Милий друг
The First Intrigue
Sheutteredacry,attemptedtorepulsehimandthenyieldedtohiscaressesasifshehadnotthestrengthtoresist.
Thecarriagestoppedatherdoor,butshedidnotrise;shedidnotmove,stunnedbywhathadjusttakenplace.Fearingthatthecabmanwouldmistrustsomething,Duroyalightedfromthecabfirstandofferedhishandtotheyoungwoman.Finallyshegotout,butinsilence.Georgesrangthebell,andwhenthedoorwasopened,heaskedtimidly:"WhenshallIseeyouagain?"
Shewhisperedsolowthathecouldbarelyhearher:"Comeandlunchwithmeto-morrow."Withthosewordsshedisappeared.
Duroygavethecabmanafive-francpiece,andturnedawaywithatriumphant,joyfulair.Hehadatlastconqueredamarriedwoman!Awomanoftheworld!AParisian!Howeasyithadbeen!
HewassomewhatnervousthefollowingdayasheascendedMme.deMarelle’sstaircase.Howwouldshereceivehim?Supposesheforbadehimtoenterherhouse?Ifshehadtold—butno,shecouldnottellanythingwithouttellingthewholetruth!Hewasmasterofthesituation!
Thelittlemaid-servantopenedthedoor.Shewasaspleasantasusual.Duroyfeltreassuredandasked:"IsMadamewell?"
"Yes,sir;aswellasshealwaysis,"wasthereply,andhewasusheredintothesalon.Hewalkedtothemantelpiecetoseewhatkindofanappearancehepresented:hewasreadjustinghiscravatwhenhesawinthemirrortheyoungwomanstandingonthethresholdlookingathim.
