Page 367 - madame-bovary

cups of coffee!’
‘Are we going?’ at last asked Leon impatiently.
‘Ja!’
But before leaving he wanted to see the proprietor of the
establishment and made him a few compliments. Then the
young man, to be alone, alleged he had some business en-
gagement.
‘Ah! I will escort you,’ said Homais.
And all the while he was walking through the streets
with him he talked of his wife, his children; of their future,
and of his business; told him in what a decayed condition
it had formerly been, and to what a degree of perfection he
had raised it.
Arrived in front of the Hotel de Boulogne, Leon left him
abruptly, ran up the stairs, and found his mistress in great
excitement. At mention of the chemist she flew into a pas-
sion. He, however, piled up good reasons; it wasn’t his fault;
didn’t she know Homais—did she believe that he would
prefer his company? But she turned away; he drew her back,
and, sinking on his knees, clasped her waist with his arms
in a languorous pose, full of concupiscence and supplica-
tion.
She was standing; up, her large flashing eyes looked at
him seriously, almost terribly. Then tears obscured them,
her red eyelids were lowered, she gave him her hands, and
Leon was pressing them to his lips when a servant appeared
to tell the gentleman that he was wanted.
‘You will come back?’ she said.
‘Yes.’

Madame Bovary