Book #1: Suzy's Dream (Chapter 1 - Part 2)

 Chapter 1 continued:

Germaine showed not a bit of bitterness over her defeat in the match. Not that she enjoyed the indifferent nature of her sister Madame de Berly, but she was incapable of being passionate like Suzy. Worldly amusements alone had the gift of entertaining Germaine, as such amusements seemed to supply the happiness she needed for her frivolous nature.

“Well, Suzy and Germaine, have you finally decided to be done?” Mme. de Berly called out, her tone chilly. “I'm literally frozen!”

“We’re coming straightaway, Marthe,” cried Germaine, who was occupied by putting back in order the slightly wrinkled folds of her tennis skirt. 

Suzy went to find her hat hanging from a branch of the lime trees. She paid little attention as she put it on, but there were fortunate coincidences when it came to her appearance. Suzy, even with her hair tousled in disarray, appeared simply delightful with her thin brown head buried in an immense hat worthy of a Kate Greenaway vignette. 

Armed with their rackets, the two young men also made their way over. All victors and vanquished of the game drew near to Madame de Berly, who was already on her feet and ready to return to the castle. As they walked, little turrets of Le Castel appeared in a clearing, appearing out of skillfully arranged foliage.

Suzanne slipped her arm through Germaine's, and the two meandered away, immersed in a cheerful conversation of a thousand insignificant things. The sound of voices and barking dogs stopped them abruptly. From an alley, Monsieur Arnay, dressed in hunter’s garb, emerged from the woods with the good-natured air of a man satisfied with himself, with life in general, and with his hunt in particular. Two other gentlemen accompanied him, making themselves known to Madame de Berly and the young girls. They were both approaching middle age and known to be great financiers like Monsieur Arnay. 

“Here, Myrrha, Saladin, Tob!” M. Arnay called to the dogs, busily trying to gather them as they frantically raced across the lawn. 

“Well, gentlemen, are you happy with today? Do you have many victims to report?” Madame de Berly asked in her indifferent manner, feigning little interest with her questions.

But this nonchalance was so routine to her that it bothered no one, especially M. Arnay. He seemed pleased with his dogs’ eventual submission and, in excited conversation with his companions, explained the goings on of the day. He spoke in a loud and cheerful voice, with lively gestures, reprimanding his son-in-law and Georges de Flers for having remained with the young women.

“Like Hercules at the feet of Omphale!” he said, seemingly satisfied to still be able to recall mythological remembrances in the depths of a memory that now only seemed to be filled with numbers. “By the way, we have just met the postman who was making his evening rounds,” he continued, interrupting his classical reminiscences. “He let us know there are letters for the guests of Le Castel.”

Suzy, who was kneeling in the grass playing with Tob and Myrrha, scrambled to her feet when she heard this.

“For everyone?” she asked, pushing away the dogs jumping around her and nibbling on her suede gloves. “For me, too?”

“My dear, I do not believe that our kind postman has included you on his list.”

 Suzy’s face fell in disappointment. 

“Mademoiselle Suzanne, how exacting you are?” Georges de Flers gave her a smile. “Only yesterday you had a letter, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Yes, but I should get one every day, since – Down, Myrrha! Down!” She pushed the overly affectionate dog aside. “Because six people can write to me from home.”

 “Six people?"”

“Yes, six. No more, no less, and Maman is always first. She writes to me very often! Then father, then the boys...” 

“The boys?”

“Certainly, my two younger brothers. Then there are my two little sisters, the twins. You see six people! I have taken them all into account.”

She looked at Georges with an air of satisfaction. He began to laugh and so did she. As they walked, alongside them the hunters continued in their stories.

“I understand, then, that your letter may be as ample as that of a blustery minister,” Georges said, soberly.

She was about to answer, when Germaine, overly educated by the accomplishments of the hunters with their pheasants, threw herself into the conversation.

“Suzy, are you coming? We hardly have enough time to get dressed for dinner!”

“Do you think so?” Suzanne replied, with an air of doubt.

She would have liked to return to Le Castel along with all the other walkers, since talking with Georges amused her. But Germaine insisted, and as Suzy seemed unable to express her wish for broader conversation, she followed her cousin without much enthusiasm.

Even so, the relations of the two young girls had all the friendliness they desired. Suzy gave a great deal, and Germaine was very well content to receive, which she did. She did so with a pleasantness that came as a natural gift to her.

At first, Germaine had been a little surprised, and not too pleased, to see how much Suzy attracted the attention of the handsome Georges de Flers. After all, his respect was greatly appreciated by the most attractive women of the world. As for Germaine, her rather apathetic, good, and superficial nature left her as incapable of jealousy as of true affection. With or without beauty—which was not the case with her—Germaine understood that there was no rivalry between a pretty, poor girl like Suzy and a rich heiress such as herself. Furthermore, as a very modern young girl brought up in an environment where fortune established one as a god, no rivalry could exist in the eyes of the young men of this world, including, no doubt, Georges de Flers. Then she had thought that perhaps Georges, who painted with a remarkable talent as an amateur, admired Suzy as an artist would, as nothing more than a pretty model.

When the two girls had returned to their rooms, Germaine plunged into the preparations for her evening dress. In her eyes, every toilette bore the significance of a serious affair. 

End of Part 2

Le rêve de Suzy is in the public domain. All original additions, including translations, illustrations and chapter summaries, are copyright © 2025 by Marriah K. Nissen and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. All rights reserved.