Chapter 6 (sections i-iii) Summary

Maugham tells the reader that they can skip this chapter because it is basically a retelling of a long conversation he has with Larry, though it's also the conversation that leads to his writing of his novel. Maugham then gives a brief update on the events after Elliott's death. In his will, Elliott leaves large sums of money to the church, an 18th century pornographic book collection to Maugham and paintings, furniture, his house on the Riviera and the apartment to Isabel and Gray. Having inherited a great deal of wealth, Gray starts to look for work back in the states, while Isabel goes about trying to sell some of Elliott's extensive collection of art and furniture. It has now been three years since they arrived in Paris.

Maugham then shifts the story to how he meets Larry for...