In which a quiet corner of a London drawing-room is suddenly suffused with new light as dear Anna receives unexpected letters from a departed uncle, bestowing upon her a small estate and the promise of independence; and though the exact location of her future is vaguely known—somewhere distant and German—the prospect kindles in her a radiant hope and sudden resolve. Meanwhile, her family and companions, together with a schoolgirl burdened by study, reflect quietly on the curious turns of fate and the intricate weaving of obligation, education, and dreams that shape their lives.