It seems to me that you are examining into it very carefully."

The man replied: "I am not visiting the church; I have an appointment."
He paused and in a few moments added: "It is very warm outside."

Du Roy looked at him and suddenly thought that he resembled Forestier.
"Are you from the provinces?" he asked.

"Yes, I am from Rennes. And did you, sir, enter this church from
curiosity?"

"No, I am waiting for a lady." And with a smile upon his lips, he
walked away.

He did not find Mme. Walter in the place in which he had left her, and
was surprised. She had gone. He was furious. Then he thought she might
be looking for him, and he walked around the church. Not finding her,
he returned and seated himself on the chair she had occupied, hoping
that she would rejoin him there. Soon he heard the sound of a voice. He
saw no one; whence came it? He rose to examine into it, and saw in a
chapel near by, the doors of the confessionals. He drew nearer in order
to see the woman whose voice he heard. He recognized Mme. Walter; she
was confessing. At first he felt a desire to seize her by the arm and
drag her away; then he seated himself near by and bided his time. He
waited quite awhile. At length Mme. Walter rose, turned, saw him and
came toward him. Her face was cold and severe.

"Sir," said she, "I beseech you not to accompany me, not to follow me
and not to come to my house alone. You will not be admitted. Adieu!"
And she walked away in a dignified manner.

He permitted her to go, because it was against his principles to force
matters. As the priest in his turn issued from the confessional, he
advanced toward him and said: "If you did not wear a gown, I would give
you a sound thrashing." Then he turned upon his heel and left the
church whistling. In the doorway he met the stout gentleman. When Du
Roy passed him, they bowed.

The journalist then repaired to the office of "La Vie Francaise." As he
entered he saw by the clerks' busy air that something of importance was
going on, and he hastened to the manager's room. The latter exclaimed
joyfully as Du Roy entered: "What luck! here is Bel-Ami."

He stopped in confusion and apologized: "I beg your pardon, I am very
much bothered by circumstances. And then I hear my wife and daughter
call you Bel-Ami from morning until night, and I have acquired the
habit myself. Are you displeased?"

Georges laughed. "Not at all."

M. Walter continued: "Very well, then I will call you