Part 1 (through page 115) Summary

Tamar Hernshaw and her mother Violet are engaged in an argument about money. Tamar tries to explain to her mother that giving up her studies would be a difficult sacrifice. A telephone call informs them that Gerard Hernshaw's father, Tamar's great-uncle, has died, but there are no provisions in the will for them. Tamar resumes her customary docile role in relation to her mother and then agrees to Violet's demands that she drops out of Oxford.

Jean has left her husband, Duncan, for Crimond. She questions Crimond about his work. He tells her that "the book" is not quite finished. Jean becomes impatient with his lack of enthusiasm for her presence in his home, and she bursts out in an impassioned speech. She tells Crimond that he is the only being whom she can love absolutely and completely. Both...