beautiful friend

Chapter 19

Didn't she call him in the crisis?Why didn't she look for someone else, but him?Shouldn't it be considered a choice and a default?When she was about to become a widow, she thought of him, wasn't it because he had become her future partner and ally in her heart?
Desperate to know everything, Duroy wanted to ask her what she thought.He was going back to Paris the day after tomorrow, and he could no longer be alone in this house with her.Therefore, before departure, he must seize the time to formulate her ideas subtly and implicitly; lest she agree to other people's requests after returning to Paris, causing an irreparable situation.

There was silence in the room, only the clock on the fireplace made a rhythmic "tick" sound.Duroy asked softly, "You must be very tired, right?"

Madame Forestier replied: "Yes, I am exhausted."

In the eerie room, the voices of the two people were talking very loudly; they couldn't help being startled, and they looked at the dead man in unison, as if the dead man would hear their conversation and react, just like a few hours ago Duroy continued: "Alas! This incident has hit you hard. It has not only changed your life completely, but it has also left you physically and mentally exhausted."

Madame Forestier sighed and said nothing.

Duroy added:

"It is very pitiful for a young woman like you to be alone from now on."

At this point, he paused for a moment; seeing that Mrs. Forestier still did not speak, he continued: "Anyway, you know that we have something to say first. I am at your service at any time, and I belong to you." Madame Forestier held out her hand to him, and gave him a melancholy and tender glance that was ecstatic. "Thank you, you are such a good man. If I have the courage and can do something for you, I will also say to you: Please believe me."

Duroy grabbed her extended hand and held it tightly, wanting to kiss it.Finally, he made up his mind, and slowly brought this small hand with delicate skin, warm and fragrant fragrance to his lips, and kissed for a long time.

Later, he felt that the duration of this closeness between friends seemed a little too long, so he let go of her hand.Madame Forestier gently put her hands back on her knees, and said calmly: "Yes, from now on, I will be alone. However, I will face everything bravely."

Duroy really didn't know how to tell her that he was willing to marry her.He couldn't say these things to her at this time, on this occasion, in front of her husband's body.However, he always felt that he could give her a hint of what he wanted by hinting at it with subtle and decent words.

The stiff corpse in front of him was lying between them, which made him feel very uncomfortable.At the same time, there was a strange smell in the cloudy and dull air.Those relatives who were watching the spirit were the first to smell the rotten stench from the chest cavity of the deceased.After the body is buried, the smell will fill the whole coffin.

Duroy asked: "Can you open the window a little? The air in the room doesn't seem to be very good."

Madame Forestier replied, "Yes. I feel it too."

Duroy went to the window and pushed it open.The cool night air blew in with a hint of fragrance.The two clusters of candles by the bed were flickered by the blowing.Just like the night before, the moonlight outside the window was bright; the walls of the villas looked extraordinarily white, and the sea in the distance was sparkling.Duroy took a deep breath, the upcoming happiness filled his heart with hope.

He turned and said to Madame Forestier: "Come here for some fresh air! It's a fine day!"

Madame Forestier walked over silently and leaned on the window sill beside him.

Duroy said in a low voice: "I have something to say to you, I hope you can understand. Maybe I shouldn't say this at this time, but please don't be angry, because I will leave here the day after tomorrow and wait for you to come back Paris, I'm afraid it's too late. It's like this... You know, I'm a pauper with no property and no status. But I believe that I am a man of perseverance and talent, and I am working hard and have a bright future. It's bright. With a successful person, all you see is what is in front of you. With someone who is just starting out, the future is unpredictable. Maybe bad, maybe it will be better. Don't know if you remember me once in I said it in your family, my biggest dream is to marry a wife like you. I say it to you again today. Please don't answer me now, let me continue. I am not courting you now, at this moment It is a disgraceful request. I just want you to know that my happiness depends on your thoughts. You can choose me to be your brother-in-law friend or your husband as you wish. In short, my heart and My person is completely yours. I don't want you to answer me now, I don't want to talk about it here. Let me know your decision when we meet again in Paris. Until then, we will not say a word , okay?"

Duroy finished speaking in one breath without even looking at her, as if the words were spoken to the vast night outside the window.Madame Forestier stood motionless as if she hadn't heard anything, staring blankly at the vast moonlit land outside the window.

They just stood side by side, silent, lost in thought.

After a while, Madame Forestier murmured, "It's getting colder," and turned and went to the bed.Duroy also followed her.

As he approached the bed, the rotten smell became stronger.Duroy couldn't stand the smell, so he had to pull the chair back a little.He said to Madame Forestier: "It must be buried tomorrow morning."

The other party replied: "Yes. The carpenter will arrive at eight o'clock in the morning."

Duroy sighed: "Poor man!" Madame Forestier also sighed helplessly with a sad face.

The two stopped looking at the corpse frequently, although not so long ago they had been resentful and frustrated by Forestier's death.

Now, they have gradually gotten used to it, not to mention they will die one day.

