We are now at liberty to act as we will." An intense feeling of contempt so excited her that she stood up on her feet.

She no longer realised that she was ill, but appeared to have regained her strength miraculously in the reawakening of all the passion and pride of her nature.

To have thought her dream ended, and all at once to have re-found it in its full beauty and vitality, delighted her.
To be able to say that they had done nothing unworthy of their love, but that it was other persons who had been the guilty ones, was a comfort.
This growth of herself, this at last certain triumph, exalted her and threw her into a supreme rebellion.
She simply said: "Come, let us go." And she walked around the room, brave in the return of her energy and her will.

She had already selected a mantle to throw over her shoulders.
A lace scarf would be sufficient for her head.
Felicien uttered one cry of joy as she thus anticipated his desire.

He had merely thought of this flight, but had not had the boldness to dare propose it; and how delightful indeed it would be to go away together, to disappear, and thus put an end to all cares, to overcome all obstacles.