Volume One, Book Third, Chapters 1-4 Summary

In Chapter one Charlotte is alone at a party. Both Maggie and Mr. Verver have not come and have instead stayed at home together. Charlotte is beautifully dressed and made up, and is proud of the person she has become. The Prince meets Charlotte where she stands and she allows him to escort her. Meanwhile Colonel Assingham watches over the scene from a balcony above. Charlotte asks the Prince to stay near her because she wants Fanny, also, to see the two of them together. When Fanny does see the two of them, she begins to question Charlotte why they are their without their spouses. Charlotte infers to the gossip that Maggie would rather be with her father than with her own husband. She tells Fanny she believes Maggie actually arranged the circumstances...