From the book: When Rose Panton went aboard the little ship Suzette for a cruise in the peace and the warmth of the Mediterranean,she had every excuse for repeating the well-worn phrase about how small the world is. For the navigator of the ship which was to carry her to serenity was apparently only too well aware of her tragic marriage, ended too soon by her husband's death, had been prejudiced against her by her in-laws and disapproved of her. Despite Maxwell's disapproval, he appeared interested enough in Rose to dislike her obvious sympathy for the captain of the Suzette;and Rose dared hope he was not quite so immune to her charms as he liked to pretend. Yet the barrier was still high when a fateful adventure overtook all the members of the party aboard the ship,and resolved more destinies than Rose and Max's alone.