Book #1: Suzy's Dream (Chapter 3 - Part 1)

Chapter 3

Because of Suzy’s loving nature, she found great pleasure when surrounded by those who were dearer to her than anything else in the world. Truthfully, she had been sincerely happy to see them all again, even though the enjoyable reunion upon her return exhausted her. There was also one thing she could not conceal from herself – Suzy was a little bored.

No longer was she entirely the carefree young girl who had gone to Le Castel a month earlier. Mme. Douvry had been right to hesitate for as long as she did before she allowed Suzy to acquaint herself with a holiday lifestyle, as summer life was understood at Mme. Arnay's. There she had lived an easy and cheerful existence. The mere idea of austere duties, responsibilities, and sacrifices remaining in the world had fled from her thoughts, as dark clouds vanish with a warm ray of sunshine.

At Le Castel, Suzy had been noticed, complimented, and admired. A young man, whose presence was sought everywhere and by everyone, had shown her constant attention. She was too naïve, though, too new to worldly science, to ask herself whether Georges acted this way with all the women who fascinated his dilettantism. Or even whether she should appreciate the value of the reverence he addressed to her.

Along with that, a delicious headiness slightly bothered her young reason. She had willingly allowed herself to be carried away by a whirlwind of enjoyment she found charming for her eighteen years; delights she was eager to take pleasure in.

Then, suddenly, reality had taken hold of her, and she found her life back at home a little difficult.

Replacing the sociable carelessness that saturated the atmosphere of Le Castel, Suzy, on her return, encountered her mother's uneasiness in the face of M. Douvry’s preoccupied manner. An indefinable oppression weighed on Suzy’s youth, hindering her joyful blossoming.

Although she was a fearless young girl, she struggled as best she could against what she called “her cowardice.” Long hours of musical studies absorbed much of her time, as much as she could allow. She would find herself feeling ashamed, even upset with herself when she seemed so unreasonable at times with her unpredictable moods.

But despite her efforts, there were still many moments when her mind curiously fled to Le Castel. A bitter regret seized her at being far from it, along with a sort of envy. A secret revolt filled her mind at the idea that her cousin Germaine, Gladys Tuffton, and so many other young girls, were enjoying the amusements in which she could no longer participate. A singular image of Georges de Flers would flicker to life in her memory.

Suzy arrived home one day, having just come from running errands throughout Paris in grey and gloomy weather that impregnated the air with the dampness of autumn. Heavy showers fell, throwing their droplets against the windows, where they streamed down with a monotonous noise.

Slowly, and with darkened eyes, Suzy took off her hat, her cloak, and her gloves with indecisive gestures that indicated her thoughts were elsewhere.

“How sad everything is when it rains,” she murmured with a plaintive pout. “A week ago, we were so happily at Le Castel. What can they be doing today?”

On the mantelpiece was a letter from Germaine, full of an account of the diversions that Madame Arnay offered to her guests. Perhaps it was because Suzy had avidly read and reread the letter that she found her luck so unfortunate on a day like today. One passage in particular kept coming back to her. Although she knew what was written almost by heart, she focused on Germaine's scribble again and looked for it:

“’Gladys,’” the young girl wrote, “’is delicious as usual. She has a love affair with dresses, one that dazzles all these gentlemen, starting with Georges de Flers. Since he is a skilled connoisseur, he declares that she dresses like an artist. At times, I do confess to you, Suzy, that it’s tempting to be jealous of her success. Only sometimes though, because I love Gladys.’”

Here, a mischievous smile slipped over Suzy's lips. In many of Germaine’s other letters, Suzy had seen the same admission of enthusiastic fondness – only the object of Germaine’s tenderness was never the same for long.

“’It is Gladys,’” continued Germaine, “’who is now M. de Flers’s regular partner at tennis, and he doesn’t seem at all sorry about it. She is so beautiful! And she rewards him with the air of a Greek statue and such charming smiles. He told me yesterday, when he asked about you...’”

Suzy's face lit up for a moment.

“’… that he hadn’t forgotten the good tennis lessons you gave him and was very grateful to you. Quite simply, because they have allowed him to compete with Gladys, who is a remarkable player ...’”

With a quick movement, Suzy threw the letter aside.

The doorbell sounded in the front hallway. She listened, agitated by the need to feel distracted. Recognizing her father's voice, she immediately forgot Germaine's unfortunate gossip and ran to greet M. Douvry. Since Suzy had seen her father gloomy of late, she had become gentler with him and proud of herself when she was able to soften a little the bitter set of his mouth.

“You’re home early tonight, Father,” she said, wrapping her arms round his neck. She raised her forehead to him so that he might kiss her.

He gave her a long kiss on the forehead. Then, suddenly pushing Suzy aside, he said:

“Is it so early? Has your mother arrived home?”

It seemed to Suzy that her father’s voice changed and became very faint.

“Yes, Father, she’s in her room. Would you like me to let her know you’re here?”

“No, thank you, my dear, but I must work. You may go on now,” he said, unfastening the hands that Suzy had clasped around his arm as he spoke.

His voice stressed something so absolute, and yet, sad at the same time, that Suzy obeyed without daring to question. She returned to the drawing room.

End of Part 1

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.