ðə nˈɑːvəl ˈoʊpənz wɪð ˈæni kˈæstiːl stˈoʊnwɔːl ɹᵻtˈɜːnɪŋ tə fˈɑːɹθɪŋɡˌeɪl mˈænɚ"fˈɑːɹði"fɚðə fjˈuːnɚɹəl ʌv hɜː fˈɑːðɚ, tɹˈɔɪ tˈæɾɚtən.
The novel opens with Annie Casteel Stonewall returning to Farthinggale Manor ("Farthy") for the funeral of her father, Troy Tatterton.