beautiful friend

Chapter 28

He added: "In fact, gentlemen, the whole of Africa is the hearth of France, burning our best wood. The consumption is so great that we have to throw money into it by the fistful."

"Since you have placed an expensive veneer on the left side of the fireplace on a whim. Just wait and see, Mr. Marlowe will do the same with Morocco on the right side of the fireplace."

Senator Sarrasin's speech quickly spread throughout the streets of France.Du Roy was therefore out of control, and published a dozen articles on the Algerian colony in succession as sequels to previous ones.In his article, he trumpeted the plan to send troops, even though he himself believed that sending troops to the expedition would never happen.He tried his best to incite people's emotions, regarded Spain as an enemy country, and maliciously attacked it.

Due to its openly intimate relationship with the authorities, Le Vie Française became famous for a while.It reported political news faster and faster than the most authoritative newspapers.In addition, the article will vaguely reveal that this is the intention of a friend of a certain minister.Soon, Le Vie Française became the main source of news for all kinds of newspapers and periodicals in Paris and the provinces.Everyone quotes the message inside and is in awe of it.This newspaper is no longer a tool publication secretly controlled by opportunistic politicians, but an official newspaper publicly recognized by the government.The core figure behind the newspaper is La Roche-Mathieu, and Du Roy is his spokesperson.As for old Walter, the taciturn member of the House of Representatives and the calculating manager of the newspaper, he had been acting secretly lately.It is said that he is engaged in a large copper business in Morocco.

The living room of Madeleine's house has now become the most influential central place in Paris.Every week, cabinet members come to her house for gatherings, and even the prime minister has dinner here twice.The wives of politicians who did not easily step into her house in the past are now proud of getting to know Madeleine; and the number of visits far exceeds her return visits.

Foreign Minister La Roche-Mathieu seemed to be the master of the house.Every time he came, he would dictate some news, information or letters to Du Roy or Madeleine, as if they were his secretaries.

Every time the minister left and only the couple were left, Du Roy always felt jealous of the mediocre political upstart; and would say a lot of insinuations and threats.

Madeleine just shrugged her shoulders dismissively: "If you have the ability, you can be a minister like him. If you are a minister, you can just teach others with a straight face. But before that, it is best to Shut your mouth."

Du Roy squinted at her and stroked his beard.

"No one knows what I am capable of," he said, "but one day I will impress them."

Madeleine sneered in a philosopher-like tone: "We'll just wait and see, I don't know when that day will come?"

On the morning of the resumption of the parliamentary session, Madeleine, who was lying on the bed, repeatedly told her husband, who was busy dressing and going out, to go to La Roche-Mathieu's house for dinner at noon; Ask the Minister for his opinion on a political article that will be published the next day in Life Daily.The article amounts to an official statement from the current cabinet.

Madeleine said: "Don't forget to ask the minister whether General Béroncle has been sent to Oran as rumored. This is very important."

When Du Roy heard this, he was terribly irritable: "I know what I want to do! Don't keep nagging, okay? Let me be quiet for a while!"

Madeleine said calmly: "Honey, every time I ask you to ask the Minister, you always forget half of it."

Du Roy said angrily: "Your minister has bored me to death. He is a fool!
Madeleine said calmly: "He is not my minister, nor your minister. He is more useful to you than to me."

Du Roy turned slightly, looked at her with a sneer and said, "Forgive me, he didn't show me much attention." "He didn't treat me either. You know, we will still rely on him in the future."

Du Roy was speechless for a moment.After a while he said again:
"If I had to choose among your admirers, I'd prefer that old fool Wardrake. How is he now? I haven't seen him for a week."

Madeleine replied calmly: "He is ill. He wrote not long ago that he was bedridden with gout. You should go and see him. You know, he admires you very much. If you He'll be very happy to see him."

"Okay, I'll go when I'm done," Du Roy said.

At this time, he had put on his hat, dressed neatly, and was ready to go.Before going out, he looked around to see if there was anything left behind.After confirming that everything was in place, he went to the bedside and kissed his wife's forehead, and said, "Goodbye, dear. I won't be back until after seven o'clock at the earliest."

After speaking, Du Roy walked out of the house.

La Roche-Mathieu was waiting for him at home.Since the cabinet members had to meet at noon before the parliament resumed, the lunch at the minister's house was scheduled for ten o'clock in the morning.

Mrs. La Roche-Mathieu was unwilling to change her meal time.Therefore, there were only three people sitting at the table: Du Roy, La Roche-Mathieu, and his private secretary.As soon as he sat down, Du Roy talked about the overall idea and general outline of the article in accordance with the relevant instructions hastily jotted down on the business card.Finally, he asked: "Dear Mr. Minister, do you think there is anything else that needs to be revised?"

"Basically not, my dear friend. It's just that when it comes to Morocco, your tone is too sure. With regard to sending troops, you should make readers believe that such a thing will happen, and at the same time make them feel It's not really possible, not even you yourself believe that the government will send troops. All in all, you want people to read between the lines of the article that the message is that the government will not go too far on this matter."

