Милий друг
A Meeting and the Result
Hepermittedhertogo,becauseitwasagainsthisprinciplestoforcematters.Asthepriestinhisturnissuedfromtheconfessional,headvancedtowardhimandsaid:"Ifyoudidnotwearagown,Iwouldgiveyouasoundthrashing."Thenheturneduponhisheelandleftthechurchwhistling.Inthedoorwayhemetthestoutgentleman.WhenDuRoypassedhim,theybowed.
Thejournalistthenrepairedtotheofficeof"LaVieFrancaise."Asheenteredhesawbytheclerks’busyairthatsomethingofimportancewasgoingon,andhehastenedtothemanager’sroom.ThelatterexclaimedjoyfullyasDuRoyentered:"Whatluck!hereisBel-Ami."
Hestoppedinconfusionandapologized:"Ibegyourpardon,Iamverymuchbotheredbycircumstances.AndthenIhearmywifeanddaughtercallyouBel-Amifrommorninguntilnight,andIhaveacquiredthehabitmyself.Areyoudispleased?"
Georgeslaughed."Notatall."
M.Waltercontinued:"Verywell,thenIwillcallyouBel-Amiaseveryoneelsedoes.Greatchangeshavetakenplace.Theministryhasbeenoverthrown.Marrotistoformanewcabinet.HehaschosenGeneralBoutind’Acreasministerofwar,andourfriendLaroche-Mathieuasministerofforeignaffairs.Weshallbeverybusy.Imustwritealeadingarticle,asimpledeclarationofprinciples;thenImusthavesomethinginterestingontheMoroccoquestion—youmustattendtothat."
DuRoyreflectedamomentandthenreplied:"Ihaveit.
