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The story revolves around Octave de Gerfaut, a young and charismatic man who falls in love with Madame de Bergenheim, the wife of Baron de Bergenheim. Gerfaut's obsession with Madame de Bergenheim leads him to manipulate those around him to get close to her, including using his charm and wit to drive a wedge between Madame de Bergenheim and her husband. As the story unfolds, the complex web of relationships and secrets at the Castle of Bergenheim is revealed, including the unhappy marriage of the Baron and Madame de Bergenheim, and the growing feelings between Gerfaut and Madame de Bergenheim. The situation becomes increasingly complicated, and the consequences of Gerfaut's actions escalate, ultimately leading to a tragic confrontation between Gerfaut and the Baron. The story culminates in a devastating conclusion, with the Baron's death and Madame de Bergenheim's subsequent drowning, leaving Gerfaut to mourn the loss of his loved one and find inspiration for his writing in the memories of their tragic love affair.
The story begins with a young man, approximately thirty years old, walking through a valley in Lorraine. He encounters a shepherd who is singing a psalm and asks for directions to Bergenheim. The shepherd provides him with directions and points out the castle in the distance. As the young man approaches the castle, he meets a workman named Lambernier who is angry with the Baron de Bergenheim, the owner of the castle. The young man watches as the Baron disciplines Lambernier for his insolence. Meanwhile, a young woman, Madame de Bergenheim, appears on the balcony of the castle, and the young man is immediately smitten. He learns that she is the Baron's wife and that the castle is home to a complex web of relationships and secrets. As the story unfolds, the young man, who is revealed to be Octave de Gerfaut, finds himself drawn into this world and becomes embroiled in a complicated love affair with Madame de Bergenheim. The chapter ends with Gerfaut declaring his intention to see Madame de Bergenheim again, despite the danger and imprudence of such a decision.
The chapter describes the interior of the Castle of Bergenheim, where Madame de Bergenheim, the Baron's wife, is staying with her aunt, Mademoiselle de Corandeuil. The room is filled with family portraits, and Madame de Bergenheim is depicted as a young woman with a complex and intriguing personality. She is bored with her life at the castle and feels a sense of ennui, which her aunt attributes to her being a Corandeuil. The conversation between the two women reveals that Madame de Bergenheim is unhappy in her marriage and feels trapped in her life. Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger, Octave de Gerfaut, has arrived in the area and is staying at a local tavern, where he meets a young artist named Marillac. Gerfaut is revealed to be a man with a passion for art and music, and he becomes infatuated with Madame de Bergenheim, whom he had met previously in Paris. The chapter ends with Gerfaut declaring his intention to see Madame de Bergenheim again, despite the danger and imprudence of such a decision.
In this chapter, the story delves deeper into the lives of the characters at the Castle of Bergenheim. Madame de Bergenheim, the Baron's wife, is struggling with feelings of ennui and discontent, which her aunt, Mademoiselle de Corandeuil, attributes to her being a Corandeuil. The conversation between the two women reveals that Madame de Bergenheim is unhappy in her marriage and feels trapped in her life. Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger, Octave de Gerfaut, has arrived in the area and is staying at a local tavern, where he meets a young artist named Marillac. Gerfaut is revealed to be a man with a passion for art and music, and he becomes infatuated with Madame de Bergenheim, whom he had met previously in Paris. As the story unfolds, Gerfaut declares his intention to see Madame de Bergenheim again, despite the danger and imprudence of such a decision. The chapter also introduces the character of Aline, the Baron's sister, who is a young and vivacious girl with a passion for billiards and horses. The servants in the castle are also introduced, including Pere Rousselet, an old peasant who has a complex and intriguing personality. The chapter ends with Gerfaut making his way to the castle, determined to see Madame de Bergenheim again, while Madame de Bergenheim is torn between her duty to her husband and her growing feelings for Gerfaut.
The chapter introduces the character of Octave de Gerfaut, a young man who is immediately smitten with Madame de Bergenheim, the Baron's wife. Gerfaut is a man of passion and art, and he becomes infatuated with Madame de Bergenheim, whom he had met previously in Paris. The chapter describes the interior of the Castle of Bergenheim, where Madame de Bergenheim is staying with her aunt, Mademoiselle de Corandeuil. The room is filled with family portraits, and Madame de Bergenheim is depicted as a young woman with a complex and intriguing personality. She is bored with her life at the castle and feels a sense of ennui, which her aunt attributes to her being a Corandeuil. The conversation between the two women reveals that Madame de Bergenheim is unhappy in her marriage and feels trapped in her life. Meanwhile, Gerfaut arrives in the area and is staying at a local tavern, where he meets a young artist named Marillac. Gerfaut is revealed to be a man with a passion for art and music, and he becomes infatuated with Madame de Bergenheim. The chapter ends with Gerfaut declaring his intention to see Madame de Bergenheim again, despite the danger and imprudence of such a decision.
