Милый друг

           Hefanciedhesawinhersmile,inhervoice,inherwords,akindofinvitation,andalthoughhehadresolvednottohastenmatters,hestammered:

           "Well—why—whydoyounotresume—thatprofession—under—thenameofDuroy?"

           Shebecamesuddenlyserious,andplacingherhandonhisarm,shesaid:"Donotletusspeakofthatyet."

           Diviningthatshewouldaccepthim,hefelluponhisknees,andpassionatelykissedherhands,saying:

           "Thankyou—thankyou—howIloveyou."

           Sherose,shewasverypale.Duroykissedherbrow.Whenshehaddisengagedherselffromhisembrace,shesaidgravely:"Listen,myfriend,Ihavenotyetfullydecided;butmyanswermaybe‘yes.’Youmustwaitpatiently,however,untilIdisclosethesecrettoyou."

           Hepromisedandlefther,hisheartoverflowingwithjoy.Heworkedsteadily,spentlittle,triedtosavesomemoneythathemightnotbewithoutasouatthetimeofhismarriage,andbecameasmiserlyashehadoncebeenprodigal.Summerglidedby;thenautumn,andnoonesuspectedthetieexistingbetweenDuroyandMme.Forestier,fortheyseldommetinpublic.

           OneeveningMadeleinesaidtohim:"YouhavenotyettoldMme.deMarelleourplans?"

           "No,mydear;asyouwishedthemkeptsecret,Ihavenotmentionedthemtoasoul."

           "Verywell;thereisplentyoftime.IwilltelltheWalters.