The family of the French Count of Fontaine-Delibes visited the English branch of their family from time to time. Minella Maddox became friends with the count's daughter, Margot. Unwittingly, she has to cover up some of the sins of the frivolous Frenchwoman, and the count gets the wrong impression about her. Fontaine-Delibes is unhappily married and hopes to have an affair with his daughter's friend. Minella finds him both repulsive and attractive at the same time. They were united by the dangers they experienced together during the revolution.