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The book tells the story of Augustin Meaulnes, a young man who arrives at a boarding school in a small town and quickly becomes the center of attention. He is charismatic, adventurous, and mysterious, and his presence sparks a new era of exploration and discovery for the narrator, François. As the story unfolds, Meaulnes becomes obsessed with finding a mysterious domain he stumbled upon, where he met a young woman named Yvonne de Galais. He spends years searching for her, and his journey takes him through various adventures, encounters with strange characters, and moments of introspection. Along the way, Meaulnes' past is slowly revealed, including his experiences with a group of bohemians and his complicated relationships with women. Ultimately, Meaulnes finds Yvonne and marries her, but their happiness is short-lived, as she dies soon after giving birth to their child. The book concludes with Meaulnes' disappearance and the narrator's efforts to understand his friend's past and motivations. Throughout the book, the author explores themes of identity, love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.
The story begins on a cold November Sunday, where the narrator, François, is waiting for his mother, Millie, to finish her work. She is expecting a new hat to arrive from La Gare, and François has just returned from vêpres. As he approaches the house, he notices a strange woman, dressed in a black velvet cap, searching for someone through the windows. She introduces herself as the mother of a new boarder, Augustin Meaulnes, who will be attending the Cours Supérieur. The woman explains that her son is a unique and adventurous young man, who enjoys exploring the outdoors and has a talent for finding unusual things. As they talk, François becomes aware of a noise coming from the upstairs rooms, and soon Meaulnes himself appears, having already explored the house. The narrator is drawn to Meaulnes and they quickly form a bond, sneaking out to the préau to set off some leftover fireworks from the Quatorze Juillet celebrations. The evening ends with Meaulnes joining the family for dinner, his presence marked by an air of silence and curiosity.
The narrator's life changes with the arrival of Augustin Meaulnes, who brings excitement and adventure to the previously quiet and solitary evenings. Before Meaulnes' arrival, the narrator would spend his afternoons alone, reading in the archive room or watching his mother prepare dinner. However, with Meaulnes, the school is no longer deserted after 4 pm, and a group of students gather around him to discuss and share stories. The narrator joins in, and they often go on walks, visiting the stables, shops, and the blacksmith's forge, where they meet various people and experience new things. Meaulnes becomes the center of attention, and his presence sparks a new era of exploration and discovery for the narrator. As Christmas approaches, the narrator finds himself drawn into a new world of experiences and friendships, all revolving around the charismatic and mysterious Meaulnes.
The day has been dull and rainy, with the students cooped up indoors, and the narrator's father, M. Seurel, struggling to maintain order in the classroom. As the day draws to a close, M. Seurel asks who will accompany the narrator to the train station the next day to pick up his grandparents, and the students suggest various names, but M. Seurel chooses Mouchebœuf instead of the narrator's preferred choice, Meaulnes. Later, the narrator finds himself alone with Meaulnes in the frozen courtyard, and they decide to visit the local blacksmith's shop, where they sit in silence, watching the blacksmith and his apprentice at work. The narrator feels a mix of pleasure and anxiety, hoping that Meaulnes will come up with some extraordinary plan, and as they prepare to leave, Meaulnes seems lost in thought, sparking the narrator's recollection of a scene from Robinson Crusoe, where the protagonist visits a basket maker's shop before his grand departure.
The narrator is in class, waiting for the lesson to end, and notices that Meaulnes is absent. He suspects that Meaulnes has escaped and is watching from the window as Meaulnes prepares to leave the Belle-Étoile farm with a horse and carriage. Meaulnes is seen driving the carriage away, and the narrator is convinced that he is trying to escape. The teacher, M. Seurel, is unaware of Meaulnes' absence until it is too late, and the class erupts into chaos as the students try to catch a glimpse of Meaulnes' departure. The narrator is told to still go to the train station with Mouchebœuf, as Meaulnes is not expected to make it to the train on time. The scene ends with the villagers gathering in the street, discussing the commotion, and the narrator's mother asking what all the fuss is about.
The narrator is at home with his grandparents, who have just arrived from the train station, and they are sharing stories about their trip. However, the narrator's mind is elsewhere, as he is waiting to hear about the fate of his friend Meaulnes, who had escaped earlier. The evening is quiet, with the narrator's grandfather dozing off, until they hear the sound of carriages outside. It turns out that a man has found Meaulnes' horse and carriage, which had been abandoned on the road, and has brought them back to the narrator's house. The man explains that he found the carriage with no driver or passenger, and the horse is tired and limping. The narrator's father decides to take the carriage and horse to the Belle-Étoile farm, where Meaulnes had rented them, without revealing what had happened. The family decides to tell the grandfather and the people in the village that Meaulnes had simply gone to visit his mother, in order to avoid raising any alarm. However, the narrator and his family are secretly worried about Meaulnes' disappearance, and they wait anxiously for three days, trying to decide what to do next.
