Summary

It is March of 1908, and although less than a year has passed since the party in the previous chapter, both Digby and Eugénie have died. We do not know how they died, but they died separately, of different causes. A caretaker has been living in the basement of their old home whilst it is re-sold; it has gone to a Chinese businessman, who will soon move in. The caretaker, an old lady, ignores the doorbell as it repeatedly rings, and the perspective of the narrative changes to the man at the door: Martin Partiger. Martin is amazed to find that the house is already sold. He reflects that it has been "not much more than a year" since his aunt Eugénie had died (142); this is impossible, given that it was less than a year ago that she was at a party, and...