"Okay, I understand what you mean. I will reflect your views one by one in the article. Also, my wife asked me to ask you, has General Béroncle been sent to Oran? But listen Based on what you just said, I think the answer should be no."

"That's right," La Roche-Mathieu replied.

Then, they began to talk about the upcoming parliament at noon.La Roche-Mathieu sat there talking, preparing for the parliamentary speech in a few hours.I saw him waving his right hand like no one else, sometimes holding a knife and fork, sometimes holding a piece of bread, as if speaking in a parliament, talking endlessly.The curvy mustache is slightly raised around his mouth, which looks like a scorpion's tail; his shiny hair is divided in two from the middle, and the ends of the hair are wrapped around his forehead in two circles, like a scorpion. Those provincial youths who think they are romantic.Although he is middle-aged, La Roche-Mathieu is already a little fatter, and his bulging belly holds his vest tightly.

Larose's private secretary sat eating and drinking in silence.Evidently, he was used to such spitting rants to ministers.But Du Roy, who was jealous of La Roche, cursed secretly in his heart: "Shut up, idiot! You politicians are all idiots!"

Du Roy compared his talents with the eloquent foreign minister and murmured to himself: "Damn! If I had a hundred thousand francs, I would go to the beautiful hometown of Rouen to run for election. Then let everyone All my fellow Normandies turn out to vote. Compared with those short-sighted bastards, I am the real and worthy statesman."

La Roche-Mathieu continued talking until the servant brought the coffee.Seeing that it was getting late, he rang the bell and told the servants to prepare the car.Then he held out a hand to Du Roy:

"Did you hear me, my dear friend?"

"Listen clearly, Mr. Minister, please rest assured."

After coming out of the minister's house, Du Roy walked to the newspaper office in a leisurely manner, thinking about how to write the article.He had nothing to do until four o'clock in the afternoon.As soon as four o'clock came, he was going to meet Madame de Marais in the Rue Constantinople.Now, they meet regularly twice a week: on Mondays and Thursdays.But as soon as Du Roy entered the editorial office, someone handed him a letter.It was from Mrs. Walter, and it read:

Anyway, I want to see you today.The matter is very urgent.Please meet me at the apartment on Constantinople Street at two o'clock in the afternoon.I'm going to do you a huge favor.

your friend till death
Virginie

Du Roy cursed secretly in his heart: "Damn! Why is this woman so annoying!" His mood suddenly turned bad, and he no longer wanted to work, so he walked out of the newspaper office again.

For six weeks Du Roy had been trying to break off communication with Madame Walter.However, the other party's enthusiasm seems to be increasing.

Mrs. Walter had been remorseful since her last loss, and had cursed on the next three dates.Du Roy was annoyed by this.Now, he has lost his previous interest in this moody, half-aged lady.He slowly distanced himself from her, hoping to end the affair that way.Unexpectedly, Mrs. Walter fell in love with him crazily and entangled him endlessly, like people jumping into the river with a stone tied around their necks.Out of pity and flattery, Du Roy had no choice but to follow her.But on the other hand, Mrs. Walter's overly passionate love made him feel physically and mentally exhausted and extremely depressed.

Mrs. Walter wanted to see him every day, and every hour sent letters asking him to meet him on street corners, shops, or parks.

She said the same thing over and over again every day, how much she loved him and how much she adored him.Even when we parted, we couldn't help but swear: "I'm so happy to see you!"

In order to please Du Roy, Mrs. Walter often made some ridiculous behaviors that did not match her age.This is very different from what du Roy had imagined before.For more than 40 years, Mrs. Walter has been following the rules and living a clean life.She closed her emotions, abided by women's morals, had no inappropriate thoughts in her heart, and knew nothing about secret love between men and women.But now, like autumn after a cold summer or late spring when flowers and trees wither and buds wither, she suddenly sprouts a girlish feeling.Although this feeling came late, it was so strong.Mrs. Walter today is like a young girl in love, often speaking artificial and ironically sweet words, or deliberately putting on a pleasing appearance.She writes ten strange love letters every day, imitating the Indians and filling them with the names of animals and birds; she thinks she is poetic, but in fact they are all childish and funny words.

Whenever the two were together, Mrs. Walter always dragged her fat body, pouted like a child, and ran over to kiss Du Roy.The two heavy breasts under the clothes were bouncing up and down because of her jumping.

What disgusted Du Roy most was hearing Mrs. Walter call him "my little mouse", "my puppy", "my kitten", "my darling", "my little dog" Blue Bird", "My Little Baby".In addition, Mrs. Walter always showed an innocent, shy and timid look every time she had sex with each other. She thought she was gentle and well-behaved, but in fact she was different from the clumsy performances of those indulgent and depraved female boarders. Not much.

Sometimes, she would keep asking: "Who are you going to kiss now?" If Du Roy didn't answer "Kiss me" immediately, she would keep asking until he turned pale with anger.

Du Roy originally thought that Mrs. Walter should understand that love needs to be cautious, watch words and feelings, and grasp the measure, and must not go too far.As a lady of high society and a mother of two children, she should be dignified and generous, good at restraining herself.Even if she sheds tears sometimes, she should be like Dido, not Juliet.

