Part 3, Chapter 78 Summary

After ten days of waiting for Alison to contact Nicholas, the suddenly-motherly Kemp just as suddenly takes Nicholas for a walk. When they reach a small park she goes to get a cup of tea, and Nicholas suddenly realizes she's brought him to meet Alison (see "Quotes", p. 595-596), whom he finds seated quietly on a bench. His first comment is to ask where the others are. Alison says she's alone, but Nicholas accuses her of lying. After a long silence, she begins to explain - that she and the others got Kemp to bring him, that she didn't want to come but the others made her, and that she's not seeing anyone else. Nicholas strives to remember what Mrs. de Seitas told him about how to win Alison back, but nevertheless pushes her to reveal what she went through with...