Милий друг
A Step Upward
Hepassedthroughtwodrawing-roomsandenteredasmallboudoirinwhichfourladiesweregatheredaroundatea-table.NotwithstandingtheassurancehehadgainedduringhislifeinParis,andespeciallysincehehadbeenthrownincontactwithsomanynotedpersonages,Duroyfeltabashed.Hestammered:
"Madame,Itooktheliberty."
Themistressofthehouseextendedherhandandsaidtohim:"Youareverykind,M.Duroy,tocometoseeme."Shepointedtoachair.Theladieschattedon.Visitorscameandwent.Mme.WalternoticedthatDuroysaidnothing,thatnooneaddressedhim,thatheseemeddisconcerted,andshedrewhimintotheconversationwhichdealtwiththeadmissionofacertainM.LinettotheAcademy.WhenDuroyhadtakenhisleave,oneoftheladiessaid:"Howoddheis!Whoishe?"
Mme.Walterreplied:"Oneofourreporters;heonlyoccupiesaminorposition,butIthinkhewilladvancerapidly."
Inthemeantime,whilehewasbeingdiscussed,DuroywalkedgailydownBoulevardMalesherbes.
Thefollowingweekhewasappointededitorofthe"Echoes,"andinvitedtodineatMme.Walter’s.The"Echoes"were,M.Waltersaid,theverypithofthepaper.Everythingandeverybodyshouldberemembered,allcountries,allprofessions,Parisandtheprovinces,thearmy,thearts,theclergy,theschools,therulers,andthecourtiers.
