beautiful friend

Chapter 24

Madeleine couldn't stand the silence, and said, "Before we go back, let's go to 'Dordoni' to have some cold drinks."

Du Roy sat in a corner, watching her.At this time, the carriage happened to pass by a singing and dancing bar.The flickering lights in front of the door made Madeleine's golden hair and exquisite figure more beautiful and charming.

Du Roy thought to himself: "She's so beautiful! That's right, man, we're on equal footing. Unless the sun comes out from the west, don't let me worry about you again."

Thinking of this, he replied: "Of course, my dear!"

In order not to let Madeleine perceive his thoughts, Du Roy leaned over and kissed her.

The young wife feels the coldness of her husband's lips.

But Du Roy remained calm, still smiling and stretching out his hand, helping Madeleine get off the car in front of the steps of the cafe.

The next day, Du Roy came to the newspaper office and went directly to Boirene.

"Dear friend," he said, "I'd like to ask you for your help. I've been being called 'Forrestier' a lot lately, and making fun of me. I think it's boring. I wonder if you'd be kind enough to replace me. Tell them, if anyone dares to make such a joke next time, I will definitely slap him a few times. You make them think, is this kind of joke worth the risk of a duel? The reason I tell you this is because I I think you are a stable person who can prevent the situation from going to extremes; in addition, it is also because you have been my witness to the duel."

Boirene accepted the job.

Afterwards, Du Roy left the newspaper office to do something.When he returned an hour later, no one dared to call him "Forrestier" any more.

One day Du Roy came home and heard women talking in the living room.He asked the servant, "Who is here?"

The servant replied: "Mrs. Walter and Mme. de Marelle."

Du Roy's heart trembled, and he immediately thought: "Alright, let's take a look." So he pushed the door open.Clotilde was sitting in the corner of the fireplace, a ray of sunlight from the window cast on her.Du Roy felt that Clotilde turned pale when he saw him.He first greeted Mrs. Walter and her two daughters.The girls are like sentinels, sitting on either side of their mother.Then Du Roy turned to look at his former mistress.Madame de Marais held out her hand, and Du Roy quickly grabbed it and shook it meaningfully, as if to say: "I have always loved you!" Madame de Marais also held his hand tightly, Respond.

Du Roy asked: "It's been a long time since we met last time. How have you been?"

Clotilde replied slowly: "Very well. How about you, pretty friend?"

After finishing speaking, she turned to Madeleine and asked, "Will you allow me to continue calling him a beautiful friend?"

"Of course, dear. I'll promise anything if you like."

Madeleine's words seemed to have a touch of irony.

At this time, Mrs. Walter began to chat with everyone about the bachelor Jacqueline.This person will hold a great fencing tournament in his apartment, and many ladies and gentlemen of high society will be there to watch.Finally, Mrs. Walter said: "It must be a very good game. It is a pity that no one can go with us. My husband just happened to be absent that day."

Du Roy quickly expressed his willingness to go with them.Mrs. Walter readily accepted.

"My daughter and I can't thank you enough!"

Du Roy looked at the younger of the Walter sisters and thought to himself: "This little Susan looks really good! She is a beauty!" At first glance, Susan looked like a blond doll in the hands of the children.She is small, with a pretty face, a slender waist, and a plump figure.A pair of blue and gray eyes are particularly bright and moving, as if a fanciful and demanding painter has drawn the paintbrush.Susan's skin is smooth and delicate, without blemishes, and looks very fair.The slightly fluffy hair was combed neatly, slightly curving, like wisps of soft clouds.The only thing comparable to it is the hair of those exquisite rag dolls.These dolls are often held in the arms of little girls, and they are much taller than their owners.

As for the older sister, Rosa, she was ugly, flat, and useless.She was one of those girls that nobody noticed, nobody answered, people didn't even talk about her at all.

Mrs. Walter stood up, turned to Du Roy, and said, "Okay, then, please. See you next Thursday at two o'clock in the afternoon."

Du Roy replied: "Don't worry, Madame."

