Trapped in an unhappy marriage with a boorish, inattentive, and socially ambitious husband, Julie de Chaverny enjoys a flirtatious dalliance with the elegant Major de Chateaufort. However, the sudden reappearance of an old admirer who has returned from Turkeyalong with a tale of breathtaking derring-do and chivalry to add to his charmsreawakens in Julie a forgotten passion. She pursues a rash and dangerous course of action, one that will have tragic consequences.