Mariana Givens is living in Calcutta with her aunt and uncle, and her stepson Saboor, but has been ostracised by the British community for marrying a native man, Hassan. Her relatives are insisting she return to Lahore to ask for a divorce. This means giving up Saboor, which will break her heart, but may allow her to find a British husband. Once in Lahore, however, Mariana is again drawn towards the spiritual culture of her husband's family, and begins to wonder believe she can bear to be cut off from them for ever.