Characters which are more or less symbolic of those who aspire to power and those who are born to be ruled meet in Nevilton, a village in Wessex. Lacrima Traffio, a pariah living with the Romers, the dominant family of Nevilton, becomes the victim of their schemes to force her into a repellent marriage. She loves Maurice Quincunx, a hermit who lacks both means and force to brave a struggle. Gladys Romer, her cousin, unfriendly to Lacrima, becomes engaged to Ralph Dangelis, a wealthy American.