Милий друг
Madame Forestier
Helikewisepausedbeforethethirdglass,twirledhismustache,tookoffhishattoarrangehishair,andmurmuredhalfaloud,ahabitofhis:"Hallmirrorsaremostconvenient."
Thenherangthebell.Thedooropenedalmostimmediately,andbeforehimstoodaservantinablackcoat,withagrave,shavenface,soperfectinhisappearancethatDuroyagainbecameconfusedashecomparedthecutoftheirgarments.
Thelackeyasked:
"WhomshallIannounce,Monsieur?"Heraisedaportiereandpronouncedthename.
Duroylosthisself-possessionuponbeingusheredintoaworldasyetstrangetohim.However,headvanced.Ayoung,fairwomanreceivedhimaloneinalarge,well-lightedroom.Hepaused,disconcerted.Whowasthatsmilinglady?HerememberedthatForestierwasmarried,andthethoughtthatthehandsomeblondewashisfriend’swiferenderedhimawkwardandill-at-ease.Hestammeredout:
"Madame,Iam—"
Sheheldoutherhand."Iknow,Monsieur—Charlestoldmeofyourmeetinglastnight,andIamverygladthatheaskedyoutodinewithusto-day."
Duroyblushedtotherootsofhishair,notknowinghowtoreply;hefeltthathewasbeinginspectedfromhisheadtohisfeet.Hehalfthoughtofexcusinghimself,ofinventinganexplanationofthecarelessnessofhistoilette,buthedidnotknowhowtotouchuponthatdelicatesubject.
