thizing looks, words spoken in whispers not to wake
the count, hopes and fears repeated and again repeated, in short, the
thousand incidents of the fusion of two hearts long separated--stand
out in bright array upon the sombre background of the actual scene. Our
souls knew each other to their depths under this test, which many a warm
affection is unable to bear, finding life too heavy or too flimsy in the
close bonds of hourly intercourse.

You know what disturbance follows the illness of a master; how the
affairs of life seem to come to a standstill. Though the real care of
the family and estate fell upon Madame de Mortsauf, the count was useful
in his way; he talked with the farmers, transacted business with his
bailiff, and received the rents; if she was the soul, he was the body.
I now made myself her steward so that she could nurse the count without
neglecting the property. She accepted this as a matter of course, in
fact without thanking me. It was another sweet communion to share her
family cares, to transmit her orders. In the evenings we often met in
her room to discuss these interests and those of her children. Such
conversations gave one semblance the more to our transitory marriage.
With what delight she encouraged me to take a husband's place, giving me
his seat at table, sending me to talk with the bailiff,--all in perfect
innocence, yet not without that inward pleasure the most virtuous woman
in the world will feel when she finds a course where strict obedience to
duty and the satisfaction of her wishes are combined.

Nullified, as it were, by illness, the count no longer oppressed his
wife or his household, the countess then became her natural self; she
busied herself with my affairs and showed me a thousand kindnesses. With
what joy I discovered in her mind a thought, vaguely conceived perhaps,
but exquisitely expressed, namely, to show me the full value of her
person and her qualities and make me see the change that would come over
her if she lived understood. This flower, kept in the cold atmosphere
of such a home, opened to my gaze, and to mine only; she took as much
delight in letting me comprehend her as I felt in studying her with the
searching eyes of love. She proved to me in all the trifling things
of daily life how much I was in her thoughts. When, after my turn of
watching, I went to bed and slept late, Henriette would keep the house
absolutely silent near me; Jacques and Madeleine played els