Милий друг
First Attempts
Sheaskedbluntly:"WhatdoyouthinkofmyfriendMme.deMarelle?"
"Ithinkherveryfascinating,"hesaid;andhewouldhavelikedtoadd:"Butnotasmuchsoasyou."Hehadnotthecouragetodoso.
Shecontinued:"Ifyouonlyknewhowcomical,original,andintelligentsheis!SheisatrueBohemian.Itisforthatreasonthatherhusbandnolongerlovesher.Heonlyseesherdefectsandnoneofhergoodqualities."
DuroywassurprisedtohearthatMme.deMarellewasmarried.
"What,"heasked,"isshemarried?Whatdoesherhusbanddo?"
Mme.Forestiershruggedhershoulders."Oh,heissuperintendentofarailroad.HeisinParisaweekoutofeachmonth.Hiswifecallsit‘HolyWeek.’or‘Theweekofduty.’Whenyougetbetteracquaintedwithher,youwillseehowwittysheis!Comehereandseehersomeday."
Asshespoke,thedooropenednoiselessly,andagentlemanenteredunannounced.Hehaltedonseeingaman.ForamomentMme.Forestierseemedconfused;thenshesaidinanaturalvoice,thoughhercheeksweretingedwithablush:
"Comein,mydearsir;allowmetopresenttoyouanoldcomradeofCharles,M.GeorgesDuroy,afuturejournalist."Theninadifferenttone,shesaid:"Ourbestanddearestfriend,CountdeVaudrec."
Thetwomenbowed,gazedintooneanother’seyes,andthenDuroytookhisleave.Neithertriedtodetainhim.
