Chapters 4, 5 and 6 Summary

In Chapter 4, Marnham and Glass are joined on their evening out by Russell, a talkative American. They go to the Neva Hotel, where they drink several bottles of champagne, argue politely about politics, and get a little too loud. Narration comments that the next day Marnham couldn't remember leaving the Hotel, but then describes how he and the others made their way to another, more crowded club. As the men get increasingly drunk, Glass comments on how people find having and keeping a secret stimulating. Conversation is interrupted by the arrival of a message for Marnham from a woman who wants to dance with him. After being fussed over by Glass and Russell, Marnham joins the woman, whom narration names as Maria Eckdorf.

Chapter 5 begins with a summary of Maria's life and circumstances with narration commenting that Marnham learned some of...