Милий друг
The First Intrigue
deMarelledidnotlookatthestage;shewasinterestedinwatchingthewomenwhowerepromenading,andshefeltanirresistibledesiretotouchthem,toseeofwhatthosebeingsweremade.Suddenlyshesaid:
"Thereisalargebrunettewhostaresatusallthetime.Ithinkeveryminuteshewillspeaktous.Haveyouseenher?"
Hereplied:"No,youaremistaken."
Hetoldanuntruth,forhehadnoticedthewoman,whowasnootherthanRachel,withangerinhereyesandviolentwordsuponherlips.
DuroyhadpassedherwhenheandMme.deMarelleenteredandshehadsaidtohim:"Goodevening,"inalowvoiceandwithawinkwhichsaid"Iunderstand."Buthehadnotreplied;forfearofbeingseenbyhissweethearthepassedhercoldly,disdainfully.Thewoman,herjealousyaroused,followedthecoupleandsaidinalouderkey:"Goodevening,Georges."Hepaidnoheedtoher.Thenshewasdeterminedtoberecognizedandsheremainedneartheirbox,awaitingafavorablemoment.WhenshesawthatshewasobservedbyMme.deMarelle,shetouchedDuroy’sshoulderwiththetipofherfinger,andsaid:
"Goodevening.Howareyou?"
ButGeorgesdidnotturnhishead.
Shecontinued:"HaveyougrowndeafsinceThursday?"
Stillhedidnotreply.
