Page 438 - madame-bovary

CHAPTER TEN

e had only received the chemist’s letter thirty-six
Hhours after the event; and, from consideration for his
feelings, Homais had so worded it that it was impossible to
make out what it was all about.
First, the old fellow had fallen as if struck by apoplexy.
Next, he understood that she was not dead, but she might be.
At last, he had put on his blouse, taken his hat, fastened his
spurs to his boots, and set out at full speed; and the whole
of the way old Rouault, panting, was torn by anguish. Once
even he was obliged to dismount. He was dizzy; he heard
voices round about him; he felt himself going mad.
Day broke. He saw three black hens asleep in a tree. He
shuddered, horrified at this omen. Then he promised the
Holy Virgin three chasubles for the church, and that he
would go barefooted from the cemetery at Bertaux to the
chapel of Vassonville.
He entered Maromme shouting for the people of the inn,
burst open the door with a thrust of his shoulder, made for
a sack of oats, emptied a bottle of sweet cider into the man-
ger, and again mounted his nag, whose feet struck fire as it
dashed along.
He said to himself that no doubt they would save her;
the doctors would discover some remedy surely. He remem-
bered all the miraculous cures he had been told about. Then