Милий друг

           Notthathewouldhaverefusedtoaccepthisshareoftheprofits,butheenjoyedtreatingherscornfully,tramplingherunderfoot;shewastoowealthy;hewouldbeinflexible.

           Thedayoftheexhibitionofthepicture,asMadeleinechidedhimfornotgoing,hereplied:"Leavemeinpeace.Ishallremainathome."

           Aftertheyhaddined,hesaidsuddenly,"IsupposeIshallhavetogothroughwithit.Getreadyquickly."

           "Ishallbereadyinfifteenminutes,"shesaid.

           AstheyenteredthecourtyardoftheHoteldeCarlsbourgitwasoneblazeoflight.Amagnificentcarpetwasspreaduponthestepsleadingtotheentrance,anduponeachonestoodamaninlivery,asrigidasmarble.

           DuRoy’sheartwastornwithjealousy.Heandhiswifeascendedthestepsandgavetheirwrapstothefootmenwhoapproachedthem.

           Attheentrancetothedrawing-room,twochildren,oneinpink,theotherinblue,handedbouquetstotheladies.

           Theroomswerealreadywellfilled.Themajorityoftheladieswereinstreetcostumes,aproofthattheycamethitherastheywouldgotoanyexhibition.Thefewwhointendedtoremaintotheballwhichwastofollowworeeveningdress.

           Mme.Walter,surroundedbyfriends,stoodinthesecondsalonandreceivedthevisitors.Manydidnotknowher,andwalkedthroughtheroomsasifinamuseum—withoutpayinganyheedtothehostandhostess.