Lady Carbury finds her life entangled with the pressures of her literary career and the uncertain futures of her children. She attempts to charm editors into giving her latest book a favorable review, encourages her daughter Hetta to consider a marriage with her cousin Roger Carbury, and dreams of securing a prosperous match for her son, the reckless Sir Felix. The world of societal expectations and personal ambition creates a complex web for Lady Carbury and her family.

Unrequited Love and Betrayal

Roger Carbury harbors deep affection for Hetta, though her heart belongs to Paul Montague, Roger’s confidant. Roger had once urged Paul to sever ties with his former American fiancée, Mrs. Hurtle, citing her elusive past and scandalous rumors involving duels and gunfire. Yet, when Paul’s affections shift towards Hetta, Roger feels a profound sense of betrayal.

Sir Felix's Reckless Involvement

Sir Felix is a continual burden to Lady Carbury due to his expensive lifestyle, predominantly revolving around gambling with other wayward gentlemen at the Beargarden club. Despite his lackluster enthusiasm, he agrees to court Marie Melmotte, daughter of the influential but controversial financier, Augustus Melmotte. As Felix's courtship flounders, Marie remains captivated by him, determined to marry against her father’s wishes, who favors the well-connected Lord Nidderdale. Marie devises an elopement plan with Felix to New York, but it unravels when Melmotte’s men intercept her in Liverpool, and Felix squanders the night gambling away money meant for their escape.

Entangled in Financial Schemes

Augustus Melmotte, a man of dubious reputation, succeeds in weaving members of the British aristocracy into his financial machinations, including an ambitious railroad venture from Utah to Mexico. Paul Montague becomes an unwitting partner through his past association with Hamilton Fisker, the original mastermind behind the project. Melmotte assembles a powerless board of directors, featuring aristocrats unfamiliar with finance, such as Sir Felix and Adolphus Longstaffe. Longstaffe, unlike the virtuous Roger, is consumed by social aspirations resulting in financial turmoil.

Social Ambitions and Disgrace

To alleviate his financial burdens, Longstaffe sells his estate, Pickering, to Melmotte, naively handing over the title deeds before receiving payment. His daughter Georgiana, despite despising the Melmottes, believes her prospects for marriage rest with participating in London's social season. Shock ensues when Georgiana becomes engaged to Mr. Brehgert, a Jewish banker, prompting her family’s disapproval. At her father’s insistence, she returns home, ultimately alienating Brehgert with a tactlessly written letter, ending their engagement.

Political Ambitions and Downfall

Melmotte’s veneer of immense wealth propels him into a parliamentary candidacy, bolstered by political leaders. The peak of his campaign aligns with an extravagant dinner in honor of the visiting Chinese emperor. Despite being elected, Melmotte's reputation crumbles amid forgery accusations, specifically involving Longstaffe's son’s forged signature to claim Pickering. His brief parliamentary career does little to salvage his faltering status and fortune.

Complicated Romances

While Felix pursues Marie, he also attracts Ruby Ruggles, a Suffolk farm girl who fled to London, escaping her betrothal to John Crumb. Staying with her aunt, Mrs. Pipkin, Ruby attends music halls with Felix. Mrs. Hurtle resides in the same household, having traveled to London to rekindle her engagement with Paul. Torn between his feelings for Hetta and his guilt over Mrs. Hurtle, Paul visits Mrs. Hurtle, even spending a weekend at a seaside hotel with her. Spurred by Roger’s confrontation, Paul decisively ends things with Mrs. Hurtle, resigns from the Railroad Board, and proposes to Hetta, only for Felix to reveal Paul's past ties to Mrs. Hurtle, leading Hetta to call off their engagement.

Resolutions and New Beginnings

Mrs. Pipkin and Mrs. Hurtle convince Ruby to...