The ancient housekeeper was like Rachel, she refused to be comforted, and her temper was not improved by her recent trials.

She filled the air with lamentations, and seemed to consider Julien responsible for her troubles.

The latter treated her with wonderful patience and indulgence, and exhausted his ingenuity to make her time pass more pleasantly.

This was the first real effort he had made to subdue his dislikes and his passive tendencies, and it had the good effect of preparing him, by degrees, to face more serious trials, and to take the initiative in matters of greater importance.

He discovered that the energy he expended in conquering a first difficulty gave him more ability to conquer the second, and from that result he decided that the will is like a muscle, which shrivels in inaction and is developed by exercise; and he made up his mind to attack courageously the work before him, although it had formerly appeared beyond his capabilities.
He now rose always at daybreak.