Years of Grace
Jane's daughter, whose engagement and wedding preparations bring themes of love, sacrifice, and generational change to the forefront.
I
Jane's younger sister, married and expecting twins, embodying domestic life.
II
Jane's sister, whose relationship with Albert Lancaster is a focal point of Jane's observations.
IV
Engaged to Albert Lancaster; Jane observes her happiness.
I
The youngest sister, preparing for her wedding to Albert Lancaster, embodying youthful romance and family dynamics.
II
Jane's younger sister, whose future wedding preparations are mentioned.
III
Engaged to Albert Lancaster; represents the new generation's choices and freedoms.
IV
Jane's daughter, now engaged to Albert Lancaster, representing the next generation's journey into marriage.
IV
Stephen's sister, called Silly, a Gibson girl who keeps a cocker-spaniel kennel and hunts.
I
Jane's fourteen-year-old daughter, for whom she is knitting a blue sweater.
II
Jane and Stephen's fourteen-year-old daughter, eager to grow up, adores her father.
IV
Cicily is present at the picnic, playing baseball with Jenny and little Steve.
II
Jane's younger sister, whose wedding preparations are a topic of family conversation.
I
Jane's daughter, shouting about ordering meals.
III
Jane's daughter, now a young woman preparing for marriage.
II
One of Jane's children, needs to telephone Aunt Isabel, and is described by Jimmy as a 'perfect heartbreaker'.
III
Cicily is observed by Jane and Jimmy as she goes for a walk with Jack Bridges.
Mrs. Lester's Seventy-Fifth Birthday
Present at the children's table during the party.
IV
Jane's daughter, preparing for her wedding to Albert Lancaster.
I
Mentioned as Belle and Jack are coming to visit her for the weekend.
V
Present at the dinner table but does not understand Jimmy's philosophical talk; later sent to do homework.
V
Jane's daughter, whose relationship with Albert is observed by Jane.
Part IV: Cicily, Jenny, and Steve
Central figure in this part, involved in family and personal developments.
I
Jane's younger sister; preparing for her wedding.
I
Jane's daughter, underage, eager to drive an ambulance in France; plans a party with Belle and looks for an evening gown.
Chapter II
Announces her engagement to Jack Bridges and plans for a double wedding with Belle and Albert, showing a confident and modern attitude.
V
Bride, discusses bridesmaid hats and her tea-set.
VI
Marries Jack Ward, walks down the aisle with her head held high, and smiles radiantly at Jack.
II
Jane's daughter, whose actions and future are a source of concern and observation for Jane.
I
Jane's daughter; attended a concert in town; previously complained to Jane and Stephen about Isabel's interference; mentioned as having engaged a room at the Lying-in Hospital.
IV
New mother of twins, recovering in the hospital, cheerful and proud, contrasts her experience with Belle's.
V
Returns home late, nurses twins, and prepares for a dinner in town; her casual attitude toward motherhood perplexes Jane.
VI
Forcefully advocates for Jack to work at Stephen's bank and build a house in Lakewood, displaying determination and victory over Isabel.
III
Engaged; her relationship and choices are a focal point of Jane's reflections.
I
Jane's daughter, expresses modern views on divorce and monogamy, and reacts with shock to Muriel's engagement.
II
Cicily expresses her boredom and frustration with her domestic life and marriage to Jack.
III
Shows composure and charm, exchanges banter with Albert Lancaster, described as 'fire and ice'.
IV
Jane's daughter, who is engaged to Albert Lancaster.
I
Jane's daughter, who had a difficult time last spring but now seems happy.
II
Cicily is the subject of the conversation; she is described as pretty, gay, and caught up in a flirtation with Albert.
III
Arrives late to the ball in white velvet, dancing with Albert; her smile seems unnaturally innocent to Jane.
IV
Arrives at the dancing class with Albert Lancaster, appearing happy and intimate; leaves with him before Jane can speak to her.
V
Cicily reveals her plans to divorce Jack Bridges and marry Albert Lancaster, discussing financial constraints and her modern, frank attitude.
V
Jane's daughter, engaged to Albert Lancaster, representing the next generation.
I
Cicily sits uncomfortably on the horsehair sofa with Jenny, looking subdued in mourning.
IV
Plans to divorce Jack and marry Albert Lancaster; has already informed Stephen and arranged to sail for Paris next week.
V
Defends her decision to leave Jack for Albert with surgical metaphors; learns of Jane's secret and dismisses it as trivial.
VI
Preparing for her wedding, representing the next generation.
I
Jane and Stephen's daughter, who is divorcing her current husband and remarrying Albert Lancaster. She plans to take her children to Peking after the wedding.
II
Discussed in relation to her coming marriage.
IV
Cicily is radiant and talkative, leading the family with excited chatter about her wedding plans and life in Paris, though Jane wonders if she feels disturbed beneath the surface.
V
Discussed by Flora and Jane; Flora praises her charm and discretion in Paris; Jane expresses disapproval of her choices.
VI
Lightly prattles about the Duroy sculpture and discusses the nature of being immortalized in art.
VII
Her divorce is finalized; she plans to marry Albert Lancaster.
VIII
The bride, wearing a daffodil yellow chiffon gown and carrying yellow calla lilies; she is radiant and takes command of the ceremony, positioning everyone.
IX
Departs for her honeymoon with Albert Lancaster; her choices prompt Jane's reflections.
Chapter X
Mentioned as a grown child; Jane recalls her long hair and crinkly hair from childhood.