After Madame Walter left, Madame de Marais also rose to take her leave.

"Goodbye, beautiful friend."

This time, she held Du Roy's hand tightly and did not let go.This silent confession of love really moved him a lot.Facing this capricious little woman in front of him, but perhaps she loved him sincerely, Du Roy suddenly rekindled his old feelings.

"I must go and see her tomorrow," he thought.

When only the couple were left in the room, Madeleine looked at her husband and laughed loudly:
"You know? Mrs. Walter admires you very much."

Du Roy asked incredulously: "Really?" Finding a husband like you for her two daughters! But luckily it's her, so it's no big deal."

Du Roy didn't understand what his wife meant, and asked, "What's the big deal?"

Madeleine said confidently: "You know, no one has ever said anything to Mrs. Walter, never. She is impeccable in every way. You and I know what her husband is. But Walter Mrs. Tate is another matter entirely. First of all, being married to a Jew is enough for her, and yet she remains faithful to her husband. She is a real woman of duty."

Du Roy said in amazement: "I thought she was a Jew, too!"

"Her? No. She was the patroness of all charity at the Madeleine. Even her wedding was a Catholic ceremony. Don't remember whether it was her husband who was christened in a pretentious manner, or the Church? "

Du Roy muttered: "Ah! So...she thinks highly of me?"

"Yes, indeed. If you're still a bachelor, I'd suggest you propose to ... Susan. Anyway, she's better than that Rosa."

Du Roy stroked his beard and said slowly, "Really? But I think their mothers are not bad either."

Madeleine grew impatient:
"You know, my little darling, if you're interested in their mother, go ahead and try it. I'm not worried about that at all, though. No one of her age would do it for you. Make an exception, self-brewing bitter fruit. Maybe it was possible in the early years."

Du Roy thought to himself: "Even so, shouldn't I marry Susan?"

But not long after, he shrugged his shoulders and dismissed his thoughts: "Oh my God... Am I crazy?... Her father will never agree. "

Nevertheless, Du Roy decided to pay more attention to Mrs. Walter's attitude towards him in the future.As for whether he could get any benefits from it, he didn't think about it.

Throughout the evening, Du Roy was reminiscing about the lingering love affair between him and Clotilde.He thought of Madame de Maraire's humor, gentleness and consideration, as well as the scene of the secret tryst between the two; and said to himself repeatedly: "She is really a gentle and lovely beauty, I must go and see her tomorrow."

The next day, just after lunch, Du Roy came to the Rue Verneuil.The door opened, and it was the same maid from before.She imitated the appearance of a servant from a small family, and asked, "How are you these days, sir?"

Du Roy said: "Very well, my boy."

Then Du Roy entered the living room.At this time, someone was doing scale exercises clumsily on the piano.He looked up and saw that it was Luo Lina.Du Roy had expected her to rush forward and embrace him warmly.Unexpectedly, the little girl stood up slowly like an adult, said hello, and then left with a serious face.

Du Roy was bewildered by the little girl's behavior as a woman who had been humiliated by others.At this time, the girl's mother came.Du Roy embraced her and kissed her hands.

"I miss you so much!" he said.

"Me too!" said Madame de Marais.

They sat down, smiling, looking at each other affectionately, feeling the urge to kiss.

"Dear little Chloe, I love you!"

"I love you too!"

"So...then...don't you blame me?"

"It's strange, it's not strange. I used to be in so much pain, but then, I figured it out. I said to myself 'It's okay, one day he will come back to me.'"

"After that incident, I dare not come again, I don't know how you will treat me. I don't have the courage, but I really want to come. By the way, tell me, what's the matter with Luo Lina? When she saw me today, she He said hello and walked away."

"I don't know. But since you were married, she hasn't allowed us to talk about you. I think she's jealous."

"how is this possible?"

"I'm not lying to you, my dear. She doesn't call you 'beautiful friend' any more, but 'Monsieur Forestier.'" Du Roy blushed.After a while, he leaned towards Clotilde and said:

"Let me kiss you."

