第54章

Theygraduallycametotalkingmorefrequentlyofmattersoutsidetheirlove，andinthelettersthatEmmawrotehimshespokeofflowers，verses，themoonandthestars，naiveresourcesofawaningpassionstrivingtokeepitselfalivebyallexternalaids。Shewasconstantlypromisingherselfaprofoundfelicityonhernextjourney。Thensheconfessedtoherselfthatshefeltnothingextraordinary。Thisdisappointmentquicklygavewaytoanewhope，andEmmareturnedtohimmoreinflamed，moreeagerthanever。Sheundressedbrutally，tearingoffthethinlacesofhercorsetthatnestledaroundherhipslikeaglidingsnake。Shewentontiptoe，barefooted，toseeoncemorethatthedoorwasclosed，then，pale，serious，and，withoutspeaking，withonemovement，shethrewherselfuponhisbreastwithalongshudder。

Yettherewasuponthatbrowcoveredwithcolddrops，onthosequiveringlips，inthosewildeyes，inthestrainofthosearms，somethingvagueanddrearythatseemedtoLeontoglidebetweenthemsubtlyasiftoseparatethem。

Hedidnotdaretoquestionher；but，seeinghersoskilled，shemusthavepassed，hethought，througheveryexperienceofsufferingandofpleasure。Whathadoncecharmednowfrightenedhimalittle。Besides，herebelledagainsthisabsorption，dailymoremarked，byherpersonality。HebegrudgedEmmathisconstantvictory。Heevenstrovenottoloveher；then，whenheheardthecreakingofherboots，heturnedcoward，likedrunkardsatthesightofstrongdrinks。

Shedidnotfail，intruth，tolavishallsortsofattentionsuponhim，fromthedelicaciesoffoodtothecoquettriesofdressandlanguishinglooks。ShebroughtrosestoherbreastfromYonville，whichshethrewintohisface；wasanxiousabouthishealth，gavehimadviceastohisconduct；and，inorderthemoresurelytokeepherholdonhim，hopingperhapsthatheavenwouldtakeherpart，shetiedamedaloftheVirginroundhisneck。Sheinquiredlikeavirtuousmotherabouthiscompanions。Shesaidtohim——

“Don’tseethem；don’tgoout；thinkonlyofourselves；loveme!“

Shewouldhavelikedtobeabletowatchoverhislife；andtheideaoccurredtoherofhavinghimfollowedinthestreets。Nearthehoteltherewasalwaysakindofloaferwhoaccostedtravellers，andwhowouldnotrefuse。Butherpriderevoltedatthis。

“Bah!somuchtheworse。Lethimdeceiveme!Whatdoesitmattertome？AsIfIcaredforhim!“

Oneday，whentheyhadpartedearlyandshewasreturningalonealongtheboulevard，shesawthewallsofherconvent；thenshesatdownonaformintheshadeoftheelm-trees。Howcalmthattimehadbeen!Howshelongedfortheineffablesentimentsoflovethatshehadtriedtofiguretoherselfoutofbooks!Thefirstmonthofhermarriage，herridesinthewood，theviscountthatwaltzed，andLagardysinging，allrepassedbeforehereyes。

AndLeonsuddenlyappearedtoherasfaroffastheot