London 1899
Gertrude Melrose is preparing for a New Year party when her brother
enters her room. She knows he wants money from her and refuses at once.
She loves her brother but he is in with a disreputable crowd and losing
heavily at the gaming tables. He has already gambled away his
inheritance and she cannot allow him to do that with hers.
A few days later the Melrose family is devastated when demands are made
on them to settle Edward's huge debts. It will mean the loss of their
house and almost everything they own. Edward is disowned by his father
and banished from their lives.