Lorna Mott Dumas

As the novel opens, Lorna has been married to Armand-Loup Dumas for 20 years. She is an American who has been living in Pont-les-Puits, France. Lorna has become tired of Armand's philandering ways, prompting her decision to return to America for good. Lorna has three grown children – Peggy, Curt, and Hams. As she tries to figure out all the details of moving back to America, she wants to be sure it is a positive move rather than a reactionary one. Lorna wants to help her children, but she feels most of their problems are financial and above her ability to help. She was married to Ran Mott, the father of her three children, and they have become estranged in recent years. Lorna feels Ran should be willing to help their children more because his wife is a millionaire.

Lorna is conscious of the fact that she is...