Summary

Two hours later, the carriage pulls up in front of Rosencreutz’s house. When his servant grabs her, she elbows him in the mouth, shrugs him off, and steps out of the carriage on her own. The house is a gothic-style mansion set in the woods, although it is new in construction. It is red brick, covered in young ivy, and bears a star and crescent above its turrets. Inside, as well, the house is built in an old-fashioned style, with stone floors, recessed lights, and a giant stone replica of the winged phallus. Fevvers points out that it seems as if she’s been magically pulled into an earlier age.

In a large, paneled room, Rosencreutz sits, reading a large book, “like a Bible.” He is bald, and is wearing a long white robe, tied at the waist with a rope. She greets him...