Compulsive and well-paced. WILTSHIRE TIMES In a West Country village a baby girl is born, the fifth child of an impoverished labourer. For little Blanche the future appears bleak, until her mother is summoned to 'the big house' to nurse Marianne, the motherless daughter of John Savill. The two girls are brought up together, caring for each other as sisters, though Blanche is never allowed to forget her humble beginnings. Sixteen years later, her friendship with Marianne remains the one constant in her life - until she meets Marianne's intended husband, with tragic consequences for them all...