Pages 136 - 150 Summary

Most have dispersed. Old Mr. Oliver sees the actors, accompanied by Miss La Trobe, undressing by the lily pond. Mrs. Swithin wonders if they should thank Miss La Trobe, but Mr. Oliver says they should only thank the actors and the audience, not the author. Mrs. Swithin thinks ill of Mr. Oliver for his foolish embrace of reason beyond all else. William Dodge says goodbye to Mrs. Swithin. He can tell she is senile and probably close to death, and that this will be the last time he will ever see her, making it a bittersweet moment. Then William Dodge too departs.

Isa thinks about William, how they got along like twins. Among the last audience members departing, she looks in vain for who is called "the grey man," a man who was kind to her once and who she fantasizes...