreatdealmore.\"
Shewasastonishedathistone，andsaid：\"Itisverynice，however，atyourage.\"
Hereplied：\"Ishouldhavemuchmore.\"
Hetookthecasket，placeditonthemantelpiece，andlookedforsomeminutesatthebrilliantstarwithinit，thenhecloseditwithashrugofhisshouldersandbegantopreparetoretire.
\"L’Officiel\"ofJanuary1announcedthatM.ProsperGeorgesduRoyhadbeendecoratedwiththeLegionofHonorforexceptionalservices.Thenamewaswrittenintwowords，andthataffordedGeorgesmorepleasurethanthedecorationitself.
Anhourafterhavingreadthatnotice，hereceivedanotefromMme.
Walter，invitinghimtocomeandbringhiswifetodinewiththemthatevening，tocelebratehisdistinction.
Atfirsthehesitated，thenthrowingtheletterinthefire，hesaidtoMadeleine：\"WeshalldineattheWalters’thisevening.\"
Inhersurprisesheexclaimed：\"Why，Ithoughtyouwouldneversetyourfootintheirhouseagain.\"
Hissolereplywas：\"Ihavechangedmymind.\"
WhentheyarrivedatRueduFaubourgSaint—Honore，theyfoundMme.
Walteraloneinthedaintyboudoirinwhichshereceivedherintimatefriends.Shewasdressedinblackandherhairwaspowdered.Atadistancesheappearedlikeanoldlady，inproximity，likeayouthfulone.
\"Areyouinmourning？\"asked，Madeleine.
Sherepliedsadly：\"Yesandno.Ihavelostnoneofmyrelatives，butIhavearrivedatanagewhenoneshouldwearsombercolors.I
wearitto—daytoinaugurateit;hithertoIhavewornitinmyheart.\"
Thedinnerwassomewhattedious.Suzannealonetalkedincessantly.
Roseseemedpreoccupied.Thejournalistwasoverwhelmedwithcongratulations，afterthemeal，whenallrepairedtothedrawing—
rooms.Mme.Walterdetainedhimastheywereabouttoenterthesalon，saying：\"Iwillneverspeakofanythingtoyouagain，onlycometoseeme，Georges.Itisimpossibleformetolivewithoutyou.Iseeyou，Ifeelyou，inmyheartalldayandallnight.ItisasifIhaddrunkapoisonwhichpreyeduponme.Icannotbearit.I
wouldratherbeasanoldwomantoyou.Ipowderedmyhairforthatreasonto—night;butcomehere——comefromtimetotimeasafriend.\"
Herepliedcalmly：\"Verywell.Itisunnecessarytospeakofitagain.YouseeIcameto—dayonreceiptofyourletter.\"
Walter，whohadprecededthem，withhistwodaughtersandMadeleine，awaitedDuRoynearthepictureof\"ChristWalkingontheWater.\"
\"Onlythink，\"saidhe，\"Ifoundmywifeyesterdaykneelingbeforethatpaintingasifinachapel.Shewaspraying！\"
Mme.Walterrepliedinafirmvoice，inavoiceinwhichvibratedasecretexaltation：\"ThatChristwillsavemysoul.HegivesmefreshcourageandstrengtheverytimethatIlookatHim.\"Andpausingbeforethepicture，shemurmured：\"HowbeautifulHeis！Howfrightenedthosemenare，andhowtheyloveHim！LookatHishead，Hiseyes，howsimpleandsupernaturalHeisatthesametime！\"
Suzannecried：\"Why，Helookslikeyou，Bel—Ami！IamsureHelookslikeyou.Theresemblanceisstriking.\"
Shemadehimstandbesidethepaintingandeveryonerecognizedthelikeness.DuRoywasembarrassed.Walterthoughtitverysingular;
Madeleine，withasmile，remarkedthatJesuslookedmoremanly.Mme.
Walterstoodbymotionless，staringfixedlyatherlover’sface，hercheeksaswhiteasherhair.
CHAPTERXVI.
DIVORCE
Duringtheremainderofthewinter，theDuRoysoftenvisitedtheWalters.Georges，too，frequentlydinedtherealone，Madeleinepleadingfatigueandpreferringtoremainathome.HehadchosenFridayashisday，andMme.Walterneverinvitedanyoneelseonthatevening;itbelongedtoBel—Ami.Ofteninadarkcornerorbehindatreeintheconservatory，Mme.Walterembracedtheyoungmanandwhisperedinhisear：\"Iloveyou，Iloveyou！Iloveyoudesperately！\"
Buthealwaysrepulsedhercoldly，saying：\"Ifyoupersistinthat，Iwillnotcomeagain.\"
TowardtheendofMarchpeopletalkedofthemarriageofthetwosisters：Rosewastomarry，DameRumorsaid，CountdeLatour—IvelinandSuzanne，theMarquisdeCazolles.ThesubjectofSuzanne’spossiblemarriagehadnotbeenbroachedagainbetweenherandGeorgesuntilonemorning，thelatterhavingbeenbroughthomebyM.
Waltertolunch，hewhisperedtoSuzanne：\"Come，letusgivethefishsomebread.\"
Theyproceededtotheconservatoryinwhichwasthemarblebasincontainingthefish.AsGeorgesandSuzanneleanedoveritsedge，theysawtheirreflectionsinthewaterandsmiledatthem.
