Милий друг

           "

           Walter,whohadprecededthem,withhistwodaughtersandMadeleine,awaitedDuRoynearthepictureof"ChristWalkingontheWater."

           "Onlythink,"saidhe,"Ifoundmywifeyesterdaykneelingbeforethatpaintingasifinachapel.Shewaspraying!"

           Mme.Walterrepliedinafirmvoice,inavoiceinwhichvibratedasecretexaltation:"ThatChristwillsavemysoul.HegivesmefreshcourageandstrengtheverytimethatIlookatHim."Andpausingbeforethepicture,shemurmured:"HowbeautifulHeis!Howfrightenedthosemenare,andhowtheyloveHim!LookatHishead,Hiseyes,howsimpleandsupernaturalHeisatthesametime!"

           Suzannecried:"Why,Helookslikeyou,Bel-Ami!IamsureHelookslikeyou.Theresemblanceisstriking."

           Shemadehimstandbesidethepaintingandeveryonerecognizedthelikeness.DuRoywasembarrassed.Walterthoughtitverysingular;Madeleine,withasmile,remarkedthatJesuslookedmoremanly.Mme.Walterstoodbymotionless,staringfixedlyatherlover’sface,hercheeksaswhiteasherhair.