on entering the office the following day, du roy sought boisrenard and told him to warn his associates not to continue the farce of calling him forestier, or there would be war. when du roy returned an hour later, no one called him by that name. from the office he proceeded to his home, and hearing the sound of ladies’ voices in the drawing-room, he asked the servant: “who is here?”
“mme. walter and mme. de marelle,” was the reply.
his heart pulsated violently as he opened the door. clotilde was seated by the fireplace; it seemed to georges that she turned pale on perceiving him.
having greeted mme. walter and her two daughters seated like sentinels beside her, he turned to his former mistress. she extended her hand; he took and pressed it as if to say: “i love you still!” she returned the pressure.
he said: “have you been well since we last met?”
“yes; have you, bel-ami?” and turning to madeleine she added: “will you permit me to call him bel-ami?”
“certainly, my dear; i will permit anything you wish.”
a shade of irony lurked beneath those words, uttered so pleasantly.
mme. walter mentioned a fencing-match to be given at jacques rival’s apartments, the proceeds to be devoted to charities, and in which many society ladies were going to assist. she said: “it will be very entertaining; but i am in despair, for we have no one to escort us, my husband having an engagement.”
du roy offered his services at once. she accepted, saying: “my daughters and i shall be very grateful.”
he glanced at the younger of the two girls and thought: “little suzanne is not at all bad, not at all.”
she resembled a doll, being very small and dainty, with a well- proportioned form, a pretty, delicate face, blue-gray eyes, a fair skin, and curly, flaxen hair. her elder sister, rose, was plain — one of those girls to whom no attention is ever paid. her mother rose, and turning to georges, said: “i shall count on you next thursday at two o’clock.”
he replied: “count upon me, madame.”
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. she spoke of you to me with great enthusiasm. she said she would like to find two husbands like you for her daughters. fortunately she is not susceptible herself.”
he did not understand her and repeated: “susceptible herself?”
she replied in a tone of conviction: “oh, mme. walter is irreproachable. her husband you know as well as i. but she is different. still she has suffered a great deal in having married a jew, though she has been true to him; she is a virtuous woman.”
du roy was surprised: “i thought her a jewess.”
“she a jewess! no, indeed! she is the prime mover in all the charitable movements at the madeleine. she was even married by a priest. i am not sure but that m. walter went through the form of baptism.”
georges murmured: “and — she — likes — me —”
“yes. if you were not married i should advise you to ask for the hand of — suzanne — would you not prefer her to rose?”
he replied as he twisted his mustache: “eh! the mother is not so bad!”
madeleine replied: “i am not afraid of her. at her age one does not begin to make conquests — one should commence sooner.”
georges thought: “if i might have had suzanne, ah!” then he shrugged his shoulders: “bah, it is absurd; her father would not have consented.”
he determined to treat mme. walter very considerately in order to retain her regard. all that evening he was haunted by recollections of his love for clotilde; he recalled their escapades, her kindness. he repeated to himself: “she is indeed nice. yes, i shall call upon her to-morrow.”
when he had lunched the following morning he repaired to rue verneuil. the same maid opened the door, and with the familiarity of an old servant she asked: “is monsieur well?”
he replied: “yes, my child,” and entered the drawing-room in which some one was practising scales. it was laurine. he expected she would fall upon his neck. she, however, rose ceremoniously, bowed coldly, and left the room with dignity; her manner was so much like that of an outraged woman that he was amazed. her mother entered. he kissed her hand.
“how much i have thought of you,” said he.
“and i of you,” she replied.
they seated themselves and smiled as they gazed into one another’s eyes.
“my dear little clo, i love you.”
“and i love you.”
“still — still — you did not miss me.”
“yes and no. i was grieved, but when i heard your reason, i said to myself: ‘bah, he will return to me some day.’”
“i dared not come. i did not know how i should be received. i dared not, but i longed to come. now, tell me what ails laurine; she scarcely bade me good morning and left the room with an angry air.”
“i do not know, but one cannot mention you to her since your marriage; i really believe she is jealous.”
“nonsense.”
“yes, my dear, she no longer calls you bel-ami, but m. forestier instead.”
du roy colored, then drawing nearer the young woman, he said: “kiss me.”
she obeyed him.
“where can we meet again?” he asked.
“at rue de constantinople.”
“ah, are the apartments not rented?”
“no, i kept them.”
“you did?”
“yes, i thought you would return.”
his heart bounded joyfully. she loved him then with a lasting love! he whispered: “i adore you.” then he asked: “is your husband well?”
“yes, very well. he has just been home for a month; he went away the day before yesterday.”
du roy could not suppress a smile: “how opportunely that always happens!”
she replied naively: “yes, it happens opportunely, 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 filled with ladies, who were chatting as if they were at a theater. mme. walter and her daughters reached their seats in the front row.
du roy, having obtained their places for them, whispered: “i shall be obliged to leave you; men cannot occupy the seats.”
mme. walter replied hesitatingly: “i should like to keep you, just the same. you could tell me the names of the participants. see, if you stand at the end of the seat, you will not annoy anyone.” she raised her large, soft eyes to his and insisted: “come, stay with us — bel-ami — we need you!”
he replied: “i obey with pleasure, madame!”
suddenly jacques rival’s voice announced: “we will begin, ladies.”
then followed the fencing-match. du roy retained his place beside the ladies and gave them all the necessary information. when the entertainment was over and all expenses were paid, two hundred and twenty francs remained for the orphans of the sixth ward.
du roy, escorting the walters, awaited his carriage. when seated face to face with mme. walter, he met her troubled but caressing glance.
“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. france may send an expedition out there in several months. in any case the ministry will be overthrown and laroche will profit by the occasion.”
du roy, in order to draw out his wife, pretended not to believe it. “france would not be silly enough to commence any folly with tunis!”
she shrugged her shoulders impatiently. “i tell you she will! you do not understand that it is a question of money — you are as simple as forestier.”
her object was to wound and irritate him, but he only smiled and replied: “what! as simple as that stupid fellow?”
she ceased and murmured: “oh, georges!”
he added: “poor devil!” in a tone of profound pity.
madeleine turned her back upon him scornfully; after a moment of silence, she continued: “we shall have some company tuesday. mme. laroche-mathieu is coming here to dine with viscountess de percemur. will you invite rival and norbert de varenne? i shall go to mmes. walter and de marelle to-morrow. perhaps, too, we may have mme. rissolin.”
du roy replied: “very well, i will see to rival and norbert.”
the following day he thought he would anticipate his wife’s visit to mme. walter and attempt to find out if she really was in love with him. he arrived at boulevard malesherbes at two o’clock. he was ushered into the salon and waited. finally mme. walter appeared and offered him her hand cordially. “what good wind blows you here?”