Suddenly，hesaidinalowvoice：\"Itisnotrightofyoutokeepsecretsfromme，Suzanne.\"
Sheasked：
\"Whatsecrets，Bel—Ami？\"
\"Doyourememberwhatyoupromisedmeherethenightofthefete？\"
\"No.\"
\"Toconsultmeeverytimeyoureceivedaproposal.\"
\"Well？\"
\"Well，youhavereceivedone！\"
\"Fromwhom？\"
\"Youknowverywell.\"
\"No，IswearIdonot.\"
\"Yes，youdo.ItisfromthatfopofaMarquisdeCazolles.\"
\"Heisnotafop.\"
\"Thatmaybe，butheisstupid.Heisnomatchforyouwhoaresopretty，sofresh，sobright！\"
Sheaskedwithasmile：\"Whathaveyouagainsthim？\"
\"I？Nothing！\"
\"Yes，youhave.Heisnotallthatyousayheis.\"
\"Heisafool，andanintriguer.\"
Sheglancedathim：\"Whatailsyou？\"
Hespokeasiftearingasecretfromthedepthsofhisheart：\"Iam—
—Iamjealousofhim.\"
Shewasastonished.
\"You？\"
\"Yes，I.\"
\"Why？\"
\"BecauseIloveyouandyouknowit\"
Thenshesaidseverely：\"Youaremad，Bel—Ami！\"
Hereplied：\"IknowthatIam！ShouldIconfessit——I，amarriedman，toyou，ayounggirl？Iamworsethanmad——Iamculpable，wretched——Ihavenopossiblehope，andthatthoughtalmostdestroysmyreason.WhenIhearthatyouaregoingtobemarried，Ifeelmurderinmyheart.Youmustforgiveme，Suzanne.\"
Hepaused.Theyounggirlmurmuredhalfsadly，halfgaily：\"Itisapitythatyouaremarried;butwhatcanyoudo？Itcannotbehelped.\"
Heturnedtowardherabruptlyandsaid：\"IfIwerefreewouldyoumarryme？\"
Shereplied：\"Yes，Bel—Ami，IwouldmarryyoubecauseIloveyoubetterthananyoftheothers.\"
Heroseandstammering：\"Thanks——thanks——donot，Iimploreyou，sayyestoanyone.Waitawhile.Promiseme.\"
Somewhatconfused，andwithoutcomprehendingwhatheasked，shewhispered：\"Ipromise.\"
DuRoythrewalargepieceofbreadintothewaterandfled，withoutsayingadieu，asifhewerebesidehimself.Suzanne，insurprise，returnedtothesalon.
WhenDuRoyarrivedhome，heaskedMadeleine，whowaswritingletters：\"ShallyoudineattheWalters’Friday？Iamgoing.\"
Shehesitated：\"No，Iamnotwell.Iprefertoremainhere.\"
\"Asyoulike.Noonewillforceyou.\"Thenhetookuphishatandwentout.
Forsometimehehadwatchedandfollowedher，knowingallheractions.Thetimehehadawaitedhadcomeatlength.
OnFridayhedressedearly，inorder，ashesaid，tomakeseveralcallsbeforegoingtoM.Walter’s.Ataboutsixo’clock，afterhavingkissedhiswife，hewentinsearchofacab.Hesaidtothecabman：\"YoucanstopatNo.17RueFontaine，andremainthereuntilIorderyoutogoon.ThenyoucantakemetotherestaurantDuCoq—
Faisan，RueLafayette.\"
Thecabrolledslowlyon;DuRoyloweredtheshades.Wheninfrontofhishouse，hekeptwatchofit.Afterwaitingtenminutes，hesawMadeleinecomeoutandgotowardtheboulevards.Whenshewasoutofearshot，heputhisheadoutofthewindowandcried：\"Goon！\"
ThecabproceededonitswayandstoppedattheCoq—Faisan.Georgesenteredthedining—roomandateslowly，lookingathiswatchfromtimetotime.Atseven—thirtyheleftanddrovetoRueLaRochefoucauld.Hemountedtothethirdstoryofahouseinthatstreet，andaskedthemaidwhoopenedthedoor：\"IsM.GuibertdeLormeathome？\"
\"Yes，sir.\"
Hewasshownintothedrawing—room，andafterwaitingsometime，atallmanwithamilitarybearingandgrayhairentered.Hewasthepolicecommissioner.
DuRoybowed，thensaid：\"AsIsuspected，mywifeiswithherloverinfurnishedapartmentstheyhaverentedonRuedesMartyrs.\"
Themagistratebowed：\"Iamatyourservice，sir.\"
\"Verywell，Ihaveacabbelow.\"AndwiththreeotherofficerstheyproceededtothehouseinwhichDuRoyexpectedtosurprisehiswife.Oneofficerremainedatthedoortowatchtheexit;onthesecondfloortheyhalted;DuRoyrangthebellandtheywaited.IntwoorthreeminutesGeorgesrangagainseveraltimesinsuccession.
