Tender is the Night Book 3, Chapter 6

Dick went into Nicole's room and told her that he felt badly about the night before. He asked her if Tommy drove them home, even though he knew that he did. Tommy asked Dick how Nicole was, and he told him that she had become hard. Nicole overheard them and knew that Tommy disliked Dick, and that he loved her. Nicole went outside to work in the garden and thought to herself. "She was somewhat shocked at the idea of being interested in another man--but other women have lovers--why not me?" Book 3, Chapter 6, pg. 276 This thought made Nicole happy. "If she need not, in her spirit, be forever one with Dick as he had appeared last night, she must be something in addition, not just an image on his mind, condemned to endless parades around the circumference of a medal." Book 3, Chapter 6, pg. 277 Nicole sat on the wall and looked out to sea. She looked out at the meadow and heard two men talking about the affair that one of the men had. Nicole went back to the house and found Dick and Tommy. Tommy told Nicole that he had to go. Nicole first insisted that she give him some camphor rub for his cough. Dick was upset with her for giving him the entire jar.

Dick lay in bed, not wanting to talk to Nicole. Nicole felt badly for having feelings for Tommy and she ran downstairs. In a week, Nicole had forgotten about Tommy. She found out that he was in Nice that summer, and he sent a letter to them. Nicole gave the letter to Dick, and he responded by throwing a telegram back at her.