In the apartment on rue des Cordeliers, Gabrielle finds herself in a state of stillness and reflection, embodying the physicality of her pregnancy. Despite the prospect of escape, she is consumed by her emotions, often shedding tears for her marriage, her identity, and her loyalty to the king. Her solitude is interrupted by Louise Gély, who joins her in a brief moment of shared sadness, though their reasons for crying vastly differ.

Gabrielle's sorrow is deep and complex, rooted in the turmoil of her life, while Louise's tears seem trivial by comparison. This disparity in their grievances leads Gabrielle to feel overwhelmed and frustrated, ultimately concluding that she prefers the company of men, who may provide a more engaging dialogue in her time of distress.