December 1918, Laurent writing in his preface, has received a letter from Mrs Simone Weill, mother of his long-time friend Justin. She has forwarded Justin's journal of the events of 1905. The journal was written by Justin while on active service and later in hospital, and may have been his first attempts to become a novelist. She notes that Justin writes in the third person and Laurent recognises that certain events and relationships would not have been clear to Justin at that time. Accordingly Laurent proposes to use the journal as a basis for the subsequent account while arranging the content in a coherent order and keeping the use of the third person to maintain an objective view.

At Joseph's request, Laurent accompanies him, supposedly as his secretary, to a visit with M.Urbain Leveque. Joseph, who is now a recognised figure at the "Bourse" represents the interests of the "Societé hydroélectrique de la Rommage" and needs to influence the official to aid approval for a scheme to construct a dam across "L'Augren". This is an opportunity for Laurent (and the reader) to see Joseph in his natural element. Afterwards Joseph explains to Laurent the skill and temperament required to be a successful financier, adding that their differences are not of brothers who are enemies but rather who are strangers to one another.

Joseph asks Laurent to introduce him to Renaud Censier, the celebrated senior scientist at the hospital laboratory where Laurent works alongside a small team including the young female researcher, Laure. It becomes clear during the book that Censier at 52 is attracted to the youthful Laure who admires his intellect.

Laurent invites his friend Justin Weill to accompany him to visit the Pasquier family who are in the process of moving to their new lodgings in "le faubourg Saint-Antoine". When Joseph arrives he announces that he has bought a mansion named on the papers as "les Aubiers" and he needs a more personal name. Justin suggests "La Paquelleries" and this is welcomed by Joseph, who now invites the whole family, and Justin, to attend a house-warming to take place during the midsummer week.

The subsequent gathering at "La Paquelleries" by the whole family and illustrious guests is to satisfy "l'orgueil-de-Joseph" and, unbeknown to them, an opportunity for Joseph to hopefully impress those who can further his above business project.

So the cast assembles at Joseph's spacious home (only one of his three properties). We meet again Ferdinand and his wife Claire ("l'abime Ferdiclaire" per Justin), Mme Pasquier (still sewing), Dr Raymond Pasquier, smiling, mercurial and apt to disappear for three hours without explanation, Cécile now an international concert pianist and Suzanne developing into a ravishing beauty (who attracts the attention of a famous painter invited by Joseph to add artistic weight to the gathering).

The novelist has the licence to explore the innermost thoughts of those present. While Joseph is most anxious that all his guests are suitably impressed, and Mme P is concerned that there were thirteen places set for lunch, the guests themselves have their own pressing concerns, passions and intimate dramas which eclipse all other matters.

So how to rate this the fourth volume in the "Chronique des Pasquiers"? To my mind there is not as much dramatic action as in the previous volumes as anyone having read the first three will encounter well-established characters although there are several fresh faces. The interest lies in the skilful interplay between the guests and examination of the relationships between Ferdinand/Claire, Censier/Laure, Laurent/Cécile/Justin. Still a worthwhile read and necessary as another step in development of the family history.