In which the somber moods of the Roland household are marked by unspoken grief and strained relations, as Pierre's melancholy and his mother’s delicate health weigh heavily on their daily lives. A family excursion to the coast provides a breath of fresh air and a tender, candid exchange between Jean and Mme. Rosémilly, with the sparkling sea and prawn-filled tide-pools framing a significant turning point for the young couple.