In keeping with the peculiar forms of deferral (deferred publication, reception and sense) characterizing Forster's work, A Room with a View (1908) was the first of the six major novels that he began, though the third to appear in print. In its earlier and quite different forms (now available in the Abinger Edition as The Lucy Novels), it was called ‘Old Lucy’ and ‘The New Lucy Novel’. A Room with a View is divided into two parts. Part 1 is set in Italy and focuses on the young and inexperienced Lucy Honeychurch and her ‘uninteresting and old-fashioned’ (98) chaperoning cousin, Miss Charlotte Bartlett. Newly arrived at the Pension Bertolini in Florence, and denied ‘south rooms with a view’ (23), they are involuntarily introduced to an unconventional, lowerclass, philosophical old man called Mr Emerson and his son George, and are offered the Emersons’ rooms in lieu. Reassured by another and more evidently respectable English resident, the Rev. Mr Beebe, they accept the offer. While staying in Florence they become acquainted with other characters, including the travel-hungry Miss Alans, a bland and ludicrous chaplain called Mr Eager and an English novelist called Miss Eleanor Lavish. One day out walking in the Piazza Signoria, Lucy witnesses a quarrel between two Italian men: one of them is stabbed and dies, inches from her face. George Emerson happens to be nearby and catches her as she faints. Later there is an outing to Fiesole ‘to see a view’ (79), involving Mr Beebe, Mr Eager, the Emersons, Miss Lavish, Lucy and Charlotte. Separated from the others, Lucy falls down onto a terrace covered with violets: George Emerson is again on hand, this time seeing her ‘as one who had fallen out of heaven’ (89). He steps forward and kisses her. Indignant at this affront, she and Charlotte determine to leave Florence, returning to England via Rome.