Although she lives in a house with twenty servants and the Van Ryns themselves, Miranda discovers that she can still feel lonely. Nicholas is busy managing his estate and pursuing his hobby, horticulture, and while Johanna makes feeble attempts at what one would now call "arts and crafts", she also spends a great deal of time alone in her room. At the same time, she finds comfort in being attended to by the servants and living a privileged existence, along with making good use of the music room and the library. She is also provided with a complete, tailor-made wardrobe that brings out her natural beauty and bolsters her confidence.
As the Fourth of July approaches, Miranda discovers that the festivities on the estate will include a banquet and ball, followed by a.....
