Simon Peralstine, an editor from one of the six biggest publishing houses, contacts Kate Fansler and offers her the opportunity to write a biography of Gabrielle, the wife of modernist writer, Emmanuel Foxx. Kate, who is at loose ends because she has finished her magnum opus on Henry James and Thomas Hardy, grudgingly accepts the offer after reading part of a biographical sketch by Anne Gringold, a woman closely associated with Gabrielle Foxx.

During the course of her research, Kate interviews three women who were girlhood friends: Dorinda Goddard Nicholson, a wealthy woman; Anne Gringold, whose mother was a housekeeper; and Nellie, the supposed daughter of Hilda and Emile Foxx. The three women convince Kate to keep their secrets as well as Gabrielle's secrets and to edit her novel with just a short biographical note. Although this seems intellectually dishonest, Kate agrees to this charade.

Although she is...