Ellen and Max marry in Egypt in the throes of wild passion, after a brief acquaintance, but there is danger and Ellen must return to England without Max. They lose contact, and when Ellen's solicitors try to find the marriage documents they cannot, so Ellen pretends to be a widow and makes a new life for herself and her child in Harrogate, where Max finds her by chance. He cannot forgive her for deserting him.

Max's unreasonableness in blaming Ellen's desertion for everything bad that has happened to him since is the only thing keeping the two of them apart, and not nearly a good enough reason, so I found the book tiresome. Wake up to yourself, Max! ( )