Kept in the Dark

It was published in eight monthly installments in Good Words in 1882, and also in book form in the same year.

Cecilia Holt ends her engagement to Sir Francis Geraldine because of his indifference to her; she goes abroad and meets Mr. George Western, who has been jilted by a beautiful girl.

When Western is informed of the previous engagement by Sir Francis, he leaves his wife and goes abroad; Cecilia returns to Exeter to live with her mother.

There is a comic sub-plot, often found in Trollope's work, involving one of Cecilia's friends who attempts to marry Sir Francis.

The novel is principally about duty and truth in marriage, and the relationship of a couple to society.