In _Claudine s’en Va_ the viewpoint shifts to that of a very different young married woman, but Claudine, moving in and out of the picture, is still a dominant influence in the story. Its central figure, Annie, is a submissive creature who has been married four years to Alain, an autocratic cousin whom she has adored slavishly since childhood. While he is absent on a protracted business trip Annie discovers herself—her uninfluenced personality is very different from her husband’s, and her married life has been a one-sided affair never affording her real satisfaction. The latter revelation is the fruit of long talks with Claudine, whose own marriage, now radiantly successful, becomes for Annie the embodiment of what mutual love should be. Her husband has forbidden her to associate with Renaud and Claudine, whom he considers too “fast” to be a good influence, but Annie learns that the sister to whose care he has entrusted her is involved in a sordid affair with an alcoholic journalist and that Alain himself has, since their marriage, carried on a long liaison with a woman who has always disgusted her. This painful enlightenment comes during a hectic season at an international spa. She turns more and more to the bohemian but wholesome Claudine, who convinces her that a middle course is possible between the looseness into which she has been so quickly plunged and the rigid conventionality of her former life. As their intimacy grows it becomes apparent that Claudine is strongly drawn to her but is as strongly self-disciplined. At one point when they have been exchanging confidences and Annie rests her head on Claudine’s shoulder, hungry for tenderness, Claudine springs up crying “Not too far! In another instant I would—and I’ve promised Renaud——”[3] Annie finally feels that further life with her husband is impossible, and she prepares to leave on a secret quest for emotional orientation before his return. In bidding her goodbye and godspeed, Claudine confesses that she could easily have become emotionally involved, but dared not risk a second experience like the one with Rezi. She must abide by her promise to her husband, even though because of the different circumstances, she, herself, can see no harm in giving what comfort she might to the suffering Annie. Her final words are almost mystical—a confession of faith in Love as something precious enough to seek at all costs, and when found, to preserve at any price.