aaaFrancisAshby,aseniorOxforddononholidayaloneintheAlps,meetsholidayingAmericanCarolineandhercompanionElinor,theblossomingIrish-Americangirlsheadoptedmanyyearsbefore.Ashbyfindsheenjoystheircompany,particularlythatofElinor,andboththewomenaredrawntohim.BackatOxfordheisneverthelesstakenabackwhentheyarriveunannounced.WomenarenotallowedintheCollegegrounds,letalonetherooms.Indeedanyliaison,howeverinnocent,isfrownedonbytheupstandingFellows