Милий друг
Madame Forestier
Forestiersaid:"Goodevening,Clotilde."
"Goodevening,Madeleine."
Theyembracedeachother,thenthechildofferedherforeheadwiththeassuranceofanadult,saying:
"Goodevening,cousin."
Mme.Forestierkissedher,andthenmadetheintroductions:
"M.GeorgesDuroy,anoldfriendofCharles.Mme.deMarelle,myfriend,arelativeinfact."Sheadded:"Here,youknow,wedonotstandonceremony."
Duroybowed.Thedooropenedagainandashortmanentered,uponhisarmatall,handsomewoman,tallerthanheandmuchyounger,withdistinguishedmannersandadignifiedcarriage.ItwasM.Walter,deputy,financier,amoneyedman,andamanofbusiness,managerof"LaVieFrancaise,"withhiswife,neeBasileRavalade,daughterofthebankerofthatname.
ThencameJacquesRival,veryelegant,followedbyNorbertdeVarenne.ThelatteradvancedwiththegraceoftheoldschoolandtakingMme.Forestier’shandkissedit;hislonghairfallinguponhishostess’sbarearmashedidso.
Forestiernowentered,apologizingforbeinglate;hehadbeendetained.
Theservantannounceddinner,andtheyenteredthedining-room.DuroywasplacedbetweenMme.deMarelleandherdaughter.Hewasagainrendereduncomfortableforfearofcommittingsomeerrorintheconventionalmanagementofhisfork,hisspoon,orhisglasses,ofwhichhehadfour.
