Милий друг
Madame Walter Takes a Hand
Iamsatisfiedtohavekeptthemuntilwemetagain."AndDuRoytookhisleaveverywellsatisfied.
WhenThursdaycame,heaskedMadeleine:"Aregoingtothefencing-matchatRival’s?"
"No,Idonotcareaboutit.Iwillgotothechamberofdeputies."
GeorgescalledforMme.Walterinanopencarriage,fortheweatherwasdelightful.Hewassurprisedtofindherlookingsohandsomeandsoyoung.Neverhadsheappearedsofresh.Herdaughter,Suzanne,wasdressedinpink;hersisterlookedlikehergoverness.AtRival’sdoorwasalonglineofcarriages.DuRoyofferedhisarmtoMme.Walterandtheyentered.
TheentertainmentwasforthebenefitoftheorphansoftheSixthWardunderthepatronageofallthewilesofthesenatorsanddeputieswhowereconnectedwith"LaVieFrancaise."
JacquesRivalreceivedthearrivalsattheentrancetohisapartments,thenhepointedtoasmallstaircasewhichledtothecellarinwhichwerehisshooting-galleryandfencing-room,saying:"Downstairs,ladies,downstairs.Thematchwilltakeplaceinthesubterraneanapartments."
PressingDuRoy’shand,hesaid:"Goodevening,Bel-Ami."
DuRoywassurprised:"Whotoldyouaboutthatname?"
Rivalreplied:"Mme.Walter,whothinksitverypretty."
Mme.Walterblushed.
"Yes,IconfessthatifIknewyoubetter,IshoulddoaslittleLaurine,andIshouldcallyouBel-Ami,too.
