After being falsely accused of a crime, Sophia's husband committed suicide, and then she lost her young son to pneumonia... Prior to that she'd lost her job and was now left with no money or home. So she was without prospects or any recourse when she was approached by a navy admiral with a damaged left hand. He introduced himself as Charles and his smile was so unexpectedly charming that Sophia inadvertently revealed her predicament. And so he offered her a job...as his wife!