“no good wind, but a desire to see you. some power has impelled me hither, i do not know why; i have nothing to say except that i have come; here i am! pardon the morning call and the candor of my explanation.”
he uttered those words with a smile upon his lips and a serious accent in his voice.
in her astonishment, she stammered with a blush: “but indeed — i do not understand — you surprise me.”
he added: “it is a declaration made in jest in order not to startle you.”
they were seated near each other. she took the matter as a jest. “is it a declaration — seriously?”
“yes, for a long time i have wished to make it, but i dared not; they say you are so austere, so rigid.”
she had recovered her self-possession and replied:
“why did you choose to-day?”
“i do not know.” then he lowered his voice: “or rather because i have thought only of you since yesterday.”
suddenly turning pale, she gasped: “come, enough of this childishness! let us talk of something else.”
but he fell upon his knees before her. she tried to rise; he prevented her by twining his arms about her waist, and repeated in a passionate voice: “yes, it is true that i have loved you madly for some time. do not answer me. i am mad — i love you. oh, if you knew how i love you!”
she could utter no sound; in her agitation she repulsed him with both hands, for she could feel his breath upon her cheek. he rose suddenly and attempted to embrace her, but gaining her liberty for a moment, she escaped him and ran from chair to chair. he, considering such pursuit beneath his dignity, sank into a chair, buried his face in his hands, and feigned to sob convulsively. then he rose, cried:
“adieu, adieu!” and fled.
in the hall he took his cane calmly and left the house saying: “cristi! i believe she loves me!”
he went at once to the telegraph office to send a message to clotilde, appointing a rendezvous for the next day.
on entering the house at his usual time, he said to his wife: “well, is everyone coming to dinner?”
she replied: “yes, all but mme. walter, who is uncertain as to whether she can come. she acted very strangely. never mind, perhaps she can manage it anyway.”
he replied: “she will come.”
he was not, however, certain and was rendered uneasy until the day of the dinner. that morning madeleine received a message from mme. walter to this effect: “i have succeeded in arranging matters and i shall be with you, but my husband cannot accompany me.”
du roy thought: “i did right not to return there. she has calmed down.” still he awaited her arrival anxiously.
she appeared very composed, somewhat reserved, and haughty. he was very humble, very careful, and submissive. mmes. laroche-mathieu and rissolin were accompanied by their husbands. mme. de marelle looked bewitching in an odd combination of yellow and black.
at du roy’s right sat mme. walter, and he spoke to her only of serious matters with exaggerated respect. from time to time he glanced at clotilde.
“she is really very pretty and fresh looking,” thought he. but mme. walter attracted him by the difficulty of the conquest. she took her leave early.
“i will escort you,” said he.
she declined his offer. he insisted: “why do you not want me? you wound me deeply. do not let me feel that i am not forgiven. you see that i am calm.”
she replied: “you cannot leave your guests thus.”
he smiled: “bah! i shall be absent twenty minutes. no one will even notice it; if you refuse me, you will break my heart.”
“very well,” she whispered, “i will accept.”
when they were seated in the carriage, he seized her hand, and kissing it passionately said: “i love you, i love you. let me tell it to you. i will not touch you. i only wish to repeat that i love you.”
she stammered: “after what you promised me — it is too bad — too bad.”
he seemed to make a great effort, then he continued in a subdued voice: “see, how i can control myself — and yet — let me only tell you this — i love you — yes, let me go home with you and kneel before you five minutes to utter those three words and gaze upon your beloved face.”
she suffered him to take her hand and replied in broken accents: “no, i cannot — i do not wish to. think of what my servants, my daughters, would say — no — no — it is impossible.”
he continued: “i cannot live without seeing you; whether it be at your house or elsewhere, i must see you for only a moment each day that i may touch your hand, breathe the air stirred by your gown, contemplate the outlines of your form, and see your beautiful eyes.”
she listened tremblingly to the musical language of love, and made answer: “no, it is impossible. be silent!”
he spoke very low; he whispered in her ear, comprehending that it was necessary to win that simple woman gradually, to persuade her to appoint a meeting where she willed at first, and later on where he willed.
“listen: i must see you! i will wait at your door like a beggar. if you do not come down, i will come to you, but i shall see you to- morrow.”
she repeated: “no, do not come. i shall not receive you. think of my daughters!”
“then tell me where i can meet you — in the street — it matters not where — at any hour you wish — provided that i can see you. i will greet you; i will say, i love you; and then go away.”
she hesitated, almost distracted. as the coupe stopped at the door, she whispered hastily: “i will be at la trinite to-morrow, at half past three.”
after alighting, she said to her coachman: “take m. du roy home.”
when he returned, his wife asked: “where have you been?”
he replied in a low voice: “i have been to send an important telegram.”
mme. de marelle approached him: “you must take me home, bel-ami; you know that i only dine so far from home on that condition.” turning to madeleine, she asked: “you are not jealous?”
mme. du roy replied slowly: “no, not at all.”
the guests departed. clotilde, enveloped in laces, whispered to madeleine at the door: “your dinner was perfect. in a short while you will have the best political salon in paris.”
when she was alone with georges, she said: “oh, my darling bel-ami, i love you more dearly every day.”
the cab rolled on, and georges’ thoughts were with mme. walter.
