Two sisters, Margaret and Helen Schlegel, navigate the complexities of Edwardian society, striving to connect the realms of intellect and emotion, and to reconcile their progressive ideals with the pragmatic realities of the world. Their lives become entangled with the affluent and conventional Wilcox family, whose patriarch, Henry, embodies the commercial spirit of the age, and with Leonard Bast, a young, aspiring clerk struggling against poverty. As these three very different families cross paths, themes of class, wealth, personal freedom, and the meaning of "home" are explored, leading to unexpected alliances, betrayals, and a fateful connection to a beloved country house.