Chapter 17 Summary

She gets back to her room and sends her maid away. Beatrice comes upstairs and apologizes for upsetting her. Rebecca had dressed as the very person for the last Manderley ball. Beatrice tries to convince Mrs. de Winter to change into another dress and join the party. The author does not think she can bare it. Beatrice finally leaves promising that she, Giles, Frank, and Maxim will all spread the word that the dressmaker had sent the wrong costume to explain why she was in regular formal wear.

Mrs. de Winter chooses a formal gown and irons it methodically. She goes downstairs to join the party and play the part of a gracious host. Throughout the party she cannot bring herself to eat or drink anything. Maxim does not go to her. Finally the party is over and Beatrice suggests that Mrs. de...