beautiful friend

Chapter 32

At the sight of Du Roy, Madame Walter turned pale, made a movement, and tried to go over.In the end, she held back and sat there motionless, waiting for him to come.Du Roy greeted him politely.Madeleine greeted her affectionately and exchanged compliments.Leaving his wife and Madame Walter aside, Du Roy walked into the crowd alone, wanting to hear what people said with ill intentions.

The five living rooms are connected, and there are expensive hangings, Italian embroidery, oriental carpets of different styles and some works of ancient masters.One of the small Louis XVI-style living rooms is particularly memorable: the seats in the hall are all upholstered in silk, and bouquets of roses are embroidered on a light blue background; the low wooden furniture is gilded. It was a layer of gold, and the decorations on it were as fine and wonderful as the tapestries on the walls.

Du Roy recognized many famous people in the crowd: the Duchess de Dellachina, the Countess de Ravenel, the General Prince de Andremont, the beautiful Marquise de Dina and those who often Men and women who enter and exit important occasions.

Suddenly, Du Roy felt someone grabbed his arm, and a young woman's delicate voice came from his ear: "Hi! Heartless and beautiful friend! You are finally here. Why haven't I seen you for so long?"

Du Roy looked back and saw that it was Susan Walter.With blonde curly hair, she was looking at him with a pair of charming eyes.

Du Rova was overjoyed, quickly held her hand, and explained: "I really can't get away. There are too many things in the past two months, and I can't get away."

Susan said solemnly: "This is not good. You know, my mother and I are very fond of you. If you don't come, we will be very sad. As for me, I can't do without you. You are not here at this time, and I I'm almost smothered. Look! I'm telling you what's on my mind, and you're never supposed to disappear for as long as you did this time. Now, let me take your arm and take you Go look at that "Christ Limbo". Dad put it in the back of the conservatory garden, which is the end of the house. In fact, he did it just to let the guests go around a bit, really It's incomprehensible."

Arm in arm, they walked slowly through the crowd.People turned around one after another and stared at the couple.

"Ah," a famous painter exclaimed, "What a pair of wall people! No matter how you look at them, they are so pleasing to the eye."

Du Roy thought to himself: "If I had been more powerful, I would have married her. This is not impossible. Why didn't I think of it? Why did I marry another one in a daze? I am really Silly, always making hasty decisions without thinking through them."

Thinking of this, a bitter taste infiltrated into his heart little by little, making him extremely frustrated.

At this time, Susan said: "Beautiful friend, you must come here often in the future. Dad is so rich now, we can play without any worries in the future."

Du Roy was still immersed in his thoughts just now: "Hey! You are going to get married soon. You will marry a handsome nobleman whose family has fallen. In the future, we will have even fewer chances to meet."

Susan said innocently: "No, I don't want it. I want to marry someone I like, like very much, like absolutely. Our family has enough money for us to live on for a lifetime."

Du Roy smiled, with a hint of arrogance and sarcasm.Afterwards, he began to introduce the people who came and went around him to Susan.Most of these were aristocrats, married to the daughter of a financier like Susan by virtue of their titular titles.They maintained a close or distant relationship with their wives and lived a free and dissolute life.They are all famous and respected.

Finally, Du Roy concluded: "In less than half a year, you will not be able to resist the temptation to marry one of them and become a marquis, duke or prince's wife. At that time, you will look down on me, miss. ' Susan was annoyed.She slapped Du Roy's arm with a fan and vowed to find the one she loves.

Du Roy said with a sneer: "Let's just wait and see, your family is too rich."

Susan asked: "Didn't you also inherit an inheritance?"

Du Roy said dismissively: "This inheritance is only an annual annuity of [-] francs, which is nothing at all."

"Didn't your wife also inherit so much property?"

"Yeah, add up to 100 million, and the annual annuity is [-]. With this money, we can't even afford a carriage."

