Милый друг
A Step Upward
Thelatterdidnotreplytohisruderemarks,butdeterminedtobeavenged.HecalleduponMme.Forestier.Hefoundherreclininguponacouch,reading.Sheheldoutherhandwithoutrisingandsaid:"Goodmorning,Bel-Ami!"
"Whydoyoucallmebythatname?"
Sherepliedwithasmile:"IsawMme.deMarellelastweekandIknowwhattheyhavechristenedyouatherhouse."
Hetookaseatnearhishostessandglancedathercuriously;shewasacharmingblonde,fairandplump,madeforcaresses,andhethought:"Sheiscertainlynicerthantheotherone."Hedidnotdoubtthathewouldonlyhavetoextendhishandinordertogatherthefruit.Ashegazeduponhershechidedhimforhisneglectofher.
Hereplied:"Ididnotcomebecauseitwasforthebest—"
"How?Why?"
"Why?Canyounotguess?"
"No!"
"BecauseIlovedyou;alittle,onlyalittle,andIdidnotwishtoloveyouanymore."
Shedidnotseemsurprised,norflattered;shesmiledindifferentlyandrepliedcalmly:"Oh,youcancomejustthesame;noonelovesmelong."
"Whynot?"
"Becauseitisuseless,andItellthemsoatonce.Ifyouhadconfessedyourfearstomesooner,Iwouldhavereassuredyou.Mydearfriend,amaninloveisnotonlyfoolishbutdangerous.
