Chapters XVII and XVIII Summary

In chapter seventeen, Newman attends an opera. During one of the breaks in the performance, Newman visits Urbain and Urbain's wife in their box. During their visit, Urbain's wife tells Newman that she is terribly bored being married to Urbain. She insists that Newman agree to take her to the Bal Bullier, a ball where students dance with their mistresses. Although she wishes to go, she knows that her husband will not agree to take her.

Also during the opera, Newman meets up with Valentin, who has been sitting in a box with Noemie, and a suitor or friend of Noemie's. Newman again begs Valentin to forget Noemie. Newman makes plans for Valentin to go with Newman to America and allow Newman to set Valentin up in some form of practical business. Shortly after this discussion, however...