They fancied that having attained their end, without a single fear to trouble them, delivered over to one another, their passion would burn again, and they would taste the delights that had been their dream.

This prospect brought them calm, and prevented them descending to the void hollowed out beneath them.

They persuaded themselves they loved one another as in the past, and they awaited the moment when they were to be perfectly happy bound together for ever.
Never had Therese possessed so placid a mind.

She was certainly becoming better.

All her implacable, natural will was giving way.