Madame Bovary - Penn State University

Madame BovaryShe collected her thoughts for one moment, and, strengtheningherself by the feeling of present necessity, went in. “Has life,” Emma went on, “been good to you at least,“Such is life!”He was in front of the fire, both his feet on the mantelpiece,smoking a pipe.“Oh, neither good nor bad.”since our separation?”“What! it is you!” he said, getting up hurriedly.“Perhaps it would have been better never to have parted.”“Yes, it is I, Rodolphe. I should like to ask your advice.” “Yes, perhaps.”And, despite all her efforts, it was impossible for her to “You think so?” she said, drawing nearer, and she sighed.open her lips.“Oh, Rodolphe! if you but knew! I loved you so!”“You have not changed; you are charming as ever!”It was then that she took his hand, and they remained some“Oh,” she replied bitterly, “they are poor charms since you time, their fingers intertwined, like that first day at the Show.disdained them.”With a gesture of pride he struggled against this emotion.Then he began a long explanation of his conduct, excusinghimself in vague terms, in default of being able to in-“How did you think I could live without you? One cannot lose theBut sinking upon his breast she said to him—vent better.habit of happiness. I was desolate. I thought I should die. I will tell youShe yielded to his words, still more to his voice and the sight about all that and you will see. And you—you fled from me!”of him, so that, she pretended to believe, or perhaps believed; For, all the three years, he had carefully avoided her in consequenceof that natural cowardice that characterises the stron-in the pretext he gave for their rupture; this was a secret onwhich depended the honour, the very life of a third person. ger sex. Emma went on, with dainty little nods, more coaxingthan an amorous kitten—“No matter!” she said, looking at him sadly. “I have sufferedmuch.”“You love others, confess it! Oh, I understand them, dear! IHe replied philosophically—excuse them. You probably seduced them as you seduced me.264