Tender Is the Night

That night at dinner, Dick talks with Nicole’s sister Beth (also called Baby) about Nicole’s condition. Worried about her sister’s sanity, Beth tells Dick her plan to bring Nicole with her back to Chicago and there find a nice doctor for her to marry.

When Nicole leaves the dinner party and Beth expresses worry, Dick leaves the table to have a look around. Outside, he meets Nicole, who meekly explains that she just needed to get away for a little and that living by herself for so long has made her introverted. Dick compliments her in an effort to reassure her and Nicole responds by asking Dick if, had she never gotten sick, he would ever have taken a romantic interest in her. When Dick tries to shrug off the question, Nicole flares up, telling Dick that being sick has given her insight and she can see through him. She complains that Dick never gave her a chance.

Nicole leans in and kisses Dick. She flirtatiously walks on, but Dick follows her and they kiss again. A booming storm arises and the two lovers walk back to the hotel.

The following day, Dick receives a letter from Nicole expressing gratitude for the previous evening’s kiss.