Милий друг
Marriage
"Perceivingthathisembracewascolderthanusual,sheglancedupathimandasked:"Whatailsyou?"
"Takeaseat,"saidhe."Wemusttalkseriously."
Sheseatedherselfwithoutremovingherhat,andwaited.Hecastdownhiseyes;hewaspreparingtocommence.
Finallyhesaidslowly:"Mydearfriend,youseethatIamverymuchperplexed,verysad,andverymuchembarrassedbywhatIhavetoconfesstoyou.Iloveyou;Iloveyouwithallmyheart,andthefearofgivingyoupaingrievesmemorethanwhatIhavetotellyou."
Sheturnedpale,trembled,andasked:"Whatisit?Tellmequickly."
Hesaidsadlybutresolutely:"Iamgoingtobemarried."
Shesighedlikeoneabouttoloseconsciousness;thenshegasped,butdidnotspeak.
Hecontinued:"YoucannotimaginehowmuchIsufferedbeforetakingthatresolution.ButIhaveneitherpositionnormoney.IamaloneinParis,Imusthavenearmesomeonewhocancounsel,comfort,andsupportme.WhatIneedisanassociate,anally,andIhavefoundone!"Hepaused,hopingthatshewouldreply,expectinganoutburstoffuriousrage,reproaches,andinsults.Shepressedherhandtoherheartandbreathedwithdifficulty.Hetookthehandrestingonthearmofthechair,butshedrewitawayandmurmuredasifstupefied:"Oh,myGod!"
Hefelluponhiskneesbeforeher,without,however,venturingtotouchher,moremovedbyhersilencethanhewouldhavebeenbyheranger.
