Read "The Conquest of Plassans" by Émile Zola online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
It was perfectly dark in the cell at Les Tulettes. A draught of cold air awoke Mouret from the cataleptic stupor into which his violence earlier in the evening had thrown him. He remained lying against the wall in perfect stillness for a few moments, his eyes staring widely; then he began to roll his head gently on the cold stone, wailing like a child just awakened from sleep. But the current of chill damp air swept against his legs, and he rose and looked around him to see whence it came. In front of him he saw the door of his cell wide open.
'She has left the door open,' said he aloud; 'she will be expecting me. I must be off.'