"
She had raised herself on her pillows, and he gave her an eager clasp. In
the stream of bright sunshine which gilded the bed she herself looked
radiant with health and strength and hope. Never had her heavy brown
tresses flowed down more abundantly, never had her big eyes smiled with
gayer courage. And sturdy and healthful as she was, with her face all
kindliness and love, she looked like the very personification of
Fruitfulness, the good goddess with dazzling skin and perfect flesh, of
sovereign dignity.
They remained for a moment clasped together in the golden sunshine which
enveloped them with radiance. Then Mathieu pulled up Marianne's pillows,
set the counterpane in order, and forbade her to stir until he had tidied
the room. Forthwith he stripped his little bedstead, folded up the
sheets, the mattress, and the bedstead itself, over which he slipped a
cover. She vainly begged him not to trouble, saying that Zoe, the servant
whom they had brought from the country, could very well do all those
things. But he persisted, replying that the servant plagued him, and that
he preferred to be alone to attend her and do all that there was to do.
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