"Are you repelled by the sight of a middle-aged woman in love with a man years younger? Some people are." When a young Eastern attaché takes a more than friendly interest in a high-ranking but mature lady member of the British diplomatic staff, Dawnay's department is alarmed—especially as her briefcase contains classified information. In a background of Civil Service intrigue and vicious gossip-mongering, Dr. James Austen tries to restore some sanity in an attempt to stop the Juggernaut of the Establishment from crushing the private lives of ordinary people.