Emily and Mr. Ogilvie are being shunned in Ireland owing to Ogilvie's background as a commoner. Even her eldest son, now the Duke, has little time for her. They decide to remove themselves to London and her second son Edward asks his mother to take her grandson with them as he feels it would provide for safer surroundings. A transformation was underway in Ireland with the United Irishmen demanding reforms. It was inconceivable to Louisa, for example, that her tenants would rise in rebellion. Louisa begs her nephew Edward, Emily's son, to mind his politics but he refuses and is drawn into the rebellion, paying a heavy price for his beliefs and his actions.