beautiful friend

Chapter 22

Does she know that women sometimes hope to have unexpected surprises!Is it because we were far apart in the past, so distance creates beauty?of course not.But in any case, Duroy's parents would have been more refined, dignified, kinder, and more groomed than they were now.Of course, she didn't expect them to be as outstanding as the characters in the novel.If so, why should she be so repelled by such trivial things as the vulgarity, rusticity, and behavior of Duroy's parents?

Madeleine couldn't help thinking of her mother, whom she had never mentioned to anyone.Madeleine's mother was educated at St. Teresa's boarding school, and later became a primary school teacher. She was seduced and raped and gave birth to Madeleine.When her daughter was 12 years old, she died of depression.Later, a stranger adopted the poor little girl.Maybe that person was her father?Who else would it be?Regarding this, Madeleine is not very sure, but just has doubts.

Lunch is not over yet, the guests who came to drink have already entered the store in twos and threes.They came over and shook hands with Papa Duroy.When they saw Duroy and the young wife sitting next to him, they "tsk tsk" praised.They all winked, as if to say: "My God! Georges Duroy has a very good wife!"

Some other less familiar guests sat down at the wooden table and shouted: "One liter! ... One glass! Two brandies! One Rasbai!" After a while, people started Dominoes were played, and the square black and white dominoes were clattered.

Mother Duroy was busy back and forth, constantly recruiting guests.She was busy collecting money for a while, and lifted the corner of her apron to wipe the table for a while, always with a sad face.

The smell of pipes and bad cigarettes filled the tavern hall.Madeleine was choking and coughing, so she asked Duroy: "Can we go out for some air? I can't take it anymore."

At this time, the meal was not finished yet, and Father Duroy was a little displeased.No way, Madeleine had to stand up, move a chair and sit on the side of the road in front of the door, waiting for her father-in-law and husband to finish their coffee and wine.

Not long after, Duroy came out and asked, "Do you want to walk all the way to the Seine?"

Madeleine replied excitedly: "Ah! Yes. Let's go now."

So the two walked down the mountain road, and then rented a boat in Croce.The rest of the time, they spent the rest of the time boating on the Seine along a small island.Weeping willows sway gently on the bank, and the water surface is rippling.Bathed in the bright sunshine like spring, the two felt drowsy.

When night fell, they returned to the mountains.

For Madeleine, this supper by candlelight was even more unbearable than lunch.Old man Duroy was dizzy from drinking too much at noon, and sat there without saying a word; his wife was still holding her face.

Dim lights cast huge shadows on the gray walls: huge noses, exaggerated poses.If anyone turned slightly to dine by the flickering candlelight, the figure reflected on the wall looked like a gigantic monster filling its mouth with a giant knife and fork.

As soon as dinner was over, Madeleine pulled her husband outside, unwilling to stay in the room filled with the choking smell of tobacco and beer.

Walking outside, Duroy said to his wife, "You're already getting bored."

Madeleine tried to deny it, but was stopped by Duroy: "Stop talking. I've seen it. If you want, we'll leave here tomorrow."

Madeleine murmured, "Well, that's all right."

As they talked, they walked slowly forward.It was a mild and pleasant night, and the rustling of the wind and other small sounds could be heard faintly in the dark night.The Duroys walked up a narrow path where the trees soared into the sky, and there were dark bushes on either side.

"Where are we?" asked Madeleine.

Duroy replied: "In the forest."

"Is the forest big?"

"Very large, one of the largest forests in France."

The smell of moss, the fragrance of the soil, the fragrance of the trees, the fresh breath that symbolizes the vitality of the young buds, and the rotten musty smell released by the dead branches and leaves, all kinds of smells are intertwined and permeated around the trail. .Madeleine looked up at the sky and saw stars twinkling in the treetops.Although there was not a breath of wind around, and the branches were still, she felt the whole forest tremble slightly.

Her heart trembled suddenly, and it quickly spread throughout her body.An inexplicable sadness hit her, making her depressed.what happened?Madeleine couldn't figure it out, but she just felt as if she was abandoned by everyone in this deep forest, in danger and alone.

She said tremblingly, "I'm a little scared. I want to go back."

"Okay, let's go back."

"Well... are we going back to Paris tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow."

"Leave early tomorrow morning?"

"Go tomorrow morning, if you like."

When they got home, the old man was already asleep.Madeleine didn't get a good rest all night, and was constantly awakened by sounds from the village: the hooting of owls, the snoring of the pigsty next door, and the sound of roosters crowing in the middle of the night.

At dawn the next day, Madeleine got out of bed and was ready to go.

When Duroy told his parents that he was leaving, the two old people were taken aback.However, they quickly guessed whose idea it was.

The old man Duroy only asked, "I'll see you again soon, shall I?"

"Well, I'll be back this summer."

"Alright then, let's go."

Duroy's mother complained: "I hope you don't regret what you did."

In order to relieve the old man's unhappiness, Duroy left them two hundred francs as a gift before leaving.At about ten o'clock, the little boy sent to call the carriage led the carriage to the door of the house.So the newlyweds kissed their parents goodbye and hit the road.