第二天，杜洛瓦进入报馆后，马上找到布瓦勒纳，对他说道：
“亲爱的朋友，我想托你一件事。最近一些天，有人常叫我弗雷斯蒂埃，显然觉得很有意思。我倒觉得无聊透顶。请你在下面对大家说一说，今后谁若再开这种玩笑，我可要扇他的耳光。
“他们应当想一想，为了开这种玩笑而最后导致一场决斗，这是否划得来。我来找你，是因为知道你是一个性情稳重的人，能够使事情不致变得不可收拾，造成不快的后果。除此之外，还因为在我上次决斗时，你曾是我的证人。”
布瓦勒纳答应照办。
说完之后，杜·洛瓦出去办了点事情。一小时后，待他回到报馆时，已没有人叫他弗雷斯蒂埃了。
傍晚回到家中，他听到客厅里有女人的说话声。“谁来啦？”他向仆人问道。
“瓦尔特夫人和德·马莱尔夫人，”仆人说。
杜·洛瓦的心不禁有点扑通扑通起来，但他随即推开了客厅的门，心里嘟哝道：“嗨，这有什么？”
克洛蒂尔德正站在壁炉边，身上洒满由窗外射进来的阳光。杜·洛瓦感到，一见到他，她的脸色忽然变得有点苍白。他先向瓦尔特夫人及其像哨兵一样站在身边的两个女儿欠了欠身，然后将身子向他往日的情妇转了过来。克洛蒂尔德向他伸出一只手，他一把接住，意味深长地握了握，仿佛在说：“我仍旧爱的是你。”作为回报，克洛蒂尔德也使劲握了握他的手。
“上次一别，恍如隔世，”杜·洛瓦说道，“你一向可好？”
“很好，”克洛蒂尔德悠然自得地答道，“你呢，漂亮朋友？”
她接着又转过身，对着玛德莱娜说道：
“你同意我继续叫他漂亮朋友吗？”
“当然同意，亲爱的。不论你做什么，我都同意。”
这句话似乎是话中有话。
瓦尔特夫人这时告诉大家，单身汉雅克·里瓦尔将要在其寓所的地下室举行一场大型剑术表演，并已邀请上流社会的名媛贵妇出席观看。她最后说道：
“这场表演一定很有意思。遗憾的是，没有人能陪同我们前往，因我丈夫那天刚好没空。”
杜·洛瓦立即自告奋勇，说他届时可以陪她们去。瓦尔特夫人欣然接受：
“这样的话，我和我的两个女儿将不知怎样感谢您了。”
杜·洛瓦看了看瓦尔特夫人的幼女，心下想道：“这个小苏姗长的倒是不错，实在不错。”一眼看去，姑娘头发金黄，活脱脱像个布娃娃，个子虽然矮了点儿，但模样清秀，身腰纤细，大腿和胸脯也已发育健全。小小的脸蛋上，一双蓝灰色大眼，炯炯有神，很像一位富于想象的精细画家，用画笔特意画出来的。此外，她肌肤白皙，光洁无瑕。松软的头发，巧妙蓬起，卷曲自然，恰如一缕轻柔的烟霭，同一些小女孩怀内常常抱着的精美布娃娃头上的头发，毫无二致。这些小女孩的个儿往往还没有她们怀中抱着的布娃娃高。
姐姐罗莎则相貌丑陋，身材平平，没有任何动人之处，完全是一个无人注目、答理和谈论的女孩。
女孩的母亲这时站起身，对着杜·洛瓦说道：
“就拜托您了。下星期四下午两点，我们在家等您。”
“请尽管放心，夫人，”杜·洛瓦答道。
她走后，德·马莱尔夫人也站了起来：
“再见，漂亮朋友。”
她抓住他的手，使劲握了握，久久没有放下。面对这意在不言中的内心倾吐，杜·洛瓦深为感动，不禁对这生性活泼、放荡不羁、也许真心实意爱着他的女人，突然有点旧情萌发。
“我明天就去看她，”他当即想。
客厅里现在只剩下他和妻子两个人了。玛德莱娜倏地发出一阵爽朗而又欢快的笑声，两眼直视着他，说道：
“知道吗？瓦尔特夫人现在十分有意于你。”
“这是哪儿的话？”杜·洛瓦一脸不相信。
“事情就是这样，我说的千真万确。她同我一谈起你，就眉飞色舞。这在她是很少有的。她说她未来的两个女婿一定要同你一样……不过既然是她，这种事倒也没有什么关系。”
“没有关系？什么意思？”杜·洛瓦未听明白。
“啊，你可知道，”玛德莱娜满怀自信地说道，“瓦尔特夫人一向洁身自好，从未给人留下什么话柄。一言一行实在无可挑剔。她丈夫的情况，你同我一样清楚。而她却和他截然不同。再说为嫁了个犹太人，她受了多少苦？但她对丈夫始终如一。
因此她是一个非常规矩的女人。”
“我还以为她也是犹太人呢，”杜·洛瓦惊讶不已。
“你说她吗？根本不是。玛德莱娜教堂每次举办慈善活动，她都是大施主。她的婚礼是按天主教的习俗进行的。是她丈夫装模作样地做了洗礼，还是教会对他们的婚姻采取了睁一只眼闭一只眼的态度，这我已记不起来了。”
“原来是这样。这么说……她很……看得起我了？”杜·洛瓦问。
“对，完全对，要是你还没有结婚的话，我会劝你向她女儿求婚的……当然是苏珊，而不是罗莎喽，不是吗？”
“不过她本人也还不错呀，”杜·洛瓦抚弄着嘴角的胡髭说道。
玛德莱娜终究沉不住气了：
“知道吗，我的小乖乖？对于这位母亲，你尽管去试试好了。我对此并不担心。她既已是这样一把年纪，是不可能被花言巧语蒙骗的。要是早几年，情况也许会有所不同。”
“这么说来，难道我会娶苏珊？……”杜·洛瓦心想。因此他随即耸了耸肩，说道：
“嗨！……真是白日做梦！……她父亲能要我这个女婿？”
不过话虽如此，他仍然决定，今后要仔细留意瓦尔特夫人对他的态度。至于能否从中得到什么好处，他倒并未怎么去想。
整整一个晚上，他都沉湎于同克洛蒂尔德的那一段令人销魂的艳史中。脑海中所浮现的，尽是她的温存体贴和可笑举止，以及他们在城中到处游逛的情景。因此他反复地暗暗表示：
“她这个人可是真好。对，我明天就去看看她。”
第二天吃过午饭，他便到了韦尔纳伊街。给他开门的，还是原来的女仆。
“这一向可好，先生？”女仆向他问道，态度很是随便，完全是一副小户人家所雇佣人的样子。
“很好，孩子，”杜·洛瓦答道。
