Chapter 1: January 1895 Summary

Henry wakes from a haunting dream. In it, he walks the streets of an abstractly hostile Italian city, accompanied by a voice urging him forward, a voice he can't quite place. Henry comes to a crowded plaza, and two people turn to him. These people turn out to be his deceased mother and his Aunt Kate. They appear to want something, but at this point of the dream, Henry awakens with a start. To avoid sleep and further dreams, Henry begins to work on his writing.

Henry's current commitment is the impending premiere of his new play, Guy Domville. Henry sits through every rehearsal, alternating between boredom at the repetition and fascination with the production. Not a typically social character, the constant activity of the theatre has left Henry exhausted. Now, his one moment of solitude is interrupted by a visitor...