# The Story of Ivy — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

- [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/prologue.md): 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 Iv
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/i.md): 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.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/ii.md): 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, R
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/iii.md): 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
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/iv.md): 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 d
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/v.md): 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, s
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/vi.md): 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
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/vii.md): 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 Bradfie
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/viii.md): 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 
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/ix.md): 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, warn
- [X](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/x.md): 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
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xi.md): 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 
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xii.md): 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 an
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xiii.md): 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 experti
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xiv.md): 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 vis
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xv.md): 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
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xvi.md): 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 
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xvii.md): 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. F
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xviii.md): 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
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xix.md): 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
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xx.md): 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 investigatio
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xxi.md): 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 re
- [XXII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xxii.md): 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 soli
- [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/epilogue.md): 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 r

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