Clotilde moved her mouth closer.

"Where shall we meet next?" Duroy asked.

"Isn't it... Constantinople Street?"

"Huh? So the apartment wasn't rented out?"

"No...I still keep it."

"You still keep it?"

"Yeah, because I thought you'd be back."

Du Roy could not help being overjoyed.It can be seen from this that this woman has always loved him deeply, and this love comes from the heart.

Du Roy whispered softly: "I love you." After a while, he asked: "How is your husband?"

"Well, very well. He just stayed in Paris for a month and just left the day before yesterday."

Du Roy couldn't help laughing:

"It's really time for him to go."

Clotilde said innocently: "Yes, it's the right time. However, it doesn't matter even if he is here. Don't you know this very well?"

"Yes. Besides, he's a pleasant man."

"And you," Clotilde asked, "how did you start your new life?"

"Neither good nor bad. Madeleine is only my partner."

"That's all?"

"That's all... As for feelings..."

"I can understand that. She's a nice person, though."

"Yes, but I'm not interested in her."

Du Roy leaned towards Clotilde and asked, "When shall we meet again?"

"Or...tomorrow...if you like."

"Okay. Two o'clock in the afternoon?"

"Two o'clock in the afternoon."

Du Roy got up to take his leave.He faltered and said, "You know, I want to rent the house in Constantinople Street all by myself. I hope so. I can't make you pay any more. "

Clotilde kissed Du Roy's hand affectionately, and said:
"Do what you want. As long as you can keep it and give us a place to meet."

Du Roy left contented.

Passing the window of a photo studio, Du Roy saw a photograph.The woman in the photo was tall and fat, with big eyes, which reminded him of Mrs. Walter. "Anyway," he thought, "she's not unattractive. Why didn't I notice her before? I'd like to see what she'll do to me on Thursday?"

Du Roy rubbed his hands and walked happily down the street.At this moment, he felt a kind of heartfelt happiness.This happiness not only includes the joy of success, but also the satisfaction of selfish desires.It stems from Duroy's achievements in his career, as well as the satisfaction of his desire and vanity from women as a smooth and well-behaved man.

On Thursday, Du Roy asked his wife, "Aren't you going to Rival's house to watch a fencing competition?"

"No, I don't want to go, I'm not interested in fencing at all. I'm going to the House of Representatives."

Today, the weather is fine.Du Roy called a carriage to fetch Madame Walter.

The moment he saw Mrs. Walter, Du Roy was stunned.She looks so young and beautiful!She was dressed in a light-colored dress, with her chest slightly splayed, dotted with golden lace; the plump breasts were slightly raised, making people imagine.Mrs. Walter had never seemed so fresh and attractive to him.He must have her!Mrs. Walter is calm and generous, with a dignified and stable mother appearance, which discourages many romantic men.She usually talks about uninspired and well-known daily trifles, but her thoughts are thoughtful and methodical, and she never has any radical words.

Her daughter, Susan, is all in pink, like something out of a new Watteau novel.The elder sister, Rosa, seemed to be the governess who accompanied the lovely girl.

At the door of Rival's apartment, there was a long line of carriages lined up like a dragon.

Du Roy asked Mrs. Walter to hold his arm, and a group of people walked in.

In the name of helping orphans in the sixth district of Paris, this fencing performance was initiated by the wives of some members of the Senate and House of Representatives.These members of parliament have some contacts with the "French Life".

Mrs. Walter promised to go with her daughter, but declined to attend as a fund-raiser.Because, she will only publicly support charitable activities organized by the church.That doesn't mean she's religious, but just because she's married to a Jew and she has to.She felt she had a certain religious duty to fulfill.However, the activities organized by Rival this time seem to support the republic and oppose the church's intention to interfere in politics.For three weeks, every paper carried this message:
Our illustrious colleague Jacques Rival recently had a generous and brilliant idea: for the relief of orphans in the [-]th arrondissement of Paris, he decided to organize a large fencing competition, which will be held in the fencing performance hall of M. Rival's bachelor apartment.

