hinting at the intertwining of personal and societal issues. The opening of the novel presents a bustling scene at the Collège de France, where Mme Chambannes, clad in fashionable attire, seeks to catch the Egyptology lecture by M. Raindal. Despite her eagerness, she learns the room is full and engages in lively banter with another attendee, Mme de Marquesse. This interaction foreshadows the social dynamics and interpersonal relationships that will likely evolve throughout the narrative. Parallel to this, we are introduced to Thérèse Raindal, the daughter of M. Raindal, who grapples with the pain of past romantic disappointments while waiting for her father. This initial section sets the tone for a story rich in character exploration and societal commentary. (This is an automatically generated summary.)