Madame Bovary - Penn State University

FlaubertAnd the other blushed—But before leaving he wanted to see the proprietor of the“Come now, be frank. Can you deny that at Yonville—” establishment and made him a few compliments. Then theThe young man stammered something.young man, to be alone, alleged he had some business engagement.“At Madame Bovary’s, you’re not making love to—”“To whom?”“Ah! I will escort you,” said Homais.“The servant!”And all the while he was walking through the streets withHe was not joking; but vanity getting the better of all prudence,Leon, in spite of himself protested. Besides, he only his business; told him in what a decayed condition it hadhim he talked of his wife, his children; of their future, and ofliked dark women.formerly been, and to what a degree of perfection he had“I approve of that,” said the chemist; “they have more passion.”Arrived in front of the Hotel de Boulogne, Leon left himraised it.And whispering into his friend’s ear, he pointed out the abruptly, ran up the stairs, and found his mistress in greatsymptoms by which one could find out if a woman had passion.He even launched into an ethnographic digression: the sion. He, however, piled up good reasons; it wasn’t his fault;excitement. At mention of the chemist she flew into a pas-German was vapourish, the French woman licentious, the didn’t she know Homais—did she believe that he would preferhis company? But she turned away; he drew her back, and,Italian passionate.“And negresses?” asked the clerk.sinking on his knees, clasped her waist with his arms in a“They are an artistic taste!” said Homais. “Waiter! two cups languorous pose, full of concupiscence and supplication.of coffee!”She was standing; up, her large flashing eyes looked at him“Are we going?” at last asked Leon impatiently.seriously, almost terribly. Then tears obscured them, her red“Ja!”eyelids were lowered, she gave him her hands, and Leon was239