Short Fiction · Chapter
Joseph explained
Two intoxicated young noblewomen, the Baroness Andrée de Fraisières and the Comtesse Noëmi de Gardens, share intimate confidences about their romantic exploits.
What happens
Two intoxicated young noblewomen, the Baroness Andrée de Fraisières and the Comtesse Noëmi de Gardens, share intimate confidences about their romantic exploits. The Baroness describes her method of seducing men, including a detailed account of how she deliberately inflamed and seduced her footman, Joseph, during a summer at Bougrolles. The chapter ends with the Baroness summoning Joseph, who remains devoted to her.
Themes in this chapter
Gender and Power
The Baroness exerts power over men through her sexuality and social position, manipulating Joseph and others for her amusement.
Love and Desire
The Baroness discusses her need to be loved and desired, treating love as a game and a source of entertainment.
Social Class and Money
The Baroness's seduction of a servant highlights class dynamics, as she views Joseph as a plaything rather than an equal.
Characters to notice
- Joseph
The Baroness's footman, whom she seduced and who remains devoted to her.
Key passages
“I must feel that someone is thinking of me, always, everywhere. When I am going to sleep, or waking up, I must know that someone somewhere is in love with me, dreaming of me, desiring me. Without it I should be miserable, utterly miserable—so miserable I should be crying all the time.”
The Baroness declares that she needs constant romantic attention to feel happy.
This reveals her emotional dependence on being desired.
“Then I angle for him. ... A woman catches the man she wants to catch, doesn't she? As though they had any choice in the matter! And the poor fools still think it is they who choose. But it is we who choose—always.”
The Baroness explains her belief that women are the true selectors in romantic pursuits.
This underscores her manipulative approach to relationships.
“I did not angle for the country lad; I just inflamed him!”
The Baroness describes how she deliberately aroused the footman's desire.
This illustrates her calculated seduction of Joseph.