'I was foolish enough to think that I was strong enough, and cheerful enough by nature, to avoid unhappiness.I was not yet old enough to see that I was in error.'Alan Sherwood is a cautious, solitary London solicitor who finds himself obsessed by his glamorous cousin Sarah.But Sarah is self-seeking and predatory and their short-lived affair leaves Alan desolate.He finds distraction in Angela, a homely, needy acquaintance of Sarah and they drift into marriage.Alan, however, is haunted by his memories of Sarah, and, attempting to recapture the wordless passion of their time together, he arranges a final meeting.It is an act of betrayal that changes his life for ever.