Madame d'Épone

Fresh from the train, Madame d'Épone steps into a home that greets her with warm embraces from her son‑in‑law, her daughter and the little Sabine. Beneath the outward joy lies a lingering sorrow: eighteen years earlier her husband left her with a polite letter, confessing love for another, while their infant son died. The matriarch has since cloaked herself in a serene resignation, pouring every remaining tenderness into the bright, charming daughter she sees as her sole purpose.

Now, as she rebuilds a solitary life, her days are filled with books, music and the careful stewardship of the household, each activity a quiet defiance against the grief that once threatened to consume her. Her overbearing mother‑in‑law stirs the calm waters, urging her to confront the betrayal, yet Madame d'Épone remains determined to shield her child from bitterness. Listeners will be drawn into a portrait of steadfast love and the delicate balance between acceptance and the longing for a brighter future.