While a few days later the guests of Blandings Castle, amongst which Colonel Horace Mant talking to the Bishop of Godalming and Lady Mildred Mant together with Mrs. Jack Hale are strolling along the castle terraces after breakfast, our attention is drawn to Aline Peters in the company of George Emerson, the latter once again painting her a glorious and adventurous future life as his wife in Hong Kong, taking a little sigh from her as an indication of boredom with the tranquil life at Blandings, should she persist in marrying Freddie Threepwood. Telling her that he also worries about her getting thinner because of her following her father's meagre diet, Aline confesses that she sometimes gets hungry at night.