Summary

Chapter 4

Pages 48 through 55 -- Early in Chandin and Sarah's marriage, Sarah gives birth to two daughters, Pohpoh (later Mala) and Asha. At this point, Chandin's feelings for Lavinia have "soured" (48). News reaches Paradise that Lavinia has broken off her engagement to her Wetlandish cousin, and Chandin's cynicism and hatred "of the effect she wield[s]" over him continue to simmer.

When Lavinia returns to Paradise with plans to visit the Ramchandins, Chandin has his house repainted, a chandelier installed, and he starts wearing Wetlandish apparel again, imagining how she will assess his home when she first walks in. As he waits for a tardy Lavinia, Chandin feels ashamed of his family and worries that Lavinia will stand them up. Chandin feels "unrelated to [Sarah], as if a thick veil had dropped between them. His children's skin seemed suddenly too dark and their...