But it moved one to tears because, to whatever lengths the artist went in the refinement of his creation, one felt that it was natural, that these apple-trees were there in the heart of the country, like peasants, upon one of the high roads of France. Then the rays of the sun gave place suddenly to those of the rain; they streaked the whole horizon, caught the line of apple-trees in their grey net. But they continued to hold aloft their beauty, pink and blooming, in the wind that had turned icy beneath the drenching rain: it was a day in spring.

The mysteries of Albertine⁠—The girls whom she sees reflected in the glass⁠—The other woman⁠—The lift-boy⁠—Madame de Cambremer⁠—The pleasures of M. Nissim Bernard⁠—Outline of the strange character of Morel⁠— M. de Charlus dines with the Verdurins.