She had ended by turning up at Rougemont, her native place, in bad
health and such a state of wretchedness, that for the sake of a living
she went out as a charwoman there. Then she gradually recovered her
health, and accumulated a little stock of clothes, thanks to the
protection of the village priest, whom she won over by an affectation of
extreme piety. It was at Rougemont, no doubt, that she planned her return
to the Seguins, of whose vicissitudes she was informed by La Couteau, the
latter having kept up her intercourse with Madame Menoux, the little
haberdasher of the neighborhood.
Valentine, shortly after her rupture with Santerre, one day of furious
despair, when she had again dismissed all her servants, was surprised by
the arrival of Celeste, who showed herself so repentant, so devoted, and
so serious-minded, that her former mistress felt touched. She made her
weep on reminding her of her faults, and asking her to swear before God
that she would never repeat them; for Celeste now went to confession and
partook of the holy communion, and carried with her a certificate from
the Cure of Rougemont vouching for her deep piety and high morality.
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