Милый друг
The First Intrigue
"
Atfiveo’clockpreciselyheenteredalargefurnishedhouseandaskedthejanitor:"HasMme.Duroyhiredaroomhere?"
"Yes,sir."
"Willyoushowmetoit,ifyouplease?"
Theman,accustomednodoubttosituationsinwhichitwasnecessarytobeprudent,lookedhimstraightintheeyes;thenselectingakey,heasked:"AreyouM.Duroy?"
"Certainly."
Heopenedasmallsuite,comprisingtworoomsonthegroundfloor.
Duroythoughtuneasily:"Thiswillcostafortune.Ishallhavetorunintodebt.Shehasdoneaveryfoolishthing."
ThedooropenedandClotilderushedin.Shewasenchanted."Isitnotfine?Therearenostairstoclimb;itisonthegroundfloor!Onecouldcomeandgothroughthewindowwithouttheporterseeingone."
Heembracedhernervously,notdaringtoaskthequestionthathovereduponhislips.Shehadplacedalargepackageonthestandinthecenteroftheroom.Openingitshetookoutatabletofsoap,abottleofLubin’sextract,asponge,aboxofhairpins,abutton-hook,andcurling-tongs.Thensheamusedherselfbyfindingplacesinwhichtoputthem.
Shetalkedincessantlyassheopenedthedrawers:"Imustbringsomelineninordertohaveachange.Weshalleachhaveakey,besidestheoneatthelodge,incaseweshouldforgetours.Irentedtheapartmentsforthreemonths—inyourname,ofcourse,forIcouldnotgivemine.
