There would not be another general washing for three months, so, until then, the little garden-gate would seldom be open.

But three months would pass very quickly, and if they could see each other daily, was not that bliss enough?
What, indeed, could be more charming than to live in this way, thinking during the day of the evening look, and during the night of the glance of the early morrow?
She existed only in the hope of that desired moment; its joy filled her life.

Moreover, what good would there be in approaching each other and in talking together?
Were they not constantly becoming better acquainted without meeting?
Although at a distance, they understood each other perfectly; each penetrated into the other's innermost thoughts with the closest intimacy.

At last, they became so filled one with the other that they could not close their eyes without seeing before them, with an astonishing clearness of detail, the image of their new friend; so, in reality, they were never separated.
It was a constant surprise to Angelique that she had unbosomed herself at once to Felicien.

At their first meeting she had confided in him, had told him everything about her habits, her tastes, and the deepest secrets of her heart.