The American

by Henry James

Christopher Newman is a somewhat gauche American businessman who came to tour Europe, meets up with an old friend from the Civil War, and experiences the good, the bad, and the ugly of the French upper class. Does he stand a chance to marry Claire de Cintré, an extremely proud and inaccessible lady (and very French to boot!)? Published as a series in The Atlantic Monthly (1876–77).

Portrait by Elisabeth-Louise Vigee Le Brun of Marie Gabrielle de Gramont, Duchesse de Caderousse, 1784

Chapter I