She led the life of a recluse.

Ignoring the poignant joys and cares of this world, she arranged for herself a tranquil existence of peace and happiness.
At an annual rental of 400 francs she took a small house with a garden descending to the edge of the Seine.

This enclosed, quiet residence vaguely recalled the cloister.

It stood in the centre of large fields, and was approached by a narrow path.

The windows of the dwelling opened to the river and to the solitary hillocks on the opposite bank.