Perfume: Part 3, Chapter 45 Summary & Analysis

In the stall in the barn, Grenouille begins spreading oily paste over fine linen, making it thicker in places where it will pick up the most scent. When he finishes, he folds the cloth, gathers his other supplies, and leaves the barn. He finds a ladder, props it against Laure's open window, and climbs up.

Grenouille watches Laure sleep for a minute and then clubs her on the back of her head. He hates the sound, but when it's over the room is completely quiet, since Laure has stopped breathing. Grenouille opens his cloth, cuts Laure's nightgown off, and rolls her up in the oiled linen. Only her hair sticks out.

For six hours, Grenouille stays awake and watches Laure from an armchair, covered with her dress. He congratulates himself on how well things are going. Grenouille doesn't think of the future; rather, he thinks of his past with satisfaction. He decides that fate certainly smiled on him to allow him to harvest Laure's scent, and he thanks himself for being what he is. He closes his eyes, and at one point touches Laure's swaddled foot with his own foot.