Chapters 11-20 Summary

Chapter 11 - Nunc Dimitis: Lionel Lampson learns that the woman he has has been dating—Janet de Pelagia—is spreading word among his circle of friends that she thinks him a crashing bore. Lionel contacts a portrait painter famous for his pictures of society women painted in layers, from their underwear to the final portrait fully clothed. He agrees to paint Janet. Using a solvent, Lionel carefully removes the outer layer of paint, leaving Janet posed in her underwear. He invites his friends for dinner, and sets up the portrait at one end of the table. The room is quite dark, lit only by a few candles. During desert, the lights come on as Lionel slips away in his chauffeured car. He returns and opens a note from Janet forgiving him and telling him she loves him forever. At...