Милый друг
The First Intrigue
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Heatehislunch,forwhichhepaidtwofrancsfifty,andonenteringtheofficeof"LaVieFrancaise"herepaidtheporterthethreefrancshehadborrowedfromhim.Heworkeduntilseveno’clock,thenhedined,andhecontinuedtodrawuponthetwentyfrancsuntilonlyfourfrancstwentyremained.HedecidedtosaytoMme.deMarelleuponherarrival:
"Ifoundthetwenty-francpieceyouslippedintomypocket.Iwillnotreturnthemoneyto-day,butIwillrepayyouwhenwenextmeet."
WhenMadamecame,hedarednotbroachthedelicatesubject.TheyspenttheeveningtogetherandappointedtheirnextmeetingforWednesdayofthefollowingweek,forMme.deMarellehadanumberofengagements.DuroycontinuedtoacceptmoneyfromClotildeandquietedhisconsciencebyassuringhimself:"Iwillgiveitbackinalump.Itisnothingbutborrowedmoneyanyway."Sohekeptaccountofallthathereceivedinordertopayitbacksomeday.
Oneevening,Mme.deMarellesaidtohim:"WouldyoubelievethatIhaveneverbeentotheFolies-Bergeres;willyoutakemethere?"
Hehesitated,fearingameetingwithRachel.Thenhethought:"Bah,Iamnotmarriedafterall.Ifsheshouldseeme,shewouldtakeinthesituationandnotaccostme.Moreover,wewouldhaveabox."
Whentheyenteredthehall,itwascrowded;withdifficultytheymadetheirwaytotheirseats.Mme.
