Peeking Under the Covers

  Chapter 2 continued... “That's true! I am mistaken, indeed, but M. Vilbert is so reasonable, so serious, so solemn that it’s hard not to be confused at times. Oh, Maman, did you thank him for me?” “Yes, Suzy, but you can thank him yourself. I think he’s coming this evening to pay us his weekly visit. That is if his shyness isn’t troubled by the idea that you will be here to praise his work.” “I hope not. Yet, Maman, this is awful. I wouldn’t feel sorry if I was nothing more than a scarecrow to him, so that nothing this evening takes you away from me. When André Vilbert is here, you are busy engaging in conversation, and I can no longer have ...” Her voice trailed off. In fact, Madame Douvry always welcomed André Vilbert affectionately. She had at the same time, esteem for his intelligent and serious, almost austere nature, and compassion for the solitary life he led in Paris, where he had no family. In the past, M. Douvry had known André's father very well, a man who was very...

Near the end of Part 3 of Chapter 2, Suzy's makes the following remark: “Maman, what is that? The face immediately makes me think of  Dürer's Melancholia  which I love so much. Who painted this?” Here, we see that Suzy brings up a very specific piece of artwork, one that happens to be an engraving. Feel free to follow the link to see where I pulled this image from, but I'll give a little background on this specific engraving and a little info on old master prints in general. Albrecht Dürer's Melancholia I , 1514 This specific engraving is titled  Melancholia I  and was created by  Albrecht Dürer in 1514. It is considered a piece from the German Renaissance (15th and 16th centuries) and is one of the most well-known of the "old master prints." Master prints are considered works of art produced by a printing process in the Western tradition. These types of prints grew rapidly from the 15th century and were created over a period of 600 years, ending in the 18th a...

 Chapter 2 continued... But, by a singular intuition, Suzy, who was still only a happy girl who knew no sorrow, perceived in her mother's melancholy smile an unspeakable sadness. Also found in her mother was a weariness from deceived hopes, and a profound detachment from herself and all personal joy. A heartrending sorrow seized Suzy’s heart when she thought that nothing in the world could restore to Mme. Douvry her lost illusions or that nothing could prevent her life from being made up primarily of trials. When this idea occurred to her, awakened in her by a word or a look from Mme. Douvry, Suzy never said anything about it. She would then bend over her mother, and, with a kiss and in a small childish tone, she would whisper in a quiet voice, “How I love you, Maman, my darling,” knowing that her tenderness was a balm for the wounded soul of her poor mother. “Suzanne, my dear, I hope the passing time hasn’t seemed too long for you?” M. Arnay said, startling Suzy from the thoughts ...

  Chapter 2 continued... Suzy thought that she wouldn’t have been very upset by this setback. As the end of her stay at Le Castel approached, her regrets became more vivid. At that thought, her cheerfulness disappeared. She grew quiet and serious as she pointed out to Georges the flowers she desired he cut for her.  “Do you want another one of these roses? See how velvety this one is.” “Oh…yes, I do want another.” Why is this Gladys Tuffton coming?  Her distracted mind kept thinking.  I could have stayed another three days, since my mother has allowed it. “How serious you seem, Mademoiselle Suzanne,” Georges said in his soothing voice.   “I’m always like this when I part someplace.”  She replied quickly, confused, as if he could guess what she was thinking. “I hate leaving. I find the word ‘farewell’ too difficult to say.” “Me too, sometimes, but it’s been a long time since I’ve understood it as well as I do now.” A fleeting blush accentuated the rosy ...

  Chapter 2 With her hat in place, Suzy absent-mindedly finished tying up her jacket, her gaze lost in the fleeing countryside and the distant, luminous horizon. She looked on very seriously, with the regret of a child at the thought that, in a few hours, she would be shut up between the high walls of a Parisian house. The only and best consolation for her loving heart was the thought that her mother would be waiting for her there.  Even at that moment, the trampling of the horses as they were being harnessed reached Suzy. Near the carriage sat her luggage, ready to be carried away, while in the room next to her, Germaine’s step resounded as she proceeded with her toilette and putting on her going-out outfit. It had been decided that all the guests of Le Castel should accompany Suzy to the railway. “Like a guard of honor!” Suzy had remarked, laughing without a hint of bitterness. Last night’s sleep had numbed her from the painful feelings she had experienced the evening before...

 If you've come along with me this far, then you know that Suzy is facing a disquieting moment. She will soon leave Le Castel and her "holiday time" there. But what awaits her back in Paris, especially with the cold winds and rains of autumn dispelling her idyllic summer? Chapter 2: Cast of Characters Madame (Mme.) de Berly (Marthe)  -- eldest daughter of M. and Mme. Arnay Suzanne (Suzy)   -- cousin to Mme. de Berly and Germaine Georges de Flers  -- guest at Le Castel Germaine Arnay  -- younger sister to Mme. de Berly Monsieur (M.) Charles de Berly  -- married to Marthe Madame (Mme.) Arnay  -- mother to Germaine and Marthe/Suzy's aunt Monsieur (M.) Arnay  -- father to Germaine and Marthe/Suzy's uncle Madame (Mme.) Douvry -- Suzy's mother Monsieur (M.) Douvry -- Suzy's father The twins -- Suzy's younger twin sisters André Vilbert -- young man who is a friend of the Douvry family Come along, and we'll see what happens in Chapter 2!