Chapter Two Summary

News of Celestine's death is sent to Laurent. Elise lays her friend out for burial in her wedding gown. Rose's fancy birthday dress is put away. After three weeks, Laurent still has not come and no one is able to find him. After a wise priest explains to Rose that her mother is being held hostage by Rose, she agrees to allow her mother to be buried. Meanwhile, the servants mutter about Laurent. Each night, Rose goes to the garden to cry beside the purple roses. Although the roses whisper to her that she is loved, Rose cannot hear the words. Five months pass and Rose's father still does not come. She embroiders another rose on the cloak she has made for him. Monsieur Valmont has been selling Celestine's dishes to pay the estate's bills. Although the roses continue to tell...