The story continues on a cold winter day, four days after Meaulnes' disappearance. The students are gathered in the courtyard, waiting for the school to open, when Meaulnes suddenly appears, shaking off the frost from his clothes. He enters the classroom, where the teacher, M. Seurel, is giving a dictation, and announces his return. Meaulnes is tired and hungry, but also seems exhilarated from his adventure. He is told to take a seat and start reading, but soon asks to be excused, citing his exhaustion. After lunch, Meaulnes and the narrator try to escape the other students, who are eager to hear about Meaulnes' disappearance, and lock themselves in the classroom. However, they are soon interrupted by Jasmin Delouche, a rival student who is jealous of Meaulnes' popularity, and his friends, who break into the classroom through a window. A fight ensues, with Meaulnes confronting Jasmin and his friends, but it is quickly interrupted by the arrival of M. Seurel. The students calm down, and Meaulnes returns to his seat, bruised but defiant, while Jasmin accuses him of trying to act superior. Meaulnes responds by saying he doesn't even know where he has been himself, and the scene ends with him burying his head in his hands to study.
The narrator and Meaulnes are in their bedroom, a large attic room with a sloping ceiling, where they are getting ready for bed. Meaulnes is slowly undressing, folding and putting away his school clothes with care, revealing a strange and elegant silk vest underneath. The narrator is curious about the vest and asks Meaulnes where he got it, but Meaulnes' expression turns serious and he quickly covers up, putting on his school uniform again. Later that night, the narrator wakes up to find Meaulnes fully dressed and ready to leave, but he is hesitant and unsure of his way. Meaulnes tells the narrator that he cannot take him with him because he doesn't know the way himself. The narrator promises to help Meaulnes find his way and suggests that they search for it together during the day using Meaulnes' mysterious plan. Meaulnes agrees, and the narrator asks him to reveal the identity of the girl he loves, but Meaulnes is hesitant to share his secret.
Meaulnes' adventure begins as he sets out on the road to Vierzon, intending to surprise everyone by bringing back the narrator's grandparents in a carriage. However, as he travels, he becomes disoriented and loses his way, eventually finding himself on a narrow, unpaved path. His horse becomes lame, and Meaulnes discovers a stone lodged in its hoof, which he manages to remove after a struggle. As night begins to fall, Meaulnes decides to press on, driven by a desire to reach his destination despite the obstacles. He urges his horse forward, and they continue on the dark and winding path, the only sound being the creaking of the carriage and the snapping of dead branches. Meaulnes' thoughts turn to the warmth and comfort of the narrator's home, where they were all supposed to be gathered, but he is also filled with a sense of excitement and pride at having escaped on his own.
Meaulnes' journey continues as he stops at a rural house after getting lost on the road. He meets an old woman who is initially cautious but eventually warms up to him, offering him food and shelter. Meaulnes tries to gather information about his location and the nearest village, but the woman's responses only add to his confusion. A old man arrives, and they both try to persuade Meaulnes to stay overnight and continue his journey in the morning. Despite initial hesitation, Meaulnes accepts their offer and decides to rest for the night, still unaware of the direction he needs to take to reach his destination. As he prepares to stable his horse, he is warned about the holes on the path, and for a moment, he considers asking for guidance, revealing his deepening uncertainty and disorientation.
Meaulnes continues his journey, searching for his lost horse and carriage. He becomes disoriented and lost in the darkness, stumbling and falling as he tries to follow the path. As he walks, he reflects on his situation and realizes that his horse is likely to have been found by someone else. Exhausted and frustrated, Meaulnes eventually comes across a sentier, a path, that he hopes will lead him back to the house he is seeking. However, he becomes further lost and ends up in a large, abandoned bergerie, a sheepfold. There, he lies down on the damp straw, feeling miserable and alone. To distract himself from his troubles, Meaulnes recalls a childhood dream in which he found himself in a beautiful, green room with a young girl sewing near a window. The memory brings him a sense of longing and wonder, and he drifts off into thoughts of what might have been.
