A woman of decided opinions and ambition, Maria is considered brilliant by her admirers; Cyril is a clever, well-educated but quiet and dull man – why would these two marry and can the marriage succeed? One answer, according to the author, is “the interference of injudicious friends”. Unfortunately the “friend” has ulterior motives and uses deceit in arranging this ill-matched marriage, and the obvious problems will only increase with time. Will they ever resolve them? It will take three volumes of secrets, twists and turns to find out! (Summary by Anne Fletcher)