Chapter summary
In the library, Mathilde de La Mole enters through a secret door hidden among the spines, looking for a volume of Voltaire, and is annoyed to find Julien Sorel. Norbert takes him riding, and Julien falls right in the Rue du Bac; at dinner he tells of the fall with such simplicity that it amuses the Marquis de La Mole and makes Mathilde laugh and ask for details. The young Tanbeau, nephew of the academician, tries to share the library with Julien and is rebuked by the marquis.
Julien rides out again with Norbert, but despite everyone's kindness he feels isolated in a family whose habits he cannot absorb, while Abbé Pirard leaves for the parish.
Analysis
Julien tells of the fall with simplicity because he lacks the salon's code to disguise it, and it is this simplicity that amuses the marquis and makes Mathilde laugh and ask for details. What in Verrières would have been calculation is here born of inexperience, and it pays better. Mathilde entered the library annoyed to find him there, and her interest only begins afterward.
Ch. III. Julien, after the ride and dinner: In spite of so much kindness, Julien soon felt totally isolated in the midst of this family. All its habits seemed strange to him and he could not absorb them. His blunders delighted the servants.
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