This is a bitter sweet entry in the series. Soames is in the US, having spent the last 6 months travelling around the world with Fleur, in order to help her recover her spirits after the events of the previous book. While sitting near a statue in Washington DC, he hears some people approach, one of whom is Jon Forsyte. He's not seen the young man in a number of years now, but he remains anxious to avoid him and, more importantly, that he not meet Fleur. Back at the hotel he discovers that Jon, his wife and Irene are all staying in the same hotel. That severely shocks the old man and he is unable to get Irene out of his mind. After another tense day when Jon and Michael meet, but Fleur does not seem Jon, Soames hears a piano playing and knows that it is Irene. He cannot resist seeing if it really is her and so the memories come flooding back. He still cannot understand her, they remain as incompatible as ever, and yet, he cannot hate her either. It is a very short interlude, and yet is is very telling, they remain chalk and cheese and yet he cannot quite get her out of his hair. ( )