Harry Clavering, after a brilliant career at Oxford, was jilted by Julia Brabazon in favor of a wealthy old debauchee, Lord Ongar. After an unhappy year on the Continent, culminating in the death of her husband, the wealthy widow, accompanied by the sycophant Sophie Gordeloup and her brother Count Pateroff, established herself in London. Harry had become a civil engineer and was engaged to Florence Burton, daughter of a member of his firm. Assuming incorrectly that Lady Ongar knew of his engagement, he allowed himself to be again drawn into her circle until it became clear that she wished to renew their old engagement. The temptation was great but he resisted it. About this time Sir Hugh Clavering and his brother were drowned in a storm off the coast of Norway and Harry became the heir to the estate and married Florence.