The narrator arrives at the Paris Opera House, where he has been invited to a performance of Bolero by the Orchestre Alexandre Rousillon. The narrator is surprised to find that he has not been invited, as he had thought he would be. He is also surprised to learn that he is not the only person invited to the performance. He also learns that Rousnil's grandson, Alexandre Rouncewell, has won a competition for the position of conductor.