The Constant Wife, a comedy of manners, was written by W. Somerset Maugham in 1926 and later published for general sales in April 1927. The play tells the story of Constance Middleton, the wife of a London doctor, who feigns ignorance of her husband's infedelity. Once confronted by the spouse of her husband's lover, she denies that the affair is occuring, only to reveal to her husband and family that she has known all along. She goes on to endeavor to establish her financial independence.