woman, she cried
disconnectedly: "Ah, you miserable fellow--what a rascal you are! Is it
possible? What disgrace, oh, my God! You gave her my money--did you
not? I gave him the money--for that woman--oh, the wretch!"

For several moments she seemed to be vainly seeking an epithet more
forcible. Suddenly leaning forward she grasped the cabman's sleeve.
"Stop!" she cried, and opening the door, she alighted. Georges was
about to follow her but she commanded: "I forbid you to follow me," in
a voice so loud that the passers-by crowded around her, and Duroy dared
not stir for fear of a scandal.

She drew out her purse, and taking two francs fifty from it, she handed
it to the cabman, saying aloud: "Here is the money for your hour. Take
that rascal to Rue Boursault at Batignolles!"

The crowd applauded; one man said: "Bravo, little one!" and the cab
moved on, followed by the jeers of the bystanders.

CHAPTER VI.

A STEP UPWARD

The next morning Georges Duroy arose, dressed himself, and determined
to have money; he sought Forestier. His friend received him in his
study.

"What made you rise so early?" he asked.

"A very serious matter. I have a debt of honor."

"A gaming debt?"

He hesitated, then repeated: "A gaming debt."

"Is it large?"

"Five hundred francs." He only needed two hundred and eighty.

Forestier asked sceptically: "To whom do you owe that amount?"

Duroy did not reply at once. "To--to--a--M. de Carleville."

"Ah, where does he live?"

"Rue--Rue--"

Forestier laughed. "I know the gentleman! If you want twenty francs you
can have them, but no more."

Duroy took the gold-piece, called upon more friends, and by five
o'clock had collected eighty francs. As he required two hundred more,
he kept what he had begged and muttered: "I shall not worry about it. I
will pay it when I can."

For two weeks he lived economically, but at the end of that time, the
good resolutions he had formed vanished, and one evening he returned to
the Folies Bergeres in search of Rachel; but the woman was implacable
and heaped coarse insults upon him, until he felt his cheeks tingle and
he left the hall.

Forestier, out of health and feeble, made Duroy's existence at the
office insupportable. The latter did not reply to his rude remarks, but
determined to be avenged. He called upon Mme. Forestier. He found her
reclining upon a couch, reading. She held out her hand without rising
and said: "Good morning, Bel