Alvina Houghton the daughter of a widowed Midlands draper comes of age just as her fathers business is failing In a desperate attempt to regain his fortune and secure his daughters proper upbringing James Houghton buys a theater Among the traveling performers he employs is Ciccio a sensual Italian who immediately captures Alvinas attention Fleeing with him to Naples she leaves her safe world behind and enters one of sexual awakening desire and fl...