In which Mr Newman cultivates a tender and admiring connection with Madame de Cintré amidst the measured social rituals of her household, encountering an array of characters whose attitudes and histories add layers to his experience of French aristocratic life. We witness the interplay of guarded affections, quiet observations, and unspoken tensions that colour these encounters, as well as the subtle influence of loyal servants who speak with earnest concern for their mistress’s welfare.