In the tradition of Scarlett O'Hara, Zuleika Dobson's allure lies not only in her physical beauty but also in her enchanting charm. After leaving her job as a governess, Zuleika visits her grandfather, the Warden of Judas College in Oxford. She falls in love for the first time with the Duke of Dorset, who is so overwhelmed by his emotions that he proposes to her on impulse. However, Zuleika rejects him, believing that true love can only come from someone who is immune to her enchantment.
As the Duke contemplates suicide, Noaks, another Oxford student who is infatuated with Zuleika, joins him in his plan. Soon, the entire student body is caught up in the madness, willing to die for Zuleika's love. The Duke realizes the danger of Zuleika's power and resolves to stop the suicides by refusing to kill himself. However, he is haunted by the sight of two black owls, which he interprets as a bad omen of his fate.
Despite her charm causing chaos at Oxford, Zuleika becomes intrigued by her power and asks the Duke to shout her name as he jumps to his death in the river. The Duke, dressed in the robes of the Knight of the Garter, leads the students in mass suicide, except for Noaks who eventually kills himself. In a strange encounter with her grandfather, Zuleika learns that he too had been an enchanter in his youth.
With her heart still untouched by love, Zuleika leaves Oxford for Cambridge University. The story of Zuleika Dobson is a unique and haunting tale of the dangers of enchantment and the power of love.
