Summary: Chapter XXV
The initial restfulness and ease Edna feels after the
departure of her family quickly dissipates. At times, Edna is optimistic
about her future and places her trust in the promise of youth. On
other days, she stays indoors and broods, feeling that life is passing
her by. On days when she is feeling sociable, Edna visits the friends
she made at Grand Isle or goes to the races. One day, Alcée Arobin
and Mrs. Highcamp, whom Edna had run into recently while at the
races with her father, call on her to accompany them to the track.
Alcée had met Edna before, but on the day he ran into Edna with
her father, Alcée found Edna’s knowledge of racehorses exciting
and magnetic and became enamored with her. Alcée escorts Edna home
after dinner with the Highcamps, persuading her to attend the races
with him again. Edna is restless after he leaves and regrets not
having asked him to stay for a while. She sleeps restlessly, waking
in the middle of the night, and, remembering that she has forgotten
to write her regular letter to Léonce, begins to compose in her
head the words she will write him the next day.
A few days later Alcée and Edna attend the races alone.
Alcée behaves as he is known to with attractive young women—without inhibition.
He stays for dinner with Edna after the races and discovers, through
casual conversation and interaction, the sexuality latent within
her. His boldness makes Edna nervous, for, despite her attraction
to Alcée, she feels that she is being led toward an act of infidelity.
She firmly sends Alcée away and, when alone again, stares at the
hand he has kissed, feeling as though she has been somehow unchaste.
It is not her husband whom she fears she has betrayed, however:
her thoughts are of Robert only.
Summary: Chapter XXVI
Alcée writes Edna an elaborate letter of apology. She
is embarrassed that she took him so seriously before, and she responds
with light banter. Alcée takes Edna’s response as a license for
further flirtation and soon resumes a level of familiarity that
first astonishes Edna and then pleases her, as it appeals to her
animalistic sexual urges.
Edna continues to visit Mademoiselle Reisz, who is helpful
at times of emotional turmoil. During one visit, Edna announces
that she is moving out of her house because she has grown tired
of looking after it and feels no real connection to it as her own.
She plans to rent a small house around the corner, which she will
pay for with her winnings from the racetrack and the profits from
her sketches. Mademoiselle Reisz knows that Edna’s motivation to
move is more complicated than she claims. She gets Edna to admit
that she wants to move to the smaller house because it will enable
her to be independent and free. Yet even after this confession,
neither Mademoiselle Reisz nor Edna herself can explain completely
the reason for Edna’s sudden decision.
As usual, Mademoiselle Reisz gives Edna Robert’s latest
letter. She does not tell Robert that Edna sees his letters because
Robert is trying to forget the woman whom he recognizes is “not
free to listen to him or belong to him.” Edna is shocked to read
that Robert will soon be returning to New Orleans. During the heated
discussion that follows, Mademoiselle Reisz tests Edna’s devotion
to Robert by making false claims about the nature of love. She ultimately
realizes that Edna’s feelings are pure and laughs at the way Edna
blushes when she finally confesses aloud her love for Robert. Edna
returns home full of excitement. She sends bonbons to her sons and
writes Léonce a cheerful letter in which she states her intent to
move into the smaller house.
Summary: Chapter XXVII
Later that evening, Alcée finds Edna in fine
although contemplative spirits. She notes to him that she sometimes
feels “devilishly wicked” by conventional standards but cannot think
of herself that way. Alcée caresses Edna’s face and listens to her
talk about her visit to Mademoiselle Reisz earlier in the day. Mademoiselle
Reisz placed her hand on Edna’s shoulder blades and warned her that
the bird that attempts to fly above tradition and prejudice must
have strong wings, or it will “fall back to earth, battered and
bruised.” Alcée asks Edna where she will fly, and she replies that
she is not contemplating any “extraordinary flights.” In fact, Edna
claims, she only “half comprehend[s]” the older woman. Alcée kisses
Edna, and she responds by “clasping his head.” Alcée’s kiss is “the
first . . . of her life to which her nature had really responded.
It was a flaming torch that kindled desire.”
