 In the story 's prologue , Sebastian <unk> is born in Devon to the 2nd Marquess of Dain and his Italian wife , Lucia <unk> . The Marquess is disgusted with the child , describing him as the " Devil 's spawn " and a " wizened olive thing with large black eyes , ill @-@ proportioned limbs , and a grossly oversize nose " . Eight years later , the tempestuous Lucia abandons her husband for her lover . <unk> by his father and told that his mother is an " evil , godless creature " , Sebastian is sent off to Eton where he is teased by his classmates over his appearance . The boy grows up learning to hide his feelings ; given no inheritance by his father , Sebastian acquires clever ways to make his fortune and uses money to <unk> get his way . 
