Death and a Proposal

           DuroymovedhiseffectstotheapartmentsinRuedeConstantinople.Twoorthreetimesaweek,Mme.de-Marellepaidhimvisits.Duroy,tocounterbalancethem,dinedatherhouseeveryThursday,anddelightedherhusbandbytalkingagriculturetohim.

           ItwasalmosttheendofFebruary.Duroywasfreefromcare.Onenight,whenhereturnedhome,hefoundaletterunderhisdoor.Heexaminedthepostmark;itwasfromCannes.Havingopenedit,heread:

           "Cannes,VillaJolie."

           "Dearsirandfriend:Youtoldme,didyounot,thatIcouldcountuponyouatanytime?Verywell.Ihaveafavortoaskofyou;itistocomeandhelpme—nottoleavemealoneduringCharles’slastmoments.Hemaynotlivethroughtheweek,althoughheisnotconfinedtohisbed,butthedoctorhaswarnedme.Ihavenotthestrengthnorthecouragetoseethatagonydayandnight,andIthinkwithterroroftheapproachingendIcanonlyasksuchathingofyou,formyhusbandhasnorelatives.Youwerehiscomrade;hehelpedyoutoyourposition;come,Ibegofyou;Ihavenooneelsetoask."

           "Yourfriend,"

           "MadeleineForestier."

           Georgesmurmured:"CertainlyIwillgo.PoorCharles!"

           Themanager,towhomhecommunicatedthecontentsofthatletter,grumblinglygavehisconsent.Herepeated:"Butreturnspeedily,youareindispensabletous."

           GeorgesDuroyleftforCannesthenextdaybytheseveno’clockexpress,afterhavingwarnedMme.