When a country is invaded and occupied for a long time, the rents that appear in human relationships are not all, or always, due to the brutality of the invader - his kindness can be equally dangerous and disturbing.

What happens to a French girl who marries a Young German, decent and well-meaning, and is taken by him to live with his German family? Suppose that he is killed, and she left alone in Germany, with her relations by marriage? What do they think of her? How does she think of herself - has she a country? Which is her country?

She has committed a fault-or a social crime -which is also a simple and natural human gesture. It may be something she ought to expiate. But perhaps nothing she can now do will be an expiation. There may be no forgiveness for her, or she may not need it.

This is a short truthful book, into which has been concentrated the clearest and fullest realization of the passions and energies involved. The suspense is bearable because it is informed by a lightness in the handling of profound emotions and actions which, far from lessening, accentuates the force and nature of the impression it makes.