Theyheardalightstepapproach，andawoman’svoice，evidentlydisguised，asked：
\"Whoisthere？\"
Thepoliceofficerreplied：\"Openinthenameofthelaw.\"
Thevoicerepeated：\"Whoareyou？\"
\"Iamthepolicecommissioner.Open，orIwillforcethedoor.\"
Thevoicecontinued：\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
DuRoyinterrupted：\"ItisI;itisuselesstotrytoescapeus.\"
Thefootstepsrecededandthenreturned.Georgessaid：\"Ifyoudonotopen，wewillforcethedoor.\"
Receivingnoreplyheshookthedoorsoviolentlythattheoldlockgaveway，andtheyoungmanalmostfelloverMadeleine，whowasstandingintheantechamberinherpetticoat，herhairloosened，herfeetbare，andacandleinherhand.
Heexclaimed：\"Itisshe.Wehavecaughtthem，\"andherushedintotheroom.ThecommissionerturnedtoMadeleine，whohadfollowedthemthroughtherooms，inoneofwhichweretheremnantsofasupper，andlookingintohereyessaid：
\"YouareMme.ClaireMadeleineduRoy，lawfulwifeofM.ProsperGeorgesduRoy，herepresent？\"
Shereplied：\"Yes，sir.\"
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"
Shemadenoreply.Theofficerrepeatedhisquestion;stillshedidnotreply.Hewaitedseveralmomentsandthensaid：\"Ifyoudonotconfess，Madame，Ishallbeforcedtoinquireintothematter.\"
Theycouldseeaman’sformconcealedbeneaththecoversofthebed.
DuRoyadvancedsoftlyanduncoveredthelividfaceofM.Laroche—
Mathieu.
Theofficeragainasked：\"Whoareyou？\"
Asthemandidnotreply，hecontinued：\"IamthepolicecommissionerandIcalluponyoutotellmeyourname.Ifyoudonotanswer，Ishallbeforcedtoarrestyou.Inanycase，rise.Iwillinterrogateyouwhenyouaredressed.\"
InthemeantimeMadeleinehadregainedhercomposure，andseeingthatallwaslost，shewasdeterminedtoputabravefaceuponthematter.Hereyessparkledwiththeaudacityofbravado，andtakingapieceofpapershelightedthetencandlesinthecandelabraasifforareception.Thatdone，sheleanedagainstthemantelpiece，tookacigaretteoutofacase，andbegantosmoke，seemingnottoseeherhusband.
Inthemeantimethemaninthebedhaddressedhimselfandadvanced.
Theofficerturnedtohim：\"Now，sir，willyoutellmewhoyouare？\"
Hemadenoreply.
\"IseeIshallhavetoarrestyou.\"
Thenthemancried：\"Donottouchme.Iaminviolable.\"
DuRoyrushedtowardhimexclaiming：\"IcanhaveyouarrestedifI
wantto！\"Thenheadded：\"Thisman’snameisLaroche—Mathieu，ministerofforeignaffairs.\"
Theofficerretreatedandstammered：\"Sir，willyoutellmewhoyouare？\"
\"Foroncethatmiserablefellowhasnotlied.IamindeedLaroche—
Mathieu，minister，\"andpointingtoGeorges’breast，headded，\"andthatscoundrelwearsuponhiscoatthecrossofhonorwhichIgavehim.\"
DuRoyturnedpale.Witharapidgesturehetorethedecorationfromhisbuttonholeandthrowingitinthefireexclaimed：\"Thatiswhatadecorationisworthwhichisgivenbyascoundrelofyourorder.\"
Thecommissionersteppedbetweenthem，astheystoodfacetoface，saying：\"Gentlemen，youforgetyourselvesandyourdignity.\"
Madeleinesmokedoncalmly，asmilehoveringaboutherlips.Theofficercontinued：\"Sir，IhavesurprisedyoualonewithMme.duRoyundersuspiciouscircumstances;whathaveyoutosay？\"
\"Nothing;doyourduty.\"
ThecommissionerturnedtoMadeleine：\"Doyouconfess，Madame，thatthisgentlemanisyourlover？\"
Sherepliedboldly：\"Idonotdenyit.Thatissufficient.\"
Themagistratemadeseveralnotes;whenhehadfinishedwriting，theminister，whostoodready，coatuponarm，hatinhand，asked：\"Doyouneedmeanylonger，sir？CanIgo？\"
DuRoyaddressedhimwithaninsolentsmile：\"Whyshouldyougo，wehavefinished;wewillleaveyoualonetogether.\"Then，takingtheofficer’sarm，hesaid：\"Letusgo，sir;wehavenothingmoretodointhisplace.\"
AnhourlaterGeorgesduRoyenteredtheofficeof\"LaVieFrancaise.\"M.Walterwasthere;heraisedhisheadandasked：
\"What，areyouhere？Whyareyounotdiningatmyhouse？Wherehaveyoucomefrom？\"
Georgesrepliedwithemphasis：\"Ihavejustfoundoutsomethingabouttheministerofforeignaffairs.\"
\"What？\"
\"Ifoundhimalonewithmywifeinhiredapartments.Thecommissionerofpolicewasmywitness.Theministerisruined.\"
\"Areyounotjesting？\"
\"No，Iamnot.Ishallevenwriteanarticleonit.\"
\"Whatisyourobject？\"
\"Tooverthrowthatwretch，thatpublicmalefactor.\"
Georgesplacedhishatuponachairandadded：\"WoetothosewhomI
findinmypath.Ineverpardon.\"
Themanagerstammered：\"Butyourwife？\"
\"Ishallapplyforadivorceatonce.\"
\"Adivorce？\"
\"Yes，Iammasterofthesituation.Ishallbefree.Ihaveastatedincome.IshalloffermyselfasacandidateinOctoberinmynativedistrict，whereIamknown.IcouldnotwinanyrespectwereItobehamperedwithawifewhosehonorwassullied.Shetookmeforasimpleton，butsinceIhaveknownhergame，Ihavewatchedher，andnowIshallgeton，forIshallbefree.\"
Georgesrose.
