Kathleen O'Moore returns to her home in rural Ireland and becomes torn between the affections of Michael Rooney, a poor but honest man, and the wealthy squire with the power to make her dreams come true.

A tramp is invited to stay with the family of a teenage girl who has been unable to smile since childhood in a bid to cure her.

The dramatic story of a normal, intelligent man of good principles driven to contemplate thoughts of murder.

Sir Douglas Rolls is a highly respected defence lawyer of many years experience. Now in rapidly failing health, he is advised to retreat from the courtroom and pursue more pleasurable activities. But it is just at this point in his life that his great lost love a woman his own strong sense of duty led him to give up twenty years ago, and whom he still loves deeply walks into his chambers to ask that he defend her adulterous husband, now to stand trial for murder. Reluctantly agreeing to take on the case, Sir Douglas soon finds there is more to the story than meets the eye.

In 1745 a German princess, renamed Catherine, arrives to marry Grand Duke Peter of Russia, whom she initially likes. But his suspicious, unstable nature gradually estranges them, and Peter finds solace with pretty courtiers. Catherine invents her own (fictitious) lovers, temporarily improving matters. Alas, accession to the throne brings out the worst in Peter, and loyal Catherine is urged to assume power.