As the car went downhill, Duroy started laughing.

"Look!" said he, "I told you. If I had known, I should never have brought you to my parents, Mrs. Du Roy de Cantel."

Madeleine laughed too.She retorted: "But I am still very happy now. I have begun to like these two honest and kind old people. When I arrive in Paris, I will send them some pastries."

Then she murmured: "Mr. and Mrs. Du Roy de Cantel... just wait and see, no one will be surprised by the names on our wedding invitations. Let's just say, in your parents' estate Stayed for a week." After speaking, Madeleine leaned towards Duroy, kissed his beard, and said delicately, "Hello, Joe!"

Duroy also put his arms around her and responded, "Hello, Made!"

In the distance, a long river in the depths of the valley is like a silver ribbon in the morning light.Factory chimneys belch clouds of soot into the sky.Bell towers, large and small, stand above the ancient city, straight into the clouds.

It has been two days since the du Roys returned to Paris.While waiting to take over Forestier's post and write political articles, Du Roy had to return to his old job and continue to be responsible for social news.

That night, Du Roy was walking home, and the thought of hugging his wife immediately made him feel very happy.Now he has been deeply fascinated by his wife's charm, and is obedient to her.Passing by a flower shop in Rue Notre-Dame de Lorette, Du Roy decided to buy a bunch of flowers for his wife.So he picked out a large bouquet of roses in full bloom, and some fragrant buds.

Every time he went up a floor, Du Roy would take a self-satisfied look at the mirror at the stairway, recalling the situation when he first stepped into this house.

Because he forgot to bring the key when he went out, Du Roy rang the doorbell.The previous servant hurried over and opened the door.Du Roy accepted his wife's advice and did not fire him.

Du Roy asked: "Is Madame back?"

"Yes, sir."

When Du Roy passed the restaurant, he was surprised to find that there were three sets of tableware on the table.The curtain of the drawing-room door was also raised, and Madeleine was putting roses in a vase on the mantelpiece.The bouquet of roses was exactly the same as the one he was holding, which made him very disappointed, as if his creativity, his concern for his wife, and the happiness she got from him had all been taken away by someone else.

Du Roy entered the room and asked, "Have you invited any guests?"

Madeleine was busy arranging the bouquet of flowers, and replied without turning her head: "Yes and no. This person is an old friend of mine, Count de Wardreck. Every Monday, he will come We have dinner at home. As usual, he's coming over today."

Du Roy muttered in a low voice: "Oh, very good."

He stood behind his wife, holding the bouquet in his hand, tempted to hide it or throw it away.But at last he said to his wife, "Look! I bought you a bouquet of roses."

When Madeleine heard this, she immediately turned around and said happily, "Oh! How kind of you to think of buying me flowers!"

She threw her arms around her husband and kissed him.This kind of heartfelt joy comforted the depressed Lowa to some extent.

Like an overjoyed child, Madeleine took the flower, smelled it, and placed it in an empty vase on the other side of the fireplace.She looked at the fruits of her labor carefully, and said excitedly: "I'm so happy! The fireplace finally looks brand new!"

Then she said in a very positive tone: "You know, Wardrake is very approachable. You will hit it off soon."

At this time, the doorbell rang, and the count had arrived.Earl Wardrake walked into the living room naturally, feeling as if he was in his own home.He politely kissed the young woman's fingers, then, turning around, extended his hand affectionately to her husband, and said: "How are you, my dear Monsieur du Roy?"

The Earl's attitude was not at all as blunt and arrogant as before. Now, he had to put on a kind and friendly appearance.Facing the count's active approach, Du Roy hadn't gotten used to it for a while, but he still stretched out his hand in a friendly manner.After a while, the two chatted happily, like a pair of year-end friends who have known each other for many years and cherish each other.

Madeleine said to them with a happy face: "You guys have a good talk, I'll go to the kitchen to have a look." The two men watched her walk out of the room.

When Madeleine returned, Du Roy and Count Vaudrec were discussing a play that had just been staged.Their views coincided with each other, and the conversation was very speculative. The eyes of both sides revealed a feeling that a close friend is hard to find.

The dinner was sumptuous and the atmosphere was very harmonious.Lord Wardrake did not come home until very late; he was very happy with the young and handsome couple.

After the count left, Madeleine said to her husband: "Well, he is very nice, isn't he? After you get to know him, you will definitely respect him more. He is a kind, loyal, reliable and dedicated friend. Alas, if without him"

Du Roy interrupted his wife: "Yeah, I also think he is very nice. I think we will get along well."

Madeleine continued: "You don't know, do you? We have to do something before going to bed tonight.

Before dinner, I didn't have time to tell you because Waldrake is coming.I got some important news today about Morocco.This is what the future minister, La Roche-Mathieu, told me personally.We had to write a decent, sensational article about it.I already have the relevant materials and data.Now let's start writing.Go, bring the lamp here. "

Du Roy took the lamp, and the husband and wife came to the study.

All the books are still neatly placed there as before.There are three vases on the top of the bookcase, which were bought in Juan Bay on the eve of Forestier's death.Under the desk, the foot warmers used by the deceased were waiting for Du Roy to enjoy.Du Roy sat down at his desk and picked up a dip pen, the barrel of which still bore the marks of Forestier's teeth.

