Asked to act as chaperon on a long and difficult journey across Russia, the widowed Mila de Romarin willingly accepts the chance to escape her life of penury … and in Moscow she once more meets Igor, the man who loved her twelve years ago, and who she naively refused. Now his kindness overwhelms her, but how can she expect him to forgive her youthful folly? For a long while it looks as if time has taught them nothing, and all their old mistakes must be repeated…