Part 2, Chapters 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42 Summary

Nicholas arrives in Athens and finds it unpleasant after so much time in the countryside. He meets Alison at the airport, and as they make small talk, Nicholas comments in narration on his determination to be faithful to his relationship to Lily by not having sex with Alison. When she indicates her desire for sex, Nicholas tells her he's still recovering from syphilis. She seems disappointed but resolves to have a good time with him anyway. They visit Mount Parnassus and Delphi, and for a while the trip is pleasant enough, but Nicholas finds it harder and harder to keep his vow, finding the desirable and eager Alison difficult to resist. At the top of Parnassus they find two huts abandoned by the Greek army at the end of World War II and are tempted to stay, but convince...