Život ju nesmierne fascinoval, neustále pozorovala okolie a rozmýšľala. Počas jedného ospalého leta príde do Anglicka Američanka a všetkých prebudí zo spánku – Isabel Archerová je zaujímavá žena. Všetci si to myslia. Je nezávislá, všetci si to uvedomujú. V rukách pevne drží životy všetkých, ktorých tu stretne. Ale nezmení ju nakoniec Anglicko?
After I had accepted the position and agreed to his condition, I had two or three very bad days. I was full of doubts, sure I had made a terrible mistake. I was in this state of mind as I sat in the uncomfortable coach which was taking me to my new home.
