Parade's End

Sylvia is sitting with Major Perowne in the nearby hotel, waiting for Christopher to show. Perowne is afraid of what Christopher might do to him. Sylvia used Perowne to get to France, since she did not have a pass. Perowne wants his reward for having done so. Sylvia tells Perowne she used him to get back to Christopher, and that she wants him back. Christopher enters but does not approach. Sylvia knows he is trying to spare her the public embarrassment of being seen with another man while her husband is there. She hates his chivalry. Sylvia is happy they will be staying in the same hotel. They are there for the Colonel’s nuptial party. Sylvia is very rude to Perowne and wants him to go away. Sylvia thinks to herself how Christopher has ruined other men for her. Perowne accuses Sylvia of having ruined him. She imagines Father Consett, who was recently murdered in Ireland, looking down on her from heaven. Sylvia wonders who the perfect man for her would be; she believes she would probably have to deal with his having affairs. She says she would refuse. She asks Perowne if Christopher has any mistresses. Perowne laughs at the idea.