Du Roy, finding himself alone with Suzanne, exclaimed in a caressingvoice: "Listen, my dear little one; do you really consider me afriend?"

"Why, yes, Bel-Ami."

"You have faith in me?"

"Perfect faith."

"Do you remember what I exclaimed to you a while since?"

"About what?"

"About your, marriage, or rather the man you would marry."

"Yes."

"Well, will you promise me one thing?"