客厅里，有人在钢琴上叮叮咚咚地作音阶练习，弹得很不熟练。杜·洛瓦走了进去，见是洛琳娜。他以为，她会跑过来搂住他的脖颈亲吻他。不想她神态庄重地站起身，像大人一样，一本正经地向他行了个大礼。随后便板着脸走了出去。
她那神态简直像一个受到侮辱的成年妇女，把杜·洛瓦弄得莫名其妙。她母亲这时走了进来。杜·洛瓦迎上去握住她的双手，并在上面亲了亲。
“我是多么地想你，”他说。
“我也是，”对方答道。
他们坐了下来，彼此相视而笑，热辣辣地盯着对方，真想拥抱在一起，狂吻一番。
“亲爱的小克洛，我爱你。”
“我也是。”
“这么说……这么说……你不怪我吗？”
“也怪也不怪……我有一阵子非常痛苦，过后也就想开了，知道你也是不得已。因此我想，你总有一天会回来的。”“我不敢来，不知道你会怎样待我。我只是不敢，其实我哪天不在想。对了，洛琳娜是怎么啦？她见到我，只是随便打了个招呼，便气冲冲地走了出去。”
“我也不知道。自你结婚后，我们便再也不能在她面前谈起你。我想，她这是出于嫉妒。”
“哪儿的话？”
“就是这样，亲爱的。她已不叫你漂亮朋友，而只叫你弗雷斯蒂埃先生。”
杜·洛瓦面红耳赤，随后将身子往前挪了挪：
“让我吻吻你。”
克洛蒂尔德把嘴凑了过去。
“咱们下次在哪儿见面？”杜·洛瓦问。
“当然是……君士坦丁堡街。”
“什么？……那套房子还空着？”
“是的……我没有退掉。”
“你没有退？”
“对，我想你会回来的。”
杜·洛瓦不禁满腔欣喜，备感荣耀。显而易见，这个女人确确实实深深地爱着他，至今未改初衷。
“我是多么地爱你！”他喃喃地发出一声感叹，接着又问道：“你丈夫近来好吗？”
“很好。他回来呆了一个月，前天刚走。”
杜·洛瓦不禁扑哧一笑：
“他走得倒真是时候。”
“是啊，是很巧，”克洛蒂尔德天真地答道，“不过他在这儿也没什么关系，这你不是知道嘛？”
“不错，是这样。再说，他这个人倒也讨人喜欢。”
“你呢？”克洛蒂尔德接着问道，“你现在的生活怎样？”
“既不好，也不坏。我妻子同我不过是合伙人的关系。”
“仅此而已？”
“仅此而已……至于感情……”
“我明白了。不过她倒是个好人。”
“一点不错。可是我对她兴奋不起来。”
说着，他往她身边靠了靠，问道：
“咱们什么时候再见面？”
“如果你愿意……明天就可以。”
“好的，就明天。下午两点？”
“下午两点。”
他站起身，准备离去。行前欲言又止，最后嘟哝道：“你知道，君士坦丁堡那套房子，我想还是由我来租下。我希望这样，再也不能由你来支付房租了。”
克洛蒂尔德深情地吻了吻他的双手：
“随你的便。只要将房子保留住，使我们能在那儿见面，就行。”
杜·洛瓦于是一径走了出来，心中备感欢欣。
走到一家照相馆前，他见橱窗里放着一帧女人的照片，高高的个儿，大大的眼睛，很像瓦尔特夫人，心中不由地嘀咕起来：
“不管怎样，她也还有几分姿色。我怎么压根儿就没注意到她呢？现在我倒真想看看，她星期四会怎样待我？”
他一边走，一边搓了搓手，心里乐不可支，为自己在各方面取得的成功而感到由衷的高兴。一个干练的男子在获得成功之余，常会在内心深处产生这种难以言喻的喜悦之情。因为一方面，虚荣心得到了抚慰；另一方面，女性的柔情所引起的渴求，也在感官上得到了满足。
到了星期四那天，他向玛德莱娜问道：
“里瓦尔搞的剑术表演，你不去看看吗？”
“啊，我才不去呢。我对此不感兴趣，我要去众议院。”
杜·洛瓦于是去接瓦尔特夫人。他叫了一辆敞篷车，因为天气特别好。
见到瓦尔特夫人，他不觉一惊：她是多么地漂亮、年轻！她穿了件浅色衣裙，前胸上方袒露。在一条金黄色的花边下，两只沉甸甸的乳房，起伏不停。杜·洛瓦觉得她今天真是娇艳绝顶，令人魂酥骨软。她举止沉着，落落大方，一副做母亲的安然神色，而常常不被风流子弟所留意。她的言谈虽然都是围着一些人所共知、平淡无奇的琐事，但思绪乖巧，井井有条，没有任何过激言词。
女儿苏姗通身粉红色装饰，色彩鲜艳，光彩照人，恰似瓦特1的一幅新作。她姐姐罗莎则像是一个陪伴这位漂亮千金的女教师。
--------
1瓦特（一六八四—一七二一），法国十八世纪著名画家。
里瓦尔寓所的门前已停着一长排整整齐齐的马车。杜·洛瓦让瓦尔特夫人挽起他的手臂，一起走了进去。
此次剑术表演是为赈济巴黎第六区的孤儿，而由参众两院一些议员的内眷发起的。这些议员都同《法兰西生活报》有着一定的关系。
瓦尔特夫人虽然同意偕女儿前来，但拒绝承担募捐主持人。教会组织的慈善活动，她一般都会挂个名。这倒不是因为她是多么地虔诚，而是她觉得，自己既然嫁了个犹太人，一言一行应继续保持教徒的样子。然而里瓦尔组织的这次表演，却有点共和思想的味道，很像是矛头直指教会。
三个星期来，倾向不同的各家大报，都刊登了这样一条消息：
我们杰出的同事雅克·里瓦尔最近提出一个新奇而
又慷慨的想法：为接济巴黎第六区的孤儿而在与其单身住房相连的漂亮练习厅里，组织一场大型剑术表演。
请柬由拉洛瓦涅、勒蒙泰尔、里索兰等参议员的夫人和拉罗舍—马蒂厄、佩塞罗尔、菲尔曼等著名众议员的夫人，负责寄发。表演间歇将直接募捐，募捐所得将立即交给第六区区长或其代表。
这大肆渲扬的文字，是头脑灵活的雅克·里瓦尔为显示其才能而想出来的。
他此刻正站在其寓所的门前迎接各方来客。门里备有冷饮和茶点，其开支由募捐所得扣除。
他彬彬有礼地向客人指了指通往地下室（已改作表演厅和练习场）的小楼梯，说道：
