Милий друг
The Final Plot
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Shetookthelampandsoughttheconservatory;sheopenedthedoorleadingintotheroomwhichheldtheenormouscanvas,andfelluponherkneesbeforeit.Atfirstsheprayedfervently,butassheraisedhereyesandsawtheresemblancetoBel-Ami,shemurmured:"Jesus—Jesus—"whileherthoughtswerewithherdaughterandherlover.Sheutteredawildcry,asshepicturedthemtogether—alone--andfellintoaswoon.WhendaybroketheyfoundMme.Walterstilllyingunconsciousbeforethepainting.Shewassoill,afterthat,thatherlifewasalmostdespairedof.
M.Walterexplainedhisdaughter’sabsencetotheservantsbysayingtothemthatshehadbeensenttoaconventforashorttime.ThenherepliedtoalongletterfromDuRoy,givinghisconsenttohismarriagewithhisdaughter.Bel-AmihadpostedthatepistlewhenheleftParis,havingprepareditthenightofhisdeparture.Inithesaidinrespectfultermsthathehadlovedtheyounggirlalongtime;thattherehadneverbeenanyunderstandingbetweenthem,butthatasshecametohimtosay:"Iwillbeyourwife,"hefeltauthorizedinkeepingher,inhidingher,infact,untilhehadobtainedareplyfromherparents,whosewishesweretohimofmorevaluethanthoseofhisbetrothed.
GeorgesandSuzannespentaweekatLaRoche-Guyon.Neverhadtheyounggirlenjoyedherselfsothoroughly.Asshepassedforhissister,theylivedinachasteandfreeintimacy,akindoflivingcompanionship
