Милый друг

           "

           "Anditistobeasecretbetweenus—notawordtoyourfatherormother."

           "Notaword."

           Rivalapproachedthemsaying:"Mademoiselle,yourfatherwantsyouintheballroom."

           Shesaid:"Come,Bel-Ami,"butherefused,forhehaddecidedtoleaveatonce,wishingtobealonewithhisthoughts.Hewentinsearchofhiswife,andfoundherdrinkingchocolateatthebuffetwithtwostrangemen.Sheintroducedherhusbandwithoutnamingthem.

           Inashortwhile,heasked:"Shallwego?"

           "Wheneveryoulike."

           Shetookhisarmandtheypassedthroughthealmostdesertedrooms.

           Madeleineasked:"WhereisMme.Walter;Ishouldliketobidhergood-bye."

           "Itisunnecessary.Shewouldtrytokeepusintheballroom,andIhavehadenough."

           "Youareright."

           Onthewayhometheydidnotspeak.Butwhentheyhadenteredtheirroom,Madeleine,withouteventakingoffherveil,saidtohimwithasmile:"Ihaveasurpriseforyou."

           Hegrowledill-naturedly:"Whatisit?"

           "Guess."

           "Icannotmaketheeffort."

           "Thedayafterto-morrowisthefirstofJanuary."

           "Yes."

           "ItistheseasonforNewYear’sgifts."

           "Yes."

           "Hereisyours,whichLarochehandedmejustnow."Shegavehimasmallblackboxwhichresembledajewel-casket.