Chapter 18 - Page 2

form lying before him.
Suddenly he seized his hat. "Good evening. You can leave the key
with the janitor when you are ready. I will not await your
pleasure."

He left the room, closed the door, sought the porter, and said to
him: "Madame is resting. She will go out soon. You can tell the
proprietor that I have given notice for the first of October."

His marriage was fixed for the twentieth; it was to take place at
the Madeleine. There had been a great deal of gossip about the
entire affair, and many different reports were circulated. Mme.
Walter had aged greatly; her hair was gray and she sought solace in
religion.

In the early part of September "La Vie Francaise" announced that
Baron du Roy de Cantel had become its chief editor, M. Walter
reserving the title of manager. To that announcement were subjoined
the names of the staff of art and theatrical critics, political
reporters, and so forth. Journalists no longer sneered in speaking
of "La Vie Francaise;" its success had been rapid and complete. The
marriage of its chief editor was what was called a "Parisian event,"
Georges du Roy and the Walters having occasioned much comment for
some time.

The ceremony took place on a clear, autumn day. At ten o'clock the
curious began to assemble; at eleven o'clock, detachments of
officers came to disperse the crowd. Soon after, the first guests
arrived; they were followed by others, women in rich costumes, men,
grave and dignified. The church slowly began to fill. Norbert de
Varenne espied Jacques Rival, and joined him.

"Well," said he, "sharpers always succeed."

His companion, who was not envious, replied: "So much the better for
him. His fortune is made."

Rival asked: "Do you know what has become of his wife?"

The poet smiled. "Yes and no--she lives a very retired life, I have
been told, in the Montmartre quarter. But--there is a but--for some
time I have read political articles in 'La Plume,' which resemble
those of Forestier and Du Roy. They are supposed to be written by a
Jean Le Dol, a young, intelligent, handsome man--something like our
friend Georges--who has become acquainted with Mme. Forestier. From
that I have concluded that she likes beginners and that they like
her. She is, moreover, rich; Vaudrec and Laroche-Mathieu were not
attentive to her for nothing."

Rival asked: "Tell me, is it true that Mme. Walter and Du Roy do not
speak?"

"Yes. She did not wish to give him her daughter's hand. But he
threatened the old man with shocking revelations. Walter remembered
Laroche-Mathieu's fate and yielded at once; but his wife,