"Ah, if you must have a public to stimulate you!"
She rose, and returned to the window. A tear was running down her cheek. She wept for some time in silence. Suddenly she called to him:
"Look there!"
She pointed to Jeanne Perrin, who was strolling on the lawn with a young woman. Each had an arm about the other's waist; they were giving one another violets to smell, and were smiling.
"See! That woman is happy; her mind at peace."
And Jeanne Perrin, tasting the peace of long-established habits, strolled along satisfied and serene, without even betraying any pride in her strange preference.
Félicie watched her with, an interest which she did not confess to herself, and envied her her serenity.
"She's not afraid, that woman."
"Let her be! What harm is she doing us?"