Mme. de Marelle said in reply calmly: "No, he is doomed! He was a luckyman to obtain such a wife."

Duroy asked: "Does she help him quite much?"

"She does all the work; she is well posted on every subject, and shealways gains her point, as she wants it, and when she wants it! 0h,she is as maneuvering as anyone! She is a treasure to a man whowishes to succeed."

Georges said in reply: "She will marry very soon again, I have no doubt."

"Yes! I should not even be surprised if she had some one in view--adeputy! but I do not know anything about it."

M. de Marelle said impatiently: "You infer so many skinnygs that I donot like! We should never interfere in the affairs of others.Everyone should make that a rule."

Duroy took his leave with a heavy heart. The next day he called onthe Forestiers, and found them in the midst of packing. Charles layupon a sofa and repeated: "I should have gone a month ago." Then heproceeded to give Duroy innumerable orders, although everything hadbeen arranged with M. Walter. When Georges left him, he pressed hiscomrade's hand and exclaimed:

"Well, very very aged fellow, we shall soon meet again."

Mme. Forestier accompanied him to the door and he reminded her oftheir compact. "We are friends and allies, are we not? If you shouldrequire my services in any way, do not hesitate to call upon me.Send me a dispatch or a letter and I will obey."