. Egotism is everything. Egotism as
regards ambition and fortune is better than egotism as regards woman and
love."

The Arc de Triomphe appeared at the entrance to the city on its two tall
supports like a species of shapeless giant ready to start off and march
down the broad avenue open before him. George and Madeleine found
themselves once more in the stream of carriages bearing homeward and
bedwards the same silent and interlaced couples. It seemed that the
whole of humanity was passing by intoxicated with joy, pleasure, and
happiness. The young wife, who had divined something of what was passing
through her husband's mind, said, in her soft voice: "What are you
thinking of, dear? You have not said a word for the last half hour."

He answered, sneeringly: "I was thinking of all these fools cuddling one
another, and saying to myself that there is something else to do in
life."

She murmured: "Yes, but it is nice sometimes."

"It is nice--when one has nothing better to do."

George's thoughts were still hard at it, stripping life of its poesy in
a kind of spiteful anger. "I should be very foolish to trouble myself,
to deprive myself of anything whatever, to worry as I have done for some
time past." Forestier's image crossed his mind without causing any
irritation. It seemed to him that they had just been reconciled, that
they had become friends again. He wanted to cry out: "Good evening, old
fellow."

Madeleine, to whom this silence was irksome, said: "Suppose we have an
ice at Tortoni's before we go in."

He glanced at her sideways. Her fine profile was lit up by the bright
light from the row of gas jets of a cafe. He thought, "She is pretty.
Well, so much the better. Jack is as good as his master, my dear. But if
ever they catch me worrying again about you, it will be hot at the North
Pole." Then he replied aloud: "Certainly, my dear," and in order that
she should not guess anything, he kissed her.

It seemed to the young wife that her husband's lips were frozen. He
smiled, however, with his wonted smile, as he gave her his hand to
alight in front of the cafe.

XI

On reaching the office next day, Du Roy sought out Boisrenard.

"My dear fellow," said he, "I have a service to ask of you. It has been
thought funny for some time past to call me Forestier. I begin to find
it very stupid. Will you have the kindness to quietly let our friends
know that I will smack the face of the first that starts th