Seven o’clock
He had resolved to pass out of her life in order to save her from his old age and his poverty ; he wished her to be rich and free , to enjoy her youth , far away from him ; this indeed was utter self-effacement , complete absorption in the love of another . And she felt a profound gratitude , a sweet solace in the thought , mingled with a sort of angry bitterness against evil fortune . Then , suddenly , the happy years of her childhood and her long youth spent beside him who had always been so kind and so good-humored , rose before her -- how he had gradually won her affection , how she had felt that she was his , after the quarrels which had separated them for a time , and with what a transport of joy she had at last given herself to him . Seven o'clock struck . Clotilde started as the clear tones broke the profound silence . Who was it that had spoken ? Then she remembered , and she looked at the clock .