Милый друг
The First Intrigue
Theydiscussedascandalwhichwasbeingcirculatedaboutasocietybelle.Forestierwasverymuchamusedbyit.Duroysaidwithasmile:"Howmanywouldabandonthemselvestoacaprice,adreamoflove,iftheydidnotfearthattheywouldpayforabriefhappinesswithtearsandanirremediablescandal?"
Bothwomenglancedathimapprovingly.Forestiercriedwithascepticallaugh:"Thepoorhusbands!"Thentheytalkedoflove.Duroysaid:"WhenIloveawoman,everythingelseintheworldisforgotten."
Mme.Forestiermurmured:,"Thereisnohappinesscomparabletothatfirstclaspofthehand,whenoneasks:‘Doyouloveme?’andtheotherreplies:‘Yes,Iloveyou.’"Mme.deMarellecriedgailyasshedrankaglassofchampagne:"IamlessPlatonic."
Forestier,lyinguponthecouch,saidinserioustone:"Thatfranknessdoesyouhonorandprovesyoutobeapracticalwoman.Butmightoneask,whatisM.deMarelle’sopinion?"
Sheshruggedhershouldersdisdainfullyandsaid:"M.deMarellehasnoopiniononthatsubject."
Theconversationgrewslow.Mme.deMarelleseemedtoofferprovocationbyherremarks,whileMme.Forestier’scharmingreserve,themodestyinhervoice,inhersmile,allseemedtoextenuatetheboldsallieswhichissuedfromherlips.Thedessertcameandthenfollowedthecoffee.Thehostessandherguestslightedcigarettes,butForestiersuddenlybegantocough.
