Dean Maitland John Longden a young man in orders and engaged to a woman is involved in a tragedy to reveal the details of which would ruin his career The Dean denies responsibility for both the pregnancy of his lover Alma Lee Charlotte Francis and the death of her father whom it turns out was enraged at the Deans behaviour attacked him and was killed in a fall His friend Dr Everard John Warwick is found guilty of the death on false evidence and Maitland allows him to suffer 20 years imprisonment When the doctor is released from prison bitter and seeking revenge the Dean must confront his silence and his guilt and the climax is the Deans confession from the pulpit of his sins