Young heiress, Isabel Archer, chooses not to marry. Caspar Goodwood, she rejects in America. Lord Warburton, she declines in England. When her cousin Ralph bequeaths half his inheritance to assist Isabel, all seems set for Isabel to attain the independence she desires but, she has not anticipated the influence of her friend Madame Merle and whilst visiting Italy, she falls for the charms of the dark dilettante, Gilbert Osmond. A tragic masterpiece.