Chapter III -The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard

Chapter III of “The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard” unfolds with Sylvestre recalling an odd dream where fairy-like figures accost him, before shifting back to his reality as a scholar. Ignoring his housekeeper’s potential fretting, Bonnard chooses to share his intriguing vision with Madame de Gabry, who delightfully acknowledges the dream’s charm, suggesting a hidden genius within him, especially during his sleep. This interaction reveals a warm, gentle camaraderie between Bonnard and Madame de Gabry, accentuated by his gratitude towards her encouraging words.

As days progress, Bonnard immerses himself in cataloging the Lusance library manuscripts. Learning of the financial woes shadowing Monsieur Honore de Gabry’s estate prompts him to seek a publisher’s counsel for auctioning the library—evidence of Bonnard’s naiveté in business matters. His interlude—visiting churches, engaging with local clergy, and enjoying the simple life—suggests a peaceful, reflective period in his research journey.

Upon returning to Lusance, Bonnard is struck by an astonishing sight: a statuette that strikingly resembles the fairy from his dream, sitting on a pier-table. The sight confuses him until Madame de Gabry introduces him to Jeanne, a young orphaned girl with evident talent in wax modeling who crafted the statue based on Bonnard’s dream narrative. Jeanne’s shy, yet evidently deep, connection to Bonnard’s story and Madame de Gabry’s subsequent query about the potential of Jeanne’s craft to support her financially, highlights themes of creativity, mentorship, and the search for one’s place in the world. The chapter tenderly touches on human connections and the impact of nurturing talent within the younger generation, amid Bonnard’s continuing scholarly pursuits and personal reflections.