Милий друг
Marriage
"Clo,mylittleClo,youunderstandmyposition.Oh,ifIcouldhavemarriedyou,whathappinessitwouldhaveaffordedme!Butyouweremarried!WhatcouldIdo?Justthinkofit!ImustmakemywayintheworldandIcanneverdosoaslongasIhavenodomesticties.Ifyouknew.TherearedayswhenIshouldliketokillyourhusband."Hespokeinalow,seductivevoice.HesawtwotearsgatherinMme.deMarelle’seyesandtrickleslowlydownhercheeks.Hewhispered:"Donotweep,Clo,donotweep,Ibeseechyou.Youbreakmyheart."
Shemadeanefforttoappeardignifiedandhaughty,andasked,thoughsomewhatunsteadily:"Whoisit?"
Foramomenthehesitatedbeforehereplied:"MadeleineForestier!"
Mme.deMarellestarted;hertearscontinuedtoflow.Sherose.Duroysawthatshewasgoingtoleavehimwithoutawordofreproachorpardon,andhefelthumbled,humiliated.Heseizedhergownandimplored:
"Donotleavemethus."
Shelookedathimwiththatdespairing,tearfulglancesocharmingandsotouching,whichexpressesallthemiserypent-upinawoman’sheart,andstammered:"Ihavenothing—tosay;Icandonothing.You—youareright;youhavemadeagoodchoice."
Anddisengagingherselfshelefttheroom.
Withasighofreliefatescapingsoeasily,herepairedtoMme.Forestier’s,whoaskedhim:"HaveyoutoldMme.deMarelle?"
Herepliedcalmly:"Yes.
