Two Years Ago, Volume I

In a quiet autumn that follows a storm of war and disease, two old friends meet in Whitbury, Berkshire, to recount the strange, sad moment that began two years ago. Their conversation drifts from the hum of the countryside to a personal crisis that has shaped each of their lives, offering a gently unfolding portrait of a time when work and survival eclipsed reflection.

One companion is Claude Mellot, a delicate‑featured artist whose soft curls and thoughtful demeanor make him instantly memorable. The other is a taller, aristocratic‑looking merchant from the Model Republic, whose polished speech and keen political interest reveal a world of ambition and moral debate. Their dialogue swings between casual observation of a French election and a heated exchange about the looming struggle over slavery, hinting at the larger forces that will test their friendship.

The opening promises an intimate, character‑driven story that intertwines personal regret with the era’s social upheavals, inviting listeners to linger on the delicate balance between private hope and public turmoil.