Book 2: Chapter 6 Summary

One day, when Lily is attending her hostess at their country house on Long Island, she meets George Dorset. He apologizes profusely to her for his leading role in her status as a social outcast, and in a roundabout, beseeching way, asks her to marry him. Lily is tempted for a moment by the "revenge and rehabilitation" that his offer would bring, but decides not to give into weakness, and refuses him. Upon returning from her walk, she sees that George Dorset was on the Gormer grounds because Bertha Dorset was at the house visiting with Mrs. Gormer. She senses that Bertha is up to something in Mrs. Gormer's attitude towards Lily, and returns to New York City for the winter. Soon after her return, she is visited by George Dorset, who renews his marriage proposal earnestly. She once again refuses...