But a sudden change had come over Jeanne.

Her energy had given way.

She felt very weary.

The idea of going away with Cayrol, and of being alone with him in the carriage frightened her.

She looked vaguely at her husband, and saw, in a sort of mist, this great fat man, with a protruding shirt-front, rolls of red flesh on his neck above his collar, long fat ears which only needed gold ear-rings, and his great hairy hands, on the finger of one of which shone the new wedding-ring.
Then, in a rapid vision, she beheld the refined profile, the beautiful blue eyes, and the long, fair mustache of Serge.