The Ninth Duke of Hastings rejoices at the birth of his son and heir, Simon Basset. The extremely rich and powerful duke is obsessed with continuing his family line. After several miscarriages, his wife disregarded medical advice to conceive Simon, believing it was her duty to provide an heir. The Duke rides off to celebrate as the duchess dies of complications from childbirth.

The Duke takes little interest in his son’s infancy but grows concerned when he realizes the four-year-old Simon is still not speaking despite being able to read. When the Duke threatens violence, Simon, with great effort, asserts, “D-d-d-d-d-d-d-don’t you h-h-h-h-h-h-hit […] me” (7). The duke ridicules Simon for his speech disability and insists that his family line is cursed. By the time Simon is eight, his speech has significantly improved, except when he is under stress. At 11, Simon decides to confront his father, who lives separately in London.

When Simon arrives, the butler is shocked to learn Simon is not dead as he had been told. Simon confronts his father with support from his nurse. Overcome with emotion, he manages to declare, “I am your son” (13) but the Duke orders him away.