Section 1: France 1910, Part 1, pages 3-31 Summary

On a late spring evening, the Azaires' house shows a strong, formal front on boulevard du Cange, and Stephen Wraysford readies himself for dinner where Mr. Azaire introduces him to Mme. Azaire and the children, Lisette and Gregoire. As they eat, Azaire asks Stephen what he knows about textiles, and Stephen explains that he deals mostly with financial matters and his boss wants him to understand more of the manufacturing process. Stephen listens as the family members talk about their day, and though he avoids catching Mme. Azaire's eye, he notices her beauty in his peripheral. After dinner, the Berards visit, and as Mr. Berard sings a sentimental ballad about the different times of a man's life, his eyes remain fixed on Mme. Azaire. Blushing, Mme. Azaire excuses herself, pleading a headache. Azaire, the Berards...