Bel Ami

Chapter 13

MADAME DE MARELLE

Autumn had come. The Du Roys had spent the entire summer in Paris,

leading a vigorous campaign in "La Vie Francaise," in favor of the

new cabinet. Although it was only the early part of October, the

chamber was about to resume its sessions, for affairs in Morocco

were becoming menacing. The celebrated speech made by Count de

Lambert Sarrazin had furnished Du Roy with material for ten articles

on the Algerian colony. "La Vie Francaise" had gained considerable

prestige by its connection with the power; it was the first to give

political news, and every newspaper in Paris and the provinces

sought information from it. It was quoted, feared, and began to be

respected: it was no longer the organ of a group of political

intriguers, but the avowed mouthpiece of the cabinet. Laroche-

Mathieu was the soul of the journal and Du Roy his speaking-trumpet.

M. Walter retired discreetly into the background. Madeleine's salon

became an influential center in which several members of the cabinet

met every week. The president of the council had even dined there

twice; the minister of foreign affairs was quite at home at the Du

Roys; he came at any hour, bringing dispatches or information, which

he dictated either to the husband or wife as if they were his

secretaries. After the minister had departed, when Du Roy was alone

with Madeleine, he uttered threats and insinuations against the

"parvenu," as he called him. His wife simply shrugged her shoulders

scornfully, repeating: "Become a minister and you can do the same;

until then, be silent."

His reply was: "No one knows of what I am capable; perhaps they will

find out some day."

She answered philosophically: "He who lives will see."

The morning of the reopening of the Chamber, Du Roy lunched with

Laroche-Mathieu in order to receive instructions from him, before

the session, for a political article the following day in "La Vie

Francaise," which was to be a sort of official declaration of the

plans of the cabinet. After listening to Laroche-Mathieu's eloquence

for some time with jealousy in his heart, Du Roy sauntered slowly

toward the office to commence his work, for he had nothing to do

until four o'clock, at which hour he was to meet Mme. de Marelle at

Rue de Constantinople. They met there regularly twice a week,

Mondays and Wednesdays.

On entering the office, he was handed a sealed dispatch; it was from

Mme. Walter, and read thus: