Parade's End

Sylvia and General Campion are riding together. She talks of marriage. The General says he will not marry his godson’s wife. Sylvia figures if she divorced Christopher, then the General could not say no to marriage. The General hopes to get a command in India. Sylvia likes the idea of the prestige but despises the General. She would find a lover. The General knows Sylvia lied about her cancer.

Lord Fittleworth, Sylvia’s longtime friend, rides up. Sylvia wants to get Fittleworth to side with her against the Tietjenses, but he is difficult. He likes Mark, and if Sylvia makes a wrong move, he could cause her problems. Sylvia’s rumors against Christopher are beginning to falter. The rumors she spreads countermand the lifestyle Christopher is leading when compared to the lifestyle she and Mark, Jr. are leading. It supports the argument Christopher has chosen to live as he does, rather than being forced to because of immorality. Thus, she needs more knowledge of his life to twist against him. It is a big reason why she is there. She also wants to confront Valentine. However, to do so is a social faux pas, and so she needs to be careful.