Милий друг
The First Intrigue
Thenshefelluponhisbreast:"Oh,mypoordarling!HadIknown!Howdidithappen?"
Heinventedatouchingstorytothiseffect:Thathisfatherwasinstraitenedcircumstances,thathehadgivenhimnotonlyhissavings,buthadrunhimselfintodebt.
"Ishallhavetostarveforthenextsixmonths."
"ShallIlendyousome?"shewhispered.
Herepliedwithdignity:"Youareverykind,dearest;butdonotmentionthatagain;itwoundsme."
Shemurmured:"YouwillneverknowhowmuchIloveyou."Ontakingleaveofhim,sheasked:"Shallwemeetagainthedayafterto-morrow?"
"Certainly."
"Atthesametime?"
"Yes,mydarling."
Theyparted.
WhenDuroyopenedhisbedroomdoorandfumbledinhisvestpocketforamatch,hewasamazedtofindinitapieceofmoney—atwenty-francpiece!Atfirsthewonderedbywhatmiracleithadgotthere;suddenlyitoccurredtohimthatMme.deMarellehadgivenhimalms!Angryandhumiliated,hedeterminedtoreturnitwhennexttheymet.Thenextmorningitwaslatewhenheawoke;hetriedtoovercomehishunger.Hewentoutandashepassedtherestaurantshecouldscarcelyresisttheirtemptations.Atnoonhesaid:"Bah,IshalllunchuponClotilde’stwentyfrancs;thatwillnothindermefromreturningthemoneyto-morrow.
