Beautiful Lady Brenda Last lives at Hetton Abbey, a Gothic monstrosity that is the pride and joy of her devoted husband, Tony. Bored and restless after seven years of marriage, she drifts into an affair with the shallow socialite John Beaver and forsakes Tony for the glamorous Belgravia set. But, instead of her divorce bringing her happiness, Brenda feels increasingly isolated. Tony, meanwhile, in his desire to escape their broken marriage, is propelled towards a different fate entirely . . .