Meaulnes continues his journey, struggling with a swollen knee and the desolate landscape of Sologne. After a long and painful walk, he spots a grey turret above a wood of fir trees and decides to investigate. As he enters an alley, he is surprised to find it swept clean, like the streets of his hometown on a festive day. He soon discovers that he is not alone, as he hears the voices of children approaching. Meaulnes hides and listens, learning that the children seem to be in charge and are planning a celebration. He decides to follow the alley, curious about the strange domain he has stumbled upon. As he approaches the house, he finds a long, narrow courtyard filled with carriages of all kinds. Meaulnes sneaks in through an open window and finds himself in a vast, low-ceilinged room filled with valuable objects and weapons. He discovers a large bed covered in old books, lutes, and candelabras, and decides to rest there. As he drifts off to sleep, he is unsure whether the domain is truly abandoned or if he has simply stumbled into a strange and mysterious world. The sound of music carried by the wind lulls him to sleep, reminding him of his mother playing the piano when he was a child.
Meaulnes wakes up in the night, cold and disoriented, in a strange room. He notices that someone has opened the window and hung green Venetian lanterns in the embrasure. He hears footsteps and hushed conversations outside the room and sees two figures, a fat man and a gaunt, miserable-looking comedian, enter the room. They discuss preparing the room, known as the "Chambre de Wellington", for a guest, and the comedian expresses his disdain for being involved in the festivities. The fat man is indifferent to the comedian's concerns and leaves the room, telling him it's time to get dressed for dinner. The comedian, before following the fat man, notices Meaulnes and sarcastically invites him to wake up, dress up as a marquis, and join the costumed party, introducing himself as the one who will play the role of Pierrot.
Meaulnes, still in the mysterious domain, decides to join the dinner party after finding a room filled with old clothes and accessories. He dresses up in a grand manteau and fine shoes, and makes his way to the central building, where he follows a peculiarly dressed young man. As he enters the building, he is surrounded by laughter, music, and chatter, but doesn't see anyone. He tries to make sense of the layout and follows the sound of voices, eventually coming across two young girls who are playing and laughing together. After a brief encounter, they disappear into a room, and Meaulnes is left standing in the dark corridor, feeling uncertain. However, he is soon approached by two young boys who offer to take him to dinner, and with their guidance, he enters a grand hall where a feast is underway, with people from all walks of life gathered around the tables.
Meaulnes continues to navigate the mysterious domain, where he finds himself at a grand feast with people from all walks of life. He sits down to eat with two old peasant women, who discuss the upcoming wedding of Frantz de Galais and his fiancée. Meaulnes learns that Frantz has invited the guests to celebrate his wedding and that the domain is being prepared for the bride's arrival. As the night wears on, Meaulnes joins in the festivities, chasing after a pierrot character and engaging with the other guests. Eventually, he seeks refuge in a quieter part of the house, where he finds a group of children listening to a young woman play the piano. Meaulnes is drawn into this peaceful scene and imagines himself in a domestic setting, married and surrounded by children, with the young woman as his wife.
Meaulnes wakes up early and explores the mysterious domain, taking in the beautiful scenery and architecture. He meets a young woman, Yvonne de Galais, and is immediately smitten. Despite his initial awkwardness, they begin to talk and Meaulnes learns that she is the daughter of the chateau's owner. As they spend more time together, Meaulnes becomes increasingly enamored with Yvonne, but she remains elusive and distant. They share a romantic moment, but Yvonne ultimately tells Meaulnes that they must part ways, and he is left to ponder the encounter. The story then shifts to a festive atmosphere, with a horse race taking place on the estate. Meaulnes searches for Yvonne in the crowd, but she is nowhere to be found. The festivities come to an end, and the guests await the return of the fiancés, Frantz and his bride, but they fail to arrive, casting a sense of uncertainty and anticipation over the gathering.
Meaulnes returns to his room, feeling happy and content after his encounter with Yvonne de Galais. However, his peace is short-lived as he discovers a young man, Frantz de Galais, in the adjacent room, who appears to be distraught and upset. Frantz reveals that his fiancée has disappeared and that the wedding celebration is being cancelled. The guests begin to prepare for their departure, and Meaulnes decides to leave as well. As he packs his belongings, he finds a note from Frantz, explaining his situation and stating that he no longer wants to live. Meaulnes reflects on the events of the day and the strange turn they have taken. He changes back into his old clothes and prepares to leave the mysterious domain, which is now being deserted by the guests. As he departs, he hears the sound of carriages and people saying their goodbyes, and he catches a glimpse of Frantz de Galais, who bids him farewell. Meaulnes leaves the domain, bringing an end to his adventure, but not before being left with a sense of wonder and curiosity about the events that transpired.
