The young American Daisy is travelling with her family in Europe and enjoying life. She is courted by the worldly Frederick, who, however infatuated, has his reservations about Daisy's family and their tendency to disregard society's conventions. Nevertheless, Daisy is not deterred by his or anyone else's gossip and instead allows herself to be charmed by the European men's allure.

HENRY JAMES [1843 -1916] was born in New York but emigrated to Europe early in life. He is one of the most important figures in Anglo-Saxon turn-of-the-century literature, with novels such as The American [1877] and the horror novel The Turn of the Screw [1898].