- Rousseau is busy writing a book with two women characters, completely opposite in every way.
- He's so into writing this book that he holes up in the woods and ignores everyone—everyone, that is, except Mme d'Houdetot.
- Mme d'Houdetot is with a guy named Saint-Lambert, so she doesn't do anything too unseemly with Rousseau. He declares his love to her at every possible opportunity, though. Once, she lets him embrace her.
- Mme d'Epinay is definitely jealous of her sis-in-law. She tells Saint Lambert that they're having a relationship, which is kind of true. They're just not having sex.
- Mme d'Epinay conspires with Therese to open correspondence between Rousseau and Mme d'Houdetot. It's all very scandalous.
- Rousseau is furious at Mme d'Epinay. He copies a few of the letters so we can see exactly what Mme d'Epinay is reading.
- Basically, the letters are all about trying to minimize the scandal. Mme d'Houdetot is as cool as a cucumber, while Rousseau is totally fuming.
- Rousseau gets in a little tiff with Diderot over another scandalous letter.
- Diderot makes an off-hand remark about Rousseau's mother-in-law disliking the Hermitage, and Rousseau gets irritated.
- They make up when Rousseau journeys back to Paris for a short time.
- Guess who else is in Paris? It's Saint-Lambert, and he's not pleased to see Rousseau.
- Saint-Lambert acts honorably towards Rousseau, meaning that he doesn't physically hurt him.
- After this episode, Mme d'Houdetot stops flirting with Rousseau altogether. The party's over, folks.
- Rousseau's having a tough time with friendships. He quarrels with his friend Grimm over the Mme d'Houdetot affair, but eventually reconciles with his lifelong buddy.
- Meanwhile Mme d'Epinay tells Rousseau that she has to leave the Hermitage. Apparently, she's sick.
- Diderot writes to Rousseau to advise him (strongly) that he should travel with Mme d'Epinay to keep her company. After all, he owes a lot to her.
- Rousseau flies into a rage. What does Diderot know, anyway?
- Mme d'Epinay has finally had enough. She writes a strongly-worded letter to Rousseau, hinting that he needs to pick up and get out.
- Rousseau doesn't need any other encouragement. He gets his stuff and is gone within two days.