CHAPTER ELEVEN

In the Evening

Julien returned that evening. The garden was very dark. He tried to take Mrs de Rênal's hand, but she refused. Just then, Mr de Rênal came out. The mayor was talking about politics. Julien thought he should take Mrs de Rênal's hand while Mr de Rênal was sitting nearby. She let him, and he began kissing her hand all over.

Mrs de Rênal felt weak. Goodness! She said to herself. Could I be in love? I'm married and I've fallen in love! But I've never felt this way with my husband.

For one moment Julien forgot ambition and only thought of Mrs de Rênal's beauty. He did not feel love, though. Thinking about Napoleon's victories gave him an idea. "I've won a battle", he said to himself, "and I must continue and hurt this man's pride". I will ask for three days off to see my friend Fouqué.

That night Mrs de Rênal could not sleep. She felt alive, but then she remembered that it was a sin to love a man who wasn't her husband. Her pure love was now something ugly, and she felt very guilty. Her worries made her ill, and she decided she would be cold to Julien next time.

(end of section)