Chapter 5 (section iii-v) Summary

Stopping at the Riviera, Maugham visits Elliott. Elliott's health is fading, but he still manages to make the party and social circuit. Elliott complains about the state of Europe and says the U.S. is becoming "middle-class." Maugham comments that Elliott is a pathetic figure, who can't stop going to parties even though he is sick, simply because he is afraid of not being important anymore.

After spending the summer in the Riviera, Elliott and Maugham drive up to Paris, and when Elliott drops Maugham off at his hotel, he finds a note waiting for him from Isabel. The note says that something "terrible" has happened and to come at once. Maugham goes to Isabel's apartment, and she tells him that Larry and Sophie are to be married. She says that Larry looked Sophie up after they saw her...