Lady Slane has escaped the clutches of her family. Now the tenant of Mr Bucktrout's house at Hampstead, she sets about creating a new home for herself and Genoux. An unexpected visitor, however, disturbs the calm by confronting Lady Slane with the errors of her past.

After more than half a century as a dutiful and loving wife, Lady Slane revels in the company of her new-found friends. But FitzGeorge has one last surprise in store for her, leaving a problem which only she can resolve.