It is an unspeakable and supreme splendor, which reveals itself only under the pressure of some frenzy, be it resistance or victory, love or martyrdom.
She had left home in a dress with alternate lines of brown and yellow, and a collarette which she pleated herself by rising before daylight; and she had not yet noticed the condition of her gown soiled by her struggle on the grass, and her collar torn in Catherine's grasp.

Feeling her hair hanging loose, she looked about her for a comb.

At this moment Michaud, also attracted by the screams, came upon the scene.

Seeing her god, La Pechina recovered her full strength.

"Monsieur Michaud," she cried, "he did not even touch me!" The cry, the look, the action of the girl were an eloquent commentary, and told more to Blondet and the abbe than Madame Michaud had told the countess about the passion of that strange nature for the bailiff, who was utterly unconscious of it.
"The scoundrel!" cried Michaud.
Then, with an involuntary and impotent gesture, such as mad men and wise men can both be forced into giving, he shook his fist in the direction in which he had caught sight of Nicolas disappearing with his sister.
"Then you were not playing ?" said the abbe with a searching look at La Pechina.
"Don't fret her," interposed the countess; "let us return to the pavilion." Genevieve, though quite exhausted, found strength under Michaud's eyes to walk.