Upon Lily's return to the city following her refusal of Rosedale's proposal, she feels more than ever the burden of her social isolation. Even her friendship with Gerty has dulled slightly, as Gerty's sympathetic presence grates on her frayed nerves. One day, on an infrequent visit to Gerty's shabby apartment, she sees relatives of Ned Silverton. Gerty tells them that Bertha has cast Ned off, and he is so devastated that he has taken to gambling. The family is now destitute, and looking for ways to support themselves. Lily sees this as a future possibility for herself, and it saddens her . She confides in Gerty that she cannot sleep, and is tortured by thoughts of both her past and her future. Gerty makes the mistake of telling her she looks.....
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