Two women who had grown up together in Massachusetts, Daphne and Henrietta, study horticulture and biology alongside contemporaries such as Darwin during the late 1800's. Henrietta always felt that she walked in Daphne's shadow because Daphne consistently received more professional praise than her. While they are staying at a hotel in the Northeastern United States that attracts scholars and artists of all fields, Daphne delves into her professional career, whereas Henrietta instead explores her love life. Back home, Henrietta had been pursued by a man she had never been particularly fond of, and when she meets an enticing artist named Sebby, she decides to break things off. She and Sebby spend the afternoons and nights together while Daphne wows the scholars at the hotel with her intellect, working on a biological book she comes to title "Wonders of the Shore." During this time, a rift in the women's friendship begins to form because Daphne prides herself on remaining single to focus on her career and somewhat shuns Henrietta for desiring a man. Henrietta believes Daphne is jealous, but she can't piece together why. Once the research is completed, the two return to their lives, with Daphne's career bolstered by her book and Henrietta continuing to remain on the sidelines, leaving Sebby behind. Several years later, Daphne delivers a letter to Henrietta, wherein a friend of Sebby informs her that he has died. In the wake of Sebby's death, the friend is searching for homes for the various artworks he created over his lifetime. Attached to the letter is a sketchbook filled with drawings of Henrietta in various poses, and despite the fact that their love never flourished beyond the hotel, Henrietta looks back on it with fondness.