Lost Love

Emma continues a double life of extreme contrasts: stolen time spent with her lover Rodolphe and writing to or dreaming about him, the counterpoint to domesticity. Charles' love for Emma renders him oblivious to her faults and his pride obliges him to indulge her naïveté in frivolities beyond their means. The Draper, Lheureux, supplier of these luxuries, increases profits by luring customers into his web of usury. As Emma's spending expands into expensive presents for her lover, Lheureux's debts mount.