Section 2: France 1910, Part 1, pages 32-58 Summary

Isabelle Fourmentier, the youngest of five sisters, was a sweet child who did not question her parents' indifference, and her parents always assumed she would stay to look after them when her older sisters married and left home. At the age of 18, Isabelle met Jean Destournel, a young infantry officer, but after courting her for a year, Jean withdrew his suit because her father did not find him worthy to marry Isabelle. Three years later, Mr. Fourmentier heard of the Azaire family and arranged for Rene Azaire to marry Isabelle who agreed because she was eager to be free of her parents' house and Rene promised to allow her some independence. Rene tries unsuccessfully to impregnate Isabelle, and while he becomes frustrated, she grows less concerned with her husband; however, Isabelle fears Stephen, though he...