Part Fifth, At Aldbrickham and Elsewhere: Chapters 1-4 Summary

Chapter 1. Sue and Jude are living in a house just outside of Aldbrickham and Jude is working as a tombstone maker. They receive the news that both their divorces have come through and Jude suggests they get married. Sue refuses, however, suggesting that marriage would alter their relationship and they would come to dislike one another. Jude is frustrated because Sue refuses to become intimate with him and they sleep in separate bedrooms still even though it has been many months since she left her husband.

Chapter 2. Jude comes home and learns that Arabella has been to the house to speak with him. Sue is threatened by this; therefore, when Arabella returns later that night she begs Jude not to speak to her. Jude goes after Arabella anyway, but...