The discovery of a past indiscretion threatens the stability of a burgeoning engagement between two American expatriates in France. George Darrow, a diplomat, seeks to marry the widowed Anna Leath, but his plans are complicated by the reappearance of Sophy Viner, a young woman with whom he had a brief, impulsive affair. The narrative operates through a framework of social observation and psychological interiority, examining the collision between rigid moral expectations and individual desire. Darrow must navigate the consequences of his history while maintaining his standing within the refined social circles of the French aristocracy.

Discussion often centers on the novel's precise, analytical prose and its focus on the internal lives of its characters. Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the atmospheric setting in France, which serves as a backdrop for the complex social interactions. Critics often note the balance between the narrative's slow-burning tension and the psychological depth afforded to the central trio. The work is frequently cited for its exploration of sexual awakening and moral ambiguity, which distinguishes it from more conventional romances of the era. Many readers appreciate the way the narrative dissects the consequences of past actions on future stability.