Set in the late 18th century, this is an epistolary novel that revolves around Jane Talbot. The novel is written in the form of letters by Jane Talbot, to her lover, Henry Colden. The letters are significant because they reveal the innermost thoughts and feelings of Jane Talbot, a woman who struggles to balance her intense passion for Henry with her conscience, which tells her that it is foolish and potentially harmful to devote herself entirely to one person. Jane also shares her past experiences with Henry, revealing a tragic history that has shaped her views on love and relationships.