The Paris Novel

Stella attempts to extend her stay at her hotel, but without advance notice, her room has already been booked by a new guest. Stella decides to stop by Shakespeare and Company and then spend the afternoon looking for a new hotel.

She reads the dozens of thank-you notes written to George when she arrives at the shop and wonders how people can live there. Rachel notices Stella looking at the notes and tells her more about the shop’s history and how George came to own it.

George enters and says that the friend he had planned to contact about Victorine’s paintings has just come into the shop. To Stella’s surprise, the friend in question is Jules, whom she has not seen since she rushed away from dinner the other night. He tells her that he stopped by the store to look for the book Stella mentioned, Murder in the Church, before going to Vezelay. Somewhat reassured by George and Rachel’s trust in Jules, Stella agrees to accompany him.

On the way to Vezelay, Jules asks about her search for Victorine’s paintings, and Stella explains why she’s interested in finding them: to prevent the artist from being erased from history. Jules suggests starting by learning more about Victorine, including where and when she was born.