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She is sixty years old, has false curls and teeth, wit of the time of the Restoration, and toilettes of the same period." When the guests returned to the drawing-room, Duroy asked Mme. de Marelle: "May I escort you home?" "No." "Why not?" "Because M. Laroche-Mathieu, who is my neighbor, leaves me at my door every time that I dine here." "When shall I see you again?" "Lunch with me to-morrow."
A sudden thought struck her. "Don't think me impertinent, Monsieur, but what about provisions in your tower?" "Oh, as to that, Madame, we shall do well enough. Here, open the door, Marelle!" And he gave the key to a soldier, who wearily dismounted and thrust it into the door of the tower. "But after three days in the dunes!
Oh, she is as maneuvering as anyone! She is a treasure to a man who wishes to succeed." Georges replied: "She will marry very soon again, I have no doubt." "Yes! I should not even be surprised if she had some one in view a deputy! but I do not know anything about it." M. de Marelle said impatiently: "You infer so many things that I do not like! We should never interfere in the affairs of others.
She made an effort to appear dignified and haughty, and asked, though somewhat unsteadily: "Who is it?" For a moment he hesitated before he replied: "Madeleine Forestier!" Mme. de Marelle started; her tears continued to flow. She rose. Duroy saw that she was going to leave him without a word of reproach or pardon, and he felt humbled, humiliated.
Duroy felt somewhat depressed on leaving Varenne, but on his way a perfumed damsel passed by him and recalled to his mind his reconciliation with Mme. de Marelle. How delightful was the realization of one's hopes!
A gentle rap came at the door through which Mme. de Marelle had entered, and she cried: "You may come in, my darling." The child entered, advanced to Duroy and offered him her hand. The astonished mother murmured: "That is a conquest." The young man, having kissed the child, seated her by his side, and with a serious air questioned her as to what she had done since they last met.
"Egad, I believe she is affected," thought he; and he smiled as he recognized the fact that he was really successful with the female sex, for Mme. de Marelle, since the renewal of their relations, seemed to love him madly. With a light heart he returned home. Madeleine was awaiting him in the drawing-room. "I have some news," said she. "The affair with Morocco is becoming complicated.
He placed the child, whom he had caught in his arms, upon the floor, kissed the lady's hand, and they seated themselves, the child between them. They tried to converse, but Laurine, usually so silent, monopolized the conversation, and her mother was compelled to send her to her room. When they were alone, Mme. de Marelle lowered her voice and said: "I have a great project.
When the door closed upon Mme. Walter, Mme. de Marelle, in her turn, rose. "Au revoir, Bel-Ami." This time she pressed his hand and he was moved by that silent avowal. "I will go to see her to-morrow," thought he. Left alone with his wife, she laughed, and looking into his eyes said: "Mme. Walter has taken a fancy to you!" He replied incredulously: "Nonsense!" "But I know it.
He felt that he would like to devote himself to her, to protect her and the slowness with which he replied to her questions indicated his preoccupation. Suddenly, without any cause, Mme. de Marelle called: "Laurine!" and the girl came to her. "Sit down here, my child, you will be cold near the window."
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