Book 1: Chapter 3 Summary

The first night of the party at Bellomont consists of a long night of bridge. For some of the players, it is a successful night, but for Lily it is not. Upon returning to her room and balancing her finances, she finds that she has gambled and lost all but $20.00 of her money in one evening.

Lily's excesses at the bridge table are not entirely her fault, although a mild gambling addiction is hinted at. It is simply expected and required of Lily to join in all aspects of the high society parties she attends. She considers her gambling losses a small tax charged by the hostesses who allow her to stay at their estates and include her in their outings despite the fact that she is financially inferior to them.

In this chapter, Lily's envy moves from the freedom of...