The First Intrigue

           Twomonthselapsed.ItwasSeptember.ThefortunewhichDuroyhadhopedtomakesorapidlyseemedtohimslowincoming.Aboveallhewasdissatisfiedwiththemediocrityofhisposition;hewasappreciated,butwastreatedaccordingtohisrank.Forestierhimselfnolongerinvitedhimtodinner,andtreatedhimasaninferior.OftenhehadthoughtofmakingMme.Forestieravisit,buttheremembranceoftheirlastmeetingrestrainedhim.Mme.deMarellehadinvitedhimtocall,saying:"Iamalwaysathomeaboutthreeo’clock."Sooneafternoon,whenhehadnothingtodo,heproceededtowardherhouse.ShelivedonRueVerneuil,onthefourthfloor.Amaidansweredhissummons,andsaid:"Yes,Madameisathome,butIdonotknowwhethershehasrisen."SheconductedDuroyintothedrawing-room,whichwaslarge,poorlyfurnished,andsomewhatuntidy.Theshabby,threadbarechairswererangedalongthewallsaccordingtotheservant’sfancy,fortherewasnotatracevisibleofthecareofawomanwholovesherhome.Duroytookaseatandwaitedsometime.ThenadooropenedandMme.deMarelleenteredhastily,cladinaJapanesedressing-gown.Sheexclaimed:

           "Howkindofyoutocometoseeme.Iwaspositiveyouhadforgottenme."Sheheldoutherhandtohimwithagestureofdelight;andDuroy,quiteathiseaseinthatshabbyapartment,kisseditashehadseenNorbertdeVarennedo.

           Examininghimfromheadtofoot,shecried:"Howyouhavechanged!Well;tellmethenews.