Bel Ami

Chapter 7

A DUEL WITH AN END

Charles's absence gave Duroy a more important position on "La Vie

Francaise." Only one matter arose to annoy him, otherwise his sky

was cloudless.

An insignificant paper, "La Plume," attacked him constantly, or

rather attacked the editor of the "Echoes" of "La Vie Francaise."

Jacques Rival said to him one day: "You are very forbearing."

"What should I do? It is no direct attack."

But, one afternoon when he entered the office, Boisrenard handed him

a number of "La Plume."

"See, here is another unpleasant remark for you."

"Relative to what?"

"To the arrest of one Dame Aubert."

Georges took the paper and read a scathing personal denunciation.

Duroy, it seems, had written an item claiming that Dame Aubert who,

as the editor of "La Plume," claimed, had been put under arrest, was

a myth. The latter retaliated by accusing Duroy of receiving bribes

and of suppressing matter that should be published.

As Saint-Potin entered, Duroy asked him: "Have you seen the

paragraph in 'La Plume'?"

"Yes, and I have just come from Dame Aubert's; she is no myth, but

she has not been arrested; that report has no foundation."

Duroy went at once to M. Walter's office. After hearing the case,

the manager bade him go to the woman's house himself, find out the

details, and reply, to the article.

Duroy set out upon his errand and on his return to the office, wrote

the following: