She replied: "It is your friend that captivates me. He is really a
pretty fellow. I believe that I could make a fool of myself for his
sake."
Duroy, intimidated, could find nothing to say. He twisted his curly
moustache, smiling in a silly fashion. The waiter brought the drinks,
which the women drank off at a draught; then they rose, and the
brunette, with a friendly nod of the head, and a tap on the arm with her
fan, said to Duroy: "Thanks, dear, you are not very talkative."
And they went off swaying their trains.
Forestier laughed. "I say, old fellow, you are very successful with the
women. You must look after it. It may lead to something." He was silent
for a moment, and then continued in the dreamy tone of men who think
aloud: "It is through them, too, that one gets on quickest."
And as Duroy still smiled without replying, he asked: "Are you going to
stop any longer? I have had enough of it. I am going home."