That Hideous Strength

Mr. Denniston meets Jane at the gate and brings her into the manor, where she meets Ivy (Mrs. Maggs) and Camilla. They are then joined by Miss Ironwood and Mother Dimble, and Jane tells them how she had a dream about a bearded man in a dark place, and that she saw the man with the pince-nez in town, which caused her to come to St. Anne’s. The group affirms that they were right in their speculations: that the “enemy” is indeed at Belbury, and that they want something in Bragdon Wood. Miss Ironwood shoes Jane a picture of a Mr. Augustus Frost, and Jane confirms that this is the man she saw in town. She also agrees to meet with the Director, Mr. Fisher-King. While Denniston goes to tell the Director about Jane and see if he will meet with her, Miss Ironwood tells Jane that the Director will appear young, but he is in fact very old. He has traveled to places no one else has and, because of this, has hurt his leg. He is in a lot of pain because of his leg. They then take her to see the Director, and Jane gives herself a pep talk so as not to be duped into doing something she doesn’t want to.