Divorce

           Duringtheremainderofthewinter,theDuRoysoftenvisitedtheWalters.Georges,too,frequentlydinedtherealone,Madeleinepleadingfatigueandpreferringtoremainathome.HehadchosenFridayashisday,andMme.Walterneverinvitedanyoneelseonthatevening;itbelongedtoBel-Ami.Ofteninadarkcornerorbehindatreeintheconservatory,Mme.Walterembracedtheyoungmanandwhisperedinhisear:"Iloveyou,Iloveyou!Iloveyoudesperately!"

           Buthealwaysrepulsedhercoldly,saying:"Ifyoupersistinthat,Iwillnotcomeagain."

           TowardtheendofMarchpeopletalkedofthemarriageofthetwosisters:Rosewastomarry,DameRumorsaid,CountdeLatour-IvelinandSuzanne,theMarquisdeCazolles.ThesubjectofSuzanne’spossiblemarriagehadnotbeenbroachedagainbetweenherandGeorgesuntilonemorning,thelatterhavingbeenbroughthomebyM.Waltertolunch,hewhisperedtoSuzanne:"Come,letusgivethefishsomebread."

           Theyproceededtotheconservatoryinwhichwasthemarblebasincontainingthefish.AsGeorgesandSuzanneleanedoveritsedge,theysawtheirreflectionsinthewaterandsmiledatthem.Suddenly,hesaidinalowvoice:"Itisnotrightofyoutokeepsecretsfromme,Suzanne."

           Sheasked:

           "Whatsecrets,Bel-Ami?"

           "Doyourememberwhatyoupromisedmeherethenightofthefete?"

           "No."

           "Toconsultmeeverytimeyoureceivedaproposal.