Mme Louise de Bargeton and Lucien travel to Paris — together, scandalously even though they are well chaperoned by the manservant Gentil and Albertine the maid. There is no real opportunity to talk since they are always in the company of others. They take rooms at an inn — Lucien in a room directly above Louise — and sleep exhaustingly and separately much of the day away.
Louise acts a bit standoffishly to Lucien, and we find that she has been paid a visit by Sixte du Chatelet, her former elderly suitor who had introduced Lucien to Louise. He has actually followed her carriage to Paris and the inn. A clever fellow! Round one was lost when Louise took up with Lucien though we are to understand that as yet Lucien and Louise have not been intimate.
But now in Paris Chatelet is in his element. And most importantly he gives Louise the name of clothing and accessory makers who can transform her provincial look into something more acceptable to Paris.
Chatelet does not directly run down Lucien, he is setting the trap for Paris to disparage him as the country bumpkin he is. Chatelet urges Louise to take private quarters under a different roof than Lucien and leaves to locate accommodations for her.
It is this news that she breaks to Lucien when he descends from his room. Lucien is disturbed that Louise will be moving away from him even though Louise presents the decision as a concern for his career. She reassures him that they will spend their days together, and Louise removes herself in a carriage provided by Chatelet. Her new lodgings were much better than those of the inn, and Louise is surprised that the price is only francs a month.
