The Green Hat
Introduced as a captivating figure associated with the green hat, symbolizing her enigmatic and rebellious nature.
The Green Hat
Introduced as Mrs. Storm, she arrives at the narrator's flat wearing a green hat. She is Gerald's twin sister, enigmatic and unplaceable, with a quiet but powerful presence. She asks the narrator to tell Gerald she came.
II
Gerald's twin sister, who arrives at his flat after not seeing him for nearly ten years. She is described as fair, grave, with blazing blue eyes and a quiet, thoughtful demeanor.
III
Referred to as Mrs. Storm; the narrator reflects on her elusive, multi-faceted nature and her quiet self-invention.
IV
Confesses her shame and inner turmoil to the narrator; speaks of dreams and beasts; gives him her telephone number before leaving.
II: The Cavalier of Low Creatures
Gerald's twin sister; mentioned as the inspiration for the character Ava Foe in Gerald's novel, suggesting a deep-seated hatred and complex relationship.
I
Gerald's sister, considered déclassé for her scandalous life in Europe, yet she remains unaware of or indifferent to social judgment.
III
Iris is mentioned as having visited Gerald's flat on an impulse and later sends the narrator a large box of notepaper from Paris with a cryptic note.
III: For Purity!
Referred to as Mrs. Storm; discussed as the former Mrs. Fenwick, whose first husband died on their wedding night; described as having been 'everything' and as a woman of strict yet contradictory morals.
I
Gerald asks the narrator to give his love to Iris if he sees her.
III
Discussed extensively: her childhood innocence, current reputation, first marriage to Boy Fenwick, and her refusal to take his fortune.
IV
Discussed as the young widow who confessed Boy Fenwick died 'for purity'; her truth-telling and subsequent social ruin are central.
IV: Aphrodite
Iris walks with the narrator from the Loyalty Club, discusses her dinner with Victor Duck, her views on freedom and England, and reveals her distress about Gerald and her existential thoughts.
I
Reflected upon by the narrator; her sacrifice 'for purity' and her relationship with Boy Fenwick are discussed.
II
Arrives at the Loyalty Club seeking help to see Gerald; drives the narrator to Gerald's flat; plans to take Gerald abroad.
V: The Dark Letter
Referred to as Mrs. Storm; reported to be ill and having undergone a 'minor operation' and a 'mental derangement'.
I
The narrator reflects on her letter and learns she is ill.
II
The narrator is worried about Iris and travels to a nursing home where she is located.
VI: The Red Lights
Iris is gravely ill in a Paris nursing home, having written to Napier four weeks earlier. She is pregnant with Napier's child, unknown to him, and is described as 'wrapped in tragedy and scandal.' The narrator reflects on her past relationships with Boy, Hector, and Napier.
I
Gravely ill with septic poisoning in a Paris nursing home; delirious but has asked for the narrator and Hilary to be treated kindly.
IV
Iris is ill in a Paris nursing home, described as not caring whether she lives or dies.
V
Her condition is discussed; she has recognized Napier and may need another visit from him.
VII: For Venice!
Iris is ill unto death in a Paris nursing home, and Napier has decided not to visit her.
I
Iris is ill unto death; the narrator receives an update from Doctor Masters that there is little change, but she seems to want to see him.
II
Ill in a Paris nursing home; her dream of Napier is said to have saved her life.
VIII: Piqûre du cœur
Iris is ill in a Paris nursing home, recovering from a severe illness. She shares a vivid, whimsical account of her near-death experience and expresses deep gratitude to the narrator. She is emotionally fragile, crying and confessing her feelings of being unwanted.
I
Iris is ill in the nursing home; the narrator is there to see her, but she is too weak to speak.
II
Lying ill in a nursing home, terrified of dying, her hair damp and straight, eyes stricken with fear.
III
Recovering from ptomaine poisoning in a Paris nursing home; frail, emotional, and defiant, she shares a story of being rejected by God and thanks the narrator for saving her life.
IX: Talking of Hats
Iris is depicted in a silver turban and later a green hat; she drives furiously to Maidenhead, smiles enigmatically, and is preparing to sail to Rio de Janeiro.
I
Reflected upon as a shameless, shameful lady who committed the unpardonable crime of stealing a man from his wife; she is the subject of Guy's judgment and the narrator's bewilderment over her possible return to England.
II
Iris lunches with the narrator, wears a green hat bought by him, and appears more beautiful and earthy, seemingly in love. She questions the narrator about Guy's reaction to seeing her in a cab.
X: The Fall of the Emerald
Drives recklessly, loses an emerald, and whispers contentment afterward; her presence at the dinner creates underlying tension.
I
The central figure of tension; she is the former lover of Napier and plans to elope with him, attending the dinner despite Guy's implicit challenge.
II
Iris leans on the narrator, complains of a foot injury, and later reveals her emotional exhaustion and desire to build a wall around herself.
XI: St. George for England!
Drives the narrator to Sutton Marle, speaks of her past and her love for Napier, confronts Sir Maurice's household with a mix of hardness and emotion.
I
Telephones the narrator, announces her departure from England at dawn, and proposes a drive into the country to confront her fear.
II
Arrives at Sutton Marle, confronts Truble, reflects on her past with Napier, and prepares to face Sir Maurice.
III
Confronted by Sir Maurice and Guy about her elopement; defends her choices and challenges their moral judgments.
