9 A naturalist who published a popular illustrated study of butterflies.
Chapter Nine: An Evening in the Country
free, felt himself the king of the household, escorting his two friends and rejoicing in their appreciation for such sublime sights. "For me," said Madame Derville, "it's like Mozart's music." His brothers' envy, the presence of a despotic father bursting with bad temper, had spoiled the countryside around Verrières for him. He had no bitter memories in Vergy; for the first time in his life there were no enemies anywhere in sight. When Monsieur de Rênal was in the city, as he often was, Julien was not afraid to read. Soon, instead of reading only at night and being careful, still, to hide his lamp under an inverted flower vase, he was able to let himself sleep; during the day, in the intervals between the children's lessons, he brought a book to these great rocks, which were the sole supervisor of his behavior and the object of his immense delight. He found there, all combined, happiness, ecstasy and, in moments of discouragement, consolation. Certain things said about women, by Napoleon, several discussions of the value, under his reign, of fashionable novels, gave Julien, for the first time, ideas that any other young man of his age would have had a long time before. Summer heat arrived. They got into the habit of spending their evenings under a huge lime tree, a few steps from the house. The darkness, there, was profound. Julien spoke brilliantly, one night, relishing the delights of speaking well, and to young women; while gesturing, he happened to touch Madame de Rênal's hand, which was lying on the back of one of the painted wooden chairs they had brought to the gardens. The hand was withdrawn, and quickly, but to Julien it seemed his duty to arrange matters so that this hand would not be drawn back when he touched it. This notion of a duty which he was required to accomplish, and a sense of being ridiculed, or more likely made to feel inferior if he could not accomplish what he wanted to, instantly drove all pleasure from his heart. Chapter Nine: An Evening in the Country Monsieur Guérin's painting of Dido, an exquisite sketch. —STROMBECK10 The next day, when he again saw Madame de Rênal, he looked at her very strangely, seeing her as an enemy with whom he was required to do battle. This look, so different from the night before, made Madame de Rênal's self-possession waver: she had been good to him and he was apparently angry at her. She could not look away. Madame Derville's presence allowed Julien to speak less and spend more time alone with his thoughts. His only occupation, the whole day, was to strengthen himself by reading his inspired book, which made him more determined. He cut the children's lessons short, and then, when Madame de Rênal's presence suddenly forced him, once again, to thoughts of conquest, he resolved that, come what may, tonight she was going to let her hand remain in his. The setting sun, and the decisive moment coming nearer, made Julien's heart beat in the most remarkable fashion. Night fell. He saw, with a joy that lifted an immense weight from his heart, that it was going to be exceedingly dark. Heavy clouds filled the sky, blown by a hot, sticky wind: a storm seemed to be coming. The two women walked and walked, and it grew