Bel-Ami as
everyone else does. Great changes have taken place. The ministry has
been overthrown. Marrot is to form a new cabinet. He has chosen General
Boutin d'Acre as minister of war, and our friend Laroche-Mathieu as
minister of foreign affairs. We shall be very busy. I must write a
leading article, a simple declaration of principles; then I must have
something interesting on the Morocco question--you must attend to that."

Du Roy reflected a moment and then replied: "I have it. I will give you
an article on the political situation of our African colony," and he
proceeded to prepare M. Walter an outline of his work, which was
nothing but a modification of his first article on "Souvenirs of a
Soldier in Africa."

The manager having read the article said: "It is perfect; you are a
treasure. Many thanks."

Du Roy returned home to dinner delighted with his day, notwithstanding
his failure at La Trinite. His wife was awaiting him anxiously. She
exclaimed on seeing him:

"You know that Laroche is minister of foreign affairs."

"Yes, I have just written an article on that subject."

"How?"

"Do you remember the first article we wrote on 'Souvenirs of a Soldier
in Africa'? Well, I revised and corrected it for the occasion."

She smiled. "Ah, yes, that will do very well."

At that moment the servant entered with a dispatch containing these
words without any signature:

"I was beside myself. Pardon me and come to-morrow at four o'clock to
Park Monceau."

He understood the message, and with a joyful heart, slipped the
telegram into his pocket. During dinner he repeated the words to
himself; as he interpreted them, they meant, "I yield--I am yours where
and when you will." He laughed.

Madeleine asked: "What is it?"

"Nothing much. I was thinking of a comical old priest I met a short
while since."

* * * * * * *

Du Roy arrived at the appointed hour the following day. The benches
were all occupied by people trying to escape from the heat and by
nurses with their charges.

He found Mme. Walter in a little antique ruin; she seemed unhappy and
anxious. When he had greeted her, she said: "How many people there are
in the garden!"

He took advantage of the occasion: "Yes, that is true; shall we go
somewhere else?"

"Where?"

"It matters not where; for a drive, for instance. You can lower the
shade on your side and you will be well concealed."

"Yes, I should like