The story takes place in a French resort, where the main character Franklin meets a middle-aged but very beautiful woman Mrs. Palgrave. She seduces him and they make love. Mrs. Palgrave is not alone at the resort; she has arrived with her children and their nurse Heidi. When Mrs. Palgrave leaves the resort, Franklin takes notice of the lovely nurse, dates her and really enjoys it very much. But Mrs. Palgrave hates Heidi and on her return to the resort she learns about their love affair and fires her. Franklin understands that he will never see Heidi again and that he`s lost his true love forever and feels anger and hatred towards Mrs. Palgrave. Through the contrast between the two women, Mrs. Palgrave and Heidi, the author communicates his message: not all that glitters is gold.
At first sight it seems that Mrs. Palgrave is a real beauty, it is obvious that she takes great care of herself, her beauty is not natural, but is created with the help of cosmetics. Moreover, with her bright emerald suit she attracts everybody`s attention.
As for Heidi, Franklin thought that she was arrogant, but later he discovered that what he had taken for arrogance turned out to be modesty and shyness. Heidi is an example of a cold, but natural beauty. Not only her appearance, but also her behavior proves that she is an honest, good-hearted and timid person, who treats others sincerely. She loves the children and the children love her.
The story is based on the contrast between the two women: Aggressive colours and natural colours. Hypocrisy and sincerity. Seduction and shyness. Indifference to the children and love for them. Passion and true love. Besides, the author hints that sometimes it`s difficult to distinguish between real and artificial beauty but sincerity is obviously better than hypocrisy. Franklin changes during the story, but unfortunately he understands too late that he has lost his true love.
The story conveys the idea that true love and passion are not the same and appeals to the readers to be honest, modest and good-hearted to find true love which is rather spiritual than physical.