\"Iwillwritetheitem;itmustbehandledprudently.\"
Theoldmanhesitated，thensaid：\"Doso：itservesthoserightwhoarecaughtinsuchscrapes.\"
CHAPTERXVII.
THEFINALPLOT
Threemonthshadelapsed.GeorgesduRoy’sdivorcehadbeenobtained.HiswifehadresumedthenameofForestier.
AstheWaltersweregoingtoTrouvilleonthefifteenthofJuly，theydecidedtospendadayinthecountrybeforestarting.
ThedaychosenwasThursday，andtheysetoutatnineo’clockinthemorninginalargesix—seatedcarriagedrawnbyfourhorses.TheyweregoingtolunchatSaint—Germain.Bel—Amihadrequestedthathemightbetheonlyyoungmanintheparty，forhecouldnotbearthepresenceoftheMarquisdeCazolles.Atthelastmoment，however，itwasdecidedthatCountdeLatour—Ivelinshouldgo，forheandRosehadbeenbetrothedamonth.Thedaywasdelightful.Georges，whowasverypale，gazedatSuzanneastheysatinthecarriageandtheireyesmet.
Mme.Walterwascontentedandhappy.Theluncheonwasalongandmerryone.BeforeleavingforParis，DuRoyproposedawalkontheterrace.Theystoppedonthewaytoadmiretheview;astheypassedon，GeorgesandSuzannelingeredbehind.Theformerwhisperedsoftly：\"Suzanne，Iloveyoumadly.\"
Shewhisperedinreturn：\"Iloveyoutoo，Bel—Ami.\"
Hecontinued：\"IfIcannothaveyouformywife，Ishallleavethecountry.\"
Shereplied：\"Askpapa.Perhapshewillconsent.\"
Heansweredimpatiently：\"No，Irepeatthatitisuseless;thedoorofthehousewouldbeclosedagainstme.Iwouldlosemypositiononthejournal，andwewouldnotevenmeet.Thosearetheconsequencesaformalproposalwouldproduce.TheyhavepromisedyoutotheMarquisdeCazolles;theyhopeyouwillfinallysay’yes’andtheyarewaiting.\"
\"Whatcanwedo？\"
\"Haveyouthecouragetobraveyourfatherandmotherformysake？\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Truly？\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Well！Thereisonlyoneway.Itmustcomefromyouandnotfromme.
Youareanindulgedchild;theyletyousayanythingandarenotsurprisedatanyaudacityonyourpart.Listen，then！Thiseveningonreturninghome，gotoyourmotherfirst，andtellherthatyouwanttomarryme.Shewillbeverymuchagitatedandveryangry.\"
Suzanneinterruptedhim：\"Oh，mammawouldbeglad.\"
Herepliedquickly：\"No，no，youdonotknowher.Shewillbemorevexedthanyourfather.Butyoumustinsist，youmustnotyield;youmustrepeatthatyouwillmarrymeandmealone.Willyoudoso？\"
\"Iwill.\"
\"Andonleavingyourmother，repeatthesamethingtoyourfatherverydecidedly.\"
\"Well，andthen——\"
\"Andthenmatterswillreachaclimax！Ifyouaredeterminedtobemywife，mydear，dear，littleSuzanne，Iwillelopewithyou.\"
Sheclappedherhands，asallthecharmingadventuresintheromancesshehadreadoccurredtoher，andcried：
\"Oh，whatbliss！Whenwillyouelopewithme？\"
Hewhisperedverylow：\"To—night！\"
\"Whereshallwego？\"
\"Thatismysecret.Thinkwellofwhatyouaredoing.Rememberthatafterthatflightyoumustbecomemywife.Itistheonlymeans，butitisdangerous——verydangerous——foryou.\"
\"Ihavedecided.WhereshallImeetyou？\"
\"MeetmeaboutmidnightinthePlacedelaConcorde.\"
\"Iwillbethere.\"
Heclaspedherhand.\"Oh，howIloveyou！Howbraveandgoodyouare！ThenyoudonotwanttomarryMarquisdeCazolles？\"
\"Oh，no！\"
Mme.Walter，turningherhead，calledout：\"Come，littleone;whatareyouandBel—Amidoing？\"
TheyrejoinedtheothersandreturnedbywayofChatou.Whenthecarriagearrivedatthedoorofthemansion，Mme.WalterpressedGeorgestodinewiththem，butherefused，andreturnedhometolookoverhispapersanddestroyanycompromisingletters.Thenherepairedinacabwithfeverishhastetotheplaceofmeeting.Hewaitedtheresometime，andthinkinghisladylovehadplayedhimfalse，hewasabouttodriveoff，whenagentlevoicewhisperedatthedoorofhiscab：\"Areyouthere，Bel—Ami？\"
\"Isityou，Suzanne？\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Ah，getin.\"Sheenteredthecabandhebadethecabmandriveon.
