This story begins with four young men each from very different backgrounds. Emil Slovak from Hungary and Luke Keegan from Ireland, both are poor immigrants, who for their own reasons journey to America. Emil because of a raging civil war and political unrest. It is his Mother's wish to have her family re-locate in America to pursue a better and a safer life. Luke Keegan a hot-headed Irishman who has pushed his luck to far once too often. His only recourse is immigrating to America. He and his new bride Catherine, who is now with child, leave everything behind to being a new and challenging life in America. Jacob Alexander Steward wealthy, socially prominent, and a victim of his own Naivete. He suffers through a miserable four year marriage one founded on lies and deception, until he finally re-discovers his Ellen. "Red" Redman abandoned at birth he finds love and security with his adopted parents. In a cruel twist of fate "Red" is once again on his own. His adopted parents are killed and "Red" is left to the mercies of his father's greedy law firm. "Red" marries against the advice of his friends. Tessa is a wild young girl who works for a "Traveling Show". Tessa deserts "Red" and her infant daughter only to return to her old life and ways. These four men all coming from different personal, social and financial backgrounds will never meet, however, the lives of their wives and children do. Their decisions and Choices create a series of events that will forever link their lives and the lives of their children. Four young daughters, an innocent novitiate Sister Theresa Marie who fought against her father and grandmother's pressure that she marry and give them grandchildren. Entering the Convent for Theresa Marie was doing God's will, for which she had been chosen. Julia Steward strong -willed who entered the Sisterhood for personal reasons, not because of any strong religious conviction. She would rise to become Reverend Mother and use her intellect and family money to climb the political ladder of the Catholic Church. Molly Redman who is sent to the Convent school to protect her from the practicing do-gooders of the world. It is she who will suffer a greatly when the lives of these four women tragically collide. Sarah Agnes Keegan for whom it is her Mother's dying wish that she have a proper Catholic education. She will witness a degree of cruelty that she could never have imagined. The Convent is where Theresa Marie Slovak has wanted to be all of her life. Julia Steward the Reverend Mother sees the Convent and her duties there as stepping stones up the Churches political agenda. Molly Redman reluctantly accepts why she has been sent away to Saint Michael's. Sarah Agnes Keegan does as she is told, as she always done. A series of ugly events and the selfish actions of others will forever change her and how she will live out the remainder of her life. An "Incident" followed closely by the "Accident" involve Sarah in a cover-up which she feels is meant to protect the innocent young Nun. Sarah agrees to become part of a plan to insure that Sister Theresa Marie will have a proper Catholic burial. It is only after she had given her solemn promise that she begins to have strong doubts and questions her decision to remain silent forever.