His daughter often went to the Rue Saint-Dominique.  Madame Desvarennes and Micheline had taken a fancy to her, as she was serious, natural, and homelike.  They liked to see her, although her father was not congenial to their taste.  Herzog had not succeeded in making friends with the mistress; she disliked and instinctively mistrusted him.

One day it was rumored that Suzanne Herzog had gone in for an examination at the Hotel de Ville, and had gained a certificate:  People thought it was very ridiculous.  What was the good of so much learning for a girl who would have such a large fortune, and who would never know want.  Savinien thought it was affectation and most laughable!  Madame Desvarennes thought it was most interesting; she liked workers, and considered that the richer people were, the more reason they had to work.  Herzog had allowed his daughter to please herself and said nothing.

Springtime had come, and fine weather, yet Micheline’s health did not improve.  She did not suffer, but a sort of languor had come over her.  For days she never quitted her reclining-chair.  She was very affectionate toward her mother, and seemed to be making up for the lack of affection shown during the first months of her marriage.

She never questioned Serge as to his manner of spending his time, though she seldom saw him, except at meal hours.  Every week she wrote to Pierre, who was buried in his mines, and after every despatch her mother noticed that she seemed sadder and paler.

Serge and Jeanne grew bolder.  They felt that they were not watched.  The little house seemed too small for them, and they longed to go beyond the garden, as the air of the Bois was so sweet and scented with violets.  A feeling of bravado came over them, and they did not mind being seen together.  People would think they were a newly-married couple.

One afternoon they sallied forth, Jeanne wearing a thick veil, and trembling at the risk she was running, yet secretly delighted at going.  They chose the most unfrequented paths and solitary nooks.  Then, after an hour’s stroll, they returned briskly, frightened at the sounds of carriages rolling in the distance.  They often went out after that, and chose in preference the paths near the pond of Madrid where, behind sheltering shrubs, they sat talking and listening to the busy hum of Parisian life, seemingly so far away.

One day, about four o’clock, Madame Desvarennes was going to Saint-Cloud on business, and was crossing the Bois de Boulogne.  Her coachman had chosen the most unfrequented paths to save time.  She had opened the carriage-window, and was enjoying the lovely scent from the shrubs.  Suddenly a watering-cart stopped the way.  Madame Desvarennes looked through the window to see what was the matter, and remained stupefied.  At the turning of a path she espied Serge, with a woman on his arm.  She uttered a cry that caused the couple to turn round.  Seeing that pale face, they sought to hide themselves.