Meaulnes is eager to leave the mysterious domain, fearing that his deception will be discovered. He searches for a ride and eventually finds a old berline driven by a peasant, where he sits with two sleeping children. As they leave the domain, Meaulnes tries to take one last look at the place, but it's too dark. The carriage suddenly speeds up after a loud noise and a flash of light, and Meaulnes sees a figure in a white costume running with a body in their arms. The carriage eventually stops, and Meaulnes is told to get out, as they will be taking a different path. He says goodbye to the driver and starts walking towards Sainte-Agathe, still half asleep and cold. The driver warns him not to fall asleep and to keep walking, and Meaulnes continues on his way, leaving the mysterious domain and its festivities behind.
The story takes a turn as Meaulnes and the narrator are settled into their routine, but the excitement and adventure of Meaulnes' previous escapade seem to be forgotten. However, on a Thursday evening, a strange and mysterious event occurs, as a group of unknown individuals, likely young people from the town, launch a surprise attack on the narrator's home, shouting and whistling. The attack is sudden and intense, but it is interrupted by the arrival of M. Pasquier, the butcher, who claims to have seen two suspicious individuals lurking around the area. Meaulnes decides to investigate further, taking M. Pasquier's lantern and leading the way, accompanied by the narrator and M. Seurel. As they venture out into the night, the atmosphere is filled with a sense of mystery and anticipation, hinting that a new adventure is about to unfold.
Meaulnes and the narrator are out on a cold winter night, walking through the snow, when they are suddenly ambushed by a group of masked individuals. The attackers, who are revealed to be their classmates, including Delouche and others, seem to be led by a mysterious figure with a bandaged head. Meaulnes puts up a good fight, but he is eventually overpowered and his belongings are searched. The leader of the attackers finds a map that Meaulnes had been working on and seems to think it's a crucial piece of information. After the attackers disappear into the night, Meaulnes and the narrator make their way back, discussing what just happened. They run into M. Seurel and the butcher, who are unaware of the ambush, and the two friends return to their room to repair their damaged clothes and reflect on the events of the night.
The story continues with the introduction of a new character, a young bohemian who is revealed to be the leader of the group that ambushed Meaulnes and the narrator the previous night. The bohemian, who is injured and has a bandaged head, joins the class and quickly becomes the center of attention. He brings with him a collection of strange and fascinating objects, including a pen that shows a magnified image of a monument, a Chinese pencil case, and a book with a strange title. The class is fascinated by these objects and the bohemian's stories of his travels and adventures. Meaulnes, however, is skeptical and even hostile towards the bohemian, seeing him as a troublemaker. During recess, the bohemian introduces a new game, a kind of tournament where the older students carry the younger ones on their shoulders and try to knock each other down. Meaulnes eventually joins in, with the narrator on his shoulders, and they become a formidable team. The bohemian is impressed by Meaulnes' strength and skill, and the two engage in a kind of rivalry. The chapter ends with the bohemian explaining how he and his companions live, claiming that they survive on what they earned the previous autumn, and that someone named Ganache manages their finances.
Meaulnes and the narrator are in class when the bohemian, a new student, arrives and brings with him a collection of strange and fascinating objects. The bohemian is injured and has a bandaged head, and Meaulnes is skeptical of him. After class, Meaulnes and the narrator stay behind to clean the classroom, and the bohemian joins them. As they work, the bohemian reveals that he has been to the same mysterious domain as Meaulnes and has information about the place. He tells them that he has completed Meaulnes' map and offers to share the information with them. The bohemian also shares his troubled past and his desire to live life on his own terms. He asks Meaulnes and the narrator to be his friends and to help him in times of need. In return, he offers to give them information about the young girl from the chateau and her whereabouts in Paris. As they talk, the bohemian's companion, Ganache, calls out to him from the gate, and the bohemian leaves, giving them an address in Paris where they can find the girl. Meaulnes and the narrator are left in a state of excitement and anticipation, eager to uncover the secrets of the mysterious domain.
The story takes place on a cold winter night in the town of Sainte-Agathe. The veuve Delouche, an innkeeper, is awoken by a thief who steals her chickens. Her brother-in-law, Dumas, chases after the thief but loses him on the road to La Gare. Meanwhile, Jasmin Delouche, the veuve's son, encounters a suspicious character, Ganache, who is wearing espadrilles and seems to be in a hurry. The next morning, the town is in an uproar as people discover that they have been robbed of their poultry and other items. Jasmin shares his story with the class, and it is noted that the thief was also wearing espadrilles, similar to Ganache. The chapter ends with the bohemian, who is a friend of Meaulnes and the narrator, being absent due to a minor injury, and the boys waiting anxiously to see him again, sensing that his humble abode might hold the key to uncovering the secrets of the mysterious domain they had lost track of.
