THE STORY: Leonie Frothingham is a rich woman, who cannot see that the old order has been displaced by a new era. Leonie’s daughter, Paula, makes an effort to adjust herself to a world in which economic inequality has caused deep unrest. She is engaged to a penniless young radical, Will Dexter. Leonie, estranged from her husband, is captivated by Dr. Rice, a brilliant psychoanalyst. But Paula then reveals to Leonie that Rice made love to her as well. In the end Leonie finds herself alone, realizing that her wealth can’t give her happiness. Paula is forced to the same conclusion when Will tells her that until he earns a position of his own, he will not marry her. Yet these women are not left entirely without hope, for Leonie will undoubtedly find in the brilliant young Dennis someone to lean upon, and Paula may see her problem through, too. Leonie’s estranged husband, Sam, who at last gets divorce and marries again, comes into the story, showing us the viewpoint of a man who married first for money, and then broke away in order to achieve independence and some degree of happiness.
“It is wholly captivating.” —The New York Times.
