Chapter 2

           Onreachingtheinn,MadameBovarywassurprisednottoseethediligence.Hivert,whohadwaitedforherfifty-threeminutes,hadatlaststarted.

           Yetnothingforcedhertogo;butshehadgivenherwordthatshewouldreturnthatsameevening.Moreover,Charlesexpectedher,andinherheartshefeltalreadythatcowardlydocilitythatisforsomewomenatoncethechastisementandatonementofadultery.

           Shepackedherboxquickly,paidherbill,tookacabintheyard,hurryingonthedriver,urginghimon,everymomentinquiringaboutthetimeandthemilestraversed.Hesucceededincatchingupthe"Hirondelle"asitnearedthefirsthousesofQuincampoix.

           Hardlywassheseatedinhercornerthansheclosedhereyes,andopenedthematthefootofthehill,whenfromafarsherecognisedFelicite,whowasonthelookoutinfrontofthefarrier’sshop.Hivertpulledinhishorsesand,theservant,climbinguptothewindow,saidmysteriously—

           "Madame,youmustgoatoncetoMonsieurHomais.It’sforsomethingimportant."

           Thevillagewassilentasusual.Atthecornerofthestreetsweresmallpinkheapsthatsmokedintheair,forthiswasthetimeforjam-making,andeveryoneatYonvillepreparedhissupplyonthesameday.Butinfrontofthechemist’sshoponemightadmireafarlargerheap,andthatsurpassedtheotherswiththesuperioritythatalaboratorymusthaveoverordinarystores,ageneralneedoverindividualfancy.

           Shewentin.