A month or two ago, this was what Madame Babette had been never weary of urging.

But now she was as much surprised as if she had expected Virginie to remain a prisoner in her rooms all the rest of her life.

I suppose she had hoped that her first time of quitting it would be when she left it for Monsieur Morin's house as his wife.
"A quick look from Madame Babette towards Pierre was all that was needed to encourage the boy to follow her.

He went out cautiously.

She was at the end of the street.