Eliza Ferraby, farmer's daughter, wife and helpmeet to prosperous ironmaster Josiah Ferraby, has seen a lot of changes in her life already. She did not ever anticipate falling in love herself with Clorinda Cathcart, the mistress she urged Josiah to take when her own state of health precluded marital relations. Nor did she expect to move in the exalted circles Clorinda's connexions have brought them into. Now, Eliza's health entirely restored, their business prospering, a loving triad established, the Ferrabys have adopted Flora, Clorinda's daughter by Josiah: and life, following the upheaval caused by Clorinda's pregnancy and the need to conceal it, seems to be settling down into a new routine. But there are still dramatic events to come...