Chatting and chatting, the two walked into the last living room.Facing it is a huge greenhouse garden.Although it was winter at this time, the huge garden was full of all kinds of tall and straight tropical plants and stretches of exotic flowers and plants.In this dark green world, the soft light is like a silvery white rain falling down, the fresh breath of moist soil and the rich fragrance of flowers and plants are refreshing.This is a very strange feeling: although everything in front of them is artificially created and violates the natural principles, people are still fascinated by it.Guests wandered the moss-shaded carpet, bordered by thick undergrowth.Suddenly, Du Roy noticed that on the left, surrounded by a palm tree, there was a white marble pool large enough for people to bathe in.There are four porcelain swans produced by Delft B22 beside the pool, and the clear pool water flows slowly from the half-opened mouths of the swans.

The bottom of the pool is covered with fine golden sand, and people can also see several goldfish from China chasing and playing in the pool.These goldfish have bulging eyeballs and blue-tipped scales.Sometimes they swim back and forth in the water, and sometimes they stand still, which reminds people of the magical embroidery of the ancient oriental country.

Du Roy couldn't help but stop, filled with emotion.He thought silently, "Look! This is true luxury! This is the kind of comfort one should live in! Others can do it, why can't I?"

Du Roy racked his brains, trying to figure out how to live such a life.For a while, he couldn't think of any good ideas, so he was very annoyed at his incompetence.

At this moment, Susan beside her also remained silent, as if she was thinking about something on her mind.Du Luowa looked at her from the side, and thought to himself: "It would be great if I married this stupid little girl in the first place!"

At this time, Susan seemed to wake up from her thoughts suddenly, and shouted: "Look carefully!" She pushed Du Roy through the crowd blocking in front, and walked to the right.

Before their eyes, many strange trees appeared.The branches and leaves of these trees stretched tremblingly towards the sky like palms with five fingers outstretched.In the middle of the woods, a person stood on the sea and stood still.

This unique arrangement gives "Christ Limbo" an unexpected effect.The entire oil painting is surrounded by swaying green leaves, and the picture looks like an unpredictable and breathtaking bottomless black hole.

People have to look carefully to see clearly the content of the oil painting: there is a small boat in the center of the painting, and a saint sits beside the boat, holding a lamp in his hand. The front of the light is projected on the floating Jesus; In the bright light, people can vaguely see the other saints on board.

The waves sunk obediently under Jesus' feet, making a smooth path.It was dark all around him, except for the twinkling of stars in the sky.

Due to the coming of Jesus, the ecstatic faces of the saints can be vaguely seen in the dim lights.

This is indeed a magnificent and extraordinary masterpiece.It subverts people's inherent thinking, makes people intoxicated by it, and can't forget it for a long time.

The people who came to watch were silent at first, then walked away thoughtfully, and began to talk about the value of "Christ Limbo".

Du Roy stared at it for a while, and then said: "If you can get this painting, it will be a great thing in the world!"

Just then, there were more and more people.They bumped and shoved each other, all wanting to witness the notorious painting with their own eyes.Du Roy had no choice but to hold Susan's slender hand tightly on his chest, and the two left there together. On the road, Susan asked: "Want to drink champagne? How about we go to the restaurant. My father There." So the two walked back slowly.At this time, all the living rooms were full of people, a scene of a sea of ​​people and bustling.

Du Roy suddenly heard someone say: "Look! La Roche and Madame du Roy!" The words passed by his ears as if they had come from afar.Where did it come from?

Du Roy looked around and saw his wife walking slowly on the arm of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.They looked at each other with smiles all over their faces, and whispered to each other from time to time, whispering as if no one else was there.

It seemed to Du Roy that everyone around them was staring at them and whispering.He had a strong urge to rush forward and punch them a few times.

