English aristocrat Tony Last welcomes tragedy into his life when he invites John Beaver to visit his vast estate. There Beaver makes the acquaintance of Tony's wife, Brenda. Together, they continue their relationship in a series of bedroom assignations in London. Trusting to a fault, Tony is unaware that anything is amiss until his wife suddenly asks for a divorce. With his life in turmoil, Tony goes on a haphazard journey to South America.

An English widow goes to Italy, falls in love with a dentist's son and marries him, against her straitlaced family's wishes.

Charles Ryder, an agnostic man, becomes involved with the Flytes, a Catholic family of aristocrats, over the course of several between the two world wars.