“夫人们，请往下走。剑术表演在地下室进行。”
随后，见其经理的妻子业已到来，他抢步迎了上去，接着握了握杜·洛瓦的手，一边说道：
“你好，漂亮朋友。”
“谁告诉你……”杜·洛瓦惊讶地看着对方。
“我们身旁的瓦尔特夫人，”里瓦尔打断他的话。“觉得这样叫你非常贴切。”
“是的，”瓦尔特夫人满脸通红，急忙说道，“我承认，如果我同您更熟一点，我也会像小洛琳娜那样，叫您漂亮朋友的。
这个称呼对您很合适。”
“夫人，”杜·洛瓦笑道，“既然如此，那就请这样叫吧。”
“不，”瓦尔特夫人垂下了眼帘，“我们的关系还不够亲近。”
“您总不致于认为，”杜·洛瓦喃喃地说，“我们之间会始终像现在这样。”
“那就再看吧，”她说。
走到狭窄的楼梯口，杜·洛瓦将身子闪过一边，让瓦尔特夫人先下去。这里点着一盏煤气灯。从明亮的阳光下来到这灯光昏暗的地方，气氛突然显得有点阴森森的。螺旋型楼梯下方，很快送来一股地下室的气味，又闷又潮。四周墙壁为举行这次剑术表演，虽已擦拭过，但依然霉味很重。除此之外，空气中还伴有宗教仪式上常可闻到的安息香香味，以及女士们身上散发出的各种各样的香脂味，如马鞭草香、鸢尾根香和紫罗兰香。
举目所见，到处是黑压压的人群，嘈杂的说话声，震耳欲聋。
整个地下室，点的是煤气彩灯和纸糊灯笼。沿着硝迹斑斑的石头墙壁，堆放着一层厚厚的枝叶。上述灯具就藏在这一簇簇树叶后面，因此人们所看到的，只是一些树枝。
天花板上点缀着蕨薇，地上则铺的是树叶和鲜花。
这番布置显然别具匠心，情趣盎然。大厅深处搭了个比赛台。比赛台两侧，各有一排座椅，是裁判的席位。
大厅左右两边，各放了十排长凳，可供二百来人就座。但实际上，被邀请的来宾却达四百人之多。
比赛台前，面向观众已站了一些穿着击剑服的年轻人。他们个个身材瘦削，臂长腿长，嘴角蓄着短髭，胸膛高高挺起。其中有的为剑术师，有的为业余选手，但皆属当今剑坛名流。他们身边围了一群衣冠楚楚的男士。这些男士，有的风华正茂，有的两鬓霜染，正在同这些身穿击剑服的青年说着什么，看来关系十分密切。他们站在那里，显然希望能引起注意，被人认出。因为他们虽然穿着便服，但不是剑坛宗师便是击剑行家。
女士们几乎已坐满全部长凳。衣裙窸窣声和她们的说话声，不绝于耳。他们像在剧场看戏一样，纷纷用起了扇子，因为这铺满树叶的地下室，现在已热得像蒸笼一样。有个人甚至借机恶作剧，不时高喊：“我们要杏仁露、柠檬水和啤酒！”
瓦尔特夫人和她的两个女儿这时走到第一排给她们保留的座位前坐了下来。杜·洛瓦见她们已经安顿好，也就打算走了，说道：
“恕我不能奉陪了，因为这长凳，我们男人是不能坐的。”
瓦尔特夫人犹豫片刻，说道：
“不过我仍希望您不要走开，我还等着您给我说说那些击剑手呢。对了，您若站在这凳子边上，是不会妨碍任何人的。”
她睁着大眼，温柔地看着他，接着又说道：
“怎么样？漂亮朋友……先生……您就留在这儿吧。我们很需要您。”
“好吧，夫人，”杜·洛瓦答道，“我深感荣幸……一切遵命。”
大厅四周这时响起了一片赞叹声：
“这间地下室可真好，真有意思。”
这个拱型大厅，杜·洛瓦当然是忘不了的。那次决斗前夕，他曾独自一人在这儿呆了整整一上午。大厅尽头当时放着一个用白纸板做的模拟人像，其大大的眼睛，是那样怕人。
楼梯边忽然传来雅克·里瓦尔的声音：
“女士们，比赛马上开始。”
只见六位男士穿着紧身衣，昂首挺胸地登上比赛台，在裁判席上坐了下来。
观众中纷纷传开了他们的姓名：其中一位个儿不高、短髭很密者，就是裁判长雷纳尔迪将军；另一位身材高大、业已谢顶但却蓄着长须者，则是画家约塞芬·卢德。其他三位服饰华丽、潇洒英俊的青年，是马泰奥·德·于雅、西蒙·拉孟塞尔和皮埃尔·德·卡尔文。最后一位是剑术师加斯帕尔·梅勒隆。
大厅两侧各挂起一块牌子，右面的牌子上写的是：克莱夫克尔先生；左面的牌子上写的是：普律莫先生。
两人都是二级剑术师中的高手。他们带着军人般的严肃神情，迈着略嫌僵硬的步伐登上台后，彼此机械地行了个“交战礼”，便交起手来了。由于身穿帆布击剑服，又带了白色护肘皮套，看去像是两个古代士兵模样的小丑，为了逗乐而在那里你来我往地打个不停。
大厅里，不时有人发出一声呐喊：“击中了！”裁判席上的六位男士于是将头向前伸了伸，一副十分内行的样子。观众所看到的，只是两个木偶一般的人，伸着胳臂，在不停地跳来跳去，因此一点门道也看不出来，然而人人都显得兴奋不已。他们只是觉得，这两个人的动作并不怎样优美，甚至有点滑稽，不由地想起新年期间大街上卖的那种打打闹闹的小木偶。
这第一对击剑手赛完后，接着上场的是普朗东先生和卡拉平先生。他们一个是民间剑术师，一个是军中教官。一个矮得出奇，一个胖得要命，简直像是用肠衣吹制的气球。只消一剑，立刻就会瘪了下来。一见他们这副模样，大厅里顿时笑声不断。普朗东先生动作敏捷，进退自如，卡拉平先生却只是挥舞手臂，整个身子因太为臃肿而动弹不得。不过话虽如此，每隔一会儿，便可见他单膝前屈，憋足了劲，带着沉重的身躯向前刺去，仿佛成败在此一举似的。但随后，他要将身子重新直立起来，也就十分吃力了。
懂行的人都说他一招一势很是严密，使对方无空可钻。观众自然信以为实，对他赞不绝口。
