Милий друг

           "

           Hewhispered:"WhencanIseeyoualonetotellyouhowIloveyou?"

           Sheleanedtowardhimandsaidsoftly:"Iwillpayyouavisitoneofthesedays."

           Hecolored."Myrooms—are—are—verymodest."

           Shesmiled:"Thatmakesnodifference.Ishallcometoseeyouandnotyourrooms."

           Heurgedhertotellhimwhenshewouldcome.Shefixedadayinthefollowingweek,whilehebesoughtherwithglowingeyestohastentheday.Shewasamusedtoseehimimploresoardentlyandyieldedadayatatime.Herepeated:"To-morrow,say—to-morrow."Finallysheconsented."Yes,to-morrowatfiveo’clock."

           Hedrewadeepbreath;thentheychattedtogetherascalmlyasiftheyhadknownoneanotherfortwentyyears.Aringcausedthemtostart;theyseparated.Shemurmured:"ItisLaurine."

           Thechildentered,pausedinsurprise,thenrantowardDuroyclappingherhands,delightedtoseehim,andcrying:"Ah,‘Bel-Ami!’"

           Mme.deMarellelaughed."Bel-Ami!Laurinehaschristenedyou.Itisaprettyname.IshallcallyouBel-Ami,too!"

           Hetookthechilduponhisknee.Attwentyminutesofthreeherosetogototheoffice;atthehalf-opendoorhewhispered:"To-morrow,fiveo’clock."Theyoungwomanreplied:"Yes,"withasmileanddisappeared.

           Afterhehadfinishedhisjournalisticwork,hetriedtorenderhisapartmentsmorefittoreceivehisexpectedvisitor.