Chapter 11 Summary

Clarissa Vaughan fills a vase with flowers, intent on hosting the perfect party for Richard. Louis arrives unexpectedly; she hasn't seen him in over five years and didn't even know he was in town. He's become a drama teacher since their days living together at the house; in Clarissa's eyes, he's become unimposing and harmless. She tells him of his amazing timing; her party takes place tonight and is in honor of the Carrouthers Prize that Richard has won. Louis greets her with a tight embrace and thinks that there is so little love in the world. He surveys Clarissa's apartment disapprovingly; it represents upper-class New York, a world he disparages. He blames Sally for having this influence on Clarissa. Clarissa, the perfect hostess, brings out glasses of crisp, carbonated water adorned with lemon peels; Louis considers this an indictment of her character...