Chapters 58-59 Summary

Madame Blanche receives Hervé Joncour in her room, and he hands her the letter. She agrees to read it on the condition that Joncour will never again ask her to translate a document from the Japanese.

The letter is a love note from a woman to her master and beloved, describing private and shared sexual acts in great detail. Madame Blanche reads the letter in a child-like voice. The letter ends with the anonymous writer urging the recipient to be happy with what they have had and to seek happiness without her. She gives him permission to forget her.

When Madame Blanche finishes reading, she stares at the pages, and Joncour stares at the pleats of his pants. She gives him a ring of blue flowers from her finger and exits the room. Joncour sits and fiddles with the flowers, listening...