Once my hand is wrapped firmly in his, I feel…calm. My entire frenetic self begins to idle. As though I’ve been given permission to rest. It is a foreign sensation.
-- Nancy/Hélène (Chapter 4)

Importance: This quote explains the soothing effect Henri has on Nancy. Normally restless and impatient, Nancy finds her antithesis in the calm and steady Henri. Their differences complement one another and serve to create a perfect union between the two.

It is the weak-minded man’s retort. A thing he says when thwarted by a woman. An excuse. A bit of intellectual poverty. He doesn’t like me, therefore I am unreasonable. A femme stupide.
-- Nancy/Hélène (Chapter 7)

Importance: Hélène clearly sees beyond Gaspard’s intimidation tactics. She recognizes that he seeks to undermine her in front of her men by insulting her. Hélène is nonplussed and maintains the upper hand in the situation by calling on her own...