understanding, was established between those two beings alike in character and kind. Suddenly the young woman said in surprise: 'It is astonishing how I feel with you. It seems to me as if I had known you ten years. We shall undoubtedly become good friends; would that please you?'
He replied: 'Certainly,' with a smile more expressive than words. He thought her very bewitching in her pretty gown. When near Mme. Forestier, whose impassive, gracious smile attracted yet held at a distance, and seemed to say: 'I like you, yet take care,' he felt a desire to cast himself at her feet, or to kiss the hem of her garment. When near Mme. de Marelle, he felt a more passionate desire.
A gentle rap came at the door through which Mme. de Marelle had entered, and she cried: 'You may come in, my darling.'
The child entered, advanced to Duroy and offered him her hand. The astonished mother murmured: 'That is a conquest.' The young man, having kissed the child, seated her by his side, and with a serious air questioned her as to what she had done since they last met. She replied in a flute-like voice and with the manner of a woman. The clock struck three; the journalist rose.
'Come often,' said Mme. de Marelle; 'it has been a pleasant causerie. I shall always be glad to welcome you. Why do I never meet you at the Forestiers?'
'For no particular reason. I am very busy. I hope, however, that we shall meet there one of these days.'
In the course of a few days he paid another visit to the enchantress. The maid ushered him into the drawing-room and Laurine soon entered; she offered him not her hand but her forehead, and said: 'Mamma wishes me to ask you to wait for her about fifteen minutes, for she is not dressed. I will keep you company.'
Duroy, who was amused at the child's ceremonious manner, replied: 'Indeed, Mademoiselle, I shall be enchanted to spend a quarter of an hour with you.' When the mother entered they were in the midst of an exciting game, and Mme. de Marelle paused in amazement, crying: 'Laurine playing? You are a sorcerer, sir!' He placed the child, whom he had caught in his arms, upon the floor, kissed the lady's hand, and they seated themselves, the child between them. They tried to converse, but Laurine, usually so silent, monopolized the conversation, and her mother was compelled to send her to her room.
When they were alone, Mme. de Marelle lowered her voice and said: 'I have a great project. It is this: As I dine every week at the Foresters', I return it from time to time by inviting them to a restaurant. I do not like to have company at home; I am not so situated that I can have any. I know nothing about housekeeping or cooking. I prefer a life free from care; therefore I invite them to the cafe occasionally; but it is not lively when we are only three. I am telling you this in order to explain such an informal gathering. I should like you to be present at our Saturdays at the Cafe Riche at seven-thirty. Do you know the house?'
Duroy accepted gladly. He left her in a transport of delight and impatiently awaited the day of the dinner. He was the first to arrive at the place appointed and was shown into a small private room, in which the table was laid for four; that table looked very inviting with its colored glasses, silver, and candelabra.
Duroy seated himself upon a low bench. Forestier entered and shook hands with him with a cordiality he never evinced at the office.
'The two ladies will come together,' said he. 'These dinners are truly delightful.'
Very soon the door opened and Mesdames Forestier and De Marelle appeared, heavily veiled, surrounded by the charming mystery necessary to a rendezvous in a place so public. As Duroy greeted the former, she took him to task for not having been to see her; then she added with a smile: 'Ah, you prefer Mme. de Marelle; the time passes more pleasantly with her.'
When the waiter handed the wine-list to Forestier, Mme. de Marelle exclaimed: 'Bring the gentle-men whatever they want; as for us, we want nothing but champagne.'
Forestier, who seemed not to have heard her, asked: 'Do you object to my closing the window? My cough has troubled me for several days.'
'Not at all.'
His wife did not speak. The various courses were duly served and then the guests began to chat. They discussed a scandal which was being circulated about a society belle. Forestier was very much amused by it. Duroy said with a smile: 'How many would abandon themselves to a caprice, a dream of love, if they did not fear that they would pay for a brief happiness with tears and an irremediable scandal?'