The chapter describes the arrival of Gerfaut at the "Femme-sans-Tete" tavern, where he meets Marillac, a young artist. Marillac is enthusiastic about his latest idea for an opera, "The Chaste Suzannah", and shares his plans with Gerfaut. Meanwhile, Gerfaut seems preoccupied and distracted, hinting that he has something more important to discuss. The scene is set in the tavern's kitchen, where Madame Gobillot is preparing supper and Marillac is sketching the portrait of her daughter, Reine. The atmosphere is lively, with the sound of singing and music filling the air. As the conversation progresses, it becomes clear that Gerfaut's mind is elsewhere, and he is eager to share his thoughts with Marillac.
In this chapter, Octave de Gerfaut recounts his story to his friend Marillac, detailing how he met Madame de Bergenheim at Mont Blanc and subsequently fell in love with her. He explains how he used his family ties and social connections to get close to her and eventually gain an invitation to her aunt's home. Meanwhile, Marillac agrees to help Gerfaut by visiting Bergenheim and securing an invitation for Gerfaut to visit the chateau. The chapter also describes the events that unfold at the chateau, including Aline's accident with her horse and Gerfaut's arrival at the chateau, where he is injured while saving Aline. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Madame de Bergenheim is torn between her duty to her husband and her growing feelings for Gerfaut. The chapter ends with Gerfaut burning a note from Madame de Bergenheim, which suggests that she may be dismissing him, and Marillac hinting that he may have discovered a secret that could change the course of events.
In this chapter, Marillac visits the Chateau de Bergenheim and meets Madame de Bergenheim and her aunt, Mademoiselle de Corandeuil. He tells them the story of how he saved the Baron's life during the July Revolution, and the ladies are impressed by his bravery. Meanwhile, Gerfaut arrives at the chateau and is injured while saving Aline, the Baron's sister, from a runaway horse. As Gerfaut recuperates, he and Madame de Bergenheim exchange glances, and it becomes clear that there is a history between them. Madame de Bergenheim is torn between her duty to her husband and her feelings for Gerfaut, and she decides to feign illness to avoid him. However, she eventually writes him a note, which he burns after reading, indicating that she is still drawn to him. The chapter ends with Gerfaut and Marillac discussing their plans and strategies for winning Madame de Bergenheim's heart, with Gerfaut determined to succeed despite the challenges ahead.
The chapter begins with Octave de Gerfaut recounting his story to his friend Marillac, detailing how he met Madame de Bergenheim at Mont Blanc and fell in love with her. Gerfaut explains how he used his family ties and social connections to get close to her and eventually gain an invitation to her aunt's home. Meanwhile, Marillac agrees to help Gerfaut by visiting Bergenheim and securing an invitation for Gerfaut to visit the chateau. The story then shifts to the Chateau de Bergenheim, where Madame de Bergenheim is struggling with her feelings for Gerfaut and her duty to her husband. Gerfaut arrives at the chateau and is injured while saving Aline, the Baron's sister, from a runaway horse. As Gerfaut recuperates, he and Madame de Bergenheim exchange glances, and it becomes clear that there is a history between them. Madame de Bergenheim is torn between her duty to her husband and her feelings for Gerfaut, and she decides to feign illness to avoid him. However, she eventually writes him a note, which he burns after reading, indicating that she is still drawn to him. The chapter ends with Gerfaut and Marillac discussing their plans and strategies for winning Madame de Bergenheim's heart, with Gerfaut determined to succeed despite the challenges ahead.
The chapter continues the story of Octave de Gerfaut, a young man who has fallen in love with Madame de Bergenheim, the wife of Baron de Bergenheim. Gerfaut recounts his story to his friend Marillac, detailing how he met Madame de Bergenheim at Mont Blanc and fell in love with her. He explains how he used his family ties and social connections to get close to her and eventually gain an invitation to her aunt's home. Gerfaut declares his intention to see Madame de Bergenheim again, despite the danger and imprudence of such a decision. The story then shifts to the Chateau de Bergenheim, where Madame de Bergenheim is struggling with her feelings for Gerfaut and her duty to her husband. Meanwhile, Marillac visits the chateau and meets Madame de Bergenheim and her aunt, Mademoiselle de Corandeuil. He tells them the story of how he saved the Baron's life during the July Revolution, and the ladies are impressed by his bravery. As the story unfolds, Gerfaut arrives at the chateau and is injured while saving Aline, the Baron's sister, from a runaway horse. The chapter ends with Gerfaut making his way to the castle, determined to see Madame de Bergenheim again, while Madame de Bergenheim is torn between her duty to her husband and her growing feelings for Gerfaut.
