The novel flashes back to 1901, when Evelyn is about to turn 21 years old and arrives in Florence for the first time. She checks into a boardinghouse and is happy to have a room with a view. At the boardinghouse, she meets two elderly twins named Bernadette and Blythe Brown, as well as the poet Constance Everly. She also meets a reverend and a man named Mr. Collins. She dines with this group and develops friendships with them; Evelyn is astounded by her view and describes it with intense imagery to the others. She strolls around the city, looking at the artwork. She admires the beauty of the Italian women around her, but her thoughts return to the beautiful maid in the boardinghouse, Livia.

Constance takes Evelyn on a tour of the city’s art, and Evelyn is moved to breathlessness by the nude sculpture of a woman.

The boardinghouse celebrates Evelyn’s 21st birthday. Livia gives her a violet, which Evelyn keeps as she lusts after Livia. Soon, Evelyn and Livia fall in love. In order to be together privately, Evelyn and Livia pretend to engage in Italian lessons together. They carry on their relationship in secret, though others in the boardinghouse notice Evelyn’s happiness.