Summary

The story opens on June 28, 1794. Dream visits Lady Johanna Constantine in England. She is sitting at a desk when he politely approaches her. She does not recognize him and threatens to call for her servants until she realizes who he is. Dream reminds her that they met in a tavern five years earlier. She thought then that he was a demon but has since realized otherwise. Dream tells her he needs her help to resolve a family problem. He asks her to be his mortal agent in return for what is in his power to give her... a dream.

She leaves her castle and is in Paris on July 24, 1794 to perform Dream's favor. Dressed as a peasant, she carries a bag down the streets of Paris and is accosted by two thieves. They ask her what is in her bag...