Octave de Gerfaut, a young and talented writer, recounts his story to his friend Marillac. Gerfaut had met Madame de Bergenheim, a beautiful and charming woman, at Mont Blanc, and they had a romantic encounter. He became infatuated with her and decided to follow her to her home, where he met her husband, Baron de Bergenheim, and her aunt, Mademoiselle de Corandeuil. Gerfaut used his family ties and social connections to get close to Madame de Bergenheim and eventually gained an invitation to her aunt's home. However, Madame de Bergenheim is a coquette who enjoys playing with men's emotions, and Gerfaut finds himself caught in her game. Despite his efforts to win her heart, she remains elusive and distant. Gerfaut's friend Marillac agrees to help him by visiting the Bergenheims and securing an invitation for Gerfaut to visit the chateau. Meanwhile, Gerfaut's feelings for Madame de Bergenheim only deepen, and he becomes determined to make her fall in love with him. As the story unfolds, Gerfaut's plans are put to the test, and he must navigate the complexities of Madame de Bergenheim's emotions and the societal pressures that surround them.
In this chapter, Marillac is waiting for Reine Gobillot in a wooded area near the Chateau de Bergenheim. He is frustrated by her tardiness and decides to smoke a cigar while he waits. When Reine arrives, she throws dust in his face, and they engage in a playful and flirtatious conversation. However, their interaction is interrupted by the arrival of Lambernier, a carpenter who had previously been dismissed from the chateau. Lambernier is antagonistic towards Marillac and makes threatening gestures, leading to a physical confrontation between the two men. Marillac offers Lambernier money to forget about the incident and to reveal a secret that he claims to know about Madame de Bergenheim. Lambernier agrees to meet Marillac the following Monday to reveal the secret. Meanwhile, Gerfaut is struggling with his feelings for Madame de Bergenheim and is trying to navigate the complexities of their relationship. He declares his intention to make her love him, even if it means causing her pain. The chapter ends with Gerfaut reflecting on the nature of love and relationships, and how he has become obsessed with Madame de Bergenheim.
In Chapter XII, the story continues with the arrival of guests at the chateau, and Madame de Bergenheim is tasked with entertaining them. Marillac, a friend of Gerfaut's, offers to help with the entertainment and suggests a musical performance. Gerfaut and Marillac sing a duet, but Marillac's performance is marred by his inability to hit the high notes. Meanwhile, Madame de Bergenheim is struggling to maintain her composure, and her feelings for Gerfaut are becoming increasingly apparent. The chapter ends with Gerfaut and Madame de Bergenheim sharing a moment of intimacy, but their love remains forbidden and fraught with danger. In the subsequent chapters, Gerfaut's tactics to win Madame de Bergenheim's heart become more aggressive, and he begins to manipulate those around him to achieve his goal. He uses his charm and wit to drive a wedge between Madame de Bergenheim and her husband, Christian, and to turn Aline, Christian's sister, against her brother. As the story unfolds, the tension between the characters builds, and the consequences of Gerfaut's actions become more and more dire.
In Chapter XIII, the story shifts its focus to Monsieur de Bergenheim, providing insight into his character and background. Bergenheim is portrayed as a handsome and confident cavalry officer who married Clemence, a beautiful and charming woman, due to their social compatibility and family ties. However, their marriage is marked by a lack of deep emotional connection, with Bergenheim failing to understand Clemence's complex personality and desires. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Bergenheim's character is rooted in his traditional and conservative values, which lead him to prioritize his honor and reputation above all else. Meanwhile, Gerfaut continues to navigate his complicated relationship with Madame de Bergenheim, using his charm and wit to manipulate those around him and further his own interests. The chapter ends with Gerfaut and Madame de Bergenheim sharing a romantic moment, but the tension between them and the danger of their situation remain palpable.
