# Mr. Colville — Indian Summer character guide > Mr. Colville in Indian Summer by William Dean Howells. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Colville, Theodore Colville, poor Mr. Colville, Dear Mr. Colville, Bostonians Colville **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A wry, forty-one-year-old American returning to Florence after seventeen years, caught between the youth he thought he'd lost and the middle age he isn't ready to claim. ## Who they are Colville arrives in Florence a bachelor of rueful humor and unspent feeling, drifting into Mrs. Bowen's circle and the flattering attention of younger women. He is acutely self-aware about his age, his looks, and the absurdity of late romance, yet he cannot stop hoping that happiness might still be his. His indecision between memory and possibility drives the novel's central knot of courtship and self-reckoning. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/i) Returns to Florence after many years; feels disillusioned and disconnected from the city's charms; reflects on his past career as a journalist and his broken heart. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/ii) Reflects on his past and his return to Florence; engages in conversation with Mrs. Bowen and Effie. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/iii) Attends Mrs. Bowen's reception, reflecting on his past and his present appearance at age forty-one. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/iv) Engages in witty conversation with Imogene Graham, discussing youth, age, and American identity. Feels a deep sense of satisfaction sitting by the fire with Mrs. Bowen and Imogene. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/v) Falls asleep with a flattered sense after his first successful evening; wakes to a religious procession; attends Mrs. Bowen's Thursday reception and is drawn to Imogene and Effie. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/vi) Attends the dancing party reluctantly, feels old and out of place, becomes bored and moody, and later reflects bitterly on his past. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/vii) Walks with Imogene and Effie, reflects on his age and the distance from youth, later discusses Savonarola with Mr. Waters, and feels a mix of amusement and compassion toward Imogene. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/viii) Takes charge of Carnival outings, reflects on expatriate life, and becomes a frequent visitor at the Palazzo Pinti, bringing flowers and reading poetry. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/ix) Dances with Imogene, makes a secret pact to be younger, feels guilt over Mrs. Bowen's absence, and reflects on past love. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/x) Visits Palazzo Pinti feeling defiant; attempts to apologize to Mrs. Bowen for his behavior at the veglione; entertains Effie with a story about San Miniato. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xi) Reflects on his behavior, visits Mr. Waters, confronts Mrs. Bowen, and decides to leave Florence. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xii) Struggles with his decision to leave Florence, financial embarrassment, and his feelings for Mrs. Bowen and Imogene Graham. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xiii) Engages in philosophical dialogue with Rev. Mr. Waters, reflects on failure and nature, receives and declines Mrs. Bowen's invitation, decides to leave Florence on Monday. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xiv) Colville is conflicted about leaving Florence; he is persuaded by Imogene to stay and agrees to a conditional bond. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xv) Colville awkwardly formalizes his understanding with Imogene, feeling deep humiliation and guilt. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xvi) Defends Mrs. Bowen to Imogene, becomes enemies with Mrs. Bowen after she rebukes him, then agrees to keep the engagement secret. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xvii) Attends numerous parties, dances with Imogene, is treated as an older man, overhears criticism of his coat, and discusses Mrs. Bowen's unhappiness with Imogene. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xviii) Confides his engagement to Imogene to Mr. Waters, expressing fears about the age gap and Imogene's illusions; shows jealousy toward Mr. Morton and remains oblivious to Mrs. Bowen's coldness toward Imogene. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xix) Engages in a frivolous debate with Imogene about earnestness and reading; later confronts Mrs. Bowen about her treatment of him. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xx) Feels burdened by the silence and tension in the carriage, tries to entertain the party with talk and jokes, and is troubled by Imogene's behavior and Mrs. Bowen's snubs. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxi) Recovering from his accident, he learns of Imogene's change of heart and releases her from their engagement. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxii) Confesses his love for Mrs. Bowen and his regret over the broken engagement with Imogene Graham; struggles with self-reproach and indecision. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxiii) Dresses in new summer clothes, visits Mrs. Bowen, proposes to her, and is rejected. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xxiv) Marries Mrs. Bowen, accuses her of never intending to drive him away; spends summer in Palazzo Pinti, then moves to Rome; expresses hope that Imogene will marry Mr. Morton. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters/colville - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/characters