Book One: The Romantic Egotist

           AmoryBlaineinheritedfromhismothereverytrait,exceptthestrayinexpressiblefew,thatmadehimworthwhile.Hisfather,anineffectual,inarticulatemanwithatasteforByronandahabitofdrowsingovertheEncyclopediaBritannica,grewwealthyatthirtythroughthedeathoftwoelderbrothers,successfulChicagobrokers,andinthefirstflushoffeelingthattheworldwashis,wenttoBarHarborandmetBeatriceO’Hara.Inconsequence,StephenBlainehandeddowntoposterityhisheightofjustundersixfeetandhistendencytowaveratcrucialmoments,thesetwoabstractionsappearinginhissonAmory.Formanyyearshehoveredinthebackgroundofhisfamily’slife,anunassertivefigurewithafacehalf-obliteratedbylifeless,silkyhair,continuallyoccupiedin"takingcare"ofhiswife,continuallyharassedbytheideathathedidn’tandcouldn’tunderstandher.

           ButBeatriceBlaine!Therewasawoman!Earlypicturestakenonherfather’sestateatLakeGeneva,Wisconsin,orinRomeattheSacredHeartConvent—aneducationalextravagancethatinheryouthwasonlyforthedaughtersoftheexceptionallywealthy—showedtheexquisitedelicacyofherfeatures,theconsummateartandsimplicityofherclothes.Abrillianteducationshehad—heryouthpassedinrenaissanceglory,shewasversedinthelatestgossipoftheOlderRomanFamilies;knownbynameasafabulouslywealthyAmericangirltoCardinalVitoriandQueenMargheritaandmoresubtlecelebritiesthatonemusthavehadsomecultureeventohaveheardof.