Chapter Three Summary

Chapter three opens to a light note with Aubrey's twin daughters and his young son, George, racing to tell him that his Admiral's uniform has arrived. The children pour an immense amount of energy into the minute details of the uniform's arrival. At the children's earnest pleas, Aubrey goes inside to don his new uniform, which Killick has already laid out. In the middle of the "fashion show," Aubrey suddenly realizes he is late to meet Captain Hervey and rips off his uniform and dons his civilian garb.

Mrs. Williams, Sophie's mother makes a snide remark about Aubrey putting on airs by donning a Rear Admiral's uniform rather than Commodore. Sophie explains the protocol involved and so Mrs. Williams tries to stir up more trouble by gossiping about a man making inquiries about Clarissa Oakes. Mrs. Williams states that she rode to see Clarissa and...