Little Hintock is a small town, buried deep in the woods and bypassed by civilization. Its inhabitants live a secluded, sheltered life. Their peace and calm is disturbed, however, by the arrival of three newcomers, Edred Fitzpiers, a young doctor pursuing mysterious research, Felice Charmond, a woman of social stature, and Grace Melbury, a woman born and bred in Little Hintock but isolated from the community because of her foreign education. Grace has abandoned her childhood sweetheart, Giles Winterbourne, for Dr. Fitzpiers, whom she marries. When Fitzpiers abandons her for Mrs. Charmond, Grace resumes her relationship with Giles. Upon Giles' death, Grace returns to Dr. Fitzpiers. In this sheltered community, secrets abound: Marty South, a woman ignored by Giles except as a fellow-worker, who is silent about her love for him until it is too late and he is dead, Giles, who endures his love for Grace in silence until it is impossible for either of them to take advantage of it, and Mrs. Charmond, who seeks solace in curtained rooms from the pain of frustrated emotions and the passing years. The inhabitants of Little Hintock, The Woodlanders, are like their trees--some are ancient and soon to be cut down, others are younger, but still equally firmly rooted here.