The American Summary

In 1868, affluent American industrialist Christopher Newman, weary of business rivalry, relocates to Europe intending to find a wife to augment his fortune. During a visit to the Louvre, he is captivated by a painting being replicated by a young French woman, Noémie Nioche, purchasing the piece for a significant sum. An encounter with his old friend from the Civil War, Tom Tristram, leads to a meeting with Tristram's wife and her suggestion of a potential bride, Claire de Cintré, a widow from the noble Bellegarde family. Newman is charmed by Claire and seeks to court her, but his initial visit is blocked by an intimidating authority figure in the Bellegarde household. Later, Newman assists Noémie's destitute father by commissioning more paintings, however, Noémie states she only desires a financially advantageous marriage.

Newman, urged by Mrs. Tristram to travel for the summer, returns with renewed resolve to win Claire's hand. He forms a close friendship with Claire's brother, Valentin, who reveals Claire's previous marriage was forced for financial gain. Newman expresses his desire to marry Claire to Valentin, who pledges his support for the union. Newman's candid proposal to Claire, although initially met with hesitation, is accepted on the condition that he does not discuss marriage for six months. His marriage intentions are later revealed to the matriarch of the Bellegarde family, the Marquise, who, although taken aback by his candidness, takes his proposal under consideration.

Newman’s courtship of Claire continues, even as rumors swirl around Noémie's behavior, and his proposal is finally accepted after the six-month waiting period. However, his joy is short-lived as Claire suddenly calls off their engagement due to pressures from the Marquise and her other son, Urbain. Upon learning that the Bellegardes plan to marry Claire off to the wealthy Lord Deepmere, Newman, heartbroken, hurries to Switzerland where Valentin lies fatally wounded from a duel. On his deathbed, Valentin reveals a scandalous secret about the Bellegardes that could provide Newman with a means for revenge. When his threats to expose the family's secret falls on deaf ears, and his attempt to rescue Claire from her life as a nun fails, Newman destroys the incriminating evidence against the Bellegardes and returns to America, leaving his European endeavors behind.