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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from The Hated Son by Honore de Balzac: never dared to take him out of doors; but now the faint color which
tinted the whiteness of his skin like the petals of a wild rose,
showed that life and health were already there.
One morning the countess, giving herself up to the glad joy of all
mothers when their first child walks for the first time, was playing
with Etienne on the floor when suddenly she heard the heavy step of a
man upon the boards. Hardly had she risen with a movement of
involuntary surprise, when the count stood before her. She gave a cry,
but endeavored instantly to undo that involuntary wrong by going up to
him and offering her forehead for a kiss.
"Why not have sent me notice of your return?" she said.
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