the start of the novel, Marthe is devastated by the mysterious disappearance of her daughter, Blanche. As she reflects on her fears, it becomes evident that she is caught in a web of dark suspicions surrounding her husband's actions, particularly regarding his drunken state and violent outbursts. René de Penhoël, her husband, emerges in a fit of rage driven by jealousy and a desire for revenge, leading to an emotionally charged confrontation between him and Marthe over the fate of their daughter. The scene sets the stage for intense familial conflict as past betrayals and hidden truths threaten to tear the family apart further. The opening establishes a tense atmosphere where the characters navigate their despair while grappling with the implications of their choices. (This is an automatically generated summary.)