In Chapter XIV, Marillac is waiting for Reine Gobillot in a wooded area near the Chateau de Bergenheim. However, their meeting is interrupted by Lambernier, a carpenter who had previously been dismissed from the chateau. Lambernier is antagonistic towards Marillac and makes threatening gestures, leading to a physical confrontation between the two men. Marillac offers Lambernier money to forget about the incident and to reveal a secret that he claims to know about Madame de Bergenheim. Lambernier agrees to meet Marillac the following Monday to reveal the secret. Meanwhile, Gerfaut is struggling with his feelings for Madame de Bergenheim and is trying to navigate the complexities of their relationship. He declares his intention to make her love him, even if it means causing her pain. The chapter ends with Gerfaut reflecting on the nature of love and relationships, and how he has become obsessed with Madame de Bergenheim.
In Chapter XV, Gerfaut is struggling with his feelings for Madame de Bergenheim and is determined to make her love him, even if it means causing her pain. He reflects on the nature of love and relationships, and how he has become obsessed with Madame de Bergenheim. Meanwhile, Marillac is dealing with his own issues, including a confrontation with Lambernier, a carpenter who has been causing trouble. Lambernier reveals that he has a secret about Madame de Bergenheim and offers to share it with Marillac for a price. Marillac agrees to pay him and they set up a meeting for the following Monday. As the story unfolds, Gerfaut's tactics to win Madame de Bergenheim's heart become more aggressive, and he begins to manipulate those around him to achieve his goal. He uses his charm and wit to drive a wedge between Madame de Bergenheim and her husband, Christian, and to turn Aline, Christian's sister, against her brother. The chapter ends with Gerfaut and Marillac discussing their plans and strategies for winning Madame de Bergenheim's heart, with Gerfaut determined to succeed despite the challenges ahead.
In Chapter XVI, Gerfaut continues to play a cunning game to win Madame de Bergenheim's heart. He feigns indifference towards her, which sparks her jealousy and makes her more receptive to his charms. Meanwhile, Marillac gets into a physical altercation with Lambernier, a carpenter who has been causing trouble, and agrees to pay him to reveal a secret about Madame de Bergenheim. As the story unfolds, Gerfaut's tactics begin to bear fruit, and he makes progress in his pursuit of Madame de Bergenheim. However, the situation becomes increasingly complicated, and the consequences of Gerfaut's actions start to escalate.
In Chapter XVII, Marillac waits for Reine Gobillot in a wooded area near the Chateau de Bergenheim. However, their meeting is interrupted by Lambernier, a carpenter who had previously been dismissed from the chateau. Lambernier is antagonistic towards Marillac and makes threatening gestures, leading to a physical confrontation between the two men. Marillac offers Lambernier money to forget about the incident and to reveal a secret that he claims to know about Madame de Bergenheim. Lambernier agrees to meet Marillac the following Monday to reveal the secret. Meanwhile, Gerfaut is struggling with his feelings for Madame de Bergenheim and is trying to navigate the complexities of their relationship. He declares his intention to make her love him, even if it means causing her pain. The chapter ends with Gerfaut reflecting on the nature of love and relationships, and how he has become obsessed with Madame de Bergenheim.
In Chapter XVIII, Octave de Gerfaut is shown to be a man of passion and art, who becomes infatuated with Madame de Bergenheim. He uses his charm and wit to manipulate those around him and further his own interests. Meanwhile, Marillac, a friend of Gerfaut's, agrees to help him by visiting the Bergenheims and securing an invitation for Gerfaut to visit the chateau. As the story unfolds, Gerfaut's tactics become more aggressive, and he begins to drive a wedge between Madame de Bergenheim and her husband, Christian. The chapter ends with Gerfaut and Madame de Bergenheim sharing a romantic moment, but the tension between them and the danger of their situation remain palpable. Additionally, the character of Lambernier, a carpenter, is introduced, who claims to have a secret about Madame de Bergenheim and offers to reveal it to Marillac for a price. The chapter also explores the themes of love, passion, and deception, as Gerfaut and Madame de Bergenheim navigate their complicated relationship.
