Book 1: Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 begins with Lily once again musing forlornly about her plight as a woman. She feels the injustice of her situation, where any small deviance from her rigorous social schedule could damage her reputation. She is also angry with herself for not thinking more quickly when she met Simon Rosedale in the street.

While on the train to Bellomont, her destination for the evening, she spots someone else on his way to the Bellomont party. He is Mr. Percy Gryce, blonde, shy, puritanical, and extremely wealthy. Lily pretends to read a book as she carefully plots her "method of attack." With a combination of good timing and grace, she walks past him and allows herself to almost be flung into his lap as the train swerves. Thus, a conversation is started, and Lily uses her newly acquired knowledge of Americana to...