The two stopped talking and began to vigil for the dead in a serious manner.At midnight, Duroy finally couldn't help falling asleep.When he awoke, he found that Madame Forestier had also fallen asleep.He changed to a more comfortable position, closed his eyes again, and muttered: "Damn! It's still comfortable in the bed!"

A sudden noise outside the door woke Duroy from his sleep.The nurse came in from the door.At this time, the sky is bright.Madame Forestier, sitting opposite, seemed to be awakened just like him.Although she had sat all night and her face was a little pale, she still looked radiant.

Duroy looked at the corpse and couldn't help but tremble; he yelled: "Look, his beard!" The corpse had already begun to rot, and the beard had grown a lot overnight, as long as a living person in a few days almost.Although a person dies, his life continues, as if he is going to be resurrected.Facing such an extraordinary and terrifying sight, they looked at each other, too frightened to utter a word.

Afterwards, Duroy and Madame Forestier went to bed respectively.They didn't put Charlie in the coffin until eleven o'clock at noon.Afterwards, the two felt relieved.They sat face to face at lunch, eager to find something light and pleasant to talk about; now that the death of the deceased was settled, they too should resume their normal lives.

The windows are open, and the soft spring breeze blows the fragrance of carnations blooming in front of the door from time to time.

Madame Forestier suggested going for a walk.So the two came to the garden and took a leisurely walk around a small lawn; breathing the warm air full of the fragrance of fir and eucalyptus, they felt refreshed.

Madame Forestier suddenly spoke, in a low and serious voice.Just like when Duroy spoke last night, she didn't look at him.

"Listen to me, dear friend. I have... seriously considered... your suggestion yesterday. I don't want you to leave here without any answer. However, I will not immediately answer 'yes' or 'no' '. We should wait a little longer, take a look, and get to know you better. Please do not make a decision lightly. The reason I am speaking to you before poor Charlie is buried is because since you have brought it up , I feel that it is necessary to let you know what kind of person I am. If you can’t understand and accept it, you can take back your words as soon as possible.”

"You have to understand that marriage is not a bondage for me, but a combination. I need absolute freedom to go out, socialize and move, and cannot bear any surveillance, suspicion and criticism. Of course I can guarantee that I will not let my Husband's reputation will be damaged, and it will not make him a laughing stock. At the same time, my husband must treat me as an equal, and treat me as an ally, not an inferior, docile wife. I Knowing that I think differently than a lot of people, but I'm not going to change, that's what I'm going to say."

"One last thing to add, please don't answer me immediately. The current answer is always thoughtless and useless. We will have a good talk when we meet next time."

"Now, go around again, I'm going to keep the vigil. See you tonight."

Duroy took her hand, kissed it for a long time, and then left without a word.

They didn't meet again until dinner time.Since both of them were exhausted, they went back to their rooms to rest after the meal.

The next day, Charlie Forestier was summarily buried in a cemetery in Cannes.Georges Duroy decided to take the express train back to Paris that passed through Cannes at 01:30 noon that day.

Madame Forestier took him to the station.The two walked back and forth leisurely on the platform, chatting some irrelevant words while waiting for the train to arrive.

At last the train arrived, a veritable express train with only five carriages.

After Duroy got in the car to find a seat, he got out of the car and chatted with Madame Forestier.Thinking of leaving her soon, Duroy suddenly felt sad and lost, as if he would never see her again.

At this time, the voice of the train conductor came: "Passengers going to Marseilles, Lyon and Paris, please get on the train." Duroy got on the train, and then leaned against the window and said a few words to Mrs. Forestier .With the sound of a whistle, the train moved forward slowly.

Duroy leaned out from the carriage and saw Madame Forestier standing on the platform, watching him go away.Seeing that she was about to disappear from sight, Duroy hurriedly put his hand on his mouth and blew a kiss to her.Madame Forestier hesitated and blew a kiss back.However, her movements were not obvious, just a slight movement of her fingers.

Georges Duroy began to recover his old life.

He now lived in a small apartment on the ground floor of a building on Constantinople Street, transformed into a well-behaved man looking forward to a new life.His relationship with Madame de Marais even looked like a normal couple, as if rehearsing for the coming change.His mistress was often surprised by the mediocrity of each tryst, and always smiled and said: "You are more devoted to housework than my husband; if I knew this, I wouldn't need to change it."

Madame Forestier has been stranded in Cannes and has not yet returned.During this period, Duroy received a letter from her, which only said that she would return to Paris in mid-April; she did not say a word about the parting of the two.Duroy waited silently.He had already made up his mind that if Madame Forestier showed any hesitation, he would find ways to marry her.Still, he believed in his luck and his charms; so strong was his charm that all women were irresistible.

One day, Duroy received a text message.The critical moment finally arrived.

I have returned to Paris and hope to have an interview.

