Милый друг
The Final Plot
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.
