Part 2, Chapter 7 Summary

At Benedict and Helen's urging, Aldred relates his own past experiences to the two young Driscolls, and we learn about some of his acquaintances and past infatuations. He tells about Raimonda and Gigliola, daughters of an Italian family Aldred had stayed with while studying in Florence; the temperate Raimonda, already spoken for, and the fair Gigliola, both had attracted his attention at length. His studies had carried him through autumn and winter while he pursued both women, and Italy became embroiled in the war.

His last summer in Florence, Aldred had become aware of the ways in which war had influenced Raimonda and Gigliola's family. Their father had been tortured and the family had been fined. Aldred had gone to his own father to request monetary assistance for them.

Aside from discussing his memories in this chapter, Aldred makes plans to...