In The Dark Flower, Galsworthy presents a profound exploration of love and desire. As spring heralds new beginnings, Lennan finds himself captivated by a love that is tantalizingly out of reach—a forbidden romance that challenges his very essence. As he navigates the complexities of life, he experiences two contrasting types of love one that offers comfort and companionship, and another that is wild, passionate, and fraught with peril. Ultimately, Lennan settles into a seemingly safe marriage, but the thrill of danger resurfaces with the arrival of a young mistress. He must confront a pivotal choice between the familiar and the exhilaratingly new, leading to a poignant climax as he witnesses the fragile carnation succumb to flames. - Summary by Lynne Thompson