CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The Call of the Cock

The next day they sat in the garden again. Immediately Julien put his lips to Mrs de Rênal's ear and said, "Madam, tonight I will come to your room at two o'clock in the morning. I have something to say to you."

Her reply was short and angry. "How dare you!"

Julien left to say something to the children, and when he returned he sat away from Mrs de Rênal.

When two o'clock came, Julien was very nervous, but he decided to go to her room. He listened at Mr de Rênal's room and heard him sleeping. Then he turned and opened Mrs de Rênal's door. A light was on! Mrs de Rênal jumped out of bed and cried, "You horrible person!" Julien fell to his knees and cried. She continued to yell at him.

Later, when Julien left, he had nothing left to desire. But even as he made love to Mrs de Rênal he was still playing a role. He tried to play an experienced lover, and he always thought of duty. Because of these thoughts, he could not enjoy what happened.

"Is this all there is to being loved?" He asked himself, "Did I play my part properly?"

(end of section)