The story takes place on a spring day, and Meaulnes and the narrator are excited to try out the itinerary that the bohemian student had provided. However, they decide to wait until the weather is better and the prunier trees are in bloom. Meanwhile, a troupe of performers, led by Ganache, arrives in town and announces a grand show on the church square. Meaulnes and the narrator are eager to attend, but they have to wait until the evening. When they finally arrive at the show, they are impressed by the performances, including a trained goat and a poney. The bohemian student, who is injured and has a bandaged head, is the master of ceremonies. During the intermission, he talks to M. Seurel and the narrator, discussing his injury and the preparations for the show. However, tensions rise when Jasmin Delouche appears and exchanges hostile words with the bohemian student. The situation escalates into a dispute behind the curtain, with the two voices arguing and the audience waiting in silence for the second part of the show to begin.
The story continues with a pantomime performance by a pierrot character, who entertains the audience with his comedic antics, including a series of falls and mishaps. Meanwhile, Meaulnes becomes increasingly absorbed in the performance, and suddenly recognizes the bohemian, who has removed his bandage, revealing a familiar face. Meaulnes realizes that the bohemian is the fiancé from the mysterious domain, and he excitedly points him out to the narrator. However, before they can approach him, the bohemian disappears into his roulotte, and Meaulnes is left to try and follow him, only to find that the communications with the piste have been cut off, and the crowd is being slowly ushered out of the circus. Meaulnes tries to reach the bohemian's roulotte, but it is already closed, and he is left to wait and wonder what will happen next.
Meaulnes and the narrator are eager to reunite with Frantz de Galais, the bohemian who had revealed his true identity to them. They plan to meet him the next day, Thursday, and embark on a new adventure together. However, when they arrive at the spot where the bohemians had set up their camp, they find that they have packed up and left. Meaulnes is devastated and tries to decide which direction to follow them in, but it's too late. Meanwhile, four gendarmes arrive on horseback, alerted by Delouche, and begin to search the village for Ganache, the leader of the bohemians, who is also a chicken thief. The gendarmes are too late, and Ganache and Frantz have already escaped. The narrator reflects on the events and realizes that Frantz had been living a life of crime with Ganache, but had wanted to reveal his true identity to them before disappearing. The chapter ends with the narrator pondering the complexities of Ganache's character, who is both a thief and a kind person.
The narrator and Meaulnes are supposed to prepare for their exams, but they are distracted by their desire to uncover the secrets of the mysterious domain. Meaulnes decides to explore the woods, searching for a path that might lead him to the domain, while the narrator is tasked with following the edge of the woods. The narrator becomes excited about the possibility of discovering the hidden path and feels like he is on an adventure. However, his search is unsuccessful, and he ends up at the gamekeeper's house, where he meets up with M. Seurel and the other students. They have also been unsuccessful in their search for the missing students and decide to head back to Sainte-Agathe. Along the way, they learn that Meaulnes has been seen, covered in dirt and torn clothes, and is waiting for them at the bridge. Meaulnes is disappointed and exhausted, and when asked if he found anything, he simply shakes his head and says "nothing". He then falls into a deep and sad sleep, and later writes a letter to his mother, as if he has made an important decision.
The story takes place on a cold and rainy Thursday, where the narrator and Meaulnes are stuck inside due to the bad weather. Meaulnes suddenly announces that he will be leaving for Paris to finish his studies, as his mother has agreed to his request. The narrator is devastated by the news, realizing that he will be separated from his dear friend. As Meaulnes prepares to leave, the narrator tries to come to terms with the impending separation. Meaulnes' mother arrives, and they depart without much explanation, leaving the narrator feeling alone and lost. The narrator is left to face a long and empty Thursday evening, feeling as though his adolescence has come to an end with Meaulnes' departure.
The narrator is struggling to come to terms with the departure of his friend Meaulnes, who has left to finish his studies in Paris. Feeling a sense of liberation and freedom from the adventures and responsibilities that came with being Meaulnes' companion, the narrator finds himself drawn to a new group of friends, including Jasmin Delouche and Boujardon. They spend the day together, engaging in mischief and drinking, but the narrator is ultimately disappointed and disillusioned with their company. As the evening wears on, he reflects on the adventures he had with Meaulnes and feels a sense of regret and longing for the past. The narrator's attempt to share Meaulnes' story with his new friends falls flat, and he is left feeling like he has betrayed his friend's trust. The chapter ends with the narrator alone in his room, struggling to shake off the feeling of remorse and nostalgia for the adventures he had with Meaulnes.
