Volume One, Book Second, Chapters 1-2 Summary

At the opening of the second book Adam Verver is alone at the Fawns, his summer home. There are ladies visiting in his home whom he believes are vying for his attention. He considers marriage now because his daughter, Maggie, is now married. This chapter explores the current state of the relationship between Maggie, the Prince and himself. It also gives background on Mr. Verver's first wife and the mistakes he made while married to her. He assumes that if his wife had not passed away, she would have led him farther and farther away from his studies and his collections.

In Chapter 2 it is noted that his time with his first wife perhaps brought Mr. Verver into a period better than that before his marriage. He is happy as he plans his...