Chapter summary
More surprised than happy, Julien Sorel applies Russian policy, speaking little and acting little, and lays Mathilde de La Mole back on the divan without a word. Weeping, she asks whether the marechale has stolen his heart and begs for an answer. Julien says that he too has pride, that he may love the marechale, and that nothing guarantees the position now restored will survive more than two days. She responds by offering the excess of her love and her suffering. He is about to yield when he perceives, in a blink, a truth he formulates for himself.
Analysis
Julien resists Mathilde, who offers him the excess of love and suffering, because he sees that she holds on only through uncertainty. He says he too has pride and that nothing guarantees the restored position will last two days. Withdrawing her hands with respect, he follows the method and protects the advantage he has just won.
This is the central contrast between the two women Julien loved, stated without evasion: Madame de Rênal loved from an impulse of the heart. Mathilde allows herself to love only after finding a rational justification for her feeling, and that is exactly why she needs a reason (pride, courage, threat, jealousy) in every chapter in order to surrender again.
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