Dangerous Ages
Navigates her complex friendship with Barry, awaiting him in Cornwall as his feelings fade.
I: Neville's Birthday
Visits from Chelsea, critiques Gerda's poems with sardonic humor, represents the thirties as a bridge generation.
III
Neville's youngest sister, mentioned as coming down for the birthday.
IV
Arrives from town, cynical and witty, critiques Gerda's poems, and shows protective affection for Neville.
Mrs. Hilary's Birthday
Nan arrives for the birthday, eager to protect her mother but aware of her own potential for irritation.
I
Present at the gathering; contemptuous of both her mother's pretence and Rosalind's malice.
III
Arrives with an extravagant present, eager to protect her mother from old age and depression, yet aware of her own potential irritation.
IV
Swims lazily on her back, part of the younger generation that leaves Mrs. Hilary behind.
V
Sulks at her mother's 'swank' and finds Mrs. Hilary's pervasive lying oppressive; prefers Rosalind's frankness.
VI
Returns to Chelsea; has supper with Barry Briscoe; engages in political argument with her mother, showing spiteful precision.
III: Family Life
Comes to stay in July; Mrs. Hilary discusses her 'compromising affairs' with married men, but Neville defends her as 'too free' to be compromised.
III
Visits in July; engages in intellectual friendship with Barry Briscoe, setting aside her usual perversities.
V
Discussed in relation to Barry Briscoe; her writing and marriage prospects are debated.
VI
The subject of Grandmama's curiosity regarding her friendship with Barry Briscoe, though she does not appear directly in the scene.
Roots
Visits Pamela and Frances, feeling restless and seeking peace; contrasts her own feverish life with their anchored contentment; considers marriage to Barry as a possible root.
I
Makes a late call at Pamela and Frances's rooms.
II
Visits Pamela, expresses fear of becoming like her mother, and seeks solidity in life.
III
Protagonist of the chapter; rides the bus, reflects on her life, fears becoming like her mother, and decides to pursue a relationship with Barry.
I
Mrs. Hilary's daughter; she is described as always tiresome and perverse.
IV
Mentioned by Rosalind as being at Windover with a young man who performs good works; Rosalind doubts she will marry him.
VII: Gerda
Barry's romantic interest; writes to Barry inviting him to bicycle in Cornwall with her, Gerda, and Kay.
II
Barry thinks of her briefly but shuts the thought away; she revels in storms.
V
Portrayed as the woman citizen of today, cynical about politics, witty and elusive; Barry desires to marry her but she avoids commitment.
VII
Though not present, Gerda thinks of Nan as a potential rival for Barry's affections, speculating about their relationship.
VIII: Nan
Stays alone in Marazion to finish her book and await Barry; reflects on her feelings for Barry and her jealousy of Gerda.
I
Staying alone at Marazion, finishing her book, and awaiting Barry's arrival to accept his proposal.
II
Writing on the beach, annoyed by children, reflecting on her relationship with Barry and Stephen Lumley.
III
Nan is depicted as happy and remote, immersed in swimming, sailing, eating, writing, walking, and lounging in Cornwall, detached from the world's turmoil.
IV
Meets the group at Penzance, leads the excursion, and notices Barry's focus on Gerda, feeling a pang of rejection.
V
Lies awake brooding over a moment on the causeway, feeling her smile was seductive and rejected; reflects on aging and youth; resents sharing a bed with Gerda and Barry's attention to her.
The Pace
Sets a reckless pace for the group, diving from high rocks and cycling down a perilous cliff path.
I
Narrates the day's events; displays fearless physical courage and a desire for solitude.
II
Dives gracefully from high rocks, setting a competitive pace for Gerda.
III
Cycles recklessly down steep hills without brakes, showing her daring nature and competitive spirit.
IV
Becomes deliberately daredevil, bicycling recklessly and challenging Gerda with ironic looks.
V
Experiences heartbreak as Barry's feelings fade, but masks her pain with pride and reckless daring, challenging Gerda in dangerous exploits.
VI
Leads the rescue, swimming strongly and pulling others to safety; reflects on her protective feelings toward Gerda.
VII
Leads the dangerous bicycle descent down the cliff path, displaying fearless and reckless behavior.
VIII
Nan is the first to respond to the crash, runs back up the path, and helps splint Gerda's arm with her stockings, then supports Gerda's head.
IX
Tends to Gerda after her fall, listens to her confession about Barry, and grapples with her own feelings of loss and bitterness.
III
Briefly referenced as having been sentimental at age twenty; she has just gone to Rome for the winter.
XI: That Which Remains
In Rome with Stephen Lumley, possibly out of desperation; Neville fears she was hurt by Barry's shift to Gerda.
I
Discussed as possibly having an affair with Stephen Lumley in Rome; speculated to have been waiting for Barry Briscoe before Gerda's involvement.
IV
Neville's little sister, now in Rome with Stephen Lumley, possibly giving herself to a man she doesn't love.
XII: The Mother
Subject of Rosalind's gossip; Mrs. Hilary believes she is 'living in sin' with Stephen Lumley, and seeks advice on how to intervene.
III
Subject of scandalous rumors about her relationship with Stephen Lumley in Rome; her mother plans to confront her.
IV
Discussed as being in a relationship with Stephen Lumley, described as lawless and reckless, age thirty-three.
XIII: The Daughter
Defiantly living with Stephen Lumley in Rome; tries to keep emotional distance from her mother but breaks down crying over her lost love for Barry; decides to go away with Stephen.
I
Mrs. Hilary's daughter; described as a 'naughty girl' with a strong will; her father Richard might have influenced her.
II
Meets her mother at the station, looking pale and pinched. She is efficient at handling travel logistics but appears unhappy, with nervous and sullen brows.
III
Defiantly decides to go to Capri with Stephen Lumley after her mother's outburst, showing fierce anger and rebellion.
IV
Determined to keep emotional pressure low, deflects her mother's probing; secretly still loves Barry but hides it.
V
Sits up late correcting proofs, overwhelmed by her decision to leave with Stephen Lumley and her unrequited love for Barry.
VI
Crying and vulnerable, accepts her mother's comfort
XV: The Dream
Nan is staying in Capri with Stephen Lumley, leading a life of gaiety and industry.
II
Stays in Capri with Stephen Lumley, leading a life of indolence and industry.
