Part 1, Chapter 4 Summary

Meursault's life returns to normal with work and social activities. Raymond tells Meursault that the letter to the mistress has been mailed. At the end of the week, Meursault spends time with Marie at a beach. They enjoy a day sunning and swimming and return home to make love in Meursault's apartment, where the cool breeze wafts over their young bodies.

Meursault asks Marie to stay for lunch the next morning and he is overwhelmed by the urge to kiss her when she smiles in a certain way. He is forced to admit that he feels no love for her when Marie asks him the question. Marie hides any trace of disappointment and their conversation is rudely interrupted by a raucous disturbance coming from Raymond's apartment. Marie asks Meursault to phone for the police, but Meursault declines. He does not like...