Madeleine made him lose face by doing so.He couldn't help thinking of Forestier.At this moment people may be saying: "Look! Du Roy is wearing a cuckold!" Humph!What is she?After all, isn't he just a well-behaved and tactful villain in power?What can she do?People visit her only because her husband is capable and dare not easily offend her husband.But when people talk about them behind their backs, they will definitely be unscrupulous.Madeleine liked to play tricks, which made them a target of public criticism.With such a woman, he will never be able to do anything.Now, she has become his stumbling block.Alas, if I knew this earlier, why did I do it in the first place?How good it would have been if he had bet on little Susan!How could he turn a blind eye to this low-hanging fruit?

Du Roy and Susan came to the restaurant.The marble columns in front of the restaurant make the restaurant look extraordinarily grand, and there are ancient Gobelin B23 tapestries hanging on the surrounding walls.

When Walter saw the young column editor, he hurried over and held his hand, and said excitedly: "Have you been to all the places? Susan, have you taken Mr. Du Roy around? Today's That's a lot of people, what do you think, pretty friend? Have you seen Prince Garsh? He's just had a glass of punch B24 here."

After speaking, the old man Walter walked towards Senator Risolan.Behind the congressman was his wife. This woman looked a bit rash and dressed herself in a nondescript manner.

At this time, a man came to greet Susan.He was tall and thin, with blond beards and a little bald head, and he treated people with a high-society air.Du Roy heard him being called "Marquis de Cazelle."The young reporter suddenly felt jealous of the Marquis in front of him.When did Susan meet him?After old Walter's hair went bad?Perhaps, he is also one of Susan's many suitors?
At this moment, someone bumped Du Roy's arm.He looked back and saw that it was Nobel de Wallen.

The old poet wore a crumpled old coat, his hair was shiny; he looked lazy, as if he didn't care about anything.

"Look, that's what's called carpe diem," said de Valenne. "The people are going to dance and then go home to bed. The young girls are all happy. Come, have some champagne! It's delicious! After finishing speaking, he filled the wine for himself, and then said to Du Roy who picked up another glass of wine: "May the spirit surpass wealth!"

After a while, de Wallen added in a gentle tone: "It's not that I don't like those rich people, I just like to talk about it."

Du Roy was in no mood to listen anymore, because at this time Susan and the Marquis de Cazelle had already left and disappeared.He hastily left Noble de Wallen and searched for Susan.

At this time, a group of noisy people who wanted to drink came running, blocking Du Roy's way.When he managed to squeeze his way out of the crowd, he bumped into the de Marais couple head-on.

Du Roy saw Madame de Marais often, but her husband did not appear for a long time.As soon as M. de Maraire saw Du Roy, he held his hands tightly and said gratefully: "My dear, thank you so much for the message you sent to Clotilde last time! I made almost a hundred thousand francs on my Moroccan shares. I owe it all to you! You are a wonderful friend!"

Mrs. de Marais, who was standing beside her, had brown hair, was beautiful and elegant, and attracted the attention of many men.

Du Roy said: "My dear friend, in return, please allow me to take your wife, or let her lead me around. Husband and wife can't stay together forever, don't you think? "

M. de Marais bowed and said: "Yes. If we get separated, we shall meet here in an hour."

"Ok."

After speaking, Du Roy and Madame de Marais squeezed into the crowd, and M. de Marais followed behind.Clotilde kept saying: "The Walters are really lucky. But after all, they do have business sense."

Du Roy said: "What's the point? As long as there is ability, everyone will have a successful day."

Clotilde went on to say: "In the future, the two girls in their family will each receive 3000 to [-] million francs. Not to mention that Susan is still a great beauty."

Du Roy said nothing.It made him feel very unhappy that his own thoughts were exposed by others.

Clotilde hadn't seen "Christ Limbo", so Du Roy volunteered to take her to see this famous painting.The two talked and laughed as they walked, commenting and making irresponsible remarks to others.Du Roy and Clotilde couldn't help laughing when Saint-Botain, whose collar was covered with various badges, passed by them.A diplomatic ambassador walked behind Saint-Botain, also wearing a bunch of badges on his chest, but the number was far less than his.

