From “the story of an hour” when she abandoned herself, a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. she said it over and over under her breath: “free, free, free! ” the vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. they stayed keen and bright. her pulse beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body. which best describes what is happening in this passage? mrs. mallard comes to terms with the hardship her husband’s death will bring. mrs. mallard believes her husband is still alive. mrs. mallard is afraid to live without her husband. mrs. mallard experiences relief upon her husband’s death.