Милий друг
The First Intrigue
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Theybegantochatatonceasiftheywereoldacquaintances,andinfiveminutesanintimacy,amutualunderstanding,wasestablishedbetweenthosetwobeingsalikeincharacterandkind.Suddenlytheyoungwomansaidinsurprise:"ItisastonishinghowIfeelwithyou.ItseemstomeasifIhadknownyoutenyears.Weshallundoubtedlybecomegoodfriends;wouldthatpleaseyou?"
Hereplied:"Certainly,"withasmilemoreexpressivethanwords.Hethoughtherverybewitchinginherprettygown.WhennearMme.Forestier,whoseimpassive,gracioussmileattractedyetheldatadistance,andseemedtosay:"Ilikeyou,yettakecare,"hefeltadesiretocasthimselfatherfeet,ortokissthehemofhergarment.WhennearMme.deMarelle,hefeltamorepassionatedesire.
AgentlerapcameatthedoorthroughwhichMme.deMarellehadentered,andshecried:"Youmaycomein,mydarling."
Thechildentered,advancedtoDuroyandofferedhimherhand.Theastonishedmothermurmured:"Thatisaconquest."Theyoungman,havingkissedthechild,seatedherbyhisside,andwithaseriousairquestionedherastowhatshehaddonesincetheylastmet.Sherepliedinaflute-likevoiceandwiththemannerofawoman.Theclockstruckthree;thejournalistrose.
"Comeoften,"saidMme.deMarelle;"ithasbeenapleasantcauserie.Ishallalwaysbegladtowelcomeyou.WhydoInevermeetyouattheForestiers?"
"Fornoparticularreason.Iamverybusy.
