Милий друг

           "

           Sheturnedtowardhimwithasmile:"Itisafancyofminetoweardiamondslikethis,simplyonathread."

           Hemurmuredinreply,tremblingathisaudacity:"Itischarming—buttheearincreasesthebeautyoftheornament."

           Shethankedhimwithaglance.Asheturnedhishead,hemetMme.Forestier’seyes,inwhichhefanciedhesawamingledexpressionofgaiety,malice,andencouragement.Allthemenweretalkingatthesametime;theirdiscussionwasanimated.

           Whenthepartyleftthedining-room,Duroyofferedhisarmtothelittlegirl.Shethankedhimgravelyandstoodupontiptoeinordertolayherhanduponhisarm.Uponenteringthedrawing-room,theyoungmancarefullysurveyedit.Itwasnotalargeroom;buttherewerenobrightcolors,andonefeltatease;itwasrestful.Thewallsweredrapedwithviolethangingscoveredwithtinyembroideredflowersofyellowsilk.Theportiereswereofagrayishblueandthechairswereofallshapes,ofallsizes;scatteredabouttheroomwerecouchesandlargeandsmalleasy-chairs,allcoveredwithLouisXVI.brocade,orUtrechtvelvet,acreamcoloredgroundwithgarnetflowers.

           "Doyoutakecoffee,M.Duroy?"Mme.Forestierofferedhimacup,withthesmilethatwasalwaysuponherlips.

           "Yes,Madame,thankyou."Hetookthecup,andashedidso,theyoungwomanwhisperedtohim:"PayMme.Waltersomeattention."Thenshevanishedbeforehecouldreply.