of "L'inutile beauté" introduces the reader to the tension-filled and impassioned dynamics between the comte and his wife, Gabrielle. As they embark on a carriage ride, the comte attempts to engage her in conversation, but Gabrielle's responses are cold and dismissive, revealing deep-seated issues within their marriage. The reader quickly learns of Gabrielle's resentment towards her husband's possessiveness and control over her body and life, exacerbated by the years of motherhood and the pressures of societal expectations. Through a heated confrontation, the underlying themes of female autonomy, jealousy, and the conflict between duty and desire become apparent, setting the stage for the unfolding drama. (This is an automatically generated summary.)