Милый друг

           Thinkofmydaughters!"

           "ThentellmewhereIcanmeetyou—inthestreet—itmattersnotwhere—atanyhouryouwish—providedthatIcanseeyou.Iwillgreetyou;Iwillsay,Iloveyou;andthengoaway."

           Shehesitated,almostdistracted.Asthecoupestoppedatthedoor,shewhisperedhastily:"IwillbeatLaTriniteto-morrow,athalfpastthree."

           Afteralighting,shesaidtohercoachman:"TakeM.duRoyhome."

           Whenhereturned,hiswifeasked:"Wherehaveyoubeen?"

           Herepliedinalowvoice:"Ihavebeentosendanimportanttelegram."

           Mme.deMarelleapproachedhim:"Youmusttakemehome,Bel-Ami;youknowthatIonlydinesofarfromhomeonthatcondition."TurningtoMadeleine,sheasked:"Youarenotjealous?"

           Mme.duRoyrepliedslowly:"No,notatall."

           Theguestsdeparted.Clotilde,envelopedinlaces,whisperedtoMadeleineatthedoor:"Yourdinnerwasperfect.InashortwhileyouwillhavethebestpoliticalsaloninParis."

           WhenshewasalonewithGeorges,shesaid:"Oh,mydarlingBel-Ami,Iloveyoumoredearlyeveryday."

           Thecabrolledon,andGeorges’thoughtswerewithMme.Walter.