After his long private meeting with her brother-in-law Alexandre, Rodolphus made himself scarce. She didn't see him return for any meals for the remainder of the day. When he wasn't even present for his usual breakfast at eight, she assumed he'd never returned home the night before. Nothing would ever induce her to willingly open his bedroom door to find out if he was even there. He might take it as some sort of encouragement, some hint that she desired to join him in bed. Even the thought of returning there filled her with dread.