The Story of Ivy · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes.
Chapter 1
Prologue
During a weekend party at the Hamptons' country house, the guests discuss Ivy Lexton's beauty, her financial extravagance, and her manipulative social climbing. Mrs. Hampton, Lady Flora Desmond, and Joan Rodney debate Ivy's character, with Joan accusing her of being a 'gold-digger' who pursues wealthy men like Miles Rushworth for personal gain.
Chapter 2
I
Ivy Lexton, living in near-poverty with her husband Jervis, receives two letters: one from her lover Roger Gretorex and one from her friend Rose Arundell. Rose's letter reveals she has visited a fortune-teller named Mrs. Thrawn, who warned her against a foolish marriage and predicted a happy future in India, which has come true as Rose is about to marry her first love and sail to India. Ivy, having also visited Mrs. Thrawn, is skeptical of the fortune-teller's warnings about breaking with Roger and about a grey-haired woman. She plans to ask Roger for money and attend a theatre party and supper at the Savoy with him, Jervis, and Rose, though she suspects Rose will cancel.
Chapter 3
II
At the Savoy, Ivy Lexton persuades her husband Jervis to invite the wealthy Miles Rushworth to join their table, where he proposes a yachting tour. Ivy's jealous lover, Roger Gretorex, broods silently. After the party, Rushworth drives the Lextons home to their shabby Pimlico lodgings, and Ivy lies awake, anxious and hopeful about her future.
Chapter 4
III
On board the Dark Lady, Miles Rushworth hosts a yacht cruise with guests including Bella Dale, Lady Dale, and the Lextons. Rushworth, who had been considering marrying Bella, becomes increasingly captivated by Ivy Lexton. He gifts her an expensive vanity bag in Cannes, and later arranges a private dinner alone with her after the other guests depart for a shore excursion. Ivy, feeling jealous of Bella, plots to advance her relationship with Rushworth, while also adhering to a fortune-teller's advice to avoid contact with Roger Gretorex until September.
Chapter 5
IV
Ivy and Rushworth share a private dinner on his yacht in Dieppe harbour, culminating in a passionate but restrained confession of love. Rushworth reveals a promise to his dying father never to love a married woman, and decides to leave for South Africa with his ill sister to honor that vow, despite their mutual feelings.
Chapter 6
V
Ivy Lexton dines with Roger Gretorex while her thoughts are consumed by Miles Rushworth. She feels trapped in her marriage and considers leaving Gretorex. After returning home, she mixes a drink for her husband Jervis, secretly adding a powder from her bag. The next morning, Jervis is ill and stays home from work.
Chapter 7
VI
On November 8th, Ivy Lexton's life begins to change as her husband Jervis remains ill. She visits Rushworth's office to excuse Jervis's absence, and struggles to keep her lover Roger Gretorex away from the flat. Gretorex visits Jervis anyway, leading to a tense encounter with Dr. Berwick, who has taken over the case. Later, Berwick discovers a love letter from Gretorex to Ivy, which he and his wife Janey discuss, debating the nature of their relationship.
Chapter 8
VII
On the evening of November 16th, Ivy Lexton spends the day attending to her ill husband Jervis before going out to a bridge party and later a theatre party. While she is out, Jervis's condition worsens, and Nurse Bradfield urgently calls for a doctor. Ivy, who had earlier given Jervis a stiff brandy and soda laced with a dangerous dose, delays calling Dr. Berwick and instead contacts a substitute. Jervis dies that night, and Ivy returns home to learn the news, feeling a mix of relief and guilt.
Chapter 9
Chapter VIII
In the aftermath of Jervis Lexton's sudden death, Ivy Lexton struggles with the implications of a postmortem examination. Dr. Berwick questions her about the events leading up to the death, and she reveals her ignorance of serious illness and death. Ivy's fear and self-deception become apparent as she tries to navigate the situation, while Dr. Berwick and Nurse Bradfield offer support. The chapter highlights Ivy's isolation and her reliance on others, as well as the growing suspicion surrounding Jervis's death.
Chapter 10
IX
Roger Gretorex, after a long morning's work, receives a note from Ivy Lexton informing him of Jervis's sudden death. He is overwhelmed with joy at the prospect of being with Ivy, but also feels shame. Ivy calls him, warning him that the police suspect poison and that his name may be involved. Gretorex prepares a story and enlists Mrs. Huntley's help to lie about his visitors.
Chapter 11
X
Inspector Orpington interviews Dr. Roger Gretorex about Jervis Lexton's death. Gretorex lies about his knowledge of the circumstances and denies any involvement, but Orpington suspects him of murder driven by his passion for Ivy Lexton.
Chapter 12
XI
Roger Gretorex returns to his family home in Sussex to inform his mother of the scandal surrounding Jervis Lexton's death. He is tormented by newspaper reports linking Ivy to the poisoning and fears the net of suspicion closing around him. His mother, Mrs. Gretorex, initially suspects Ivy of murder, but Roger fiercely defends her. Enid Dent arrives, and Roger confides in her that he may soon be accused of the crime.
