Paris 9 (Pages 650 - 713)

 SPOILERS!!!

The novel goes back in time once more. It is 1794, in the middle of the terror in Paris. Etienne and Sophie de Cygne live in fear of suffering the same end as many aristocrats, the guillotine. They are spotted by Widow Le Sourd, who send her daughter to follow them. Etienne and Sophie have been able to save their necks so far because they have been under the protection of Danton, but when Danton was executed, they found themselves in danger.

Widown Le Sourd reports Etienne and Sophie to Robespierre, inventing that they are plotting against the revolution, and they are arrested. Dr Blanchard, a friend of theirs, runs to the prison and thinks that they can save them. So he asks to examine Sophie and tells the authorities that she is pregnant. Etienne is executed, but Sophie is spared. Dr Blanchard is afraid of the consequences when it is discoverd that he lied. Then after the fall of Robespierre, Sophie and Dr Blanchard discover that she is indeed pregnant, and some time later she is freed. Sophie gives birth to a son, who she calls Dieudonne, and some years later when Dr Blanchard serves the king and tells him about what happened to Sophie, the king gives Dieudone the title of vicomte.

In 1936 Charlie de Cygne starts visiting the establishment that Louise runs. He and Louise become lovers, and Louise gets pregnant. When that happens, Louise tells him that she doens't expect anything, and this will be her son alone. She demands he don't tell his father and stepmother about the child, and she doesn't tell him the connection between her and Marie Blanchard.

In 1940 the Germans occupy France, and the government flees to Vichy. Charlie de Cygne wants to start a resistance movement, and he tells his father. They are now in their chateau, and they think that this will be a good position to help the resistance. So when the Germans come to use the chateau as a billet for his men, Roland and Marie welcome them.

Thomas Gascon, who is now in his 70s, has also taken part in resistance actions. When he hears that Hitler will come to France, he guesses that he will want to go up the Eiffel Tower. So he decides that he will cut the cables of the lifts. First, he asks his brother for his help, but he refuses, so he turns to the Dalous and they all work together to cut the cables. And when Hitler comes, the lifts are inoperative and he can't go up to the top of the tower.

Louise is thinking about what she will do with her brothel. She doesn't want to have Germans in her establishment, but then Coco Chanel, who she worked for, tells her that she has recommend Louise's place to her German friends.