Part 1, Chapter 8 Summary

Thomas and Clothilde are taking a bath together in Thomas's uncle's bathroom. They have been having an affair for several weeks and are now enjoying a few days alone while Thomas's uncle and his family are away on vacation. Clothilde bathes Thomas and then they make love in the master bedroom. Later, Thomas eats the feast that Clothilde has prepared for him. Through the course of their love affair, Thomas has learned that Clothilde is in America to hide from an abusive husband. Clothilde compared Thomas to St. Sebastian, so the next afternoon after work, Thomas goes to the library to learn about St. Sebastian. The librarian is not impressed with Thomas's work clothes, but he ignores her snobbery and finds the information he had wanted. In the process, Thomas learns where Clothilde's name came from, and impresses her with the...