Милий друг
Madame Walter Takes a Hand
"
Suddenlyturningpale,shegasped:"Come,enoughofthischildishness!Letustalkofsomethingelse."
Buthefelluponhiskneesbeforeher.Shetriedtorise;hepreventedherbytwininghisarmsaboutherwaist,andrepeatedinapassionatevoice:"Yes,itistruethatIhavelovedyoumadlyforsometime.Donotanswerme.Iammad—Iloveyou.Oh,ifyouknewhowIloveyou!"
Shecouldutternosound;inheragitationsherepulsedhimwithbothhands,forshecouldfeelhisbreathuponhercheek.Herosesuddenlyandattemptedtoembraceher,butgainingherlibertyforamoment,sheescapedhimandranfromchairtochair.He,consideringsuchpursuitbeneathhisdignity,sankintoachair,buriedhisfaceinhishands,andfeignedtosobconvulsively.Thenherose,cried:
"Adieu,adieu!"andfled.
Inthehallhetookhiscanecalmlyandleftthehousesaying:"Cristi!Ibelieveshelovesme!"
HewentatoncetothetelegraphofficetosendamessagetoClotilde,appointingarendezvousforthenextday.
Onenteringthehouseathisusualtime,hesaidtohiswife:"Well,iseveryonecomingtodinner?"
Shereplied:"Yes,allbutMme.Walter,whoisuncertainastowhethershecancome.Sheactedverystrangely.Nevermind,perhapsshecanmanageitanyway."
Hereplied:"Shewillcome."
Hewasnot,however,certainandwasrendereduneasyuntilthedayofthedinner.