Heasked：\"Well，howdiditallpassoff？\"
Shemurmuredfaintly：
\"Oh，itwasterrible，withmammaespecially.\"
\"Yourmamma？Whatdidshesay？Tellme！\"
\"Oh，itwasfrightful！IenteredherroomandmadethelittlespeechIhadprepared.Sheturnedpaleandcried：’Never！’Iwept，I
protestedthatIwouldmarryonlyyou;shewaslikeamadwoman;shevowedIshouldbesenttoaconvent.Ineversawherlikethat，never.Papa，hearingheragitatedwords，entered.Hewasnotasangryasshewas，buthesaidyouwerenotasuitablematchforme.
Astheyhadvexedme，Italkedlouderthanthey，andpapawithadramaticairbademeleavetheroom.Thatdecidedmetoflywithyou.AndhereIam;whereshallwego？\"
Hereplied，encirclingherwaistwithhisarm：\"Itistoolatetotakethetrain;thiscabwilltakeustoSevreswherewecanspendthenight，andto—morrowwewillleaveforLaRoche—Guyon.ItisaprettyvillageonthebanksoftheSeinebetweenMantesandBonnieres.\"
Thecabrolledon.Georgestooktheyounggirl’shandandkisseditrespectfully.Hedidnotknowwhattosaytoher，beingunaccustomedtoPlatonicaffection.Suddenlyheperceivedthatshewasweeping.
Heaskedinaffright：
\"Whatailsyou，mydearlittleone？\"
Sherepliedtearfully：\"IwasthinkingthatpoormammacouldnotsleepifshehadfoundoutthatIwasgone！\"
*******
Hermotherindeedwasnotasleep.
WhenSuzannelefttheroom，Mine.Walterturnedtoherhusbandandaskedindespair：\"Whatdoesthatmean？\"
\"Itmeansthatthatintriguerhasinfluencedher.ItishewhohasmadeherrefuseCazolles.Youhaveflatteredandcajoledhim，too.
ItwasBel—Amihere，Bel—Amithere，frommorninguntilnight.Nowyouarepaidforit！\"
\"I？\"
\"Yes，you.YouareasmuchinfatuatedwithhimasMadeleine，Suzanne，andtherestofthem.DoyouthinkthatIdidnotseethatyoucouldnotexistfortwodayswithouthim？\"
Sherosetragically：\"Iwillnotallowyoutospeaktomethus.YouforgetthatIwasnotbroughtuplikeyou，inashop.\"
Withanoath，helefttheroom，bangingthedoorbehindhim.
Whenhewasgone，shethoughtoverallthathadtakenplace.SuzannewasinlovewithBel—Ami，andBel—AmiwantedtomarrySuzanne！No，itwasnottrue！Shewasmistaken;hewouldnotbecapableofsuchanaction;heknewnothingofSuzanne’sescapade.TheywouldtakeSuzanneawayforsixmonthsandthatwouldendit.
Sherose，saying：\"Icannotrestinthisuncertainty.Ishalllosemyreason.IwillarouseSuzanneandquestionher.\"
Sheproceededtoherdaughter’sroom.Sheentered;itwasempty;thebedhadnotbeensleptin.Ahorriblesuspicionpossessedherandsheflewtoherhusband.Hewasinbed，reading.
Shegasped：\"HaveyouseenSuzanne？\"
\"No——why？\"
\"Sheis——gone！sheisnotinherroom.\"
Withoneboundhewasoutofbed;herushedtohisdaughter’sroom;
notfindingherthere，hesankintoachair.Hiswifehadfollowedhim.
\"Well？\"sheasked.
Hehadnotthestrengthtoreply：hewasnolongerangry;hegroaned：\"Hehasher——wearelost.\"
\"Lost，how？\"
\"Why，hemustmarryhernow！\"
Shecriedwildly：\"Marryher，never！Areyoumad？\"
Herepliedsadly：\"Itwilldonogoodtoyell！Hehasdisgracedher.
