Miranda first comes to Heidelberg, Germany as a college student studying abroad. During her time there, she lives in a Baroness' house, along with an extraordinarily rich older man named Ian Ferguson, whose money comes from a family ranch in Texas. He left the family business and now travels the world, seeing all the great sights, though he never thinks critically about them. The Baroness and Ian have a close relationship; he enjoys being kind to her, and she always makes a fuss over him. Later, Miranda thinks it odd that he chooses to always return to the Baroness’ house, who has since fallen out of her wealth but maintains her pride in constant stories about her glorious past. Now on a trip to Heidelberg many years later, Miranda looks through the phone book and finds Ian's name. She decides to phone Ian and he invites her to tea. When she arrives, she’s shocked to find that the Baroness is still alive and remembers her well. Ian has spent all his money and now lives a similarly impoverished life to the Baroness. Both still play their superficial game of gracious living, which horrifies Miranda and she decides never to return.