Милий друг
A Duel with an End
Heowns,however,thatawomannamedAubertexists,andthatshewastakenbeforeamagistratebyanagent.Twowordsonlyremaintobeaddedtotheword‘agent,’whichare‘ofmorals’andallistold.Buttheconsciencesofcertainjournalistsareonaparwiththeirtalents."
"Isignmyself,LouisLangremont."
Georges’sheartthrobbedviolently,andhereturnedhomeinordertodresshimself.Hehadbeeninsultedandinsuchamannerthatitwasimpossibletohesitate.Whyhadhebeeninsulted?Fornothing!Onaccountofanoldwomanwhohadquarreledwithherbutcher.
HedressedhastilyandrepairedtoM.Walter’shouse,althoughitwasscarcelyeighto’clock.M.Walterwasreading"LaPlume."
"Well,"hesaidgravely,onperceivingDuroy,"youcannotletthatpass."Theyoungmandidnotreply.
Themanagercontinued:"GoatonceinsearchofRival,whowilllookafteryourinterests."
DuroystammeredseveralvaguewordsandsetoutforRival’shouse.Jacqueswasstillinbed,butherosewhenthebellrang,andhavingreadtheinsultingparagraph,said:"Whomwouldyouliketohavebesidesme?"
"Idonotknow."
"Boisrenard?"
"Yes."
"Areyouagoodswordsman?"
"No."
"Agoodshot?"
"Ihaveusedapistolagooddeal."
"Good!ComeandexercisewhileIattendtoeverything.Waitamoment.
