Eliza Sommers first arrived at the home of Jeremy and Rose Sommers in Valparaíso, Chile, on March 15, 1832, as an abandoned baby. Raised by Miss Rose, an English spinster, and Rose’s merchant brother, Jeremy, Eliza learns two different stories about her origins. According to Miss Rose, baby Eliza appeared on the doorstep in a fine wicker basket, with a mink coverlet, six gold coins, and a note affirming the infant’s good English lineage, despite her illegitimacy. Mama Fresia, the Sommerses’ Indian cook and housekeeper, contradicts Miss Rose’s account. Mama Fresia tells Eliza that she arrived in a crate, naked except for a man’s sweater, with no mink, no coins, and no note. The stout cook points at Eliza’s black Indian hair and warns her not to get any ideas: “You weren’t born to be a princess” (5). Despite being drawn to Miss Rose’s tale of the lavish basket, Eliza cannot accept it as truth because she recalls smelling wool and male sweat. Eliza possesses two special talents: an excellent sense of smell and a superb memory.

One and a half years before Eliza’s arrival, Jeremy Sommers emigrated from England to Chile to direct the British Import and Export Company, Ltd.