The wives of the three senators, Mrs. La Roigne, Mrs. Le Monterre, and Mrs. Risolin, and the wives of three famous members of the House of Representatives, Mrs. La Roche-Mathieu, Mrs. Pesserol and Mrs. Firman Responsible for inviting guests.There will be a fundraiser between performances.Proceeds from the collection will immediately be passed on to the mayor of the [-]th arrondissement of Paris or his representative.

This exaggerated text is a masterpiece thought up by Rival, who is good at drilling, for his own benefit.At this time, Jacques Rival was standing at the door of the apartment to receive all the guests.There are some drinks and pastries set out there.All hospitality expenses will be deducted from proceeds from the fundraiser.

Reval politely pointed to a long narrow staircase leading to the basement (now converted into a fencing hall), and said to the guests: "It's down there, ladies. Please go down, the fencing competition will be held in the basement."

When he saw Mrs. Walter, the proprietress, he quickly went up to her, grabbed Du Roy's hand and said, "Hello, beautiful friend!"

Du Roy was very surprised: "Who told you..."

Rival interrupted him, saying, "Mrs. Walter happens to be here, and she thinks it's a good title."

Mrs. Walter blushed: "Yes. I admit that if we were more familiar with each other, I would also call you 'beautiful friend' like Luo Lina. This title is very suitable for you."

Du Roy said with a smile: "It's okay, madam, you can call me that."

Mrs. Walter lowered her eyelids and said, "No, we are not familiar enough."

Du Roy said in a low voice: "Don't you want me to have expectations about the progress of our relationship?" "Let's see later." Mrs. Walter said.

Walking to the entrance of the narrow stairs, Du Roy turned sideways to let Mrs. Walter go first.A gas lamp was lit there, and the dim light made those who had just stepped out of the bright sunlight feel a little desolate.The damp, stuffy smell from the basement came up the spiral staircase, mixed with the musty smell of the walls (which were wiped down for this competition), benzoin used in religious rituals, and the smell of the ladies. Various powdery scents (such as verbena, orris and violet scents).

The dark basement was crowded with people, and it was noisy.

Gas lamps and Venetian lanterns lit the basement.The lights are hidden behind foliage, and one can only see the clumps of leaves.At the same time, the foliage shades the tanned walls.The layout in front of me is very interesting and intoxicating.

In the center of the basement, people have already built a platform for the game, and there are chairs for referees on both sides.

In addition, there are ten cushioned benches on the left and right sides of the hall, which can seat about 200 people; and as many as 400 guests were invited that day.

In front of the competition stage, several young men in fencing suits stood facing the audience.They all have slender limbs, hold their heads high, and have two bunches of mustaches curling up around their mouths.Among these people are fencing masters and amateurs, but no matter who they are, they are well-known figures in the fencing world.They were chatting with some men in tuxedos next to them, and they seemed to have a very intimate relationship.Whether young or old, these well-dressed men are masters and experts in the fencing world.They stand next to the players, hoping that someone will see and recognize them.

Almost all the benches in the hall were filled with ladies.The sound of dresses and women's conversations continued to be heard all around.They kept waving their fans as if they were in a theatre.At the moment, the leafy basement is as hot as a steam bath.

From time to time a prankster yelled, "Have some almond milk! Lemon juice! Beer!"

Mrs. Walter and her two daughters took their seats in the first row reserved for them.After settling them down, Du Roy was about to leave:

"Excuse me, men cannot sit here."

Mrs. Walter hesitated and said:

"However, I would like you to stay here. You can introduce me to the fencers who are there. Now, if you stand by this chair, you will not hinder anyone."

Mrs. Walter blinked her big eyes, looked at Du Roy tenderly, and continued:

"Well, stay with us, sir. . . . Mr. Pretty Friend. We need you."

Du Roy replied: "I am happy to follow your arrangement, Madame."

At this time, there was a burst of admiration from all directions: "This basement is really interesting! Not bad!"

(End of this chapter)