A short relationship between a wealthy English heir and a Russian emigrant forced to become a “night butterfly”... It seems banal... but only at first glance. Because the young Englishman is far from wanting to have fun, and his casual friend is far from wanting to empty his pockets. In essence, both of them want only one thing - understanding... Thus begins one of Maugham’s most unusual novels - a story of passionate, tragic, forgiving love, a mysterious crime, the collapse of illusions and endless human loneliness...