The Magus

On Phraxos, Nick is happy to receive an invitation from Conchis. His conscience temporarily relieved, Nick writes to Alison that he does love her, despite their relationship being over.

Over at Conchis’s, Nick lies that though he went to Athens, the meeting with Alison did not materialize. Conchis tells Nick that Julie has abandoned her Lily persona and has cast herself in the role of a contemporary young actress, while Conchis plays the lecherous, eccentric millionaire who has brought her to Phraxos against her will. Nick has a new role in Conchis’s “play,” which is to act as Julie’s confidant without entertaining her romantically. Nick agrees, pretending that he doesn’t know that Conchis is lying about Julie’s mental health.

When Nick sees Julie on the beach, she is no longer dressed in Edwardian garments, but in a shirt and trousers. Nick and Julie kiss. Conchis creeps up on them. An alarmed Julie yells at Conchis for frightening her. After Julie leaves, Conchis explains that he deliberately interrupted her and Nick to anger her, as Julie’s condition requires a periodic outlet for hostile emotions.