A Woman-Hater
The story follows a woman named Ina Klosking who is a talented singer and former rising star in Germany. She is currently in Homburg, hunting for something, though the exact nature of her quest is not revealed. Joseph Ashmead, an operatic and theatrical agent, recognizes her in the hotel's dining room and approaches her. As they talk about her past success as a singer, and Ashmead expresses his pleasure at seeing her again. Will Ashmead discover the nature of Ina's quest?