Susy Branch and Nick Lansing are typical Wharton heroes: popular attractive and much poorer
than their international set friends. Like Lily Bart in The House of Mirth the two depend on
the largesse of more privileged acquaintances to get by. Recognizing in each other a desire for
the finer things in life they decide to get married and knowing that their friends will
happily provide fabulous accommodations live rent-free on an extended honeymoon until either
one of them finds a better match--at which point they will amicably divorce and sail off into
their separate wealthier sunsets. But a romantic tour of Europe can confuse even the most
mercenary hearts. And when a friend asks for a favor in exchange for the use of her palazzo
Susy and Nick realize that everything in this sophisticated world comes at a price: one that
their hearts and consciences may no longer allow them to pay. . .
