Cytherea has taken a position as lady's maid to the eccentric Miss Aldclyffe. On discovering that the man she loves, Edward Springrove, is already engaged to his cousin, Cytherea comes under the influence of Miss Aldclyffe's manipulative steward Manston. Blackmail, murder and romance are among the ingredients of Hardy's first published novel. In its depiction of country life and insight into psychology and sexuality it already bears the unmistakable imprint of Hardy's genius.