Marcel's suspicions regarding Albertine's lesbian desires lead to his keeping her a virtual prisoner in his Paris apartment. A masterly portrayal of obsessional jealousy.

The Captive continues the story of the Narrator's obsession with Albertine. Having re-established his friendship with her during his second visit to Balbec, Marcel is tortured by fears regarding her sexual orientation. These fears have their origin in two incidents. However, he was ready to believe that the idea was due to his over heated imagination until Albertine innocently mentioned that her greatest friends were two older women, the daughter of the composer Vinteuil and her lesbian friend, whose private love-making Marcel had accidentally witnessed some years earlier at Combray.

Marcel's is a love which can never be satisfied; as long as he feels secure in his possession of Albertine he is bored; it is only when he fears she is escaping that he feels an overwhelming yearning for her. The moment he suspects her of deceiving him his passion instantly revives.

Although her docile obedience has the effect of calming his fears, Albertine is given to lying to him, and each time he catches her out, his anguish returns. He realises that even stronger than his wish to enjoy her himself, is his determination to prevent her from being enjoyed by another.