Chapter 13
XII
Ivy Lexton, reeling from Inspector Orpington's interrogation, strategically implicates Roger Gretorex to deflect suspicion from herself. After receiving a supportive telegram from Miles Rushworth, she feels emboldened and begins to envision a future as his wife, while remaining unaware of the full consequences of her actions.
Chapter 14
XIII
Mrs. Gretorex confides in Mr. Oram her fear that her son Roger is in danger due to his love for Ivy Lexton, though she insists he is innocent of Jervis's murder. Mr. Oram reluctantly agrees to help but doubts his expertise. Meanwhile, Mr. Oram meets Ivy, delivers a £2,000 cheque from Miles Rushworth, and arranges legal representation for her at the inquest. He is repelled by her appearance and manner, while Ivy feels uneasy and suspects his disapproval. The chapter also reveals that Scotland Yard suspects a 'beau' of Ivy's of the murder.
Chapter 15
XIV
In the days following Roger Gretorex's arrest, Ivy Lexton becomes the center of morbid curiosity and sympathy among her social circle, while she secretly receives passionate cables from Miles Rushworth. Mrs. Gretorex visits Ivy, pleading for her son's life. Ivy's solicitor, Mr. Oram, withdraws due to conflict of interest and refers her to Philip Paxton-Smith, who becomes her new legal advisor and takes a sympathetic view of her story.
Chapter 16
XV
Ivy Lexton takes the stand as the chief witness for the Crown in Roger Gretorex's murder trial. The chapter explores her testimony, her carefully crafted appearance of fragility, and the public's fascination with her. It also delves into Ivy's sleepless night before the trial, her fear of cross-examination by Sir Joseph Molloy, and her reflections on her past relationship with Gretorex.
Chapter 17
XVI
The trial of Roger Gretorex concludes with a guilty verdict for the murder of Jervis Lexton. Sir Joseph Molloy, bound by a promise to Gretorex, cross-examines Ivy Lexton with unexpected gentleness, despite his desire to tear her testimony apart. The jury finds Gretorex guilty, and he is sentenced to death, maintaining his innocence. After the verdict, Ivy encounters Mrs. Gretorex, exchanging a painful look.
Chapter 18
XVII
Enid Dent visits Mrs. Gretorex, who is devastated after the trial, and then goes to see Mr. Finch, Mr. Oram's clerk, to discuss his theory that Mrs. Lexton may be shielding a wealthy admirer who murdered Jervis Lexton. Finch suggests money could have silenced witnesses, and Enid suspects Roger knows the truth but refuses to testify.
Chapter 19
XVIII
The morning after Gretorex's trial, Ivy awakens with relief, planning a rest cure at Lady Flora's cottage. She enjoys seeing her picture in the papers but is upset when a maid mentions Gretorex. Nurse Bradfield expresses doubt about Gretorex's guilt. Later, Enid Dent visits, urging Ivy to help prove Gretorex's innocence, but Ivy deflects by invoking Jervis. Ivy receives a cable from Rushworth announcing his return, which fills her with ecstasy. She burns the cable and goes to telegraph him. Upon returning, she finds Enid waiting, and after a tense exchange, Ivy feigns tears to manipulate the situation.
Chapter 20
XIX
With only two days until Roger Gretorex's execution, Enid Dent and Sir Joseph Molloy struggle with the impending tragedy. Enid visits Mrs. Huntley, Gretorex's former housekeeper, who reveals crucial information about Ivy Lexton's suspicious behavior and provides two letters. Alfred Finch takes a statutory declaration from Mrs. Huntley, hoping to uncover new evidence that might save Gretorex.
Chapter 21
XX
The Home Secretary, Sir Edward Law, reviews new evidence in the Gretorex case, including Mrs. Huntley's statutory declaration and Ivy Lexton's love letters, leading to a postponement of execution and further investigation.
Chapter 22
XXI
Ivy Lexton awakens from a nightmare of Roger Gretorex's execution, tormented by guilt and fear. She waits for news of his hanging, but instead learns of a reprieve due to new evidence. Fainting from terror rather than relief, she later receives a telegram from Miles Rushworth promising to return, which briefly reassures her.
Chapter 23
XXII
Miles Rushworth returns from abroad, his heart torn between memories of his dead sister and his consuming passion for Ivy Lexton. He overhears a conversation about a reprieve for Roger Gretorex, then learns from his solicitor Oram that Ivy is to be arrested for poisoning her husband. Rushworth's love turns to bitter hatred, yet he devises a daring plan to help her escape by aeroplane to Spain, providing gold and notes. He confronts Ivy, reveals her impending arrest, and offers her a way out, though his own feelings have soured.
Chapter 24
Epilogue
In the immediate aftermath of Jervis's death, Ivy Lexton feels a fleeting relief that quickly turns into despair as she realizes she has lost everything. Urged to hurry by Rushworth, she prepares to flee but returns to retrieve a valuable bolster bag from her despatch-box, only to find it stolen. In her panic, she rushes out and steps into the open lift shaft, falling to her death. The porter, who had left the lift gates ajar in his excitement over the news of her reprieve, realizes his fatal mistake and reflects on the misfortune Ivy brought to all who knew her.
