After successfully completing his law exams, Lewis Eliot becomes a pupil in the chambers of Herbert Getliffe to become a barrister. He pays for the privilege but takes his work seriously despite getting little respect. His friend Charles March uses his family's influence in getting him known among the influential classes and briefs begin to appear on his desk. He's not so fortunate in his personal life. He is very much in love with the selfish and self-centered Sheila Knight.

Back in London after a false medical scare, Lewis Eliot is ready to celebrate. He drops in on Sheila who informs him that she has fallen in love with Hugh Smith. He seems a likable enough fellow but Lewis feels it's his obligation to inform him that Sheila is mentally unbalanced, a schizoid, and that he needs to prepare himself for that if they are to marry. Hugh reconsiders which is fine with Lewis especially when Sheila agrees to marry him.

For Lewis Eliot, life with Sheila is difficult and rumors have it that she has left him because she prefers women. She decides to try her hand at writing at the encouragement of publisher R. S. Sullivan but it leads to yet more disappointment. Lewis and Leonard March are called called into the Foreign Ministry.