Mrs. Walter was always nagging: "How much I love you, my little darling! Say, don't you love me too, little darling?"

Every time Mrs. Walter called him "my little darling" and "my little baby", Du Roy couldn't wait to say "my old woman" back to her.

Mrs. Walter said to him: "I can't believe that I obeyed you. But I don't regret it. Love is so wonderful!"

Du Roy thought her words sounded harsh. "It turns out that love is so wonderful" said from her mouth, like an innocent girl reciting lines on stage.

Whenever the two were tender, Mrs. Walter's clumsy movements annoyed Du Roy even more.Every time she touched the lips of this handsome man, Mrs. Walter's enthusiasm seemed to be ignited at once, and her blood boiled with enthusiasm, which was uncontrollable.She clung to her lover's chest, and Du Roy couldn't help laughing at her clumsy appearance.This scene reminded him of those old men who only learned to read when they were old.

Mrs. Walter, like many noble ladies whose charm has passed away, is still very obsessed with love.Every time, she hugged Du Roy vigorously, her affectionate eyes were so hot, hungry, and daunting; her lips were trembling, and she bit his lips tightly, the extremely hot, exhausted but still The hungry and fat body was like a thick wall, pressing down on Du Roy again and again, making him unable to breathe.At the same time, she kept twisting her body, imitating a child's slurred lips and said delicately: "I love you so much, baby. Now come and caress your little girl." !"

Every time at this time, Du Roy wanted to scold her severely, then picked up his hat and walked away.

At first, Du Roy and Madame Walter always met in the apartment in the Rue Constantinople.Later, Du Roy was afraid of being caught by Madame de Marais; so he tried every possible reason to shirk, and he did not want to date here again.

Now, Du Roy eats at Mrs. Walter's almost every day, either at noon or in the evening.Mrs. Walter grabbed his hand under the dining table for a while, and put her lips to him behind the door to make out with him.But Du Roy preferred to stay with Mrs. Walter's daughter Susan.They often sat together talking and laughing, and the lovely Susan made Du Roy fascinated.Although Susan has a baby face, she is very clever and mischievous.Like a puppet in the market, she likes to show off herself in front of everyone, so that people are surprised and admire her.She looks down on everything around her, and always speaks with a hint of meanness.Du Roy also often egged her on, making her cynical about everything around her.Because of this, the two have a similar taste and become acquainted with each other day by day.

Susan kept yelling, "Listen, pretty friend! Come here, pretty friend!"

At her call, Du Roy would immediately leave her mother's side and run to her.The girl whispered a word or two in his ear, and they both laughed heartily.

Madame Walter's love bore and disgusted Du Roy.He didn't want to see her again, he didn't even want to hear her voice; whenever he saw her, he felt unhappy.Therefore, Du Roy stopped going to Madame Walter's house, and ignored her letters and summons.

Mrs. Walter finally understood that Du Roy no longer loved her.She felt heartbroken, but still pursued.She began to follow him, to watch him, to sit in the carriage with the curtains drawn down, to wait for him at the newspaper office, at his house, or on the road where he might pass.

Du Roy once wanted to be cruel to her, or simply to scold her, telling her bluntly: "Bah! I've had enough! Why are you so annoying!" , he had to grasp the measure.He tried to maintain a nonchalant relationship, gradually ignoring her, occasionally saying harsh words to make it clear to her that their relationship must end.

However, Mrs. Walter is still obsessed with it.She tried every means to meet Du Rova on Constantinople Street.Du Roy, on the other hand, would shudder at the thought of two women meeting at the door someday.

After this summer, Du Roy's feelings for Madame de Marelle deepened day by day.He always affectionately called her "my rascal".Madame de Marais seemed to please the young reporter more than Madame Walter.They are born with similar temperaments, like to chase after each other in social occasions of high society, and yearn for erratic emotional adventure games.Maybe they didn't realize that this kind of behavior is actually no different from the laughing men and women on the street.

Throughout the summer Du Roy and Madame de Maraire chirped me in love.They are like two naughty children who often sneak out to play around.They sometimes ran to Argenteuil, Bougival, Maisons and Poissy for lunch or dinner, and sometimes went boating along the steep river banks to pick flowers.Madame de Maraire likes to enjoy the fried fish, ragout and sailor fish on the Seine, while admiring the pergola in front of the tavern and the shouts of the rowers.If the weather is sunny and windy, Du Roy will go out for an outing with his mistress.They talked and laughed on the top floor of the suburban train, and along the way they saw the scenery outside Paris, although the mountain chalet-style villas there looked very simple.

Whenever he had to go back to the city to eat dinner at Mrs. Walter's, Du Roy would gnash his teeth with hatred for this pestering old woman, and he could only think of de Marais who had just separated from him. lady.The young mistress had already satisfied his desire and consumed his enthusiasm in the grass by the river.

After clearly proposing to Mrs. Walter to end the relationship, Du Roy thought that he could finally get rid of the entanglement of the landlady.Unexpectedly, he received another letter from her, asking him to meet at Constantinople Street at two o'clock in the afternoon.

(End of this chapter)