The story of a young woman's growth from childhood to maturity is traced through her relationship with Hugh Farquhar whom she idolises from the first moment when, still a child, she meets him, already a mature man of the world. The development of their love for each other makes challenging and even painful demands upon them both before it reaches final fruition. This story of a spirited and talented heroine is set against the background of life in France and Germany and Italy and is rich in narrative and character. The vitality of Amelia Edwards's imagination and her vigorous dramatic sense animate the action while the book is everywhere enriched by the extraordinarily wide range of her interests and knowledge.