再接下来，便是波里雍先生和拉帕尔姆先生了。前者为职业剑术师，后者为业余选手。一交手，他们的格斗便激烈无比，疯也似的你追我赶，逼得裁判搬起椅子纷纷躲开。他们一会儿打到赛台左边，一会儿打到赛台右边。一个如果向前逼进，另一个就会纵身一跃，向后退去。女士们时而为他们那趣味横生的后退而忍俊不禁，时而又为他们的凶猛冲刺而提心吊胆。不知是哪家的孩子觉得这貌似激烈的比赛并不过瘾，这时喊了一声：“你们别累着了，快下来吧！”举座为这不知深浅的话语而大为扫兴，嘘声因而四起。行家的评论随即迅速传开：两个参赛者都非常卖力，只是功夫略有欠缺。
上半场的最后一场，是雅克·里瓦尔同比利时著名剑术师莱贝格的精彩表演。他一出场，便受到女士们的赏识。只见他相貌英俊，修短合度，且步伐轻捷，身手矫健，一招一式比前几位参赛者都更为优雅。无论是守还是攻，他的动作都是那样地洒脱，令人赏心悦目，同其对手形成鲜明的对照。因为后者虽然也表现英勇，但常常流于俗套。
“此人看来很有教养，”有人评论道。
最后，里瓦尔取得了胜利。大厅里响起一片掌声。
然而就在此前不久，地下室上方突然传来一阵阵伴有跺脚声和欢笑声的奇怪声响，弄得观众很是不安。显然是二百来位应邀前来的客人，因无法下来观看而在那里起哄。仅那小小的螺旋型楼梯就挤了五十来个男士。大厅里一时变得酷热难挡。要求透透气和喝点水的呼声，此起彼伏。刚才那爱闹的家伙，这时又喊了起来：“我们要杏仁露、柠檬水和啤酒！”尖利的嗓音压倒所有人的说话声。
里瓦尔身上依然穿着击剑服，满面通红地跑了来，说道：
“我这就去让人送点冷饮来。”
说罢，他急冲冲地向楼梯边走去。但楼梯上已堵得严严实实。要穿过这密密麻麻的人群，比登天还难。他只得向上面喊道：
“快给女士们送点冰水来。”
这五十来人随即跟着喊道：“快送冰水！”
终于有人托着一托盘冰水出现在楼梯口。可是等到盘子传到下边，却只剩下一些空杯了：杯内的水已在传递过程中被人喝干。
“这样下去岂不把人憋死？”一个人声嘶力竭地喊道，“赶紧赛完，早点散场吧！”
“募捐还没有搞，”另一人跟着喊道。
“募捐……募捐……募捐……”众人随声附和道。一个个虽已热得气喘吁吁，但仍是一副欢快的神情。
六位女士于是在长凳间走来走去，不时可听到一枚银币落入钱袋的清脆声响。
杜·洛瓦此时在将场内的名人——指给瓦尔特夫人。不言而喻，这些人都是社交名流和各大报记者。这些老牌记者凭借其自身经历，大都看不起《法兰西生活报》，对该报所作所为一直持保留态度。作为秘密交易的产物，这种政界人士和金融巨子联手的刊物，只要内阁一倒台便会销声匿迹。这样的例子，他们见得多了。除上述社交名流，场内还有几位喜爱体育运动的画家和雕塑家，以及一位大家不断地指指点点、带有法兰西学院院士头衔的诗人、几位音乐家和许多外国贵族。杜·洛瓦每谈到内中一位贵族，都要在其名字后面加上“阔佬”两字。他说这是跟英国人学的，因为他们的名片上都印有esq1字样。
--------
1esq，即esquire，英语。意即“先生”。
“您好，亲爱的朋友，”有人这时向他喊了一声。杜·洛瓦见是德·沃德雷克伯爵，遂向女士们道了声失陪，走过去同他握了握手。
过了片刻，他又回到瓦尔特夫人身边，向她说道：
“沃德雷克此人真是举止不凡，到底出身不同。”
瓦尔特夫人没有接茬。她有点累了。胸脯在一呼一吸中起伏不停，这引起了杜·洛瓦的注意，两人的目光常常不期而遇。杜·洛瓦发现，这位“老板娘”的目光已变得慌乱起来，显出犹豫不定的样子，一接触到他的目光便立即闪开了。他不由地在心中嘀咕道：
“瞧她这魂不守舍的样子……我难道对她下功夫了吗？”
几位募捐女士这时从旁走了过去，手上的钱袋已装满金币和银币。台上又挂出一块牌子，报告下一个节目为特别节目。各个裁判又回到了自己的座位上。大家都在等待着。
少顷，两位女击剑手手提花剑上了场。她们上身穿着深色运动衫，下身穿着刚过膝盖的短裙。由于胸前护甲非常厚实，使她们不得不一直仰着脖子。两个人都很年轻，而且长着漂亮的脸蛋。她们微笑着向台下欠了欠身，观众纷纷报以热烈的掌声。
接着，她们在一片窃窃私语和轻佻的玩笑声中开始比试起来。
裁判的脸上，个个漾着一丝微笑，不时为她们的劈杀轻轻叫好。
两个年轻女子的娴熟表演，在观众中也引起了阵阵喝采。不但男人们见了心旌摇摇，女人们也兴趣大增。因为巴黎观众日常所见，不过是咖啡馆里的女郎卖唱或小型歌剧，纯然是矫揉造作，附庸风雅之作，未免显得相当粗俗，甚至有点下流。今日的表演，自然令他们大开眼界。
击剑手的每一次进击，都在他们心中激起了一阵喜悦。不过话虽如此，他们所最为留意的，倒不是其手上的功夫，而是击剑手将身子转过去时，他们所看到的丰腴后背。个个张着嘴，眼睛瞪得大大的。
她们比赛完毕，大厅里响起了经久不息的掌声。
接下来，是战刀表演。可是已无人观看，人们的注意力都转移到了地下室的上方。因为楼上此时传末了家具在地板上拖来拖去的巨大声响，好像有人在搬家似的。过了一会儿，随着一阵清脆的钢琴声，上面又传来了节奏鲜明的脚步移动声。未能下来观看剑术表演的客人，为了弥补损失，显然在那儿即兴办起了舞会。
大厅里随即爆发出一阵哈哈大笑。笑声过后不久，女士们纷纷跃跃欲试，也对跳舞产生了浓厚兴趣。台上的表演已无人观看，说话声响彻整个地下室。
那些因迟到而未能下来的人，竟马上就办起了舞会，他们倒真能自寻其乐。下面的人不由地对他们深为羡慕。
这当儿，台上又出现了两位新选手。他们彼此行了个礼后，便摆开了架势，神情是那样地威严，把台下观众的注意力又吸引了过来。
