Милый друг

           "No;what?"

           "Howtheyinsultedme?"

           "Who?"

           "Thosemiserablepeoplebelow."

           "Why,no;whatisit?Tellme."

           Shesobbedandcouldnotspeak.Hewasforcedtoplaceheruponhisbedandtolayadampclothuponhertemples.Whenshegrewcalmer,angersucceededheragitation.ShewantedDuroytogodownstairsatonce,tofightthem,tokillthem.

           Hereplied:"Theyareworking-people.Justthink,itwouldbenecessarytogotocourtwhereyouwouldberecognized;onemustnotcompromiseoneselfwithsuchpeople."

           Shesaid:"Whatshallwedo?Icannotcomehereagain."

           Hereplied:"Thatisverysimple.Iwillmove."

           Shemurmured:"Yes,butthatwilltakesometime."

           Suddenlyshesaid:"Listentome,Ihavefoundameans;donotworryaboutit.Iwillsendyoua‘littleblue’to-morrowmorning."Shecalledatelegrama"littleblue."

           Shesmiledwithdelightatherplans,whichshewouldnotreveal.Shewas,however,verymuchaffectedasshedescendedthestaircaseandleanedwithallherstrengthuponherlover’sarm.Theymetnoone.

           Hewasstillinbedthefollowingmorningwhenthepromisedtelegramwashandedhim.Duroyopeneditandread:

           "Comeatfiveo’clocktoRuedeConstantinople,No.127.AskfortheroomrentedbyMme.Duroy.CLO.