In Chapter XIX, Lambernier, a carpenter, is confronted by the coachman and Pere Rousselet in the woods near the Chateau de Bergenheim. The coachman accuses Lambernier of insulting him and his horses, and a physical altercation ensues. Lambernier is thrown to the ground and beaten by the coachman. Meanwhile, the Baron, Christian, observes the scene from a distance and intervenes, threatening to shoot Lambernier if he does not leave the area. Lambernier reveals that he has a secret about Madame de Bergenheim and offers to share it with the Baron in exchange for his freedom. The Baron agrees, and Lambernier tells him about a secret panel in Madame de Bergenheim's room, where he found a package of letters. The Baron becomes enraged and pushes Lambernier, who falls down the steps and into the river, where he presumably dies. In Chapter XX, Marillac, a friend of Gerfaut's, tells a story at a dinner party, which seems to be a veiled reference to the affair between Gerfaut and Madame de Bergenheim. The story is interrupted by Gerfaut, who becomes increasingly agitated and eventually leaves the table. The Baron, who has been observing the scene, excuses himself and goes to his room, where he compares a poem written by Gerfaut with a letter he received from Lambernier, confirming his suspicions about his wife's infidelity. In Chapter XXI, the Baron confronts Gerfaut, who admits to introducing himself into Madame de Bergenheim's apartment without her knowledge or consent. The Baron demands satisfaction for the insult, and Gerfaut agrees to a duel. The two men discuss the details of the duel, including the use of guns and the need for secrecy to avoid scandal. In Chapter XXII, Madame de Bergenheim is torn between her love for Gerfaut and her duty to her husband. She is filled with remorse and anxiety, fearing the consequences of her actions. Meanwhile, the Baron is determined to punish his wife for her infidelity, but also wants to protect her reputation. In Chapter XXIII, Gerfaut and the Baron engage in a tense conversation, during which Gerfaut tries to persuade the Baron to spare Madame de Bergenheim's reputation. The Baron refuses, and Gerfaut threatens to denounce him for the murder of Lambernier if he does not treat his wife with kindness and respect. In Chapter XXIV, Madame de Bergenheim is confronted by her husband, who has discovered her infidelity. She tries to justify herself, but the Baron is unmoved. Gerfaut, meanwhile, prepares for the duel, and his friend Marillac agrees to help him. Marillac is sent to order a post-chaise to wait for Madame de Bergenheim at the Montigny plateau, in case she needs to escape. Gerfaut gives Marillac a letter with instructions and a sealed paper to be deposited with the public prosecutor in case of his death. Marillac accepts the task and promises to look after Madame de Bergenheim and publish Gerfaut's works if he is killed.
In Chapter XX, Marillac tells a story at a dinner party, which seems to be a veiled reference to the affair between Gerfaut and Madame de Bergenheim. The story is interrupted by Gerfaut, who becomes increasingly agitated and eventually leaves the table. The Baron, who has been observing the scene, excuses himself and goes to his room, where he compares a poem written by Gerfaut with a letter he received from Lambernier, confirming his suspicions about his wife's infidelity. In Chapter XXI, the Baron confronts Gerfaut, who admits to introducing himself into Madame de Bergenheim's apartment without her knowledge or consent. The Baron demands satisfaction for the insult, and Gerfaut agrees to a duel. In Chapter XXII, Madame de Bergenheim is torn between her love for Gerfaut and her duty to her husband. She is filled with remorse and anxiety, fearing the consequences of her actions. In Chapter XXIII, Gerfaut and the Baron engage in a tense conversation, during which Gerfaut tries to persuade the Baron to spare Madame de Bergenheim's reputation. The Baron refuses, and Gerfaut threatens to denounce him for the murder of Lambernier if he does not treat his wife with kindness and respect. In Chapter XXIV, Madame de Bergenheim is confronted by her husband, who has discovered her infidelity. She tries to justify herself, but the Baron is unmoved. Gerfaut, meanwhile, prepares for the duel, and his friend Marillac agrees to help him. Marillac is sent to order a post-chaise to wait for Madame de Bergenheim at the Montigny plateau, in case she needs to escape. Gerfaut gives Marillac a letter with instructions and a sealed paper to be deposited with the public prosecutor in case of his death. The story continues with Marillac's mission to help Madame de Bergenheim and Gerfaut's preparation for the duel. The chapters end with a sense of impending doom and tragedy, as the characters navigate the complexities of their relationships and the consequences of their actions.
In Chapter XXI, titled "A Stratagem", the story unfolds with Marillac telling a story at a dinner party, which seems to be a veiled reference to the affair between Gerfaut and Madame de Bergenheim. The Baron, who has been observing the scene, excuses himself and goes to his room, where he compares a poem written by Gerfaut with a letter he received from Lambernier, confirming his suspicions about his wife's infidelity. The chapter ends with the Baron confronting Gerfaut, who admits to introducing himself into Madame de Bergenheim's apartment without her knowledge or consent. The Baron demands satisfaction for the insult, and Gerfaut agrees to a duel. The two men discuss the details of the duel, including the use of guns and the need for secrecy to avoid scandal. Meanwhile, Madame de Bergenheim is torn between her love for Gerfaut and her duty to her husband, and Gerfaut prepares for the duel, determined to make Madame de Bergenheim love him, even if it means causing her pain.
