Adam Verver, a wealthy American widower, is at a country estate named Fawns. While the rest of his family attends the Sunday service at the local church, he stays at home. He plays billiards to escape from his American guests, particularly Mrs. Rance. She is a companion of the Miss Lutches, a pair of Maggie’s friends. Adam suspects that Mrs. Rance is hoping to seduce and marry him, even though she supposedly has “a husband in undiminished existence” (98). Adam remembers the first time he visited Europe following the death of his wife when Maggie was just 10. Adam had visited Europe numerous times; he and his wife honeymooned in Europe and began collecting antiques. Following his wife’s death, Adam returned to Europe—Italy, specifically—purchasing antiques for a museum. Now, he plans to put his best items on display in a special collection.

A year has passed since Maggie married Amerigo. They have a young son, nicknamed Principino, Italian for “little prince.” The family has gone to the nearby Catholic church to receive Sunday Mass, while Mrs. Rance and Miss Lutches attend the Anglican church near Fawns. Like her mother, Maggie is Catholic.