The “little party” at Fawns begins. Maggie feels free, as though she has suddenly been liberated from a murky prison. She has not talked to Amerigo since their confrontation, and she believes that her husband has maintained a clear distance from Charlotte, just as he has kept his distance from her. Maggie explains this to Fanny, who is bemused that Maggie is so certain that Amerigo will not have told Charlotte what has happened. When she explained the situation with the shopkeeper to Amerigo, Maggie revealed that the shopkeeper had sought to bring the money back to her because he felt an affinity toward her. He described how he knew the people in the photographs, but only by chance. He did not deem them worthy of his remembrance, unlike Maggie.

Mrs. Rance and the Miss Lutches return to Fawns just as the Castledeans depart. Maggie is sure that Charlotte wants to speak to her about her possible affair. One evening, Maggie leaves the dinner table by herself to observe the group from afar. She stands on the balcony, feeling detached from the others. She watches and judges them. Charlotte joins Maggie on the balcony. Together, they watch

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