# XXXII explained — The Perennial Bachelor

> Chapter companion for The Perennial Bachelor by Anne Parrish.

## What happens

Lily, alone in the house, makes candy for Victor and discovers in the society pages that Lucy Hawthorn has returned to New York as the Countess de la Villeblanche. Victor, upon learning this, writes to Lucy and travels to New York to see her, but finds her transformed into a stout, aging woman surrounded by family and luxury. He returns home, disappointed, reflecting on how she has aged.

## Themes in this chapter

### Isolation and Loneliness

Lily's loneliness without Maggie is palpable as she plays Tiddley-winks alone and fears being alone in the world.

### The Passage of Time

Victor's shock at Lucy's aging and his own sense of youth highlight the inevitable passage of time.

### Unfulfilled Love and Marriage

Victor's romantic expectations of Lucy are dashed, leaving him with a sense of loss and complacency.

### Nostalgia and Loss

Victor's memories of Lucy as a 'slim white dryad' contrast with her current appearance, evoking nostalgia for the past.

## Character check-ins

### Lily Campion

Lonely without Maggie, makes candy for Victor, reads society pages, discovers Lucy's return, fears being alone and old.

### Victor Campion

Writes to Lucy, travels to New York to see her, is disappointed by her appearance, returns home.

### Lucy Hawthorn

Now the Countess de la Villeblanche, a widow, appears fat and old to Victor, surrounded by family and luxury.

### Maggie Campion

Mentioned as absent, causing Lily's loneliness.

## Key lines

> She wasn’t quite sure about playing Tiddley-winks on Sunday, but she was so lonely in the evening without Maggie, she had to do something.

Lily felt guilty about playing a game on Sunday, but her loneliness without Maggie drove her to it.

_Highlights Lily's isolation and her struggle with religious observance._

> And he saw himself receiving into his arms that piteous and fragile figure, heard her say brokenly: “Victor⁠—at last⁠—”

Victor imagined a romantic reunion with Lucy, where she would be fragile and need his comfort.

_Shows Victor's idealized fantasy of Lucy, which is later shattered._

> The March air flowed cool and delicious over his hot face, he let his mouth relax from its stretch of polite and nervous smile.

Victor felt relief as he left Lucy's apartment, his forced smile fading in the cool air.

_Indicates Victor's discomfort and disappointment during the visit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xxxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters