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Good evening and welcome to the sleepy bookshelf where we put down our worries from the day

and pick up a good book.

I'm your host Elizabeth and it is lovely for you to join me tonight.

This evening we are continuing with Villette. But first let's take a moment to calm our minds and bodies. Wherever you are, give your shoulders a roll forwards and backwards, however many times feels good for you.

Close your eyes and breathe in deeply for two, three, four seconds.

Continue, Continue this steady breath and pay attention to how your body feels.

Without lingering too long, just recognize each body part from your toes to the top of your head and mindfully release any tension you find anywhere. With one more deep breath in and a long sigh, settle down, while I recap our last episode.

The first class were awaiting their master one July day, when Madame Beck entered instead, reporting that Monsieur Paul was

leaving and she would be finding a substitute in the coming weeks.

This was a blow to all.

Some pupils began to cry and Lucy took over the lesson.

She later found out Monsieur Paul was to be sailing to a place called Baseter in Guadalupe in one week.

During the week, Madame asked Lucy to translate a letter for her in her chambers.

A commotion could be heard outside in the classrooms and Lucy left abruptly to find

Monsieur Emmanuel bidding farewell to a semi-circule of girls.

Madame Beck was hot on her heels and placed herself in Lucy's way

before ushering the man out of the building.

Afterwards, the youngest people in the school gave Lucy a letter from Monsieur Paul which told her to be ready.

The night before his boat was due to set sail.

...