The narrator reflects on the three letters he received from Meaulnes, which he still keeps in a drawer. The first letter arrived soon after Meaulnes' departure, and he describes his visit to the house where Yvonne de Galais was supposed to live, but found it empty and unoccupied. The second letter, sent in June, reveals that Meaulnes has lost all hope of finding Yvonne and is struggling with the heat and despair of the summer. He meets a young girl who is also waiting for someone, and she tells him that the house has been closed since the brother of the former occupant ran away and the sister got married. The third and final letter, received in November, shows Meaulnes still waiting and hoping, despite having no reason to believe that Yvonne will ever appear. He compares himself to a grieving mother who waits endlessly for her deceased son, and acknowledges that their adventure is over and it's time to forget. The narrator tries to obey Meaulnes' request to forget, but the memories of their adventures still linger, and the arrival of snow in February finally buries the past, erasing all traces of their romantic and mysterious journey.
The narrator recalls a summer outing to the Cher river with his friends, including Jasmin Delouche, where they go swimming and try to drink from a fontaine, but struggle to quench their thirst. As they walk back, Jasmin tells stories about his adventures and the domains he has visited, including the Sablonnières, a half-abandoned estate near Vieux-Nançay. He mentions a chapel with a tombstone bearing the inscription "Ci-gît le chevalier Galois / Fidèle à son Dieu, à son Roi, à sa Belle." The narrator listens intently, feeling a connection to the story, and Jasmin suddenly realizes that this might be the place where Meaulnes, the charismatic and mysterious friend, had gone on one of his adventures. The narrator is convinced that Jasmin has stumbled upon the truth, and the story takes a turn as the narrator becomes excited about the possibility of uncovering the secrets of the mysterious domain.
The narrator visits his uncle Florentin in the town of Vieux-Nançay, where he hopes to gather information about the mysterious Domaine des Sablonnières. Upon arrival, he is immediately drawn into the lively atmosphere of his uncle's shop, where he spends time with his cousins and aunt. The narrator asks his uncle about the Domaine des Sablonnières and learns that it is no longer a grand estate, but rather a small house and farm. He also discovers that the owner, Monsieur de Galais, has a daughter named Yvonne, who is known for her beauty and kindness. The next day, the narrator meets Yvonne when she visits the shop, and they have a conversation that reveals her to be intelligent, thoughtful, and perhaps a little melancholic. As they talk, the narrator is struck by Yvonne's beauty and her unusual manner, which seems to convey a deep sense of sadness and longing. When his uncle mentions the name "Meaulnes" in conversation, Yvonne becomes pale and distant, and the narrator realizes that she must be the same person his friend Meaulnes has been searching for. The chapter ends with the narrator deciding to visit Meaulnes and tell him about his encounter with Yvonne, and he sets off on his bicycle, eager to share the news with his friend.
The narrator visits his great aunt, Tante Moinel, in the town of La Ferté-d'Angillon, on his way to see Meaulnes. She is a eccentric and poor woman who lives in a small, cluttered house. During dinner, she tells the narrator a long and strange story about a young woman named Valentine, who was engaged to Frantz de Galais, but ran away from him and was taken in by Tante Moinel and her husband. The narrator is uncomfortable with the story and feels a sense of unease. He realizes that Valentine is the same person that Meaulnes' friend Frantz, the bohemian, was searching for, and that Tante Moinel's story provides a clue to Frantz's past. However, the narrator decides not to tell Meaulnes about the story, fearing it will lead to more trouble and adventures. Instead, he resolves to keep the information to himself until he sees Meaulnes married to Mademoiselle de Galais. The chapter ends with the narrator feeling a sense of guilt and unease, and Tante Moinel continuing to talk, unaware of the narrator's thoughts and feelings.
The narrator visits Meaulnes at his home, where he finds Meaulnes' mother preparing for his departure. Meaulnes is writing in the old schoolhouse, which his family now owns, and seems troubled and preoccupied. He explains to the narrator that he has decided to embark on a long journey, partly to fulfill a promise to Frantz and partly to make amends for a past mistake. Meaulnes reveals that he has been struggling to come to terms with the end of his adventure and the loss of his dreams. The narrator shares some surprising news that could change Meaulnes' plans, telling him that he may not have lost all hope of finding Yvonne de Galais after all. Meaulnes is shocked and overwhelmed by this revelation, and the two friends begin to make new plans, including a potential meeting with Yvonne at a upcoming countryside party.
