rtunely, but he is not in the
way when he is here; is he?"

"That is true; he is a charming man!"

"How do you like your new life?"

"Tolerably; my wife is a comrade, an associate, nothing more; as for my
heart--"

"I understand; but she is good."

"Yes, she does not trouble me."

He drew near Clotilde and murmured: "When shall we meet again?"

"To-morrow, if you will."

"Yes, to-morrow at two o'clock."

He rose to take his leave somewhat embarrassed.

"You know I intend to take back the rooms on Rue de Constantinople
myself. I wish to; it is not necessary for you to pay for them."

She kissed his hands, saying: "You may do as you like. I am satisfied
to have kept them until we met again." And Du Roy took his leave very
well satisfied.

When Thursday came, he asked Madeleine: "Are going to the fencing-match
at Rival's?"

"No, I do not care about it. I will go to the chamber of deputies."

Georges called for Mme. Walter in an open carriage, for the weather was
delightful. He was surprised to find her looking so handsome and so
young. Never had she appeared so fresh. Her daughter, Suzanne, was
dressed in pink; her sister looked like her governess. At Rival's door
was a long line of carriages. Du Roy offered his arm to Mme. Walter and
they entered.

The entertainment was for the benefit of the orphans of the Sixth Ward
under the patronage of all the wiles of the senators and deputies who
were connected with "La Vie Francaise."

Jacques Rival received the arrivals at the entrance to his apartments,
then he pointed to a small staircase which led to the cellar in which
were his shooting-gallery and fencing-room, saying: "Downstairs,
ladies, downstairs. The match will take place in the subterranean
apartments."

Pressing Du Roy's hand, he said: "Good evening, Bel-Ami."

Du Roy was surprised: "Who told you about that name?"

Rival replied: "Mme. Walter, who thinks it very pretty."

Mme. Walter blushed.

"Yes, I confess that if I knew you better, I should do as little
Laurine, and I should call you Bel-Ami, too. It suits you admirably."

Du Roy laughed. "I beg you to do so, Madame."

She cast down her eyes. "No, we are not well enough acquainted."

He murmured: "Permit me to hope that we shall become so."

"Well, we shall see," said she.

They descended the stairs and entered a large room, which was lighted
by Venetian lanterns and decorated with festoons of gauze. Nearly all
the benches were f