Милий друг
Madame Walter Takes a Hand
Perhaps,too,wemayhaveMme.Rissolin."
DuRoyreplied:"Verywell,IwillseetoRivalandNorbert."
Thefollowingdayhethoughthewouldanticipatehiswife’svisittoMme.Walterandattempttofindoutifshereallywasinlovewithhim.HearrivedatBoulevardMalesherbesattwoo’clock.Hewasusheredintothesalonandwaited.FinallyMme.Walterappearedandofferedhimherhandcordially."Whatgoodwindblowsyouhere?"
"Nogoodwind,butadesiretoseeyou.Somepowerhasimpelledmehither,Idonotknowwhy;IhavenothingtosayexceptthatIhavecome;hereIam!Pardonthemorningcallandthecandorofmyexplanation."
Heutteredthosewordswithasmileuponhislipsandaseriousaccentinhisvoice.
Inherastonishment,shestammeredwithablush:"Butindeed—Idonotunderstand—yousurpriseme."
Headded:"Itisadeclarationmadeinjestinordernottostartleyou."
Theywereseatedneareachother.Shetookthematterasajest."Isitadeclaration—seriously?"
"Yes,foralongtimeIhavewishedtomakeit,butIdarednot;theysayyouaresoaustere,sorigid."
Shehadrecoveredherself-possessionandreplied:
"Whydidyouchooseto-day?"
"Idonotknow."Thenheloweredhisvoice:"OrratherbecauseIhavethoughtonlyofyousinceyesterday.
