Mr. Vane

The novel's protagonist and narrator, Mr. Vane (given name never mentioned), is orphaned in early childhood, grows up in unnamed boarding schools, and has recently finished Oxford University as the novel opens. He has specialized in the physical sciences and prefers the pioneers of science—Ptolemy, Dante, Francis and Roger Bacon, and Robert Boyle—to men more his contemporaries, e.g., Charles Darwin or James Clerk Maxwell. Vane is most interested in coordinating science with the metaphysical. Vane shows familiarity with the writings of Shakespeare and sufficient familiarity with the Judeo-Christian scriptures to be able to quote or paraphrase the most famous parts. He evidences no formal religion.

Having completed his education, Vane returns to take possession of the family house which, like his family line, dates back centuries. He spends most of his time in the great room of the library, which is dominated...