On the brink of adulthood, Linda Radlett and her beloved cousin Fanny Logan are stuck in the countryside, impatiently waiting for life to begin so they can escape the confines of Alconleigh.

Although both Linda and Fanny are now married, their lives couldn't be more different. Fanny embraces motherhood and tries to fulfil her role as a `good' wife to Alfred.

Fanny's put out to find that Linda has once again fallen head over heels in love, and is openly living as Fabrice de Sauveterre's mistress.