And she realised this fact stronger than ever when she found herself opposite her working-frame, which was resting at the side of the table under the lamplight.

Her heart softened as she saw the half-made rose, which she would never finish were she to go away in this secret, criminal manner.

The years of work were brought back to her mind: those quiet, happy years, during which life had been one long experience of peace and honesty, so that now she rebelled at the thought of committing a fault and of thus fleeing in the arms of her lover.

Each day in this little, fresh house of the embroiderers, the active and pure life she had led there, away from all worldly temptations, had, as it were, made over all the blood in her veins.
Then Felicien, realising that in some inexplicable way Angelique was being reconquered and brought to her better self, felt the necessity of hastening their departure.

He seized her hands and said: "Come, dear.