f. A pin might have been heard to fall. At length
the sub-chief said, hesitatingly: "You said?"

"I said that I don't care a damn about it. I have only called to-day to
tender my resignation. I am engaged on the staff of the _Vie Francaise_
at five hundred francs a month, and extra pay for all I write. Indeed, I
made my _debut_ this morning."

He had promised himself to spin out his enjoyment, but had not been able
to resist the temptation of letting it all out at once.

The effect, too, was overwhelming. No one stirred.

Duroy went on: "I will go and inform Monsieur Perthuis, and then come
and wish you good-bye."

And he went out in search of the chief, who exclaimed, on seeing him:
"Ah, here you are. You know that I won't have--"

His late subordinate cut him short with: "It's not worth while yelling
like that."

Monsieur Perthuis, a stout man, as red as a turkey cock, was choked with
bewilderment.

Duroy continued: "I have had enough of this crib. I made my _debut_ this
morning in journalism, where I am assured of a very good position. I
have the honor to bid you good-day." And he went out. He was avenged.

As he promised, he went and shook hands with his old colleagues, who
scarcely dared to speak to him, for fear of compromising themselves, for
they had overheard his conversation with the chief, the door having
remained open.

He found himself in the street again, with his salary in his pocket. He
stood himself a substantial breakfast at a good but cheap restaurant he
was acquainted with, and having again purchased the _Vie Francaise_, and
left it on the table, went into several shops, where he bought some
trifles, solely for the sake of ordering them to be sent home, and
giving his name: "George Duroy," with the addition, "I am the editor of
the _Vie Francaise_."

Then he gave the name of the street and the number, taking care to add:
"Leave it with the doorkeeper."

As he had still some time to spare he went into the shop of a
lithographer, who executed visiting cards at a moment's notice before
the eyes of passers-by, and had a hundred, bearing his new occupation
under his name, printed off while he waited.

Then he went to the office of the paper.

Forestier received him loftily, as one receives a subordinate. "Ah! here
you are. Good. I have several things for you to attend to. Just wait ten
minutes. I will just finish what I am about."

And he went on with a letter he was writing.

At the