接着，他们比试了起来。一招一式，是那样有力，而又恰到好处。无论是向前冲刺，还是往后退缩，每一个动作都极其优美，不但用力准确，而且干净利落，没有一点拖泥带水之感，简直已达到炉火纯青的地步。从未见过这种场面的观众，无不受到深深的吸引，露出一片惊呆的神色。
两位击剑手静若秋水，动若蛟龙。一进一退，看去似乎很慢，实质疾如旋风。其出手之敏捷，身段之灵巧，实在登峰造极。看得人们连大气也不敢出。因为他们清楚地感到，今日这场表演精美绝伦，旷世罕见。两位剑坛大师已将击剑技巧推向无可企及的高峰。其身手不凡和高超技艺表现得淋漓尽致。
大厅里鸦雀无声，人人都在目不转睛地看着。及至他们比赛完毕，握手退场时，众人这才回过味来，欢呼声顿时响成一片，又是跺脚，又是喊叫。两位击剑手的名字——其中一个叫塞尔尚，另一个叫拉维尼亚克，在人们的口中争相传诵。
与此同时，因情绪受到格斗气氛的激发，有的人一时变得火气很大。男人们看着身边的人，一副气势汹汹的样子，稍不顺眼，便会动起手来。许多人虽然从未拿过剑，如今也纷纷挥舞起手上的手杖，摆出进攻或防守的架势。
人群沿着楼梯往上走去，开始退场。现在总算可以去喝点什么了。可是等他们走到上面时，却发现原先准备的饮料和茶点，早已被那些跳舞的人尽情消受光了，因此个个怒气冲冲。然而那些家伙在散去之前竟有脸说，不该让他们这二百来人白溜一趟，什么也没看到。
大量的糕点、水果，以及果子露、香槟和啤酒，现在是荡然无存，连一块糖果也见不着，什么也没有了。一切都已被这些人劫掠、糟蹋、扫荡一光。
在众人的追问下，服务人员手捂着脸，面色沉重地谈了谈有关详情，说其中的女士比男人还要凶狠，不停地吃呀，喝呀，即使撑破肚皮，也在所不惜。他们这一席话简直像是国家遭到入侵，城市遭到洗劫之后，劫后余生的痛苦追叙。
大家只得走了。有的人为自己刚才捐了二十法郎而后悔不迭。他们感到忿忿不平的是，那些又吃又喝的人，竟一个子儿也没捐。
这次募捐共得捐款三千余法郎。除去各项开支，仅为第六区孤儿募得二百二十法郎。
杜·洛瓦陪着瓦尔特夫人及其女儿出来后，又登上马车送她们回去。由于坐在老板娘对面，他得以再次碰到她那含情脉脉又躲躲闪闪、慌乱不已的目光，心中不由地嘀咕道：“嚯，她倒真的上钩了。”想到这里，他笑了笑，觉得他同女人确实有缘。别的不说，德·马莱尔夫人自同他和好以后，便对他爱得发狂。
走在回家的路上，他的步伐显得特别轻松。
玛德莱娜正在客厅里等他，一见到他，便立即说道：
“我今日得到消息，摩洛哥问题已变得复杂起来。法国可能会在数月内出兵。不管怎样，大家定会利用这一点来推翻内阁。拉罗舍也会乘此机会而当上外交部长。”
为了戏弄妻子，杜·洛瓦故意装出一副根本不信的样子，说谁也不会那样傻，竟会重蹈在突尼斯问题上的覆辙。
玛德莱娜不耐烦地耸了耸肩：
“我说会的，肯定会的。你看来还不明白，这件事对于他们能否财源广进，有着重要的关系。亲爱的，在今天的政治角逐中，诀窍已不再是在女人身上打主意，而是利用政治事件。”
“你算了吧，”杜·洛瓦满脸轻蔑的样子，故意激她。“哎呀，没有想到，你的头脑竟与弗雷斯蒂埃一样简单。”
玛德莱娜果然火了。
她想刺一刺他，以为他定会火冒三丈。不想他却笑了笑，说道：
“你是说，我的头脑同龟公弗雷斯蒂埃一样？”
“这是什么话，乔治！”玛德莱娜大为不悦。
“你这是怎么啦？”杜·洛瓦依然一副肆无忌惮的样子，带着讥讽的口吻说。“弗雷斯蒂埃戴过绿帽子，这你不是那天晚上向我承认了吗？”
说罢，他又带着深深的同情说了一句：
“这可怜的死鬼。”
玛德莱娜将身子转了过去，不愿答理他。沉默了一会儿，她又说道：
“我们星期二晚上有客人。拉罗舍—马蒂厄夫人和佩尔斯缪子爵夫人要来吃饭。你去把里瓦尔和诺贝尔·德·瓦伦也请来好吗？我明天去请瓦尔特夫人和德·马莱尔夫人。或许里索兰夫人也可请到。”
一个时期来，玛德莱娜利用丈夫所任职务，结交了一些朋友。参众两院中，有的人十分需要《法兰西生活报》给予支持。
她现在经常连请带拉地把他们的妻子弄到家里来。
“很好，”杜·洛瓦说，“我负责邀请里瓦尔和诺贝尔。”
他搓了搓手，为自己终于找到恰当的话题而感到高兴，既能让妻子感到难堪，又能使其阴暗报复心理得到满足。因为自上次在林苑转了一圈以来，他对她产生了一种说不出所以然的强烈嫉妒心。现在，只要一谈起弗雷斯蒂埃，他总要加上“龟公”这一形容语。他心里很清楚，这一招最后必会将玛德莱娜弄得烦躁不已。因此整个晚上，他带着悠然自得的嘲讽腔调，不厌其烦地把“龟公弗雷斯蒂埃”说了不下十次。
他对死者已无所怨恨。相反，他在为他复仇。
妻子装着没有听见，仍是笑嘻嘻地对着他，显出无所谓的样子。
第二天，既然玛德莱娜要去向瓦尔特夫人发出邀请，他忽然想抢在她前面，去单独会会这位老板娘，看她是否真的有意于他。他觉得这很好玩，心里很是得意。再说若有可能……为什么不就势……呢？
因此这天下午，刚过两点，他便到了马勒泽布大街。进入客厅后，他等了等。
过了片刻，瓦尔特夫人终于满面春风地走了进来，急切地向他伸过一只手：
“今天刮的是什么风，怎么把您给吹来啦？”
“什么风也没刮。我今日来，是想看看您。我是受一种力量的驱使而来的，我也说不上是怎么回事，而且也没什么话要对您说。总之我来了。对于我这样早就来打搅您并如此坦率地说明情由，您能原谅我的冒昧吗？”
他半开玩笑而又彬彬有礼地说道，嘴角挂着笑意，声音里却透着严肃。
“说真的……”惊讶不已的瓦尔特夫人，脸上泛起红晕，结结巴巴地说道，“您的话我听不明白……感到很突然……”
“我这番表白，”杜·洛瓦又说道，“有意说得十分轻松，因为我怕吓着您。”
他们互相紧挨着坐了下来。瓦尔特夫人开玩笑地说道：
“这么说，您刚才的话……是认真的喽？”
“当然。这些话，我藏在心底已经很久很久了，早就想对您说。可是我不敢，大家都说您性情古板……非常严肃……”
瓦尔特夫人已终于恢复镇静，这时说道：
“那您为何今天来了呢？”
“我也说不上来，”杜·洛瓦说，接着又压低嗓音：“也许是因为昨天回去后，我始终坐立不安，心里只是想着您。”
“这是哪儿的话？”瓦尔特夫人面色煞白，“别孩子气了，咱们还是说点别的吧。”
杜·洛瓦一下子在她面前跪了下来，弄得她惊骇不已。她想站起来，然而杜·洛瓦双手抱着她的身腰，死死按住了她。
同时带着激动的神情不住地说道：
“真的，很久以来，我便爱上了您，而且爱得发狂。您现在不用说话。我控制不了自己，毫无办法。我爱您……我是多么地爱您！您能知道我的心吗？”
瓦尔特夫人已是气喘吁吁，上气不接下气，想说点什么，但一句话也说不出来。她看到，杜·洛瓦的嘴唇向她的嘴唇凑了过来，因此用双手抓住他的头发，使劲顶着，不让他靠近。接着又将头向左右两边，迅速地来回摆动，并闭上了眼，不愿再看他。
隔着薄薄的衣裙，他在她身上到处摸着、捏着。这突如其来的有力爱抚，弄得她实在有点顶不住了。不想这时，杜·洛瓦忽然站了起来，想把她抱在怀内。就在他挪开身子的那一刹那，她往后一缩，刷地一下挣脱了他，绕过一张张椅子逃往一边。
杜·洛瓦觉得，现在若去追她已没有多大意思，因此一屁股落在椅子上，双手捂着脸，煞有介事地抽抽噎噎，装出一副不胜痛苦的样子。
过了片刻，他站起身，说了声再见，便一径走了出去。
到了门厅，他神态安然地拿上自己的手杖，出了大门。走在街上，他心中嘀咕道：
“他妈的，看来事情已经成了。”
接着，他到邮局给克洛蒂尔德发了封快信，约她第二天相见。
他在平常时刻回到家中。一见到妻子，便劈面问道：
“怎么样？由你负责的那几位，你都请了吗？”
“请了，”玛德莱娜答道，“只有瓦尔特夫人不能肯定届时是否有空。她好像有点犹豫不决，什么责任呀，良心呀，说了许多，让我简直摸不着头脑。她今天这样子实在很怪。不管怎样，我想她会来的。”
“当然啦，”杜·洛瓦耸丁耸肩，“她会来的。”
不过，他对此并无确实的把握，因此直到宴请那天还一直担着心。
这天早上，玛德莱娜收到这位老板娘一张便条。便条写道：“今晚的时间总算已经挤出，因此可来贵府赴宴。只是我丈夫不能陪我前来。”
杜·洛瓦阅后心想：
“我没有再去找她，看来是对的。她现已平静下来，我可要处处留神。”
不过，在她到来之前，他心里仍有点惶惶不安。她终于来了，神色相当安详，只是有点冷漠和傲慢。杜·洛瓦立刻摆出一副低三下四的样子，言语谨慎，处处顺从。
拉罗舍—马蒂厄夫人和里索兰夫人也在各自丈夫的陪同下来了。佩尔斯缪子爵夫人来后，身子尚未坐下，便眉飞色舞地谈起了上流社会的新闻。德·马莱尔夫人今天打扮得格外迷人，别出心裁地穿着一套黄黑相间的西班牙式制服，把那纤细的身腰及丰腴的胸脯和臂膀裹得紧紧的，使那张小小的秀丽面庞分外引人注目。
入席时，杜·洛瓦坐在瓦尔特夫人的右侧。不过在晚宴进行期间，他只同她说了几句非常严肃的话语，而且总是一副毕恭毕敬的样子。他的目光不时落在克洛蒂尔德身上，心里不由地感叹道：“她的美丽和娇艳，实在无与伦比。”与此同时，他也时而对自己的妻子瞥上一眼，觉得她长得也还不错，虽然他怀着一腔恶意，至今对她怒火未消，只是暂且埋藏心底罢了。
不过，他对瓦尔特夫人所以欲罢不能，完全是因为对方越难征服便越要去降服她，此外同男人都有的那种猎奇心理也不无关系。
这位老板娘在言语中流露出想早点回去，他马上说道：
“我送您回去。”
她一口回绝，但杜·洛瓦也不是轻易可拗得过的：
“为什么不让我送您呢？您这也未免太伤人了。您难道还在生我的气？您看，我不是已经平静下来了吗？”
“您总不能就这样把客人都扔下不管吧？”
“这有什么？”杜·洛瓦笑了笑。“不就是离开二十来分钟吗？他们恐怕未必会发现呢！您若不让我送，那可要伤透我的心。”
“好吧，”瓦尔特夫人低声说道，“我同意就是了。”
可是他们刚在车上坐好，杜·洛瓦便一把抓住她的手，狂热地在上面吻个不停：
“我爱您，我爱您，让我把心里话给您掏出来。我不会碰您的，我只是想告诉您，我是多么地爱您！”
“啊……”瓦尔特夫人结结巴巴，“您刚才怎么说来着……
现在又……这可不好……这可不好……”
杜·洛瓦作出努力克制的样子，接着又压低嗓音说道：
“您看，我这个人是多么有自制力。因此……您还是让我只对您说这么一句……我爱您……而且我要天天对您说……对，我要每天到您家去跪在您面前，看着您美丽的面庞，把这三个字对您说上五分钟。”
“不，不行，”她任凭杜·洛瓦吻着她的手，有气无力地说道，“我不能让您这样。想想人家会怎样说。家里有仆人，有我女儿。不，不行，绝对不行……”
“我现在是，”杜·洛瓦又说，“只要一天看不到您，就简直活不下去。无论是在您家里，还是在别的什么地方，我每天得见您一次，哪怕是一分钟也好。让我趁此机会拉一拉您的手，呼吸一点您身边的空气，并看看您这苗条的身姿和您这令我发狂的动人大眼。”
这爱情的表白是多么地单调乏味，然而瓦尔特夫人听了，身子却不停地颤抖，只是结结巴巴地说道：
“不……不行……绝对不行。您别说了。”
