The blinds of Mrs. Peniston's drawing-room are drawn against the June sun. Van Alstynes, Stepneys, and Melsons sit in the dim light with the proper shadow of bereavement. The Peniston side is already secure, because the bulk of Mr. Peniston's property went back. Jack Stepney, now the richest nephew, waits with the rest. Lily enters in mourning, sure it has always been understood that Aunt Julia would provide handsomely, sure enough that even the Dorset rupture might be endured if the fortune arrives. While the lawyer drones through servants and charities she even catches herself thinking she will have to be careful of her figure. Remoter Melsons and Stepneys hear a few thousands. Ned Van Alstyne and Jack follow. Lily wonders that Grace is not named. Then she hears her own name: to my niece Lily Bart, ten thousand dollars. The residue of the estate goes to the dear cousin and namesake, Grace Julia Stepney.
A space opens around Lily as she crosses to Grace, holds out her hand, and says she is so glad. Grace wails her unworthiness into a black-edged handkerchief. No one fills the space when Lily turns to go. Someone asks about the date of the will. The lawyer mentions a sudden summons and an earlier instrument. Gerty is horrified. Lily does the sum: ten thousand is almost exactly what she owes Trenor. Alone with Gerty she refuses self-pity and asks the question that matters. Are people going to cut her? She stayed after the reading to watch. They took their cue from Gwen Stepney and Lulu Melson. Once a girl is talked about, she tells Gerty, she is done for, and the more she explains the worse it looks.
She lunches in restaurants hoping to meet Judy Trenor, and finds her. Judy's pleasure is loud and empty. It includes no enquiry about Lily's future. Trenor and Rosedale are in the room. Where Judy leads, the rest will follow. Legal questions then delay even the small legacy for the twelvemonth allotted to settle a will. Lily goes to Grace, now installed at Mrs. Peniston's, and asks for an advance. Grace weeps, wonders, and says Aunt Julia had heard rumours about Lily's affairs and had been most unhappy.
Grace will not borrow against a fortune that is already hers. Judy has shown the town how to look past Lily. Grace has the house, and the year.
Coming Up in Chapter 20
When Mrs. Peniston's door closes, Lily feels she is taking final leave of her old life. Fifth Avenue stretches dull and bare, with only a few empty cabs. Then a hansom pulls up, and Carry Fisher springs down, already folding her into a loud embrace.
