Милий друг
Madame Walter Takes a Hand
Itsuitsyouadmirably."
DuRoylaughed."Ibegyoutodoso,Madame."
Shecastdownhereyes."No,wearenotwellenoughacquainted."
Hemurmured:"Permitmetohopethatweshallbecomeso."
"Well,weshallsee,"saidshe.
Theydescendedthestairsandenteredalargeroom,whichwaslightedbyVenetianlanternsanddecoratedwithfestoonsofgauze.Nearlyallthebencheswerefilledwithladies,whowerechattingasiftheywereatatheater.Mme.Walterandherdaughtersreachedtheirseatsinthefrontrow.
DuRoy,havingobtainedtheirplacesforthem,whispered:"Ishallbeobligedtoleaveyou;mencannotoccupytheseats."
Mme.Walterrepliedhesitatingly:"Ishouldliketokeepyou,justthesame.Youcouldtellmethenamesoftheparticipants.See,ifyoustandattheendoftheseat,youwillnotannoyanyone."Sheraisedherlarge,softeyestohisandinsisted:"Come,staywithus—Bel-Ami—weneedyou!"
Hereplied:"Iobeywithpleasure,Madame!"
SuddenlyJacquesRival’svoiceannounced:"Wewillbegin,ladies."
Thenfollowedthefencing-match.DuRoyretainedhisplacebesidetheladiesandgavethemallthenecessaryinformation.Whentheentertainmentwasoverandallexpenseswerepaid,twohundredandtwentyfrancsremainedfortheorphansoftheSixthWard.
DuRoy,escortingtheWalters,awaitedhiscarriage.
