Part 2, Dolce: Chapters 15 and 16 Summary

The strain between Madame Angellier, the German officer and Lucile is palpable. The elder woman wishes him only ill will and is upset that Lucile is looking vibrant and happy, but because she sees him as a monster, she cannot imagine that they could be in love. She is glad when Bruno injures his arm and becomes ill. The older woman spends most of her time in her room where she cannot hear anything, reliving moments from Gaston's childhood and pretending he is there with her, lost in her grief. She comes upon Lucile reading to the officer, and decides to stay away from her from that moment on, so long as the German is in the house.

In Chapter 16, the odd Viscountess de Montmort has severe insomnia, and discovers, on her moonlight walks, that she is...