Part 1, Chapter 11 Summary

Merivel has his thirty-eighth birthday. He is born under the sign of Aquarius, the water bearer, which he imagines as a stooped old man with a yoke carrying two buckets of water. Merivel, who is still pining because of Celia's lack of attention to him, makes plans for the special day including a small party that evening. Merivel's secret plan is to learn to play the oboe well so that he can then play with Celia. To that end, he has his first music lesson from Herr Hemming, and Hemming, less that impressed with Merivel's playing, takes the oboe himself and shows how it is really to be played.

Merivel takes delivery of his furs and dons one himself, to his delight. Merivel is suddenly called away to the small surrounding village. There he meets Reverend Sackpole, who tells him about...