Conrad's last novel set in Genoa in early 1815. This is the story of Cosmo Latham -- an Englishman and veteran of the late war against Napoleon, looking to see what he was unable to see earlier, and perhaps even get a glimpse of the Emperor himself. But, when he finds a girl from his youth, formerly Mlle Adele D'Armand, and now Mrs. Helion de Montevesso, he finds that his emotions can get the better of him.