Although weakened, she talked, and had ceased wandering, but she spoke in a voice so full of sadness that at moments she was half choked.

She watched the movements of Therese with sudden fits of tears; and would then call her to the bedside, and embrace her amid more sobs, telling her in a suffocating tone that she, now, had nobody but her in the world.
In the evening, she consented to get up, and make an effort to eat.
Therese then saw what a terrible shock her aunt had received.

The legs of the old lady had become so ponderous that she required a stick to assist her to drag herself into the dining-room, and there she thought the walls were vacillating around her.
Nevertheless, the following day she wished the shop to be opened.

She feared she would go mad if she continued to remain alone in her room.
She went down the wooden staircase with heavy tread, placing her two feet on each step, and seated herself behind the counter.

From that day forth, she remained riveted there in placid affliction.
Therese, beside her, mused and waited.