y word of honor. This is our nest--ours alone!"

She embraced him in a transport of delight. "Then I agree, my dearest.
But if you deceive me once--just once, that will end all between us
forever."

He protested, and it was agreed that he should settle in the rooms that
same day. She said to him:

"You must dine with us Sunday. My husband thinks you charming."

He was flattered. "Indeed?"

"Yes, you have made a conquest. Did you not tell me that your home was
in the country?"

"Yes; why?"

"Then you know something about agriculture?"

"Yes."

"Very well; talk to him of gardening and crops; he enjoys those
subjects."

"All right. I shall not forget."

She left him, after lavishing upon him innumerable caresses.

CHAPTER VIII.

DEATH AND A PROPOSAL

Duroy moved his effects to the apartments in Rue de Constantinople. Two
or three times a week, Mme. de-Marelle paid him visits. Duroy, to
counterbalance them, dined at her house every Thursday, and delighted
her husband by talking agriculture to him.

It was almost the end of February. Duroy was free from care. One night,
when he returned home, he found a letter under his door. He examined
the postmark; it was from Cannes. Having opened it, he read:

"Cannes, Villa Jolie."

"Dear sir and friend: You told me, did you not, that I could
count upon you at any time? Very well. I have a favor to ask
of you; it is to come and help me--not to leave me alone during
Charles's last moments. He may not live through the week,
although he is not confined to his bed, but the doctor has
warned me. I have not the strength nor the courage to see that
agony day and night, and I think with terror of the approaching
end I can only ask such a thing of you, for my husband has no
relatives. You were his comrade; he helped you to your
position; come, I beg of you; I have no one else to ask."

"Your friend,"

"Madeleine Forestier."

Georges murmured: "Certainly I will go. Poor Charles!"

The manager, to whom he communicated the contents of that letter,
grumblingly gave his consent. He repeated: "But return speedily, you
are indispensable to us."

Georges Duroy left for Cannes the next day by the seven o'clock
express, after having warned Mme. de Marelle by telegram. He arrived
the following day at four o'clock in the afternoon. A commissionnaire
conducted him to Villa Jolie. The house was small and l