Милий друг
Death and a Proposal
deMarellebytelegram.Hearrivedthefollowingdayatfouro’clockintheafternoon.AcommissionnaireconductedhimtoVillaJolie.Thehousewassmallandlow,andoftheItalianstyleofarchitecture.
Aservantopenedthedoorandcried:"Oh,sir,Madameisawaitingyoupatiently."
Duroyasked:"Howisyourmaster?"
"Notverywell,sir.Hewillnotbeherelong."
Thefloorofthedrawing-roomwhichtheyoungmanenteredwascoveredwithaPersianrug;thelargewindowslookeduponthevillageandthesea.
Duroymurmured:"Howcozyitishere!Wherethedeucedotheygetthemoneyfrom?"
Therustlingofagowncausedhimtoturn.Mme.Forestierextendedbothherhands,saying:
"Howkindofyoutocome."
Shewasatriflepalerandthinner,butstillasbrightasever,andperhapsprettierforbeingmoredelicate.Shewhispered:"Itisterrible—heknowshecannotbesavedandhetyrannizesoverme.Ihavetoldhimofyourarrival.Butwhereisyourtrunk?"
Duroyreplied:"Ileftitatthestation,notknowingwhichhotelyouwouldadvisemetostopat,inordertobenearyou."
Shehesitated,thensaid:"Youmuststophere,atthevilla.Yourchamberisready.Hemightdieanymoment,andifitshouldcomeinthenight,Iwouldbealone.Iwillsendforyourluggage."
Hebowed."Asyouwill.
