Summary

Chapter 16

At the beginning of Chapter 16, the narrator runs into Mrs. Lavery at a shop. They speak briefly about Edith and Simon, and she asks if he has spoken with Charles. He tells her he has seen Charles and that he is "cast down" about everything. She tells the narrator that she is expecting Simon and Edith for dinner that evening.

The scene shifts to the Lavery household where Stella and Kenneth Lavery are preparing to host Simon and Edith for dinner. Mrs. Lavery has told her husband about her meeting with the narrator and the news that Charles is upset about Edith leaving. She wonders if they should try to get in touch with Charles, but her husband fells this is a bad idea. Mrs. Lavery is upset that she has lost her connection to the upper class world of Charles and his...