She indeed came to the conclusion that
he must not suffer from his father's indignity, and so it was for him
that, with extraordinary strength of will, she ever preserved a proud
demeanor, feigning that she was ignorant of everything, never addressing
a reproach to her husband, but remaining, in the presence of others, the
same respectful wife as formerly. And even when they were alone together
she kept silence and avoided explanations and quarrels. Never even
thinking of the possibility of revenge, she seemed, in the presence of
her husband's profligacy, to attach herself more firmly to her home,
clinging to her son, and protected by him from thought of evil as much as
by her own sternness of heart and principles. And thus sorely wounded,
full of repugnance but hiding her contempt, she awaited the triumph of
that son who would purify and save the house, feeling the greatest faith
in his strength, and quite surprised and anxious whenever, all at once,
without reasonable cause, a little quiver from the unknown brought her a
chill, affecting her heart as with remorse for some long-past fault which
she no longer remembered.
That little quiver came back while she listened to all that Madame
Angelin confided to her.
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