Madeleine lit a cigarette and leaned against the fireplace, told the news she had heard, and then put forward some opinions and writing opinions of her own.

Du Roy listened intently, taking notes on paper from time to time.After his wife finished speaking, he raised a different opinion; then, he made some developments in the general trend of the issue just discussed.At this point, he is no longer discussing the writing project of the article but a political campaign against the current cabinet; this is just an introduction.Du Roy's idea aroused great interest in his wife.She forgot the cigarette in her hand, and her thoughts suddenly became more open and profound. As she listened, she kept commenting: "Yes... yes... very good... really wonderful! Very weighty"

As soon as Du Roy finished speaking, Madeleine said: "Let's start writing."

However, for Du Roy, brewing the beginning of the article has always been a difficult difficulty for him to overcome.No matter how hard he thought, he didn't know how to write.At this time, Madeleine came over gently and fell on his shoulder, dictating in a low voice in his ear.

She stopped from time to time and asked hesitantly:
"Is that what you mean?"

Du Roy nodded frequently: "That's right, that's what it means."

Madeleine launched a fierce attack on the current head of the cabinet by using the pungent and vicious language unique to women: in addition to criticizing the various policies he implemented, she also made fun of his appearance.The whole article is not only sharply observed, but also humorous and laugh-out-loud.

Du Roy added a few words from time to time, making the whole attack deeper and more aggressive.He also employs a technique of insinuation; a skill he honed gradually while writing social journalism.Whenever Du Roy felt that Madeleine's narration was controversial and might affect the author's reputation, he would rack his brains to write it in a confusing way, which would convince readers more than telling it directly.

After the article was written, Du Roy read it aloud.The couple agreed that the article was impeccable.They smiled at each other with joy and surprise on their faces, as if they knew each other again.They stared at each other deeply, with love and tenderness in their eyes.A deep love spread from their hearts to their bodies, and the two hugged each other excitedly.

Du Roy picked up the lamp on the desk and said, "Let's go to sleep." His eyes were extremely blazing.

Madeleine replied: "Since you want to illuminate, please go first, my master."

The two of them walked towards the bedroom one after the other.On the way, the wife kept poking her husband's neck lightly with her fingertips, urging him to leave quickly.Because Du Roy is most afraid of being scratched by others.

After the publication of this article signed by Georges du Roy de Cantel, it really caused a widespread sensation.There was an uproar in the parliament.Old Walter admired Du Roy very much, and decided to let him take over immediately the editorial work of the political column of "Le Vie de France".The social news column will continue to be in charge of Bowalena.

From then on, "French Life" began to launch repeated attacks on the cabinet in charge of various affairs of the country; not only the means were clever, but the offensive was fierce.These articles are ingeniously conceived and have a lot of factual basis. Sometimes they are sarcastic and hilarious, and sometimes they are serious and sharp.Such successive, ruthless and accurate attacks in turn made the world amazed.The major newspapers began to excerpt whole paragraphs from the articles of La Vie Française.People in power have also asked whether they can lure high-ranking officials and generous salaries to silence this ruthless opponent who has never met before.

Du Roy has since become famous in the political circles of Paris.When people saw him, they would hold his hand tightly, or raise their hats to salute him.Du Roy also felt his influence was growing.But in contrast, his wife Madeleine's keen thinking, quick information, and wide range of contacts made him even more surprised. Whenever he came home, there would always be a visitor sitting in the living room: Members of Parliament are members of the House of Representatives, whether they are government officials or military generals; moreover, no matter who comes, they all regard Madeleine as a friend who has known each other for many years, with a serious and friendly attitude.Where did she meet these dignitaries?Madeleine said, socially.So, how did she gain their trust and favor?Duroy couldn't figure it out.

"She is such an excellent diplomat!" he secretly admired.

Every time Madeleine came home, she missed mealtimes.As soon as she entered the door, panting and flushed, she didn't even bother to take off her veil, so she hurriedly said: "There is great news today! The Minister of Justice has just appointed two judges, and they used to be members of the mixed committee. We must give this minister some color and let him remember this lesson forever."

As a result, the couple wrote an article criticizing the Attorney General's article overnight.The second day, the third day... every day an official suffered.After Count Vaudrec, M. La Roche-Mathieu would go to the house of Du Roy and his wife on Fontaine Street every Tuesday for dinner.As soon as they met that day, the congressmen grabbed their hands ecstatically, and praised them repeatedly: "Good! Good! This movement to overthrow the cabinet that you launched is really great! In the future, what else can we not do? "

In fact, Congressman La Roche-Mathieu has always coveted the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, and he really wants to take this opportunity to realize his political ambitions.

La Roche-Mathieu is just one of all kinds of political figures: he has neither much conviction and ability, nor much courage and real talent.La Roche had been a lawyer from the provinces, a local gentleman.Smooth and neutral among radicals of all stripes, he billed himself as a so-called defender of the republic and defender of free thought.These officials all took advantage of popular suffrage to infiltrate the political circles.

(End of this chapter)