Part 1, Storm In June: Chapters 7 and 8 Summary

Charles Langelet, a large man with a heart condition, carefully packs up his valuable porcelain himself, since his servants have fled Paris in fear. Surrounded by things he considers beautiful, his life is lived in a rigid routine and he considers himself cultured. His demeanor is one of accepting courage, unafraid of death. His friends consider him inimitable (probably facetiously) and miserly, but he is sure that they envy him. He owns other homes in safer places, but does not offer his friend shelter, and has finally resigned himself to leaving Paris, although he has waited until the last minute. He loves his things and is repulsed by the chaos of war, having lived a gentle life filled with art and expensive things. He feels superior and bitter toward the crudeness of humanity...