Chapters Eight and Nine Summary

The following afternoon, Edgar calls Mary with the news that he's returned and asks permission to come to her at the villa. Edgar says the trip seemed long, but that he knew where she was all the time. Edgar says that he's finished the arrangements for his position and that he's to leave for that office in September. Edgar and Mary talk for awhile about the position, the compliments he was paid as he was talking over the position with other officials, and Edgar's excitement over the opportunity. Mary cites the conversation she'd had with Colonel Trail and tells Edgar that Colonel Trail had suggested Edgar might advance past this appointment. Edgar seems to believe this as well. He then turns the conversation to his proposal, saying that he hopes Mary will share his life with him...