Chapters 1-5 Summary

Chapter 1 begins with Georgie asking Martin if his wife, Antonia, knows about their adulterous relationship. Martin and Georgie lay in front of a fire shortly after making love. Martin describes Georgie as being a no nonsense woman, typical of the toughness which had more to do with honesty than ruthlessness. Georgie's hair is very long, coarse, and Martin compares it to a horse's tail. Georgie does not spend much time thinking about the decor of her apartment. Martin refers to it as being obscure and its Christmas decorations are few. Georgie is fond of incense and the combined scents of sandalwood in Kashmir are cloying in the room. Martin often brings Georgie presents but presents such as decorative elements for the apartment mean little to Georgie and they often lay around unorganized. Instead of being offended, Martin finds this endearing, as...