Maggie Verver, a rich American, is to marry an impoverished Italian Prince. The subsequent events are studied in fascinating depths by Henry James in this the last of his full-length novels.
Maggie and the Prince are now married and have a son. They are staying with Mr Verver at Fawns, his country house.
Charlotte, Maggie's dearest friend, has married Mr Verver. The two couples have now settled into their houses in London and spend much time together.
The continuing closeness of Mr Verver and his daughter has brought Charlotte and the Prince together and Fanny Assingham is concerned about their ambiguous relationship.
Maggie has begun to feel uneasy about her father's marriage and her own. She decides to try to avert the danger which she senses.
Fanny has smashed the Golden Bowl saying she considers Charlotte and the Prince above suspicion. Maggie now faces the Prince with the remains of the Bowl.
