If he were to part from Flore (the mere thought confused him) where could he find another woman?
Should he marry?
At his age he should be married for his money, and a legitimate wife would use him far more cruelly than Flore.
Besides, the thought of being deprived of her tenderness, even if it were a mere pretence, caused him horrible anguish.

He was therefore as polite to Captain Gilet as he knew how to be.

The invitation was given, as Flore had requested, before witnesses, to guard the hero's honor from all suspicion.
A reconciliation took place between Flore and her master; but from that day forth Jean-Jacques noticed many a trifle that betokened a total change in his mistress's affections.

For two or three weeks Flore Brazier complained to the tradespeople in the markets, and to the women with whom she gossiped, about Monsieur Rouget's tyranny,--how he had taken it into his head to invite his self-styled natural brother to live with him.

No one, however, was taken in by this comedy; and Flore was looked upon as a wonderfully clever and artful creature.