Summary

Mathilde receives a letter from Veronique Passavant dated January 12, 1920. Veronique reveals her abiding love for Kleber Bouquet. They had fought during his last leave, but she had expected to make up with him. A woman had come to see her with news of the death sentence and what had happened to the five men. She wanted to know if Veronique had had news of the Eskimo. Veronique wants to hear from Mathilde. She thinks that one of the five escaped. It was snowing, and Kleber was used to snow, so Veronique is hoping he is alive. Mathilde writes back, feigning ignorance but saying she will visit. She is keeping all the letters in a mahogany box purchased by Manech. She tells the cats, “This casket contains the story of one of my lives.”

A Mr. Adolphe Leprince responds to the newspaper ad Mathilde had...