Lord Alvarik Wernham and Harita Moore found themselves in a situation that seemed completely hopeless for both. The girl's father, the ruthlessly cruel Theobald Moore, agreed to forgive Alvarik's large family debts only on the condition of immediately marrying Harith. The downtrodden and frightened bride goes to the altar, as if to a scaffold, and on her wedding night she tries to commit suicide. Lord Wernham saves his young wife and firmly decides that giving her happiness is his duty as a gentleman, husband and just a man...