Милий друг

           Suzannemetthematadoorandcried:"Oh,hereyouare!Now,Bel-Ami,youaregoingtobeleftalone,forIshalltakeClotildetoseemyroom."Andthetwowomenglidedthroughthethrong.Atthatmomentavoiceathissidemurmured:"Georges!"

           ItwasMme.Walter.Shecontinuedinalowvoice:"Howcruelyouare!Howneedlesslyyouinflictsufferinguponme.IbadeSuzannetakethatwomanawaythatImighthaveawordwithyou.Listen:Imustspeaktoyouthisevening—or—or—youdonotknowwhatIshalldo.Gointotheconservatory.Youwillfindadoortotheleftthroughwhichyoucanreachthegarden.Followthewalkdirectlyinfrontofyou.Attheendofityouwillseeanarbor.Expectmeintenminutes.Ifyoudonotmeetme,IswearIwillcauseascandalhereatonce!"

           Herepliedhaughtily:"Verywell,Ishallbeattheplaceyounamedintenminutes."

           ButJacquesRivaldetainedhim.Whenhereachedthealley,hesawMme.Walterinfrontofhim;shecried:"Ah,hereyouare!Doyouwishtokillme?"

           Herepliedcalmly:"Ibeseechyou,noneofthat,orIshallleaveyouatonce."

           Throwingherarmsaroundhisneck,sheexclaimed:"WhathaveIdonetoyouthatyoushouldtreatmeso?"

           Hetriedtopushheraway:"Youtwistedyourhairaroundmycoatbuttonsthelasttimewemet,anditcausedtroublebetweenmywifeandmyself."

           Sheshookherhead:"Ah,yourwifewouldnotcare.