Chapter 16, Chapter 17 & Chapter 18 Summary

In Chapter 16, Evariste believes he has found Elodie's first lover in a man named Maubel. Though Elodie insists she does not know the young émigré, she allows Evariste to stay focused on his false trail so he does not learn the truth about her first lover. Though the magistrates are ready to acquit Maubel, Evariste presses for a conviction, and Elodie is furious that he sent the innocent young man to his death but is quickly overcome with desire.

The next month, in Chapter 17, Citizens Guenot and Delourmel, delegates of the Committee of General Safety, present themselves to Citizen Beauvisage and produce an order for the arrest of Monsieur des Ilettes. Beauviage knows no one by that name but suggests des Ilettes may be living under another name. There is no time to waste as a letter from Mme...