The Weight of Secrets and Bills — Madame Bovary

After the cab ride Emma rushes back to Yonville. She feels guilty but Charles expects her home. She had promised to return that evening. She catches the Hirondelle coach just in time. At Yonville Félicité tells her to go to Homais the chemist right away.

Homais is furious because Justin took a pan from the room where arsenic is kept. Homais screams about poison and finds a lewd book in Justin's pocket. He rants in Latin while the children cry. Then he blurts out that Charles's father has died suddenly. Emma leaves the pharmacy and goes home to Charles, who hugs her with tears. When he kisses her she shudders, remembering Léon.

That evening she finds Charles weak and boring. Hippolyte brings her luggage on his wooden leg while Charles searches for coins. Charles admires Léon's violets on the mantel and Emma claims she bought them from a beggar, then snatches them into water. Charles's mother arrives for mourning. Lheureux visits and pushes Charles to sign a power of attorney so he can manage the bills. Emma surprises Charles with talk of mortgages and shows him a draft power of attorney. She insists on going to Rouen to ask Léon for advice. Charles thanks her and kisses her forehead. She leaves the next morning and stays three days with her lover.