Милий друг
The First Intrigue
Hepretendednottohaveseenher,andforseveralmomentstheygazedatoneanotherinthemirror.Thenheturned.Shehadnotmoved;sheseemedtobewaiting.Herushedtowardhercrying:"HowIloveyou!"Heclaspedhertohisbreast.Hethought:"ItiseasierthanIthoughtitwouldbe.Alliswell."Helookedatherwithasmile,withoututteringaword,tryingtoputintohisglanceawealthoflove.Shetoosmiledandmurmured:"Wearealone.IsentLaurinetolunchwithafriend."
Hesighed,andkissingherwristssaid:"Thanks;Iadoreyou."Shetookhisarmasifhehadbeenherhusband,andledhimtoacouch,uponwhichtheyseatedthemselvessidebyside.Duroystammered,incoherently:"Youdonotcareforme."
Shelaidherhanduponhislips."Besilent!"
"HowIloveyou!"saidhe.
Sherepeated:"Besilent!"
Theycouldheartheservantlayingthetableinthedining-room.Herose:"Icannotsitsonearyou.Ishalllosemyhead."
Thedooropened:"Madameisserved!"
Heofferedherhisarmgravely.Theylunchedwithoutknowingwhattheywereeating.Theservantcameandwentwithoutseemingtonoticeanything.Whenthemealwasfinished,theyreturnedtothedrawing-roomandresumedtheirseatsonthecouchsidebyside.Graduallyhedrewnearerherandtriedtoembraceher.
"Becareful,someonemightcomein.
