Following Impulse to the Water — The Awakening

Edna wakes from feverish dreams and moves without plan, as if alien hands directed her. They drink coffee from the kitchen window and cross the sand toward the wharf, watching lovers, the lady in black, Mariequita, and old Monsieur Farival form a comic procession.

She sends a servant to wake Robert and tells him the boat to Chênière is ready, a summons she has never issued before. The chapter turns a boat trip into Edna's first unapologetic pursuit of what she wants.

On the sail Edna feels chains loosen and talks with Robert about Grande Terre, pirogues, and squandered pirate gold. Mariequita's flirtation with Robert sharpens Edna's watching; by the church of Our Lady of Lourdes the day has become a flight from anchorage toward impulse.

They drink coffee from the kitchen window without waiting for service, then cross the sand watching lovers and the lady in black form a comic procession. On the boat Edna talks of pirate gold and Grande Terre while Mariequita flirts with Robert, sharpening Edna's watchfulness before they reach Our Lady of Lourdes and the mass that will drive her from the church in dizziness. The day is a rehearsal for choosing companionship over propriety, even when the outing ends in heat and headache rather than revelation.