The novel traces the lives of three sisters raised in an old family home, opening with their childhood and the household’s routines after a parental loss. Structured in four parts, it moves from domestic scenes and the lingering effects of war to courtships, engagements, and the practical struggles of married life. Key episodes include illness, grief, financial and moral tensions, long absences, and transatlantic travel. Through changing relationships and setbacks, the sisters confront shifting loyalties and responsibilities, and the narrative follows how their individual choices reshape family ties and lead to varied personal resolutions.