Souls Belated is a novel written by the renowned American author Edith Wharton. The story is set in the late 19th century and revolves around two characters, Lydia and Gannett, who are both in unhappy marriages. They meet on a train and strike up a conversation, which leads to a deep connection between them. Despite their mutual attraction, they decide to part ways and return to their respective spouses.
 
However, fate brings them together again when they both find themselves at the same hotel in Germany. This time, they give in to their desires and begin a passionate affair. As they navigate their newfound love, they must also confront the societal expectations and moral codes that threaten to tear them apart.
 
Souls Belated is a poignant exploration of love, marriage, and the constraints of society. Wharton's masterful prose and vivid descriptions transport readers to a bygone era and capture the complexities of human relationships. The novel is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
 
She stayed there for a long time, in the hypnotized contemplation, not of Mrs. Cope's present, but of her own past. Gannett, early that morning, had gone off on a long walk--he had fallen into the habit of taking these mountain tramps with various fellow lodgers; but even had he been within reach she could not have gone to him just then. She had to deal with herself first. She was surprised to find how, in the last months, she had lost the habit of introspection. Since their coming to the Hotel Bellosguardo she and Gannett had tacitly avoided themselves and each other.