Prologue
Mentioned by Bowerman as a promising composer killed in the war, whose potential was lost.
Book I: Abbots Puissants
Introduced as a young boy living at Abbots Puissants, deeply attached to his home and his nurse.
I
The young boy whose world is centered on Nurse, God, and Mr. Green; he explores the nursery and tests boundaries.
II
The lonely little boy who invents Mr. Green and his imaginary children to keep himself company.
III
Imagines Mr. Green's home in the Forest and plans a tea party with his toys.
IV
Finds the nursery palling and prefers exploring the garden, especially the Abbey ruins.
V
A three-year-old boy beginning to perceive his parents as distinct individuals, feeling a kinship with his father.
VI
Young Vernon experiences a moment of wonder and first recognizes his mother's beauty and his love for her.
I
Observes Winnie's departure and his mother's crying, reflects on the word 'unbecoming'.
II
Vernon is in the nursery, engaging his father with innocent yet probing questions about kissing and adult behavior.
III
Vernon is caught in his mother's emotional outburst, his tower destroyed, and his body stiffens in resistance as she clings to him.
I
Young Vernon is curious and puzzled by adult explanations about names and babies, seeking understanding from Nurse Frances.
II
Young Vernon is fascinated and terrified by the piano, which he calls the Beast, and is deeply moved by Aunt Nina's playing.
III
Observes Nurse packing, asks about her mother's age and mortality, reflects on the shifting of his universe and his dual perception of his mother.
IV
Explores disobedience, torments Susan, and is tempted by the open Forest door.
V
Vernon ventures into the Forest for the first time, engaging in elaborate make-believe play before being frightened by a perceived Beast.
I
Wakes after a fall, learns he has broken his leg, and is cared for by Nurse Frances.
II
Wakes in pain with a broken leg, frightened by his mother's hysteria, and finds comfort in Nurse Frances's calm authority.
III
Recalls his childhood after breaking his leg; enjoys playing and talking with Nurse Frances; discusses his fears and his future.
IV
The young boy who loses his beloved nurse and weeps bitterly at her departure.
I
Young Vernon recalls his early years, overhears a family secret, and declares his love for Abbots Puissants.
II
Observes his parents' argument about Aunt Nina, sensing his father's true feelings.
I
Observes his parents' scenes with silent sympathy for his father, remains quiet and thoughtful, and is teased by Uncle Sydney.
III
A young boy who walks with his father and asks earnest questions about war and death.
IV
Wide-eyed as his father says goodbye, receiving only a casual nod.
I
Vernon goes to school for the first time, showing no homesickness and adapting well, though he remains reticent.
II
Returns home from school, meets his cousin Josephine, and begins to form a friendship with her.
III
Young Vernon, who bonds with Joe and shares his dreams of a quiet life at Abbots Puissants.
IV
Vernon is bored by Nell Vereker and curious about the new Jewish family, the Levinnes.
V
Vernon is intrigued by the Levinnes' wealth, leads the trespassing expedition, and clashes with Sebastian.
VI
Leads the war against Sebastian but agrees to a truce after Joe's suggestion.
I
Vernon enjoys the secret friendship with Sebastian, defends the limits of money, and promises Sebastian he can always stay at Abbots Puissants.
II
Bidden to tea with Sebastian; finds the acquaintance amusing.
III
Struggles with grief and his mother's expectations; learns Abbots Puissants must be let.
IV
Feels betrayed by his mother's desire to leave Abbots Puissants and argues with Joe about it.
I
Lazily participates in the conversation; expresses dislike for music; blows smoke rings.
II
Visits Mrs. Levinne with Joe, agrees reluctantly to attend the Titanic Concert in Joe's place, reflects on home and his mother.
III
Undergoes a spiritual and artistic awakening, speaking passionately about music's potential and his need to learn.
I
Returns to Carey Lodge, feels depressed and alienated, announces his plan to study music at Cambridge.
II
Finds his uncle's jokes stupid and boring, thinks about musical instruments, and later confronts Myra about his father's treatment of her.
III
Feels the evening was beastly and cheap; agrees with Joe that they must get out.
I
Learns the financial reality of Abbots Puissants and resolves to reclaim it through music.
II
Feels like an outsider as the heir, misses Joe, and is pressured by his mother and uncle.
III
Deeply absorbed in his musical theories, experimenting with sounds from glasses and seeking practical knowledge of instruments; first sees Nell Vereker and is instantly smitten.
IV
Overwhelmed by Nell's beauty, feels tongue-tied and despondent about his chances with her.
V
Dances with Nell, feels ecstatic yet insecure, and arranges to meet her again.
VI
Writing to Uncle Sydney to accept the offer to join Bent's, distracted by his own affairs.
I
Vernon is mentioned as a young man who dances well and is very much in love with Nell, but he is considered a hopeless parti due to his lack of money and mortgaged estate.
II
Vernon is ecstatic after meeting Nell and confesses his love to her during a private walk. He is torn between his duty to work in his uncle's business and his passion for music.
III
Vernon is remembered by Nell as having asked her if she loved him.
I
Vernon expresses his passionate love for Nell through letters and intimate moments, but his insecurity and fear of saying the wrong thing create tension between them.
