Chapters XXV and XXVI Summary

In chapter twenty-five, Newman attempts to talk to the duchess about what the Bellegardes have done to him. When he is actually in her presence, however, he finds himself unable to talk to her. He watches as she discourses with a prince. He realizes that making her dislike the Bellegardes will not benefit him in any way. Newman makes up his mind not to think about the Bellegardes at all.

Later, while dining with the Tristams, however, Mr. Tristam offers Newman sympathy for what has happened to him. Mr. Tristam tells Newman he should not have become involved with Claire at all and that she would have turned out to be a bad wife. Mrs. Tristam also suggests to Newman that he would not have been happy. When Newman asks if she arranged the meeting with Claire...