Summary

The photographer shows Fabienne a copy of Agnès’ book. To her displeasure, Fabienne notices its introduction explains M. Devaux’s “instrumental role” (144) in the writing process. Agnès later travels to Paris to meet with more press in the wake of the book’s publication. M. Chastain is surprised to hear that M. Devaux is no longer involved with Agnès’ books. Agnès realizes that her and Fabienne’s charade is “the longest game we had [ever] played,” but Fabienne reminds that “if we stopped writing now, we would never make it to Paris” (149).

Agnès learns that their book will be translated into English. After Agnès suggests that they might move to the United States one day, Fabienne tells her, “I don’t do things with any grand purpose in mind” (152). She cuts herself with a knife to prove...