At Roissy, O's lover whips her and uses her mercilessly - O adores him. Her lover offers O to others - she worships him. Then he gives her away to the cold and stern Sir Stephen - and O falls in love at last. When Sir Stephen puts her to work in a brothel, O faces new challenges. What is there in the world to tempt a young woman who has explored the limits of suffering, and love, and ecstasy? What does she want now? Power to rule women, power to break men. Power to wield the whip as well as revel in its sting.