Finishes The Spoils of Poynton (serialized in Atlantic Monthly April–Oct. 1896 as The Old Things; published 1897). Embarrassments (“The Figure in the Carpet,” “Glasses,” “The Next Time,” “The Way It Came”) published. Takes a house on Point Hill, Playden, opposite the old town of Rye, Sussex, for August–September. Ford Madox Hueffer (later Ford Madox Ford) visits him. Converts play The Other House into novel and works on What Maisie Knew (published Sept. 1897). George du Maurier dies early in October. Because of increasing pain in wrist, hires stenographer William MacAlpine in February and then purchases a typewriter; soon begins direct dictation to MacAlpine at the machine. Invites Joseph Conrad to lunch at De Vere Gardens, beginning their friendship. Goes to Bournemouth in July. Serves on jury in London before going to Dunwich, Suffolk, to spend time with Temple-Emmet cousins. In late September 1897 signs a twenty-one-year lease for Lamb House in Rye for £70 a year ($350). Takes on extra work to pay for setting up his house and writes the life of William Wetmore Story ($1,250 advance) and will furnish an “American Letter” for new magazine Literature (precursor of Times Literary Supplement) for $200 a month. Howells visits.

1898

“The Turn of the Screw” (serialized in Collier’s Jan.–April; published with “Covering End” under the title The Two Magics) proves his most popular work since “Daisy Miller.” Sleeps in Lamb House for first time on June 28. Soon after is visited by William’s son, Henry James Jr. (Harry), followed by a stream of visitors: future Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Annie Adams Fields, Sarah Orne Jewett, Paul Bourget, Edward Warren, Daniel Curtis and Ariana Curtis, Edmund Gosse, and Howard Sturgis. His witty friend Jonathan Sturges, a young, crippled New Yorker, stays for two months during autumn. In the Cage published. Meets neighbors Stephen Crane and H. G. Wells.

1899

Finishes The Awkward Age and plans trip to the Continent. Fire in Lamb House delays departure. To Paris in March and then visits the Paul Bourgets at Hyères. Stays with the Curtises in their Venice palazzo, where he meets and becomes friends with Jessie Allen. In Rome meets young American-Norwegian sculptor Hendrik C. Andersen; buys one of his busts. Returns to England in July and Andersen comes for three days in August. William, his wife, Alice, and daughter, Peggy, arrive at Lamb House in October. First meeting of brothers in six years. William now has confirmed heart condition. James B. Pinker becomes literary agent and for first time James’s professional relations are systematically organized; he reviews copyrights, finds new publishers, and obtains better prices for work (“the germ of a new career”). Purchases Lamb House for $10,000 with an easy mortgage.

1900