Passing, Part Two, Chapters Three and Four Summary

Brian's response to Irene's announcement that Clare was coming to the dance was a "not quite derisive smile." On the evening of the dance, Irene finds Clare downstairs with Brian, the two having introduced themselves. Clare is overdressed, but stunning. Brian is nice to Clare, which pleases Irene. Clare dances with men, both white and black. Hugh Wentworth would like to meet Clare and complains that the black men are always more attractive to white women, as his own wife dances about with black men. They discuss how "passing" is easier for blacks than whites. At the end of the evening when Brian wants to take Clare home, Irene says she has already arranged for the Wentworths to do so. Irene has told them nothing about Clare's secret.

After that dance...