Милый друг
Marriage
Hepressedherhandslightly,butshedidnotrespondtothepressure.
Hesaid:"Itseemsstrangethatyoushouldbemywife."
Sheappearedsurprised:"Why?"
"Idonotknow.Itseemsdroll.IwanttoembraceyouandIamsurprisedthatIhavetheright."
Shecalmlyofferedhimhercheekwhichhekissedashewouldhavekissedhissister’s.Hecontinued:
"ThefirsttimeIsawyou(youremember,atthatdinnertowhichIwasinvitedatForestier’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.
