Returning to New York City at the age of fifty-six, Spencer Brydon is immediately struck by how drastically his hometown has transformed in his absence. He left for Europe thirty-three years ago, leaving behind his family and a budding business career to chase a passion for art. Though his return is ostensibly practical, aimed at managing the properties he inherited from his deceased brothers, Spencer is equally compelled by curiosity about the changes time has wrought on the city of his youth.

A City Transformed

Upon arrival, Spencer is taken aback by the towering skyscrapers and the frenetic pace of life surrounding him. The throngs of people and the vibrant social and economic scenes are overwhelming, creating a sense of alienation in him. He no longer feels a connection to this bustling metropolis, which seems a far cry from the place he once knew.

Rekindling a Familiar Connection

In the midst of this unfamiliar environment, Spencer finds solace in rekindling his friendship with Alice Staverton, an old acquaintance. Since the passing of his parents, two brothers, and his "favourite sister," Alice remains the sole link to his formative years. She accompanies him on his visits to his properties, offering a sympathetic ear to his reminiscences. Her understanding nature makes her unique among the people he encounters, as she shares his appreciation for past connections and the complexities of his emotional responses.

The Allure of "The Jolly Corner"

Spencer is particularly drawn to his childhood home located at Fifth Avenue near Washington Square, affectionately dubbed "the jolly corner." Dividing his time between his hotel, his social club, and his properties, he considers renovating one for increased rental profits to sustain his European lifestyle. However, the sentimental value of his childhood home prevents him from converting it into a profitable apartment. Instead, he employs Mrs. Muldoon to maintain its cleanliness, keeping it vacant as a monument to his past.

The Path Not Taken

Alice muses about the life Spencer might have lived if he had never left New York. She even confides in him about dreams where she sees a different version of him—a successful real estate magnate who chose to stay. These musings resonate with Spencer, who has been contemplating the very same "what if." His move to Europe now feels like an imprudent choice, mired in what he retrospectively views as "selfish, frivolous, scandalous" indulgence. He finds himself drawn to wandering the empty halls of his old home at night, haunted by thoughts of his forfeited potential and seeking out the ghost of the man he could have been.

A Confrontation with the Self

Alice suggests that Spencer consider moving into the house permanently, a proposal that leaves him uneasy. As he explores the empty home, Spencer becomes convinced of the presence of his alter ego. Discovering a door he thought open now shut, he believes his alternative self lurks behind it. Rather than face this potential version of himself, he attempts to escape.

Yet, as he descends the staircase, Spencer's eye catches another door, ajar when it should be closed. In that moment, he confronts the specter of his alternate self—an eerie apparition dressed in elegant evening attire yet possessing a disturbingly monstrous visage. The sight of this "black stranger" causes Spencer to faint in shock.

Finding Respite

The following afternoon, Alice discovers Spencer in his stupor and revives him with tender care. Declaring her love for him, she reveals that the "black stranger" had also appeared to her in a dream. Unlike Spencer's horror, she felt compassion for this alternative version of him. As she draws Spencer close, he finds a sense of belonging, as if finally arriving home for good. This shared emotional connection with Alice provides Spencer the comfort and acceptance he had been seeking, bringing a sense of closure to his introspective journey.