The novel is set in London during World War II. Louie, a married young woman, attempts to flirt with Harrison, an English counterspy. Harrison rejects her, as he is in love with another woman, Stella. However, Stella does not love him, and instead longs to be with another man, Robert Kelway.
Harrison attempts to blackmail Stella into being his lover, by stating that Robert is a spy for the Germans, and he will reveal his status unless she does so. However, Stella rejects this and continues her relationship with Robert.
Stella’s son, Roderick, comes to visit her whilst on leave from his military training. He had recently inherited an Irish estate, Mount Morris, from his uncle Francis. Stella and he go to Mount Morris where they discuss her previous relationship and later divorce, with his father.
Stella then she implores Robert for the truth about Harrison’s claims, which he denies. He proposes to her and the two are married.
Later, when Stella is invited to dinner with Harrison, he threatens to reveal Robert as a spy. However, he is left hurt and disgusted when she offers to have sex with him in exchanging for saying nothing.
Robert later reveals that he is indeed a German spy, and though she feels betrayed, Stella still loves him. He commits suicide by jumping off a building, leaving Stella distraught.
