The Merchant's Temptation and Hidden Desires — Madame Bovary

On a snowy Sunday in February the Bovarys, Homais, and Léon walk to see a half-built yarn-mill. Homais talks about the walls and floorings while his children play in the lime. Emma leans on his arm and then turns to look at Charles. At the mill she even scoffs at Charles for carrying a pocket knife like a peasant. His calm back and trembling lips look stupid to her. Léon's pale face in the mist looks beautiful by contrast.

That night alone in bed Emma admits she is in love with Léon. She smiles when Charles says the clerk went to bed early. The next day the draper Lheureux visits with embroidered collars and Algerian scarves. He hints she can buy on credit whenever she likes, but she sends him away.

When Léon visits she pretends to be busy sewing and talks as if housework matters more than music. She praises Charles and refuses to renew her music subscription. She takes up housework and church and shows off baby Berthe to guests. The town thinks she is virtuous. Léon puts her on a pedestal and loses hope. Inside Emma is miserable, thinner, and furious at Charles for not noticing her pain. She tells the maid that her sadness began after marriage.