ThestorystartswiththeClearyfamilyinNewZealand:thefatherPaddy,hiswifeFee,andthechildren,themostprominentbeingtheeldestsonFrank,andtheyoungest(andonlydaughter)Meggie,whobecomesoneofthetwocentralcharactersinthestory.

　　TheymovetoDrogheda,wherePaddy'ssisterMarylives.Shehiresthemtotakecareofherestate.Maryistherichestpersoninthearea.Ralph,ahandsome,ambitiousprieststuckintheoutbacktriestobefriendher,togainhermoneyandtohelphimadvanceintheCatholichierarchy.RalphtakescareofMary'srelatives,andtakesalikingtoMeggie.

　　RalphisthecentreofyoungMeggie'slife,andRalphhasneverfeltsostronglyaboutanyothergirl.Meggieishappy,withRalphandherdearbrotherFrank.However,Frank'srelationshipwithhisfatherPaddyhasneverbeenpeaceful.Inanargument,PaddyblurtsoutthetruthaboutFrank:FrankisnotPaddy'sson.Fee,whenayoungwoman,hadanaffairwithamarriedpolitician,andtheresult,Frank,wasalreadyeighteenmonthsoldwhenPaddymarriedher.FeehadalwayslovedandgivenmoreattentiontoFrankthananyofherotherchildren.Stunned,Frankrunsawaytobecomeaboxer.

　　WithFrankgone,MeggieclingstoRalph.Marydies,andsheleavesallhermoneyinthecontrolofRalphbecauseofakindofloveshehadforhim.RalphtreatstheClearyfamilygenerously.Hepaysthemgenerouslyandmakessurethattheyarewelltakencareof.HehimselfgainstheattentionoftheChurch,andispromotedtoSydney.

　　Beforeheleaves,Meggieconfessesherloveforhim.RalphrefusesherbecauseofhisdutiesasapriestandheentreatsMeggietofindandmarryabeau.Thenheleavesher.PaddyandStuartdieinnaturaldisasters.

　　MeggiethencourtsLuke,whohasrecentlycometoDrogheda.HelooksremarkablylikeRalph,andMeggietakesalikingtohim.Hemarriesherandtakesheraway.Heworksasasugarcutter,andheleavesMeggieinapoorplacetoworkasamaid.Meggieislonelyanddistraught,andshebearsachild,Justine.Ralphvisitsheronceduringherlabour,asshewasyellinghisnameandnotLuke's.RalphwantstosaygoodbyebecauseheisleavingAustralia,butMeggieyellsandswearsathim.Heleavesheragain.

　　Meggieisgettingweakerandweaker,andthefamilysheisstayingwithpitieshergreatly.Theysendhertoaquietsummerresortforrest.RalphcomesbackonaholidaytofindMeggie.Thefamilytellshimwheresheis.HejoinsMeggie,andthenarevelationcomesoverhim.HelovesMeggiemorethanGod,andheisindeedonlyaMan,nomatterhowGodlikehehadtriedtobecome.Theyspendafewdaystogether,andheisforcedtoreturntohisposition.MeggieleavesLuke,butdoesnotdivorcehim,becausesheisnowpregnantwithRalph'sbaby.

　　ShenamesthechildDane.Feeknowswhothefatherisbecauseofherownexperience.Frankisinjailandherheartisinpieces.Meggie'srelationshipwithhermotherimproves.

　　AsDanegrowsuphewantstobeapriest.FeetellsMeggiethatwhatshestolefromGod,shehastogiveback.JustinewantstobeanactressandleavesAustraliaandseeksherdream.DanegoestoRalph,whoisnowaCardinal,butRalphdoesnotknowthatDaneishisownchild.Hetakesgreatcareofhimandbecauseoftheirresemblance,peoplemistakethemforuncleandnephew.RalphandDaneencouragetherumour,soRalph'scloserelationshipwithDaneisnotmistakenforfavoritism.

　　DanedrownsinGreece,whilstacivilwarisgoingon.Meggien