of the novel finds the comtesse and her son in their château at Saint-Baslemont, deeply concerned for their family members who have been forced into exile due to revolutionary turmoil. As they pray for the safety of King Louis XVI and the return of their loved ones, the atmosphere is tense with fear and uncertainty. The comte re-emerges from hiding after a perilous journey, and he reveals plans for the family to flee to Germany to escape the growing dangers they face. The initial chapters establish the family's high social standing, their love for one another, and the impending crisis that forces them to confront their fears and take drastic action to ensure their survival. (This is an automatically generated summary.)