Милий друг

           "Box17?"

           "Thisway,sir."

           Thefriendswereshownintoatinybox,hungandcarpetedinred,withfourchairsupholsteredinthesamecolor.Theyseatedthemselves.Totheirrightandleftweresimilarboxes.Onthestagethreemenwereperformingontrapezes.ButDuroypaidnoheedtothem,hiseyesfindingmoretointeresttheminthegrandpromenade.Forestierremarkeduponthemotleyappearanceofthethrong,butDuroydidnotlistentohim.Awoman,leaningherarmsupontheedgeofherloge,wasstaringathim.Shewasatall,voluptuousbrunette,herfacewhitenedwithenamel,herblackeyespenciled,andherlipspainted.Withamovementofherhead,shesummonedafriendwhowaspassing,ablondewithauburnhair,likewiseinclinedtoembonpoint,andsaidtoherinawhisperintendedtobeheard;"Thereisanicefellow!"

           Forestierheardit,andsaidtoDuroywithasmile:"Youarelucky,mydearboy.Mycongratulations!"

           Theci-devantsoldierblushedandmechanicallyfingeredthetwopiecesofgoldinhispocket.

           Thecurtainfell—theorchestraplayedavalse—andDuroysaid:

           "Shallwewalkaroundthegallery?"

           "Ifyoulike."

           Soontheywerecarriedalonginthecurrentofpromenaders.Duroydrankinwithdelighttheair,vitiatedasitwasbytobaccoandcheapperfume,butForestierperspired,panted,andcoughed.

           "Letusgointothegarden,"hesaid.