The Story of Ivy · Chapters
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Chapter companions for The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes.
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Chapter 1
Prologue
During a weekend party at the Hamptons' country house, the guests discuss Ivy Lexton's beauty, her financial extravagance, and her manipulative social climbing. Mrs. Hampton, Lady Flora Desmond, and Joan Rodney debate Ivy's character, with Joan accusing her of being a 'gold-digger' who pursues wealthy men like Miles Rushworth for personal gain.
Chapter 2
I
Ivy Lexton, living in near-poverty with her husband Jervis, receives two letters: one from her lover Roger Gretorex and one from her friend Rose Arundell. Rose's letter reveals she has visited a fortune-teller named Mrs. Thrawn, who warned her against a foolish marriage and predicted a happy future in India, which has come true as Rose is about to marry her first love and sail to India. Ivy, having also visited Mrs. Thrawn, is skeptical of the fortune-teller's warnings about breaking with Roger and about a grey-haired woman. She plans to ask Roger for money and attend a theatre party and supper at the Savoy with him, Jervis, and Rose, though she suspects Rose will cancel.
Chapter 3
II
At the Savoy, Ivy Lexton persuades her husband Jervis to invite the wealthy Miles Rushworth to join their table, where he proposes a yachting tour. Ivy's jealous lover, Roger Gretorex, broods silently. After the party, Rushworth drives the Lextons home to their shabby Pimlico lodgings, and Ivy lies awake, anxious and hopeful about her future.
Chapter 4
III
On board the Dark Lady, Miles Rushworth hosts a yacht cruise with guests including Bella Dale, Lady Dale, and the Lextons. Rushworth, who had been considering marrying Bella, becomes increasingly captivated by Ivy Lexton. He gifts her an expensive vanity bag in Cannes, and later arranges a private dinner alone with her after the other guests depart for a shore excursion. Ivy, feeling jealous of Bella, plots to advance her relationship with Rushworth, while also adhering to a fortune-teller's advice to avoid contact with Roger Gretorex until September.
Chapter 5
IV
Ivy and Rushworth share a private dinner on his yacht in Dieppe harbour, culminating in a passionate but restrained confession of love. Rushworth reveals a promise to his dying father never to love a married woman, and decides to leave for South Africa with his ill sister to honor that vow, despite their mutual feelings.
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