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.

While the Franco-Prussian War rages and Paris itself is besieged, Sophia is forced to fend for herself. The values of her upbringing in Bursley come to Sophia's aid as she begins a new way of life.