It surely was not with five sous that one could buy a pair of shoes, even at an auction sale.

As it had often done before, her want of money now paralysed her.

And that which exasperated her still more and made her lose her self-control was that at this moment, as she looked behind her, she saw Felicien, standing a few feet from her in the darkening shadow.

Without doubt he had heard all that had been said; perhaps even he had been there for a great while, for he always appeared to her in this way when least expected without her ever knowing whence he came or whither he was going.
She thought to herself, "He will give the shoes." Indeed, he had already come forward.

The first stars were appearing in the pale sky.