Thebestthingtobedoneistogivehertohim，andatonce，too;
thennoonewillknowofthisescapade.\"
Sherepeatedingreatagitation：\"Never;heshallneverhaveSuzanne.\"
Overcome，Waltermurmured：\"Buthehasher.Andhewillkeepheraslongaswedonotyield;therefore，toavoidascandalwemustdosoatonce.\"
Buthiswifereplied：\"No，no，Iwillneverconsent.\"
Impatientlyhereturned：\"Itisamatterofnecessity.Ah，thescoundrel——howhehasdeceivedus！Butheisshrewdatanyrate.Shemighthavedonebetterasfarasposition，butnotintelligenceandfuture，isconcerned.Heisapromisingyoungman.Hewillbeadeputyoraministersomeday.\"
Mme.Walter，however，repeatedwildly：\"IwillneverlethimmarrySuzanne！Doyouhear——never！\"
Inhisturnhebecameincensed，andlikeapracticalmandefendedBel—Ami.\"Besilent！Itellyouhemustmarryher！Andwhoknows？
Perhapsweshallnotregretit！Withmenofhisstamponeneverknowswhatmaycomeabout.YousawhowhedownedLaroche—Mathieuinthreearticles，andthatwithadignitywhichwasverydifficulttomaintaininhispositionashusband.So，weshallsee.\"
Mme.Walterfeltadesiretocryaloudandtearherhair.Butsheonlyrepeatedangrily：\"Heshallnothaveher！\"
Walterrose，tookuphislamp，andsaid：\"Youaresilly，likeallwomen！Youonlyactonimpulse.Youdonotknowhowtoaccommodateyourselftocircumstances.Youarestupid！Itellyouheshallmarryher;itisessential.\"Andhelefttheroom.
Mme.Walterremainedalonewithhersuffering，herdespair.Ifonlyapriestwereathand！Shewouldcastherselfathisfeetandconfessallhererrorsandheragony——hewouldpreventthemarriage！
Wherecouldshefindapriest？Whereshouldsheturn？Beforehereyesfloated，likeavision，thecalmfaceof\"ChristWalkingontheWater，\"asshehadseenitinthepainting.Heseemedtosaytoher：
\"ComeuntoMe.KneelatMyfeet.Iwillcomfortandinstructyouastowhattodo.\"
Shetookthelampandsoughttheconservatory;sheopenedthedoorleadingintotheroomwhichheldtheenormouscanvas，andfelluponherkneesbeforeit.Atfirstsheprayedfervently，butassheraisedhereyesandsawtheresemblancetoBel—Ami，shemurmured：
\"Jesus——Jesus——\"whileherthoughtswerewithherdaughterandherlover.Sheutteredawildcry，asshepicturedthemtogether——alone—
—andfellintoaswoon.WhendaybroketheyfoundMme.Walterstilllyingunconsciousbeforethepainting.Shewassoill，afterthat，thatherlifewasalmostdespairedof.
M.Walterexplainedhisdaughter’sabsencetotheservantsbysayingtothemthatshehadbeensenttoaconventforashorttime.ThenherepliedtoalongletterfromDuRoy，givinghisconsenttohismarriagewithhisdaughter.Bel—AmihadpostedthatepistlewhenheleftParis，havingprepareditthenightofhisdeparture.Inithesaidinrespectfultermsthathehadlovedtheyounggirlalongtime;thattherehadneverbeenanyunderstandingbetweenthem，butthatasshecametohimtosay：\"Iwillbeyourwife，\"hefeltauthorizedinkeepingher，inhidingher，infact，untilhehadobtainedareplyfromherparents，whosewishesweretohimofmorevaluethanthoseofhisbetrothed.
GeorgesandSuzannespentaweekatLaRoche—Guyon.Neverhadtheyounggirlenjoyedherselfsothoroughly.Asshepassedforhissister，theylivedinachasteandfreeintimacy，akindoflivingcompanionship.Hethoughtitwisertotreatherwithrespect，andwhenhesaidtoher：\"WewillreturntoParisto—morrow;yourfatherhasbestowedyourhanduponme\"shewhisperednaively：\"Already？
Thisisjustaspleasantasbeingyourwife.\"
CHAPTERXVIII.
ATTAINMENT
ItwasdarkintheapartmentsintheRuedeConstantinople，whenGeorgesduRoyandClotildedeMarelle，havingmetatthedoor，enteredthem.Withoutgivinghimtimetoraisetheshades，thelattersaid：
\"SoyouaregoingtomarrySuzanneWalter？\"
Herepliedintheaffirmative，addinggently：\"Didyounotknowit？\"
Sheansweredangrily：\"SoyouaregoingtomarrySuzanneWalter？Forthreemonthsyouhavedeceivedme.Everyoneknewofitbutme.Myhusbandtoldme.Sinceyouleftyourwifeyouhavebeenpreparingforthatstroke，andyoumadeuseofmeintheinterim.Whatarascalyouare！\"
Heasked：\"Howdoyoumakethatout？Ihadawifewhodeceivedme;I
surprisedher，obtainedadivorce，andamnowgoingtomarryanother.Whatismoresimplethanthat？\"
Shemurmured：\"Whatavillain！\"
Hesaidwithdignity：\"Ibegofyoutobemorecarefulastowhatyousay.\"
Sherebelledatsuchwordsfromhim：\"What！Wouldyoulikemetohandleyouwithgloves？YouhaveconductedyourselflikearascaleversinceIhaveknownyou，andnowyoudonotwantmetospeakofit.Youdeceiveeveryone;yougatherpleasureandmoneyeverywhere，andyouwantmetotreatyouasanhonestman.\"
Herose;hislipstwitched：\"BesilentorIwillmakeyouleavetheserooms.\"
Shecried：\"Leavehere——youwillmakeme——you？YouforgetthatitisIwhohavepaidfortheseapartmentsfromtheveryfirst，andyouthreatentoputmeoutofthem.Besilent，good—for—nothing！DoyouthinkIdonotknowhowyoustoleaportionofVaudrec’sbequestfromMadeleine？DoyouthinkIdonotknowaboutSuzanne？\"
Heseizedherbyhershouldersandshookher.\"Donotspeakofthat;
Iforbidyou.\"
\"Iknowyouhaveruinedher！\"
Hewouldhavetakenanythingelse，butthatlieexasperatedhim.Herepeated：\"Besilent——takecare\"——andheshookherashewouldhaveshakentheboughofatree.Stillshecontinued;\"Youwereherruin，Iknowit.\"Herusheduponherandstruckherasifshehadbeenaman.Suddenlysheceasedspeaking，andgroanedbeneathhisblows.
