To win Emily now appeared to be the great task, the meaning, of his life...

Vinny Tumulty is a quiet, sensible man. When he goes to stay at a small English seaside resort his task is to comfort a bereaved friend, Isabella. A past master at sympathy, Vinny looks forward to a solemn few days of tears and consolation. Then, on the evening of his arrival, he looks out of the window at sunst and catches sight of a mysterious romantic figure: a beautiful woman walking by the seashore. Before the week is over Vinny has fallen in love, completely and utterly, for this first time in his middle-aged life. But Emily is a sleeping beauty, her secluded life hiding bitter secrets from the past. How can this unlikely Prince Charming break the spell and rouse her from her dreams? First published in 1953, this is one of Elizabeth Taylor's most romantic novels, a love story, and typical too of her great talents in its quiet observation and delicate, ironic perception.