Милий друг

           Hehadthoughthimselfwealthywiththefivehundredthousandfrancsextortedfromhiswife,andnowhefeltpoorashecomparedhispaltryfortunewiththeshowerofmillionsaroundhim.Hisenviousrageincreaseddaily.Hecherishedillwilltowardeveryone—towardtheWalters,eventowardhiswife,andabovealltowardthemanwhohaddeceivedhim,madeuseofhim,andwhodinedtwiceaweekathishouse.Georgesactedashissecretary,agent,mouthpiece,andwhenhewroteathisdictation,hefeltamaddesiretostranglehim.LarochereignedsupremeintheDuRoyhousehold,havingtakentheplaceofCountdeVaudrec;hespoketotheservantsasifheweretheirmaster.Georgessubmittedtoitall,likeadogwhichwishestobiteanddaresnot.ButhewasoftenharshandbrutaltoMadeleine,whomerelyshruggedhershouldersandtreatedhimasonewouldafretfulchild.Shewassurprised,too,athisconstantillhumor,andsaid:"Idonotunderstandyou.Youarealwayscomplaining.Yourpositionisexcellent."

           Hisonlyreplywastoturnhisbackuponher.HedeclaredthathewouldnotattendM.Walter’sfete—thathewouldnotcrossthemiserableJew’sthreshold.FortwomonthsMme.Walterhadwrittentohimdaily,beseechinghimtocometoseeher,toappointameetingwherehewould,inorderthatshemightgivehimtheseventythousandfrancsshehadmadeforhim.Hedidnotreplyandthrewherlettersintothefire.