Summary

Georgiana’s favorite book to read in the laboratory is a large book in which Aylmer has recorded the methods and results for his experiments over the years of his career. Georgiana sees the book as a symbol of Aylmer’s lifelong dedication to science. It records only observable phenomena, but it still seems to have a type of spiritual zeal about those phenomena. Georgiana also perceives in the book a consistent sense of disappointment, as Aylmer’s experiments apparently always fell short of his desired discoveries. Georgiana begins to cry, and Aylmer hears. Aylmer comforts her, saying that he is aware of the tragic nature of his many scientific failures. Georgiana says that the book has caused her to love and respect Aylmer even more. Aylmer says that their seclusion in the lab will last only a little while longer. Georgiana encourages and...