Old Tom Ravensden comes from Paris to the small riverside town of Evening to live near his only relative, Silas Ravensden, and it soon becomes apparent that the marriage of this beloved nephew is far from being ideal.

Silas's exceptionally beautiful wife Sigtuna is something of an enigma. She has already had two husbands, and when her wealthy, crippled father dies suddenly Ravensden's suspicions are aroused.