Adeline had been home two years, and her Irish sweetheart, Fitzturgis was coming to Jalna to claim her... This sets the time in the Jalna saga, and the theme as well. For the ""variable winds"" brought unexpected results, before the story plays itself out. Once again, to read a Jalna book is like reading a newsy-almost a gossipy -- family letter, with each member of the clan brought up to date. Maurice returns, on a visit from Ireland, bitter over losing his cousin to an outsider, drinking his way to forgetfulness. Patience loses her slick haired boy friend to the strange misfit cousin, Roma, who tires of him and makes a set for Fitzturgis (and wins him). And Patience finds a better mate. Christian and Philip and Archer are growing up, none too gracefully. Alayne still comes second with Renny, when Adeline is around. And before this chapter closes, the last old uncle dies, Meg marries the clergyman, Finch decides to take the bitter with the sweet and marry Sylvia Fitzturgis, and the ancient couple, Rags and his wife, take a Sabbatical. All very heart warming, but the patterns wears a bit thin.