Chapters 60-62 Summary

Hervé Joncour adopts the lifestyle of a wealthy man pursuing his leisure and feeling no extreme emotions. He and his wife, Hélène, begin an annual ritual of traveling abroad, making it as far as Prague one year. They find new happiness together. Joncour seems to be perfectly at ease. On windy days, he sits at the shore of his lake and watches the ripples on the water move and shine on the surface.

In 1871, Baldabiou deeds two silk manufacturing mills to Hervé Joncour and leaves Lavilledieu for good. He makes no clear explanation for his abrupt departure or destination but rather alludes cryptically to Saint Agnes. Joncour and his wife, Hélène, accompany Baldabiou to the train station. He makes a casual goodbye and walks away. Hélène suddenly runs after him. She embraces him and bursts...