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.