Finallyhedesisted，pacedtheroomseveraltimesinordertoregainhisself—possession，enteredthebedroom，filledthebasinwithcoldwaterandbathedhishead.ThenhewashedhishandsandreturnedtoseewhatClotildewasdoing.Shehadnotmoved.Shelayuponthefloorweepingsoftly.Heaskedharshly：
\"Willyousoonhavedonecrying？\"
Shedidnotreply.Hestoodinthecenteroftheroom，somewhatembarrassed，somewhatashamed，ashesawtheformlyingbeforehim.
Suddenlyheseizedhishat.\"Goodevening.Youcanleavethekeywiththejanitorwhenyouareready.Iwillnotawaityourpleasure.\"
Helefttheroom，closedthedoor，soughttheporter，andsaidtohim：\"Madameisresting.Shewillgooutsoon.YoucantelltheproprietorthatIhavegivennoticeforthefirstofOctober.\"
Hismarriagewasfixedforthetwentieth;itwastotakeplaceattheMadeleine.Therehadbeenagreatdealofgossipabouttheentireaffair，andmanydifferentreportswerecirculated.Mme.
Walterhadagedgreatly;herhairwasgrayandshesoughtsolaceinreligion.
IntheearlypartofSeptember\"LaVieFrancaise\"announcedthatBaronduRoydeCantelhadbecomeitschiefeditor，M.Walterreservingthetitleofmanager.Tothatannouncementweresubjoinedthenamesofthestaffofartandtheatricalcritics，politicalreporters，andsoforth.Journalistsnolongersneeredinspeakingof\"LaVieFrancaise;\"itssuccesshadbeenrapidandcomplete.Themarriageofitschiefeditorwaswhatwascalleda\"Parisianevent，\"
GeorgesduRoyandtheWaltershavingoccasionedmuchcommentforsometime.
Theceremonytookplaceonaclear，autumnday.Atteno’clockthecuriousbegantoassemble;ateleveno’clock，detachmentsofofficerscametodispersethecrowd.Soonafter，thefirstguestsarrived;theywerefollowedbyothers，womeninrichcostumes，men，graveanddignified.Thechurchslowlybegantofill.NorbertdeVarenneespiedJacquesRival，andjoinedhim.
\"Well，\"saidhe，\"sharpersalwayssucceed.\"
Hiscompanion，whowasnotenvious，replied：\"Somuchthebetterforhim.Hisfortuneismade.\"
Rivalasked：\"Doyouknowwhathasbecomeofhiswife？\"
Thepoetsmiled.\"Yesandno——shelivesaveryretiredlife，Ihavebeentold，intheMontmartrequarter.But——thereisabut——forsometimeIhavereadpoliticalarticlesin’LaPlume，’whichresemblethoseofForestierandDuRoy.TheyaresupposedtobewrittenbyaJeanLeDol，ayoung，intelligent，handsomeman——somethinglikeourfriendGeorges——whohasbecomeacquaintedwithMme.Forestier.FromthatIhaveconcludedthatshelikesbeginnersandthattheylikeher.Sheis，moreover，rich;VaudrecandLaroche—Mathieuwerenotattentivetoherfornothing.\"
Rivalasked：\"Tellme，isittruethatMme.WalterandDuRoydonotspeak？\"
\"Yes.Shedidnotwishtogivehimherdaughter’shand.Buthethreatenedtheoldmanwithshockingrevelations.WalterrememberedLaroche—Mathieu’sfateandyieldedatonce;buthiswife，obstinatelikeallwomen，vowedthatshewouldneveraddressawordtoherson—in—law.Itiscomicaltoseethemtogether！Shelookslikethestatueofvengeance，andheisveryuncomfortable，althoughhetriestoappearathisease.\"
Suddenlythebeadlestruckthefloorthreetimeswithhisstaff.Allthepeopleturnedtoseewhatwascoming，andtheyoungbrideappearedinthedoorwayleaninguponherfather’sarm.Shelookedlikeabeautifuldoll，crownedwithawreathoforangeblossoms.Sheadvancedwithbowedhead.Theladiessmiledandmurmuredasshepassedthem.Themenwhispered：
\"Exquisite，adorable！\"
M.Walterwalkedbyhersidewithexaggerateddignity.Behindthemcamefourmaidsofhonordressedinpinkandformingacharmingcourtforsodaintyaqueen.
Mme.WalterfollowedonthearmofCountdeLatour—Ivelin’sagedfather.Shedidnotwalk;shedraggedherselfalong，readytofaintateverystep.Shehadagedandgrownthinner.
