The Women of Chateau Lafayette

Marthe learns that Henri died of typhus in the prison camp. She is consumed by grief and regret for not having taken advantage of the little time they had together after he proposed. She steals alcohol from the baron’s private stash and begins to drink excessively. The summer of 1942 has brought more issues with shortages, which the government blames on Jews. News of the death camps has made the rounds, and Nazis shoot a defiant crowd that is celebrating Bastille Day. When Marthe goes to church to be alone, Anna finds her and admits that she regrets being the one to have told her about Henri’s death because she believes that doing so has changed their friendship. Anna then announces that she is considering taking part in the Relève, a new program where the French can volunteer to work for the Nazi regime in exchange for prisoner releases. Anna hopes to free her husband by doing so, but Marthe is furious that Anna believes the Nazis’ promises. Knowing that there are better ways to make a difference, she leaves Anna and goes to chisel at the block of marble in her studio.