All alone, all day long, seated at her window, she was looking over there and thinking of revenge. How could she do anything without help--she, an invalid and so near death? But she had promised, she had sworn on the body. She could not forget, she could not wait. What could she do? She no longer slept at night; she had neither rest nor peace of mind; she thought persistently. The dog, dozing at her feet, would sometimes lift her head and howl. Since her master's death she often howled thus, as though she were calling him, as though her beast's soul, inconsolable too, had also retained a recollection that nothing could wipe out.
Toute seule, tout le long du jour, assise à sa fenêtre, elle regardait là-bas en songeant à la vengeance. Comment ferait-elle sans personne, infirme, si près de la mort? Mais elle avait promis, elle avait juré sur le cadavre. Elle ne pouvait oublier, elle ne pouvait attendre. Que ferait-elle? Elle ne dormait plus la nuit, elle n'avait plus ni repos ni apaisement, elle cherchait, obstinée. La chienne, à ses pieds, sommeillait, et, parfois levant la tête, hurlait au loin. Depuis que son maître n'était plus là, elle hurlait souvent ainsi, comme si elle l'eût appelé, comme si son âme de bête, inconsolable, eût aussi gardé le souvenir que rien n'efface.