Both women glanced at him approvingly. Forestier cried with a sceptical laugh: 'The poor husbands!' Then they talked of love. Duroy said: 'When I love a woman, everything else in the world is forgotten.'
Mme. Forestier murmured:, 'There is no happiness comparable to that first clasp of the hand, when one asks: 'Do you love me?' and the other replies: 'Yes, I love you.'' Mme. de Marelle cried gaily as she drank a glass of champagne: 'I am less Platonic.'
Forestier, lying upon the couch, said in serious tone: 'That frankness does you honor and proves you to be a practical woman. But might one ask, what is M. de Marelle's opinion?'
She shrugged her shoulders disdainfully and said: 'M. de Marelle has no opinion on that subject.'
The conversation grew slow. Mme. de Marelle seemed to offer provocation by her remarks, while Mme. Forestier's charming reserve, the modesty in her voice, in her smile, all seemed to extenuate the bold sallies which issued from her lips. The dessert came and then followed the coffee. The hostess and her guests lighted cigarettes, but Forestier suddenly began to cough. When the attack was over, he growled angrily: 'These parties are not good for me; they are stupid. Let us go home.'
Mme. de Marelle summoned the waiter and asked for her bill. She tried to read it, but the figures danced before her eyes; she handed the paper to Duroy.
'Here, pay it for me; I cannot see.' At the same time, she put her purse in his hand.
The total was one hundred and thirty francs. Duroy glanced at the bill and when it was settled, whispered: 'How much shall I give the waiter?'
'Whatever you like; I do not know.'
He laid five francs upon the plate and handed the purse to its owner, saying: 'Shall I escort you home?'
'Certainly; I am unable to find the house.'
They shook hands with the Forestiers and were soon rolling along in a cab side by side. Duroy could think of nothing to say; he felt impelled to clasp her in his arms. 'If I should dare, what would she do?' thought he. The recollection of their conversation at dinner emboldened, but the fear of scandal restrained him. Mme. de Marelle reclined silently in her corner. He would have thought her asleep, had he not seen her eyes glisten whenever a ray of light penetrated the dark recesses of the carriage. Of what was she thinking? Suddenly she moved her foot, nervously, impatiently. That movement caused him to tremble, and turning quickly, he cast himself upon her, seeking her lips with his. She uttered a cry, attempted to repulse him and then yielded to his caresses as if she had not the strength to resist.
The carriage stopped at her door, but she did not rise; she did not move, stunned by what had just taken place. Fearing that the cabman would mistrust something, Duroy alighted from the cab first and offered his hand to the young woman. Finally she got out, but in silence. Georges rang the bell, and when the door was opened, he asked timidly: 'When shall I see you again?'
She whispered so low that he could barely hear her: 'Come and lunch with me to-morrow.' With those words she disappeared.
Duroy gave the cabman a five-franc piece, and turned away with a triumphant, joyful air. He had at last conquered a married woman! A woman of the world! A Parisian! How easy it had been!
He was somewhat nervous the following day as he ascended Mme. de Marelle's staircase. How would she receive him? Suppose she forbade him to enter her house? If she had told--but no, she could not tell anything without telling the whole truth! He was master of the situation!
The little maid-servant opened the door. She was as pleasant as usual. Duroy felt reassured and asked: 'Is Madame well?'
'Yes, sir; as well as she always is,' was the reply, and he was ushered into the salon. He walked to the mantelpiece to see what kind of an appearance he presented: he was readjusting his cravat when he saw in the mirror the young woman standing on the threshold looking at him. He pretended not to have seen her, and for several moments they gazed at one another in the mirror. Then he turned. She had not moved; she seemed to be waiting. He rushed toward her crying: 'How I love you!' He clasped her to his breast. He thought: 'It is easier than I thought it would be. All is well.' He looked at her with a smile, without uttering a word, trying to put into his glance a wealth of love. She too smiled and murmured: 'We are alone. I sent Laurine to lunch with a friend.'
