Nowhere in the prodigious output of Howells' work is there a more poignant example of his heartfelt dedication to the Realist movement than in this achingly suspensful novella. A young psychologist meets a woman, who, in subsequent encounters, has no recollection of him. The doctor then launches a psychological investigation which appears to be based on the most painful memories of the author himself. In a surprising end, the author reveals his deft craftmanship and his faith in the power of literature.
