Nick describes the nightly music that drifts from Gatsby’s mansion and the extravagant summer soirée that fills the grounds with hundreds of guests, motor‑boats, rolling lawn parties, and a constant stream of food, drink, and spectacle. He notes the elaborate decorations, a full orchestra, and a “canvas platform” where a gypsy performer draws attention. Nick arrives after receiving a formal invitation delivered by Gatsby’s chauffeur and feels out of place among the throng. He quickly finds Jordan Baker, who greets him and leads him to a group of “girls in yellow” and several men called Mr. Mumble. The conversation turns to gossip about Gatsby: some claim he once killed a man, others whisper that he was a German spy or an Oxford alumnus.

Throughout the night Nick moves among various circles: he watches the lavish buffet, the “yellow cocktail” music, and a series of performances that include a tenor, a contralto, and a pair of stage‑twins. He also encounters a middle‑aged, owl‑eyed man in Gatsby’s library who, drunk, proudly shows off a real book from the shelves and speaks of “Mrs. Claud Roosevelt” who had brought him.

Later, as the party wanes, Nick and Jordan search for Gatsby, finally spotting him standing alone on the marble steps. Gatsby’s demeanor is calm and courteous; he briefly introduces himself to Nick, calling him “old sport,” then departs to answer a call from Chicago. Jordan probes Nick about Gatsby’s background, learning that Gatsby claims an Oxford education, but both remain skeptical. The orchestra plays Vladimir Tostoff’s “Jazz History of the World,” and the guests continue dancing until the early hours.

After the festivities, Nick walks toward home and witnesses a car accident in the driveway: a coupe has lost a wheel after striking a wall. A long‑dustered man emerges, bewildered, while “Owl Eyes” comments on the mishap, noting his own ignorance of mechanics. The crowd gathers, speculating about the cause, while Nick departs, reflecting on the lingering glow of Gatsby’s garden and the host’s solitary figure on the porch.