Be she nobler a thousand times, be he simpler a thousand times, the fact remained that she was a woman, he a man, and beyond that she did not seek to go.
Low indeed were the Lilies of France when a daughter of the race of their upholders heeded them so little and the caste they symbolised.
Henriette came to her that afternoon, and, all ignorant of the sources of her grief, she essayed to soothe and comfort her, in which, at last, she succeeded.
In the evening Ombreval sent word that he wished to speak to her--and that his need was urgent.

But she returned him the answer that she would see him in the morning.

She was indisposed that evening, she added, in apology.
And in the morning they met, as she had promised him.

Both pale, although from different causes, and both showing signs of having slept but little.

They broke their fast together and in silence, which at last he ended by asking her whether the night had brought her reflection, and whether such reflection had made her appreciate their position and the need to set out at once.
"It needed no reflection to make me realise our position better than I did yesterday," she answered.