Headstrong and proud, Sophia struggles against the wishes of her family while her sister Constance - quiet, but no less passionate - accepts a future in the family draper's shop. Then, when the Wakes Week festivities are at their height, Sophia's impetuous and romantic nature leads to tragedy.

Five years have passed since John Baines died. Sophia's guilt and Constance's dutiful nature have kept both sisters at work in the family draper's shop, but Mrs Baines finds her grip on the girls threatened when both make up their minds to marry.

The sisters have escaped from their mother's domination, but find that marriage has its drawbacks. Constance adjusts to new life in her old home, while in Paris, Sophia is horrified by her husband's extravagance and selfishness.