Милий друг
A Step Upward
deMarelle’sstaircase,hefeltstrangelytroubled;notthathedislikedtotakeherhusband’shand,drinkhiswine,andeathisbread,buthedreadedsomething,heknewnotwhat.Hewasusheredintothesalonandhewaitedasusual.Thenthedooropened,andatallmanwithawhitebeard,graveandprecise,advancedtowardhimandsaidcourteously:
"Mywifehasoftenspokenofyou,sir;Iamcharmedtomakeyouracquaintance."
Duroytriedtoappearcordialandshookhishost’sprofferedhandwithexaggeratedenergy.M.deMarelleputaloguponthefireandasked:
"Haveyoubeenengagedinjournalismalongtime?"
Duroyreplied:"Onlyafewmonths."Hisembarrassmentwearingoff,hebegantoconsiderthesituationveryamusing.HegazedatM.deMarelle,seriousanddignified,andfeltadesiretolaughaloud.AtthatmomentMme.deMarelleenteredandapproachedDuroy,whointhepresenceofherhusbanddarednotkissherhand.Laurineenterednext,andofferedherbrowtoGeorges.Hermothersaidtoher:
"YoudonotcallM.DuroyBel-Amito-day."
Thechildblushedasifitwereagrossindiscretiontorevealhersecret.
WhentheForestiersarrived,DuroywasstartledatCharles’sappearance.Hehadgrownthinnerandpalerinaweekandcoughedincessantly;hesaidtheywouldleaveforCannesonthefollowingThursdayatthedoctor’sorders.
