Her husband had reappeared--he stood before her refreshed, almost radiant, quite reassuring.

Dressed, anointed, fragrant, ready, above all, for his dinner, he smiled at her over the end of their delay.

It was as if her opportunity had depended on his look--and now she saw that it was good.

There was still, for the instant, something in suspense, but it passed more quickly than on his previous entrance.

He was already holding out his arms.