The play is set in the northeast suburbs of London in the month of
October. It tells the story of Candida, the wife of a famous clergyman,
the Reverend James Mavor Morell. Morell is a Christian Socialist,
popular in the Church of England, but Candida is responsible for much of
his success. Candida returns home briefly from a trip to London with
Eugene Marchbanks, a young poet who wants to rescue her from what he
presumes to be her dull family life.