
Claudine and Renaud marry and return from their honeymoon as a couple distanced by contrasting age and values. Within the knowledge and permission of her husband, Claudine begins an affair with the woman Rézi, a character based on Georgie Raoul-Duval, a real-life lover of Colette and Willy.
The third book of the Claudine series. Preceded by Claudine à Paris (1901) and followed by Claudine s'en va (1903).
PEDOPHILIA: Upon returning to her secondary school in Montigny, Claudine kisses a young girl who reminds her of Luce while Renaud kisses another young girl who reminds him of Claudine.