Chapter 40 Summary

Hélène Joncour hopes that time away will lighten Hervé's depressive mood. They spend three weeks in Nice. One night, they accept an invitation to celebrate the birthday of an Italian baron. During the dessert, Hervé watches his wife engage in cheerful conversation with another man. The man whispers in her ear and she responds with laughter; her loose hair touches his shoulder. The gentleman is wearing a garland of blue flowers in his buttonhole. Hervé's hands shake. In the smoking room after dinner, a drunk Hervé Joncour approaches a man and tells him that all people are marvelous and disgusting.

Hervé and Hélène Joncour return home with regret as it had been so easy to love each other while they were away together.

Chapter 40 Analysis

Joncour experiences jealousy for the first time in his marriage with H...