The Last September

That night, all of the occupants of Danielstown except Sir Richard and Lady Naylor struggle to sleep. Hugo is angry, while Francie feels despondent at the emotional distance between them. Laurence waits for raiders to come to the house, but they never do. Lois plays the gramophone downstairs until Laurence knocks a chair against the floor.

Marda sets off in the morning toward town to send a telegram to her fiancé. Livvy arrives just as Marda leaves, and she asks to speak to Lois privately. She shows a ring hidden on a necklace under her dress and admits that she and Mr. Armstrong are engaged. She tells Lois the story of how he met her in Cork and admitted to being in love with her. Lois remembers one of the days she and Livvy spent with Mr. Armstrong and Gerald.

Laurence comes in, asking after Marda. He stays briefly, and when he leaves, Livvy notes that he always blushes when he sees her. She returns to the topic of her engagement and shares how she wishes Mr. Armstrong would be more active rather than leaving things like their marriage up to her to handle. She is also afraid of telling her father she is engaged to an army man.