And on perceiving, in the old black wall, the white gap formed by the doorway which Silvere had left wide open, she had experienced a violent shock.

That open gap seemed to her like a gulf of light violently illumining her past.

She once more saw herself running to the door amidst the morning brightness, and crossing the threshold full of the transports of her nervous love.
And Macquart was there awaiting her.

She hung upon his neck and pressed against his bosom, whilst the rising sun, following her through the doorway, which she had left open in her hurry, enveloped them with radiance.

It was a sudden vision which roused her cruelly from the slumber of old age, like some supreme chastisement, and awakened a multitude of bitter memories within her.