US tale of love, jealousy, murder and the supernatural. An American artist discovers the long-missing final masterpiece of his French ancestor in the home of a US family met on a sketching tour. It is painted over and while trying to restore it he falls in love with the daughter of the house. They marry and he finds himself gripped by mad jealousy - finally murdering his wife - and thus discovering the secret hidden in the old painting ... Well-written and paced tale of obsession. (PB)