Kate Croy and Merton Densher are engaged in a passionate, clandestine love affair. Croy is desperately in love with Densher, but he lacks money, making him unsuitable as a mate. By chance, Croy befriends Milly Theale, a young American heiress. When Croy discovers that Theale suffers from a mysterious and fatal malady, she hatches a plan that can give all three something that they want, but at a price.

Title from container. Based on the novels by Henry James. Originally broadcast as a television motion picture in 1979.