The five friends, mature and wealthy, meet monthly to reminisce about their youth and have pleasant evenings together. Joseph de Bardon, one of the friends, is known for his wit and storytelling abilities. Joseph shares a story about visiting a cemetery in Montmartre, where he goes to visit the grave of a former lover.
While at the cemetery, Joseph encounters a woman in mourning who is deeply saddened by the loss of her husband. Joseph comforts the woman and they leave the cemetery together. They go to a restaurant and have a conversation about loneliness and the desire for companionship.
Joseph accompanies the woman to her home and they sit together on a sofa. Tempted by her beauty, Joseph kisses her, but she pushes him away and tells him to stop. The narrator kisses a woman who does not resist, and they share a glance that reassures him.
The narrator invites the woman to dine with him, and she initially hesitates but eventually agrees. They have an enjoyable dinner, and the woman becomes livelier after drinking champagne. Their friendship lasts for about three weeks before the narrator leaves on a journey.
The narrator thinks about the woman after a month and decides to visit the Montmartre Cemetery. While wandering in the cemetery, the narrator sees the woman in deep mourning with another man.
The woman discreetly signals the narrator not to recognize her and hints at meeting again. The man accompanying the woman is a distinguished officer of the Legion of Honor.
The narrator is amazed and wonders about the woman’s motives and whether there are others like her. The narrator is curious to know whose widow the woman was on that particular day.
One Reply to “Guy de Maupassant Tombstones Summary”