Милий друг
Madame Walter Takes a Hand
WhenseatedfacetofacewithMme.Walter,hemethertroubledbutcaressingglance.
"Egad,Ibelievesheisaffected,"thoughthe;andhesmiledasherecognizedthefactthathewasreallysuccessfulwiththefemalesex,forMme.deMarelle,sincetherenewaloftheirrelations,seemedtolovehimmadly.
Withalighthearthereturnedhome.Madeleinewasawaitinghiminthedrawing-room.
"Ihavesomenews,"saidshe."TheaffairwithMoroccoisbecomingcomplicated.Francemaysendanexpeditionoutthereinseveralmonths.InanycasetheministrywillbeoverthrownandLarochewillprofitbytheoccasion."
DuRoy,inordertodrawouthiswife,pretendednottobelieveit."FrancewouldnotbesillyenoughtocommenceanyfollywithTunis!"
Sheshruggedhershouldersimpatiently."Itellyoushewill!Youdonotunderstandthatitisaquestionofmoney—youareassimpleasForestier."
Herobjectwastowoundandirritatehim,butheonlysmiledandreplied:"What!assimpleasthatstupidfellow?"
Sheceasedandmurmured:"Oh,Georges!"
Headded:"Poordevil!"inatoneofprofoundpity.
Madeleineturnedherbackuponhimscornfully;afteramomentofsilence,shecontinued:"WeshallhavesomecompanyTuesday.Mme.Laroche-MathieuiscomingheretodinewithViscountessdePercemur.WillyouinviteRivalandNorbertdeVarenne?IshallgotoMmes.WalteranddeMarelleto-morrow.
