An urbane commercial emissary returns to London for a summer interlude and becomes involved in the social and romantic affairs of his circle, especially the engagement of a young woman to her suitor. The narrative moves through country-house recollections, city society, a voyage to Venice, and episodes of intrigue and unrest, as the narrator observes shifting loyalties, private strategies, and personal growth. The episodic story traces how everyday manners, social expectations, and unexpected events alter relationships and prospects over the ensuing years.