Isa Oliver

Isa Oliver is the wife of Giles Oliver, mother to two young children (including George, and an infant daughter), and daughter-in-law to Mr. Oliver, patriarch of Pointz Hall. She is staying at Pointz Hall for the summer. She has become emotionally estranged from Giles due to Giles's infidelity with Mrs. Manresa (and perhaps others). She must constantly remind herself that Giles is the "father of my children" in an effort to downplay or repress his behavior. She is keeping the marriage together chiefly because of the children.

She is physically attracted to a local (and married) farmer, Mr. Haines, though she does not act on her feelings for fear of the consequences. Still, she feels "lighter than air" when around Haines and must restrain her feelings, though simultaneously she is anxious for her next occasion to be near Haines. She is also attracted to a man known...