II
Insists on announcing the engagement to Mrs. Vereker, idealistic about love and poverty, fails to grasp Nell's fear of financial struggle.
III
Flustered and outmaneuvered by Mrs. Vereker's calm, ironic reasoning; he agrees to a secret engagement and is forced to accept that he must wait to marry Nell.
IV
Restless and seeking sympathy, Vernon visits Mrs. Levinne and learns of family plans for him to marry Enid.
V
Defends his engagement to Nell against his uncle's objections, feels ashamed and uncomfortable, writes a passionate letter to Nell affirming his love and patience.
I
His letter to Nell dashes hopes of help from his uncle, forcing them to wait.
I
Struggling to compose an opera while working a routine job in Birmingham; feels stale and dispirited but excited by meeting Radmaager.
Book III: Jane
Jane's connection to Vernon is highlighted, setting up their relationship.
III
Visits Jane, seeks her advice about his future, and shares his opera.
IV
The subject of Myra's worry and the discussion between Joe and Sebastian.
I
Vernon is haggard and excited, having decided to quit his job to focus on his opera. He shares the story and music with Nell, showing his intense devotion to his art.
II
Has finally taken the decisive step to leave the Bents and pursue music, feeling isolated and uncertain despite his resolve.
III
Deeply absorbed in composing his opera, indifferent to practical concerns, and unaware of Nell's growing unhappiness.
IV
His opera 'The Princess in the Tower' is discussed; Jane believes in his talent and proposes to help produce it.
I
Finishes his opera, feels despair, seeks Nell's reassurance, confronts her about George Chetwynd.
II
Proposes to Nell after letting Abbots Puissants, discusses finances, and later confronts Jane about her past.
III
Arrives late to dinner, visibly upset about Joe's elopement; argues with Nell then apologizes before leaving for the opera.
IV
Attends Jane's performance, receives Nell's breakup letter, and turns to Jane for comfort.
I
Absent during the conversation; discussed as drinking too much, unfaithful, and creatively blocked.
II
Vernon is mentioned as being upset about Jane's lost voice, but he does not know that she sacrificed her voice for his opera's opening night.
III
Hidden in Jane's flat, he is awakened by Jane, shaves, and meets Nell; they reconcile and marry immediately.
Book IV: War
Enlists and goes to war, leaving behind his loved ones and his artistic ambitions.
I
Mentioned as being on Salisbury Plain near Wiltsbury, possibly going to France; his music is admired by Sebastian.
II
Looks well in uniform; hosts lunch; reveals he must leave for war on Thursday.
III
Vernon parts from Nell, urging her to go to London or Birmingham for distraction, but she refuses; he kisses her offhandedly and leaves for war.
I
Vernon is at the front, sending terse letters and urging Nell to leave hospital work.
II
Returns on leave; shows callousness about the war, resents sentimentality; visits his mother reluctantly; confesses his obsession with music and his fear of losing it; haunted by Jane's image.
III
Mentioned in Sebastian's account as being in good spirits but refusing to face the reality of war.
IV
Writes a passionate letter to Nell expressing his love and a premonition of death; reported killed in action.
I
An escaped English prisoner of war, exhausted and traumatized, who learns of his wife's engagement to another man and deliberately steps into the path of a lorry.
III
Vernon is remembered tenderly by Nell as part of her past.
I
Appears as George Green, Mr. Bleibner's chauffeur, with no memory of his past or recognition of Jane.
II
The true identity of George Green, a composer and soldier believed dead.
III
Vernon is the subject of the conversation, having been found living as George Green, apparently happy and oblivious.
II
Vernon is the presumed-dead first husband whose return throws Nell's life into turmoil; she fears his anger and wonders if he will want her back.
III
Vernon is the patient in a therapeutic session, struggling to confront the memory of his wife's marriage announcement.
IV
Returns to Abbots Puissants as Mr. Green, recounts his war trauma and memory loss, and ultimately sacrifices his love for Nell upon believing she is pregnant.
I
Referenced as the object of Jane and Nell's conflict; previously lived with Jane.
II: Letters from Vernon Deyre to Sebastian Levinne
Writes a letter from Moscow, analyzing his fear of 'the Beast' as symbolic of his cowardice and destiny.
III
Author of the letter from Moscow, expressing his views on Russia.
IV
Narrates the letter from Moscow, exploring ideas of art, machinery, and collective identity.
V
Author of the letter from Moscow, reflecting on Dostoevsky and his childhood.
VI
Writes a letter to Sebastian from Moscow, struggling to compose music.
VII
Author of the letter to Sebastian.
VIII
The letter writer, expressing his creative frustrations and longing to produce music.
IX
Writes a passionate letter to Sebastian, articulating his radical new philosophy of music as absolute and four-dimensional.
Chapter X
Author of the letter, describing his work on instruments and his life in Russia.
Telegram from Vernon Deyre to Sebastian Levinne
Sends the telegram about Joe's illness and his travel plans.
I
Wired Sebastian about Joe's condition.
II
Mentioned as being on the Resplendent; confirmed among the survivors.
III
Confesses to saving Nell over Jane and realizing his love for Jane too late.
IV
Sits still, reflecting on his love for Jane and his fear of deep emotion.
V
In a creative frenzy, composing his opera; rejects Nell's return, stating he loves Jane.