Du Roy said: "The world is full of strange things."

At this moment Boilene came up to shake his hand, also wearing the yellow and green ribbon on his chest that he had worn on the day of the duel.

In a Louis XVI-style drawing room, the Viscountess Perlsmew chats with a duke.She was fat and well dressed and well groomed.

Du Roy said in a low voice: "Look, a pair of lovers are whispering!" While passing through the greenhouse, Du Roy saw his wife Madeleine staying with La Roche-Mathieu again.They sat close together behind the bushes, as if to say, "We're going to date in public. We don't care what people say."

After reading "Christ Limbo", Madame de Marais was intoxicated.They walked back slowly.At this time, M. de Marais had long since disappeared.

Du Roy asked: "Is Lorina still mad at me?"

"Yes. She doesn't like to see you, and when people talk about you, she goes away."

Du Roy was silent.The little girl's hostility towards him made him feel inexplicably melancholy, and his heart became heavy.

At the corner of the door, Susan suddenly jumped out and shouted: "Ah! So you are here! I said, beautiful friend, you can stay alone for a while. I want to take the lovely Clotilde away. Let her visit my bedroom."

After speaking, the two women left in a hurry.They walked through the dense crowd with such graceful movements, like two snakes swimming in the water.They have long been familiar with the tricks of high society and such.

At this moment, someone called softly: "George!" Du Roy looked back, and it turned out to be Mrs. Walter.She said in a low voice: "Oh, you are so cruel. What good is it for you to torture me like this? I asked little Susan to put that woman away from you, just to tell you one thing. Please Listen... tonight, anyway, I have to talk to you... or else... or... you just wait and see, I don't know what will happen. You go to the greenhouse now .There is a door on the left of the greenhouse, you go out into the garden from there, then follow the road ahead until you reach the end, you will see a grape trellis. Wait for me there, I will be there in 10 minutes. If you don't Go, I swear I'll make a scene right here."

Du Roy said proudly:

"I'll be at the place you mentioned in 10 minutes."

After speaking, the two parted.But on the way, Du Roy almost missed the job because of Jacques Rival.Rival tugged at him and babbled a lot of blah blah blah blah.Apparently, he just got out of the restaurant after having some drinks.Later, Du Roy met M. de Marais in a drawing room.So he handed Rival over to him, and withdrew himself.Besides, Du Roy could not let his wife and La Roche find himself.But this kind of worry seems unnecessary, because the two are discussing something enthusiastically right now, and they have no time to care about others.Du Roy then made his way through the conservatory to the garden.

Outside the house, the cold air came in waves, and Du Roy felt like an ice room.He thought: "Damn it! You've got to catch a cold like this."''

So he took out a handkerchief, and wrapped it around his neck like one wears a tie.Since he had just walked out of the brightly lit living room, he couldn't see the path under his feet for a while, so he could only grope forward slowly.

The bushes on both sides of the path have long since withered, leaving only a few empty twigs shaking weakly in the cold wind. The light from the room shone on the branches, making them look gray.Du Roy saw a white mass in the middle of the road ahead, and it turned out that Mrs. Walter was standing there with her chest bare.She said tremblingly, "Ah, you're finally here丨Do you want me to die?"

Du Roy said unhurriedly: "I beg you, don't do anything stupid. Otherwise, I'll leave right away."

Mrs. Walter hooked his neck, and asked almost mouth to mouth: "What did I do wrong? You treat me like this? What did I do wrong?"

Du Roy tried to push her away: "The last time we met, you wrapped my buttons with your hair and almost made Madeleine and I fall out."

Mrs. Walter was startled for a moment, then shook her head and said, "Impossible! Your wife wouldn't be like this! It must be one of your mistresses who made a big fuss with you."

"I don't have a mistress."

(End of this chapter)