The Nightingale
by Hannah, Kristin
Contents
Chapter 29
Overview
Isabelle and Gatan share a brief, aching idyll while admitting they must soon separate to return to the resistance. In Carriveau, Vianne walks into a Jewish roundup, is handed Hlne Ruelle’s little boy, and narrowly avoids suspicion when Von Richter orders her to deliver the child to an orphanage. Instead, Vianne recruits the convent: Mother Superior agrees to hide Jean Georges and pushes Vianne into organizing a broader rescue as Germany prepares to occupy all of France.
Summary
Isabelle spends an intensely happy week recovering with Gatan, learning small details of his life while knowing their time is running out. As her shoulder wound heals, Gatan acknowledges the war is calling him back, and Isabelle admits she must rejoin a gathering at Urrugne by Wednesday, even as both recognize every kiss feels like a goodbye.
In Carriveau, winter scarcity worsens and Vianne forces herself to take Sophie and Ari (still posing as Daniel) into town to test whether their disguise will hold. At the bakery, Yvette pointedly calls a German lieutenant out, then protects Vianne by claiming there is no bread; the officer drops a half-eaten baguette into Vianne’s basket. Afterward, Yvette probes about the missing Captain Beck and Vianne’s questioning, but lets the matter drop.
Leaving the bakery, Vianne finds streets barricaded and troops everywhere as Jews are rounded up and herded into the town square. In the chaos, Hlne Ruelle, wearing a yellow star, thrusts her younger son Jean Georges into Vianne’s care as she and her older son are seized and swallowed by the crowd.
Vianne rushes home with Sophie, Ari/Daniel, and the sobbing Jean Georges, only to find Von Richter waiting. She lies that Jean Georges is a friend’s orphan; Von Richter orders her to take the child to the orphanage immediately and announces he and his men are leaving tomorrow as Germany occupies the rest of France. With Von Richter gone, Vianne sends Sophie to lock Ari/Daniel inside and takes Jean Georges to the convent.
At the convent, Vianne appeals to Mother Superior to hide Jean Georges. Mother Superior agrees, warns of the deadly risk, and proposes expanding the effort to save more Jewish children, recruiting Vianne to lead: Vianne must help secure identity papers, coach the children, and take a cover role as a part-time teacher at the orphanage. Mother Superior urges Vianne to be careful, reminding her that Von Richter’s presence endangers both Vianne and Sophie.
Who Appears
- Vianne MauriacWitnesses the roundup, takes in Jean Georges, and enlists the convent to hide children.
- Isabelle RossignolRecovers with Gaebtan, savoring intimacy while preparing to return to resistance work.
- GaebtanIsabelle’s lover; urges returning to the war and acknowledges their looming separation.
- Jean Georges RuelleJewish child separated in the roundup; left with Vianne and taken to the convent.
- Mother SuperiorAgrees to hide Jean Georges and proposes expanding the rescue network with Vianne leading.
- Von RichterSS officer billeted with Vianne; orders Jean Georges to the orphanage and announces full occupation.
- Sophie MauriacVianne’s daughter; helps by taking Ari/Daniel inside and following security instructions.
- Ari (as "Daniel")Hidden Jewish toddler; accompanies Vianne into town, maintaining his adopted identity.
- He9le8ne RuelleJewish mother seized in the roundup; forces her young son into Vianne’s care.
- YvetteBaker who shields Vianne at the counter and quietly tests what she knows about Beck.
- Sister AgathaNun who receives Vianne at the convent and helps arrange a meeting with Mother Superior.
- He9le8ne Ruelle’s older sonRefuses to abandon his mother during the roundup and is taken with her.