How and why is that instinct accompanied by absolute oblivion of former caresses?
It is a particular case of that insoluble and melancholy problem of the birth and death of love.

Madame Steno had no taste for reflection of that order.

Like all vigorous and simple creatures, she acknowledged and accepted it.

As on the previous day, she became aware that the presence of her former lover no longer touched in her being the chord which had rendered her so weak to him during twenty-five months, so indulgent to his slightest caprices.

It left her as cold as the marble of the bas-relief by Mino da Fiesole fitted into the wall just above the high chair upon which he leaned.
Boleslas, notwithstanding the paroxysm of lucid fury which he suffered at that moment, and which rendered him capable of the worst violence, had on his part a knowledge of the complete insensibility in which his presence left her.