During this time, Edmée and Madame Peloux have become more assertive in home and business as do many women in the burgeoning suffragist movement.

Chéri is also perplexed by the assertive behaviors of Edmée and his mother; he cannot adapt to the new role of women in the post-War era.

Chéri grows increasingly impatient with his life surrounded by Edmée and Madame Peloux and finds any route he can to escape even for a little while; including buying a car and taking friends on long day trips into the French countryside.

In the Pal's flat, Chéri finds a wall filled with photographs of Léa, and he spends countless nights lying on a divan and staring at the images.

Chéri visits the Pal's apartment again and with images of Léa staring down at him raises a revolver to his head and pulls the trigger.