This story is about Allan Wayworth, a struggling playwright, who has written a play titled "Nona Vincent." This is his first play and he is not quite sure of it's worth, nor how to go about getting it accepted and produced. But he has the strong support of Mrs. Alsager, a wealthy lady who believes in him and believes in his play. After a lengthy series of rejections, the play, with the help of Mrs. Alsager, is finally brought to the stage. Violet Grey is the young actress who is selected to play Nona Vincent. What happens then is the basis for the 2nd half of the story and I won't give that away. It's easy to see that Wayworth is the alter ego of Henry James, an aspiring playwright himself. James first play was a failure, being booed off the stage on the first night. Wayworth, and his play Nona Vincent, faired much better.