Thetwowomenwerehalf-sitting，halflying，inapparentindolenceonthedivanofthelittlesalon，sofilledwithharmonyandthefragranceofflowers。Thewindowswereopen，forthenorthwindhadceasedtoblow。Asoothingsoutherlybreezewasrufflingthesurfaceofthesaltlakebeforethem，andthesunwasglitteringonthesandsoftheshore。Theirsoulswereasdeeplyagitatedasthenaturebeforethemwastranquil，andtheheatwithinwasnotlessardent。
Bruisedbytheworkingofthemachinerywhichsheherselfhadsetinmotion，Camillewascompelledtokeepwatchforhersafety，fearingtheamazingclevernessofthefriendlyenemy，or，rather，theinimicalfriendshehadallowedwithinherborders。Toguardherownsecretsandmaintainherselfaloof，shehadtakenoflatetocontemplationsofnature；shecheatedtheachingofherownheartbyseekingameaningintheworldaroundher，findingGodinthatdesertofheavenandearth。WhenanunbelieveronceperceivesthepresenceofGod，heflingshimselfunreservedlyintoCatholicism，which，viewedasasystem，iscomplete。
ThatmorningCamille’sbrowhadwornthehaloofthoughtsbornoftheseresearchesduringanight-timeofpainfulstruggle。Calystewaseverbeforeherlikeacelestialimage。Thebeautifulyouth，towhomshehadsecretlydevotedherself，hadbecometoheraguardianangel。
Wasitnothewholedherintothoseloftierregions，wheresufferingceasedbeneaththeweightofincommensurableinfinity？andnowacertainairoftriumphaboutBeatrixdisturbedher。Nowomangainsanadvantageoveranotherwithoutallowingittobefelt，howevermuchshemaydenyhavingtakenit。Nothingwasevermorestrangeinitscoursethanthedumb，moralstrugglewhichwasgoingonbetweenthesetwowomen，eachhidingfromtheotherasecret，——eachbelievingherselfgenerousthroughhiddensacrifices。
Calystearrived，holdingtheletterbetweenhishandandhisglove，readytoslipitatsomeconvenientmomentintothehandofBeatrix。