The narrator and Meaulnes attend a countryside party near the Cher river, where they hope to meet Yvonne de Galais, the girl Meaulnes has been searching for. Meaulnes is nervous and impatient, and the narrator tries to calm him down as they wait for Yvonne to arrive. When she finally appears, riding a old white horse, Meaulnes is overcome with emotion and struggles to compose himself. Yvonne is also visibly anxious, and the narrator senses a deep-seated trouble beneath her charming exterior. As the group of guests gathers around Yvonne, Meaulnes remains frozen in place, unsure of how to react. However, when Yvonne approaches him and recognizes him, she takes the initiative and greets him warmly, putting him at ease. The narrator is relieved that the meeting has gone smoothly, but he can't help but feel a sense of melancholy and regret, knowing that this encounter may be the culmination of Meaulnes' long and arduous search.
The story concludes with Meaulnes and Yvonne de Galais finally meeting again after years of separation. However, their reunion is bittersweet, and Meaulnes' behavior becomes increasingly erratic and distant. During a countryside party, Meaulnes and Yvonne have a poignant conversation, and she explains how her life has changed since they last met. Meaulnes is overcome with emotion and eventually becomes violent when he sees Yvonne's old horse, Bélisaire, being mistreated. In a dramatic turn of events, Meaulnes lashes out at those around him, including Yvonne's father, and then abruptly leaves the party. He runs back to the Domaine des Sablonnières, where he had first met Yvonne, and it is revealed that he asks for her hand in marriage that same evening, overcome with emotion and tears.
The story takes place on a cold February Thursday, where the narrator and Jasmin Delouche are wandering around the Sablonnières estate, after attending the wedding of Meaulnes and Yvonne de Galais. The wedding was a quiet affair, held in the old chapel, and the guests have already departed. The narrator and Jasmin are filled with a sense of inquietude, and despite trying to distract themselves, they keep returning to the edge of the woods, where they can see the silent and closed house. They notice a light coming from the window and hear the sound of someone playing the piano, which fills them with a sense of joy and wonder. The music is like a trembling voice, a child's laughter, and a woman's nervous joy, all at once. The narrator feels a sense of contentment, knowing that Meaulnes and Yvonne are finally happy together. However, their reverie is interrupted by Jasmin, who touches the narrator's shoulder and signals him to be quiet, as he is listening to something.
The narrator hears a familiar cry, which is an signal from Frantz, a bohemian friend. The narrator and Jasmin track down Frantz, who is in a state of distress and has been searching for Meaulnes. Frantz is unhappy and feels abandoned by Meaulnes, who had promised to help him find his lost love. The narrator tries to reason with Frantz and convince him to give up his foolish ways, but Frantz is adamant that only Meaulnes can help him. The narrator makes a promise to Frantz that Meaulnes will help him find his love, and Frantz agrees to leave and return in a year's time. As Frantz departs, the narrator is left to reflect on the encounter and the changes that have taken place in Frantz, who is no longer the carefree and romantic young man he once was. The narrator also notices that Meaulnes is acting strangely, and wonders what is wrong with him.
The story takes place after Meaulnes' wedding to Yvonne de Galais, and the narrator is reflecting on the events that occurred on the day of the wedding. Meaulnes and Yvonne are alone in the salon of the Sablonnières estate, and they are enjoying a moment of happiness together. However, their peace is disrupted by the sound of Frantz's cry, which Meaulnes recognizes as a call for help. Meaulnes becomes agitated and eventually runs out of the house to meet the narrator and Jasmin, who are watching from a distance. The narrator tries to calm Meaulnes down and explains that Frantz has come to ask for his help in finding what he has lost. Meaulnes is torn between his desire to help Frantz and his commitment to his new wife, Yvonne. He eventually decides to return to the house with Yvonne, who has followed him and is visibly upset. The scene ends with Meaulnes gently tending to Yvonne's injuries and the two of them returning to their home, hand in hand.
The narrator visits the Sablonnières estate, where Meaulnes and Yvonne de Galais are living, but finds that Meaulnes has left on a long journey and Yvonne is ill with a fever. The narrator returns several times to visit Yvonne, who is recovering but still struggling with her emotions. She shares with him her memories of her brother Frantz's childhood and his love of adventure, and the narrator realizes that Yvonne is still holding onto the hope of reuniting with Meaulnes. One day, Yvonne takes the narrator to a small, isolated house that belonged to Frantz when he was a child, where they find a dead brood of chickens and Yvonne becomes emotional. She confides in the narrator about her regret over losing her brother and her hope that he will return. The narrator continues to visit Yvonne throughout the spring and summer, and they spend time together, walking and talking, but never discussing Meaulnes or their unspoken feelings. The narrator is left with a lasting impression of Yvonne's beauty and sadness, and the memory of their time together remains with him.
