A sheltered young man's romantic obsession leads to violence, confession, and a life-changing reconciliation with his father.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
Sheltered Medical Idealism
Wyn is introduced as a devoted medical student under Sir John's supervision. His family relationships reveal Muriel's unrequited affection and Owen's skeptical mockery.
Key Events
Wyn Studies Medicine — Wyn devotes himself to medicine under Sir John's supervision. Characters: Wyn, Sir JohnLocation: Hayward home
Muriel's Quiet Devotion — Muriel adores Wyn, but his studies leave little room for her. Characters: Wyn, MurielLocation: Hayward home
Owen Mocks Wyn — Owen ridicules Wyn's seriousness and sheltered character. Characters: Wyn, OwenLocation: Hayward home
Holiday at Lake Como — Sir John sends Wyn away to interrupt his exhausting routine. Characters: Wyn, Sir JohnLocation: Lake Como
The Lake Como Affair
Sir John sends Wyn to Lake Como, where Ray draws him into an examination and then a passionate affair. Wyn mistakes the holiday romance for a lasting emotional commitment.
Key Events
Summoned to Ray — Wyn is summoned to examine Ray for a supposed illness. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: Ray's Lake Como apartment
Unlicensed Examination — Ray pressures the unlicensed Wyn into examining her. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: Ray's Lake Como apartment
A Holiday Attraction — Ray treats earnest Wyn as an amusing distraction from resort boredom. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: Lake Como
Passionate Affair — Wyn and Ray begin a brief but passionate affair. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: Lake Como
London Disillusionment
Wyn follows Ray to London and discovers that she is involved with other men, including Lord Durhugh. His idealized love becomes obsession as Ray begins to withdraw.
Key Events
Ray Returns to London — Ray returns to her busy theatrical life while Wyn follows her. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: London theater world
Wyn Discovers Rivals — Wyn learns that Ray is also entangled with Lord Durhugh and another man. Characters: Wyn, Ray, Lord DurhughLocation: London
Wyn Becomes Obsessed — Wyn grows increasingly unstable as Ray treats him as a passing interlude. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: London
Ray Visits Hayward Home — Ray meets Sir John and Muriel, increasing emotional tension in the household. Characters: Wyn, Ray, Sir John, MurielLocation: Hayward home
Muriel Is Heartbroken — Muriel senses Wyn's connection with Ray and is deeply hurt. Characters: Wyn, Ray, MurielLocation: Hayward home
The New Year's Rage
Ray's visit to the Hayward home exposes the emotional damage surrounding Wyn, Ray, and Muriel. At the New Year's Eve party, Wyn overhears Ray's casual discussion of her affairs and attacks her.
Key Events
Ray Creates Distance — Ray tires of Wyn's intensity and attempts to distance herself. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: London
New Year's Eve Party — Wyn storms into Ray's New Year's Eve party in jealousy and humiliation. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: Ray's London apartment
Wyn Overhears Ray — Wyn overhears Ray casually discussing her affairs with other men. Characters: Wyn, Ray, Lord DurhughLocation: Ray's London apartment
The Violent Attack — In a blind rage, Wyn attacks and strangles Ray. Characters: Wyn, RayLocation: Ray's London apartment
Mercy After Misjudgment
Wyn confesses to Sir John, who attempts to sacrifice himself to protect his son. Ray is revived, and the apparent tragedy ends with Wyn and Sir John embracing.
Key Events
Wyn Confesses — Wyn returns in despair and confesses what he believes he has done. Characters: Wyn, Sir JohnLocation: Hayward home
Sir John Takes Blame — Sir John offers to take responsibility and rushes to destroy evidence. Characters: Wyn, Sir JohnLocation: Hayward home
Ray Is Revived — A doctor revives Ray, while Sir John is mistaken for the summoned physician. Characters: Ray, Sir JohnLocation: Ray's London apartment
Wyn Finds Ray Alive — Wyn arrives and discovers that Ray survived the attack. Characters: Wyn, Ray, Sir JohnLocation: Ray's London apartment
Father and Son Embrace — Wyn and Sir John embrace, relieved and changed by the ordeal. Characters: Wyn, Sir JohnLocation: Ray's London apartment
Story Breakdown
Sheltered Family World — Wyn begins within a disciplined household shaped by medicine, affection, and family criticism.
Medical Discipline — Wyn studies medicine under Sir John's watchful supervision.
Competing Affections — Muriel loves Wyn while Owen mocks his idealism.
Lake Como Escape — A holiday intended to relax Wyn instead introduces him to Ray and emotional temptation.
Ray's Summons — Wyn is called to Ray's apartment to treat a supposed illness.
Passionate Affair — Ray and Wyn begin a brief, intense romance.
London Disillusionment — Wyn follows Ray into London and discovers that their relationship means different things to them.
Other Entanglements — Wyn learns that Ray is involved with Lord Durhugh and another man.
Growing Obsession — Ray's emotional distance causes Wyn to become increasingly unstable.
Household Heartbreak — Ray's presence at the Hayward home exposes the damage caused by Wyn's fixation.
Ray Meets Family — Ray visits Sir John and encounters Muriel.
Muriel's Pain — Muriel senses Wyn's connection with Ray and is heartbroken.
New Year's Violence — Jealousy and humiliation push Wyn toward a catastrophic confrontation with Ray.
Party Confrontation — Wyn storms into Ray's New Year's Eve party.
Apparent Murder — Wyn attacks Ray and flees believing that he has killed her.
Parental Sacrifice — Sir John responds to Wyn's confession by risking his own reputation before the truth emerges.
Confession And Blame — Wyn confesses, and Sir John offers to take responsibility.
Survival And Change — Ray is revived, and Wyn and Sir John embrace after the ordeal.
Sir John Hayward, a noted surgeon, decides that his son Wyn, a medical student, needs a vacation as a temporary diversion from his studies. At Como, Wyn meets and falls in love with Rayetta Muir, an unprincipled actress who trifles with him. In London, Rayetta avoids seeing Wyn, ready to forget him. Wyn is crazed when he learns that Rayetta is intimate with both Lord Durhugh, an old roué, and Le Grand, a French boxer; and in a rage he chokes Rayetta and leaves her for dead. He then confesses to his father that he has killed her. Preparing to take the blame, Sir John, accompanied by Wyn, goes to Rayetta's apartment to find that she did not die after all. A lost film.
