Book 2: Chapter 9 Summary

Lily awakens the morning after beginning her new job once again in the lap of luxury. She has taken a position as the social secretary to a divorcee who has recently moved to New York. Through her position, Lily is introduced to yet another circle of New York City high society. This circle has neither the class of Lily's first circle, nor the fun-loving grace of her second. It was a world "over-heated, over-upholstered, and over-fitted with mechanical appliances for the gratification of fantastic requirements, while the comforts of civilized life were as unattainable as in a desert." Lily's employer, Mrs. Hatch, was the center of this circle, along with her friend, Mr. Melville Stancy, and some of Lily's previous acquaintances, including Ned Silverton and Freddy Van Osburgh. She is not particularly happy in her new position, but feels that it...