The narrator returns to the Sablonnières estate after his vacation, eager to see Yvonne de Galais, the wife of his friend Meaulnes. He waits outside the estate, sitting on a bench in the garden, until Yvonne appears, wearing a black woolen shawl to protect herself from the rain. They talk about Meaulnes, who has been away for some time, and Yvonne shares her feelings of guilt and responsibility for his departure. She explains that she had told Meaulnes to leave, hoping that he would return to her once he had found peace and resolved his inner turmoil. The narrator listens intently, and they both reminisce about Meaulnes' past adventures and his personality. As they walk back to the house, Yvonne reveals that Meaulnes has never written to her since his departure, and they continue to talk about him, sharing their memories and impressions of his character. The conversation is a poignant and intimate moment between the narrator and Yvonne, as they both try to understand Meaulnes' actions and his current whereabouts.
The narrator receives news that Yvonne de Galais, the wife of Augustin Meaulnes, has given birth to a baby girl, but the delivery was difficult and both Yvonne and the baby are in critical condition. The narrator visits the Sablonnières estate and finds Yvonne struggling to recover, while the baby is also unwell. Despite the efforts of the doctor, Yvonne's condition worsens, and she eventually dies. The narrator is devastated by the news and struggles to come to terms with the loss. He attends Yvonne's funeral, where he is tasked with carrying her body down the stairs, as the coffin is too large to fit through the narrow corridor. The narrator is overcome with grief and emotion as he carries Yvonne's body, feeling the weight of her death on his heart. The chapter ends with the narrator reflecting on the loss of Yvonne and the end of the great adventure that had begun with Meaulnes' arrival in the town.
The narrator is living at the Sablonnières estate, where he is taking care of the child of Meaulnes and Yvonne, who has passed away. He is searching for any clues that might lead him to Meaulnes, who has been away for a long time. One day, while exploring the attic, he finds an old trunk that belongs to Meaulnes, which contains his old schoolbooks and a "Cahier de Devoirs Mensuels". The notebook is surprising to the narrator because students were not allowed to take them home. As he flips through the pages, he notices that Meaulnes had started writing in it just before he left Sainte-Agathe, but only wrote a few pages before stopping. However, as he continues to flip through the pages, he discovers more writing, but this time it is rapid, poorly formed, and barely legible. The narrator realizes that this writing might hold the key to understanding Meaulnes' past and decides to read it carefully, hoping to find some clues about his whereabouts.
The narrator reflects on his encounter with Valentine Blondeau, a young woman who reminds him of his past adventure at the mysterious Domaine. He meets her at a theater and they spend time together, during which she shares her story and he becomes drawn to her. However, their relationship is complicated and she eventually tells him that she wants to end things between them. The narrator is left feeling uncertain and conflicted, as he is still haunted by the memories of his past adventure and the girl he lost. Meanwhile, Meaulnes is shown to be struggling with his own feelings and desires, as he prepares to marry Valentine but is still tempted to search for his lost love. The chapter ends with a sense of melancholy and uncertainty, as the characters navigate their complex emotions and relationships.
The chapter continues with Meaulnes' journal, where he recounts his time with Valentine in the countryside. They are presented as a married couple to the locals, but Meaulnes feels guilty about the deception. Valentine shares stories about her past and her former fiancé, Frantz, which Meaulnes recognizes as the same Frantz he knew as a bohemian. Meaulnes becomes increasingly agitated and eventually explodes in anger, feeling that he has wronged Frantz and Valentine. He tells Valentine to leave, and she threatens to return to a life of poverty and potentially become a lost girl if he doesn't come back for her. Meaulnes continues to struggle with his emotions and writes letters to Valentine, trying to justify his actions and asking for her forgiveness. The journal ends with Meaulnes' decision to visit Valentine in Bourges, hoping to make amends and potentially rekindle their relationship.
Meaulnes' journey continues as he searches for Valentine Blondeau, the girl he has been trying to find. He finally discovers her house in Bourges, but she has already left for Paris. Meaulnes is overcome with emotion and writes a desperate letter to Valentine, expressing his regret and longing. He then wanders around the city, feeling lost and alone, and eventually follows two girls to a seedy part of town. One of them gives him a rendezvous for later, but Meaulnes knows he will have already left the city by then. He returns to Valentine's house one last time, taking in the sights and memories of her childhood. As he begins his long journey back home, Meaulnes is filled with a sense of despair and regret, knowing that he has lost Valentine and sent her to her downfall. The chapter ends with Meaulnes forming a plan to find Valentine again and make things right, and a note in his journal revealing that he had been making preparations for this journey when the narrator visited him in La Ferté-d'Angillon. Meaulnes also writes a confession and leaves it for his friend François Seurel, in case he does not return.