In Chapter XXII, "The Crisis", the story reaches a turning point as Christian, the Baron, confronts his wife Clemence about her infidelity with Octave. Christian's calm and collected demeanor belies the turmoil within him, while Clemence is overcome with emotion and tries to justify her actions. The scene is tense and dramatic, with Christian's words cutting deep into Clemence's conscience. Meanwhile, Octave is filled with regret and pity for Clemence, realizing that he has ruined her. The chapter ends with Christian and Octave discussing the details of their duel, which will take place the next day. Christian proposes a secret duel, without seconds, to avoid scandal and protect Clemence's reputation. Octave agrees, and they make arrangements for the duel to take place during a wild-boar hunt. The chapter sets the stage for the tragic events that will unfold in the subsequent chapters.
In Chapter XXIII, the story takes a dramatic turn as Christian, the Baron, confronts Gerfaut, his wife's lover, and demands satisfaction for the insult. Gerfaut admits to introducing himself into Madame de Bergenheim's apartment without her knowledge or consent, and the two men agree to a duel. The Baron proposes a secret duel without seconds to avoid scandal and protect Madame de Bergenheim's reputation. As they discuss the details of the duel, Gerfaut tries to persuade the Baron to spare Madame de Bergenheim's reputation, but the Baron refuses. Gerfaut then threatens to denounce the Baron for the murder of Lambernier if he does not treat his wife with kindness and respect. The chapter ends with the two men parting ways, each preparing for the duel. Meanwhile, Madame de Bergenheim is left alone, struggling with her emotions and the consequences of her actions. In Chapter XXIV, Marillac, Gerfaut's friend, is tasked with helping Madame de Bergenheim and preparing for the possibility of Gerfaut's death. He is given a letter with instructions and a sealed paper to be deposited with the public prosecutor in case of Gerfaut's death. The story continues to unfold with tension and drama, as the characters navigate their complex relationships and the consequences of their actions.
In Chapter XXIV, the story continues with Marillac, a friend of Gerfaut's, being tasked with helping Madame de Bergenheim and preparing for the possibility of Gerfaut's death. Gerfaut gives Marillac a letter with instructions and a sealed paper to be deposited with the public prosecutor in case of his death. Marillac is sent to order a post-chaise to wait for Madame de Bergenheim at the Montigny plateau, in case she needs to escape. Meanwhile, Madame de Bergenheim is confronted by her husband, who has discovered her infidelity. She tries to justify herself, but the Baron is unmoved. Gerfaut prepares for the duel, determined to make Madame de Bergenheim love him, even if it means causing her pain. The chapter ends with Marillac reflecting on the situation and the potential consequences of the duel, while Gerfaut and the Baron engage in a tense conversation, discussing the details of the duel and the potential outcomes.
In this chapter, the story unfolds with a hunting party at the Chateau de Bergenheim, where Gerfaut and the Baron are among the participants. The atmosphere is tense, and the Baron's true intentions are revealed as he demands satisfaction from Gerfaut for introducing himself into Madame de Bergenheim's apartment without her knowledge or consent. The two men agree to a duel, and the details of the duel are discussed. Meanwhile, Madame de Bergenheim is struggling with her emotions, feeling a sense of impending doom and tragedy. The chapter ends with the Baron being shot and mortally wounded, and Madame de Bergenheim, overcome with grief and horror, throwing herself into the river. The chapter concludes with a newspaper article announcing the tragic accident and the death of the couple, and a later article praising Gerfaut's new drama, hinting that his mourning for Madame de Bergenheim is still ongoing.
In the aftermath of the tragic events, the Sentinelle des Vosges reports on the death of Baron de Bergenheim, who was accidentally killed by his friend, Octave de Gerfaut, during a wild-boar hunt. The article also mentions that Madame de Bergenheim, upon learning of her husband's death, drowned herself in despair. The same grave receives the couple, who were still in the bloom of life. Later, Octave de Gerfaut's new drama is performed at the Theatre-Francais, receiving great enthusiasm and acclaim. It is announced that he will be departing for the East, and it is hoped that this voyage will bring new inspirations for his writing. The world takes part in Octave's mourning without knowing the true reason behind it, believing it to be a new vein of creativity in his work. In reality, Octave's writing is inspired by the memories of Madame de Bergenheim and the tragedy that befell them.