Peeking Under the Covers

  Chapter 3 continued... When Madame Douvry returned to the drawing room a little later, Suzy gave her an anxious look, for she had guessed that something was going on. But Madame Douvry's face remained indecipherable. She had that painful fold to her lips that Suzy always dreaded seeing settle there. André Vilbert came once again that evening, and Suzy took an interest in his work as usual. Her fears dissipated for a moment, but, after André left, her anxiety returned. She was now alone in the living room. Her father had retired to his study, and the boys were already asleep. In the next room, Suzy’s mother recited the twins’ evening prayers with them.  Without knowing why, the timbre of her mother’s voice made Suzy want to cry. She stayed where she was, listening, not having the courage to occupy herself with something else. Suzy anxiously waited for her mother to return, both wishing and fearing to learn the truth from earlier that evening. “Have mercy, my God, on those who...

  Chapter 3 continued... “My dear and courageous wife,” he said in a low voice. “It’s a blessing for a companion such as you to ... If I said nothing to you, Jeanne, it is because I wished to keep it from you for you as long as possible to preserve your hard-won security—” “Maurice Arnay will help you,” she said, her irrational desire clinging to hope. “He has so many relationships—” “Yes, and he loves to protect so much, doesn't he? As much as to recommend, and that is saying something!” interrupted M. Douvry, whose bitter irritation, for a moment calmed, awoke at the mention of his brother-in-law. “Oh! He never forgets a service rendered by him. God! How many times did he remind me that I owed this position of inspector to his recommendation. Ah! If brutal necessity didn’t exist, I think I would rather spend my life splitting stones by the side of a road than owe him even the smallest thing!” “Robert, we must not think of ourselves, but of the children,” she said in a sad voice. ...

 Chapter 3 continued... M. Douvry seemed to hesitate for a second, then he went to his wife's room. She was writing and raised her head with a smile upon recognizing his step. “You’re early, Robert,” she said, greeting him with the same reception as Suzy. “Indeed, I am. I left my office earlier than usual.” He spoke in an indifferent, absentminded voice as he sat down heavily in an armchair lost in the half-shadow of the room. Madame Douvry could not distinguish the expression on his face, but his tone struck her. She waited, a little uneasy. In front of her, the letter remained unfinished, the whiteness of the paper illuminating the dark leather of the blotter. “Robert, why don't you talk to me?” she asked, struggling against the indefinable distress rising in her heart. “What is it?” “I have... I have a new...It is unpleasant to tell you, Jeanne,” he said with effort. “’Unpleasant’ only?” She tried to keep her tone calm, but her lips trembled a little. He rose and leaned clos...

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 sho...

At this point in the story, we have been introduced to the two men vying for Suzy's attention: Georges de Flers and André Vilbert. We also see Suzy back in Paris, struggling to settle her life after such an idyllic time at Le Castel. Her relationship with her mother remains as strong as ever, but we see the family cracks straight away. Madame Douvry is a woman who followed her husband through every high and low of his engineering career, leaving her exhausted and ever on edge. Are good things around the corner for this family? Chapter 3: Cast of Characters Suzanne (Suzy)   -- cousin to Mme. de Berly and Germaine Georges de Flers  -- guest at Le Castel Germaine Arnay  -- younger sister to Mme. de Berly Miss Gladys Tufton   -- friend to Germaine at Le Castel Madame (Mme.) Douvry   -- Suzy's mother Monsieur (M.) Douvry  -- Suzy's father André Vilbert  -- young man who is a friend of the Douvry family Come along, and we'll see what happens in Chapter 3!