Never would Edna Pontellier forget the shock with which she heard Madame

Ratignolle relating to old Monsieur Farival the harrowing story of one

of her accouchements, withholding no intimate detail. She was growing

accustomed to like shocks, but she could not keep the mounting color

back from her cheeks. Oftener than once her coming had interrupted the

droll story with which Robert was entertaining some amused group of

married women.

A book had gone the rounds of the pension. When it came her turn to read

it, she did so with profound astonishment. She felt moved to read the

book in secret and solitude, though none of the others had done so,--to

hide it from view at the sound of approaching footsteps. It was openly

criticised and freely discussed at table. Mrs. Pontellier gave over

being astonished, and concluded that wonders would never cease.




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