Madame Bovary - Penn State University

Madame Bovary“Ah, yes! madame. Your father-in-law is dead.”“Ah! my dear!”In fact, Monsieur Bovary senior had expired the evening And he bent over her gently to kiss her. But at the contactbefore suddenly from an attack of apoplexy as he got up from of his lips the memory of the other seized her, and she passedtable, and by way of greater precaution, on account of Emma’s her hand over her face shuddering.sensibility, Charles had begged Homais to break the horrible But she made answer, “Yes, I know, I know!”news to her gradually. Homais had thought over his speech; He showed her the letter in which his mother told the eventhe had rounded, polished it, made it rhythmical; it was a without any sentimental hypocrisy. She only regretted hermasterpiece of prudence and transitions, of subtle turns and husband had not received the consolations of religion, as hedelicacy; but anger had got the better of rhetoric.had died at Daudeville, in the street, at the door of a cafe afterEmma, giving up all chance of hearing any details, left the pharmacy;for Monsieur Homais had taken up the thread of his vitu-Emma gave him back the letter; then at dinner, fora patriotic dinner with some ex-officers.perations. However, he was growing calmer, and was now grumblingin a paternal tone whilst he fanned himself with his skull-cap. urged her to try, she resolutely began eating, while Charlesappearance’s sake, she affected a certain repugnance. But as he“It is not that I entirely disapprove of the work. Its author opposite her sat motionless in a dejected attitude.was a doctor! There are certain scientific points in it that it is Now and then he raised his head and gave her a long looknot ill a man should know, and I would even venture to say full of distress. Once he sighed, “I should have liked to seethat a man must know. But later—later! At any rate, not till him again!”you are man yourself and your temperament is formed.” She was silent. At last, understanding that she must say something,“How old was your father?” she asked.When Emma knocked at the door. Charles, who was waitingfor her, came forward with open arms and said to her “Fifty-eight.”with tears in his voice—“Ah!”214