NextcameGeorgesduRoywithanoldlady，astranger.Heheldhisheadproudlyerectandworeuponhiscoat，likeadropofblood，theredribbonoftheLegionofHonor.
Hewasfollowedbytherelatives：Rose，whohadbeenmarriedsixweeks，withasenator;CountdeLatour—IvelinwithViscountessdePercemur.FollowingthemwasamotleyprocessionofassociatesandfriendsofDuRoy，countrycousinsofMme.Walter’s，andguestsinvitedbyherhusband.
Thetonesoftheorganfilledthechurch;thelargedoorsattheentrancewereclosed，andGeorgeskneeledbesidehisbrideinthechoir.ThenewbishopofTangiers，crossinhand，miteronhead，enteredfromthesacristy，tounitetheminthenameoftheAlmighty.Heaskedtheusualquestions，ringswereexchanged，wordspronouncedwhichboundthemforever，andthenhedeliveredanaddresstothenewlymarriedcouple.
Thesoundofstifledsobscausedseveraltoturntheirheads.Mme.
Walterwasweeping，herfaceburiedinherhands.Shehadbeenobligedtoyield;butsincethedayonwhichshehadtoldDuRoy：
\"YouarethevilestmanIknow;neverspeaktomeagain，forIwillnotansweryou，\"shehadsufferedintolerableanguish.ShehatedSuzannebitterly;herhatredwascausedbyunnaturaljealousy.Thebishopwasmarryingadaughtertohermother’slover，beforeherandtwothousandpersons，andshecouldsaynothing;shecouldnotstophim.Shecouldnotcry：\"Heismine，thatmanismylover.Thatunionyouareblessingisinfamous.\"
Severalladies，touchedbyherapparentgrief，murmured：\"Howaffectedthatpoormotheris！\"
Thebishopsaid：\"Youareamongthefavoredonesoftheearth.You，sir，whoareraisedaboveothersbyyourtalent——youwhowrite，instruct，counsel，guidethepeople，haveagrandmissiontofulfill——afineexampletoset.\"
DuRoylistenedtohimproudly.AprelateoftheRomanChurchspokethustohim.Anumberofillustriouspeoplehadcomethitheronhisaccount.Itseemedtohimthataninvisiblepowerwasimpellinghimon.Hewouldbecomeoneofthemastersofthecountry——he，thesonofthepoorpeasantsofCanteleu.HehadgivenhisparentsfivethousandfrancsofCountdeVaudrec’sfortuneandheintendedsendingthemfiftythousandmore;thentheycouldbuyasmallestateandlivehappily.
Thebishophadfinishedhisharangue，apriestascendedthealtar，andtheorganpealedforth.Suddenlythevibratingtonesmeltedintodelicate，melodiousones，likethesongsofbirds;thenagaintheyswelledintodeep，fulltonesandhumanvoiceschantedovertheirbowedheads.VauriandLandeckoftheOperaweresinging.
Bel—Ami，kneelingbesideSuzanne，bowedhishead.Atthatmomenthefeltalmostpious，forhewasfilledwithgratitudefortheblessingsshowereduponhim.Withoutknowingjustwhomhewasaddressing，heofferedupthanksforhissuccess.Whentheceremonywasover，herose，and，givinghisarmtohiswife，theypassedintothesacristy.Astreamofpeopleentered.Georgesfanciedhimselfakingwhomthepeoplewerecomingtogreet.Heshookhands，utteredwordswhichsignifiednothing，andrepliedtocongratulationswiththewords：\"Youareverykind.\"
SuddenlyhesawMme.deMarelle，andtherecollectionofallthekisseshehadgivenherandwhichshehadreturned，ofalltheircaresses，ofthesoundofhervoice，possessedhimwiththemaddesiretoregainher.Shewassopretty，withherbrighteyesandroguishair！Sheadvancedsomewhattimidlyandofferedhimherhand.
Hetook，retained，andpresseditasiftosay：\"Ishallloveyoualways，Iamyours.\"
Theireyesmet，smiling，bright，fulloflove.Shemurmuredinhersofttones：\"Untilwemeetagain，sir！\"andhegailyrepeatedherwords.
Othersapproached，andshepassedon.Finallythethrongdispersed.
GeorgesplacedSuzanne’shanduponhisarmtopassthroughthechurchwithher.Itwasfilledwithpeople，forallhadresumedtheirseatsinordertoseethemleavethesacrededificetogether.
Hewalkedalongslowly，withafirmstep，hisheaderect.Hesawnoone.Heonlythoughtofhimself.
Whentheyreachedthethresholdhesawacrowdgatheredoutside，cometogazeathim，GeorgesduRoy.ThepeopleofParisenviedhim.
Raisinghiseyes，hesawbeyondthePlacedelaConcorde，thechamberofdeputies，anditseemedtohimthatitwasonlyastone’sthrowfromtheporticooftheMadeleinetothatofthePalaisBourbon.
Leisurelytheydescendedthestepsbetweentworowsofspectators，butGeorgesdidnotseethem;histhoughtshadreturnedtothepast，andbeforehiseyes，dazzledbythebrightsunlight，floatedtheimageofMme.deMarelle，rearrangingthecurlylocksuponhertemplesbeforethemirrorintheirapartments.