Милий друг

           Thesamemaidopenedthedoor,andwiththefamiliarityofanoldservantsheasked:"IsMonsieurwell?"

           Hereplied:"Yes,mychild,"andenteredthedrawing-roominwhichsomeonewaspractisingscales.ItwasLaurine.Heexpectedshewouldfalluponhisneck.She,however,roseceremoniously,bowedcoldly,andlefttheroomwithdignity;hermannerwassomuchlikethatofanoutragedwomanthathewasamazed.Hermotherentered.Hekissedherhand.

           "HowmuchIhavethoughtofyou,"saidhe.

           "AndIofyou,"shereplied.

           Theyseatedthemselvesandsmiledastheygazedintooneanother’seyes.

           "MydearlittleClo,Iloveyou."

           "AndIloveyou."

           "Still—still—youdidnotmissme."

           "Yesandno.Iwasgrieved,butwhenIheardyourreason,Isaidtomyself:‘Bah,hewillreturntomesomeday.’"

           "Idarednotcome.IdidnotknowhowIshouldbereceived.Idarednot,butIlongedtocome.Now,tellmewhatailsLaurine;shescarcelybademegoodmorningandlefttheroomwithanangryair."

           "Idonotknow,butonecannotmentionyoutohersinceyourmarriage;Ireallybelievesheisjealous."

           "Nonsense."

           "Yes,mydear,shenolongercallsyouBel-Ami,butM.Forestierinstead."

           DuRoycolored,thendrawingnearertheyoungwoman,hesaid:"Kissme."

           Sheobeyedhim.