Gervaise, lulled by the excessive heat, felt so limp that she couldn't even summon the willpower to change the subject.

She foresaw what the tall brunette would say and her heart was stirred with an emotion which she didn't want to admit to herself.
"I hope I'm not hurting your feelings," Virginie continued.

"Often I've had it on the tip of my tongue.

But since we are now on the subject, word of honor, I don't have any grudge against you." She stirred her remaining coffee and then took a small sip.

Gervaise, with her heart in her throat, wondered if Virginie had really forgiven her as completely as she said, for she seemed to observe sparks in her dark eyes.
"You see," Virginie went on, "you had an excuse.