Madame Bovary - Penn State University

Flaubert“And so you’re quite well again?” he went on. “Ma foi! I She did not understand. He was silent. Then, passing to hissaw your husband in a sad state. He’s a good fellow, though trade, Lheureux declared that madame must require something.He would send her a black barege, twelve yards, justwe did have a little misunderstanding.”She asked what misunderstanding, for Charles had said nothingof the dispute about the goods supplied to her.“The one you’ve on is good enough for the house, but youenough to make a gown.“Why, you know well enough,” cried Lheureux. “It was want another for calls. I saw that the very moment that Iabout your little fancies—the travelling trunks.”came in. I’ve the eye of an American!”He had drawn his hat over his eyes, and, with his hands He did not send the stuff; he brought it. Then he camebehind his back, smiling and whistling, he looked straight at again to measure it; he came again on other pretexts, alwaysher in an unbearable manner. Did he suspect anything? trying to make himself agreeable, useful, “enfeoffing himself,”as Homais would have said, and always dropping someShe was lost in all kinds of apprehensions. At last, however,he went on—hint to Emma about the power of attorney. He never mentionedthe bill; she did not think of it. Charles, at the begin-“We made it up, all the same, and I’ve come again to proposeanother arrangement.”ning of her convalescence, had certainly said something aboutThis was to renew the bill Bovary had signed. The doctor, it to her, but so many emotions had passed through her headof course, would do as he pleased; he was not to trouble himself,especially just now, when he would have a lot of worry. to talk of any money questions. Madame Bovary seemed sur-that she no longer remembered it. Besides, she took care not“And he would do better to give it over to someone else—to prised at this, and attributed the change in her ways to theyou, for example. With a power of attorney it could be easily religious sentiments she had contracted during her illness.managed, and then we (you and I) would have our little businesstransactions together.”by her practical good sense. It would be necessary toBut as soon as she was gone, Emma greatly astounded Bovarymake217