Милий друг
A Meeting and the Result
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DuRoyarrivedattheappointedhourthefollowingday.Thebencheswerealloccupiedbypeopletryingtoescapefromtheheatandbynurseswiththeircharges.
HefoundMme.Walterinalittleantiqueruin;sheseemedunhappyandanxious.Whenhehadgreetedher,shesaid:"Howmanypeoplethereareinthegarden!"
Hetookadvantageoftheoccasion:"Yes,thatistrue;shallwegosomewhereelse?"
"Where?"
"Itmattersnotwhere;foradrive,forinstance.Youcanlowertheshadeonyoursideandyouwillbewellconcealed."
"Yes,Ishouldlikethatbetter;Ishalldieoffearhere."
"Verywell,meetmeinfiveminutesatthegatewhichopensontheboulevard.Iwillfetchacab."
Whentheywereseatedinthecab,sheasked:"Wheredidyoutellthecoachmantodriveto?"
Georgesreplied:"Donotworry;heknows."
HehadgiventhemanhisaddressontheRuedeConstantinople.
Mme.WaltersaidtoDuRoy:"YoucannotimaginehowIsufferonyouraccount—howIamtormented,tortured.YesterdayIwasharsh,butIwantedtoescapeyouatanyprice.Iwasafraidtoremainalonewithyou.Haveyouforgivenme?"
Hepressedherhand.
