There is Alec Dillworth, the brilliant, wayward editor, continually haunted by his sordid upbringing, and his sister Elsie, a lovely talented girl whose life has been scarred by tragedy. There is Grace, cool and beautiful, heiress to part of the Dunkerley fortune, who contrasts sharply to her great friend Hesba Lewison, one of Dunkerley's main contributors. Hesba too has had a tough, unhappy childhood, and at 22 her experiences of life are reflected in her brooding face and dark passionate eyes.