Jonathan Ratcliffe is the successful manager of Affleck and Tate's engineering works. He has succeeded to this position over the head of Arthur Brett whose ancestors founded the firm, and the inevitable tension between the two men is increased when Arthur Brett finds himself attracted to Vanessa, Jonathan's daughter. She is only 16 but draws envious eyes. Angus Cotton, son of the Ratcliffe's cook, is a rough diamond and an engineer at Affleck and Tate. He has ambitious plans for his future, plans that never included Vanessa, until he is blamed by Jonathan for giving Vanessa a child. This accusation changes the whole course and pattern of the lives and the ensuing struggle of the three families. The classic relationship between a young man of humble origins and the girl from a 'higher' class creates a powerful and wholly memorable story of love, greed and honour.