Agnes, lost in thought walking by the river at Durham, is hailed by Charles from a rowing boat, and persuades her to join him for tea with his brother Reg. Agnes' sister, Jessie, elopes with a docker, and her father is furious. During a confrontation, he is shot dead, and Agnes inherits the family business. Charles plans to marry Agnes, but his parents are determined to stop him marrying below his class. He moves to shabby accommodation to be near her, but the dampness gives him pneumonia.

Charles has tuberculosis, but recovers enough to marry Agnes. They move to the Hall when Colonel and Mrs Farrier die, and look after the estate while Reg is at war. Reg survives the war, but is badly injured, and refuses to face the outside world. Reg plans to sign the Hall over to Charles and Agnes, but soon Agnes again faces tragedy.