Page 223 through 273. Summary

Ferencz appears in Hofmiller's room, demanding he hurry lest they both be late. The two scamper to the dinner, but throughout, Hofmiller has trouble eating and drinking with the rest, as his thoughts are on the letter stowed in his pocket. He feels immense pity for her, and sorrow over what he has caused. Balinkay comes round to toast him, but he barely notices. Hofmiller takes an opportunity when no one will notice, and leaves the dinner.

On returning home, Hofmiller finds another letter, and fears Edith is trapping him. He thinks again of the evil djinn in Arabian Nights, and he fears she will destroy him. However, his fear that Edith has done something to harm herself and the fear that he will incur blame leads him to tear open the new letter. In it, Edith simply tells him not...