Chapter 8: June 1898 Summary

Mrs. Florence Lett visits Henry, and they discuss the suicide of their mutual friend, the novelist, Constance Fenimore Woolson. During their conversation, Mrs. Lett's daughter enters the room, climbs on Henry's lap, and falls asleep. Henry feels great affection for her at this moment, and feels pleased to be trusted by the young girl. When Mrs. Florence Lett and her daughter depart from his company, this happiness ruminates with Henry, but also mixes with the reflection that Constance Fenimore Woolson was his closest friend and now she is dead.

In Rye, Henry hires two servants to compliment the staff he has brought with him from London. These new faces are a maid named Fanny and an ugly but enthusiastic young man named Burgess Noakes, who performs whatever duties might be required. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Henry's butler and cook, accompany him...