Madeleine Forestier had nothing else in her letter.Duroy received the letter from the messenger at nine o'clock in the morning.At three o'clock in the afternoon he arrived at Madame de Forestier's.Madame Forestier smiled charmingly and held out her hands to Duroy; they gazed deeply at each other for a few seconds.

Madame Forestier whispered: "It is very kind of you to run for me at such a critical time."

Duroy replied: "I would do anything for you."

After the two sat down, Mrs. Forestier began to ask about the latest news in Paris, the Walters, other colleagues, and some recent developments of the newspaper.The one that worried her the most was the "French Life".

“I miss it so much,” she said. “Newspapers have become such an integral part of my life. What can I do? I just love this job.”

Having said this, she stopped.Duroy seemed to find something in her smile, in her tone of voice, in her words.Therefore, although he had promised not to act rashly; at this moment, he still hesitated and asked: "Then...why...why don't you...use...under the name of Duroy...to continue this job? What about occupation?"

Madame Forestier suddenly became very serious.She put her hand on Duroy's arm and said softly, "Let's not talk about this."

But Duroy guessed that Madame Forestier had actually accepted her own suggestion.So he knelt down on the ground and began to kiss Mrs. Forestier's hands, stammering, "Thank you, thank you, I love you so much!"

Madame Forestier stood up.Duroy also stood up and found her pale.Duroy understood now that Madame Forestier had been interested in him, perhaps for a long time.The two stood facing each other, Duroy hugged her, and then kissed her deeply on the forehead affectionately.

Madame Forestier broke free from his arms and said solemnly:

"Listen, my friend, I haven't made any decision yet. Perhaps I will agree. But you must promise to keep the matter secret without my permission."

Duroy readily agreed, and left happily.

From then on, Duroy took great care every time he visited Madame de Forestier, and never asked her for a more definite answer.Mrs. Forestier always had her own way of talking about the future, and some plans for "the future"; between the lines in her words, the future of the two people was always closely linked.Wouldn't that be better and more subtle than a definite answer?
Duroy began to work hard and live frugally, hoping to save some money so that he would not get married empty-handed.You know, how profligate he was in the past, and how stingy he is now.

Time passed day by day.In autumn, no one doubted the relationship between him and Madame Forestier.The two of them rarely met, and when they did, it was as natural as everyone else.

One night, Madeleine stared at Duroy and asked, "You didn't tell Madame Marelle about us, did you?"

"No, my friend. Didn't I promise you to keep it a secret?"

"Well, now is the time to tell them. I will inform the Walters, and the matter will be over within the week. What do you think?"

"Okay, it will start tomorrow." Duroy blushed and was extremely excited.

Madeleine moved her eyes slightly to the distance, as if she didn't want to see him flustered.She said: "We can get married in early May if you want. It should be a good time."

"Everything follows your arrangement."

"I want it to be Sunday, May tenth, which is my birthday."

"No problem, it will be on May tenth."

"Your parents live near Rouen, don't they? You at least mentioned it to me."

"Yes, they live in Cantelle, not far from Rouen."

"What do they do?"

"They . . . they live on a small annuity."

"Oh, I'd love to meet them."

Duroy was at a loss for a moment, and said in a muffled voice, "But... that is, they are..."

Finally he took on a manly look and said:
"Dear friend, they are country folks, tavernkeepers. The two old men have spent all their wealth to pay for my education. I am not ashamed of them, but they are... simple... vulgar... Makes you uncomfortable."

Madame Forestier smiled charmingly, and looked kind and gentle.

"No, I'd like them. Let's go and see them. I really want to. We'll talk about that later. I'm also a daughter of a small family... but my parents are long gone. In this world, I There are no other relatives..." At this point, she stretched out her hand to Duroy, "except you."

Duroy was completely conquered, and was moved for a moment without knowing why, as if no woman had ever made him so emotional.

"I think of something," said Madeleine, "but I don't know how to tell you."

Duroy asked, "What's the matter?"

"That's right, dear. Like all women, I have... my weaknesses and shortcomings, and I yearn for things that can make people brag and show off. I hope you can have a title of nobility. Don't you want to take advantage of our marriage chance to change your name... to a noble one?"

Madeleine blushed, as if she wanted Duroy to do something disgraceful.

Duroy replied honestly: "I have considered it too, but this matter is not easy to handle."

"why?"

Duroy began to laugh: "I'm afraid of being a laughing stock."

Madeleine shrugged her shoulders and said: "Why? Everyone does it, no one will make fun of them. Wouldn't it be nice to split your last name in two and become 'du Roy' ?”

Duroy put on an appearance of being well versed in this, and immediately denied this idea: "No, it definitely won't work. This method is too simple, too general, and too common. I originally planned to use my hometown name as Pseudonym, slowly put it into my name, and turn 'Dulrois' into 'Dulrois', as you just suggested."

Madeleine asked: "Is your hometown Cantler?"

"Yes."

Madeleine pondered for a while, then said: "No, I don't like the ending of this word. Think about it, can we change this word... Cantler a little?"

(End of this chapter)