The first part of the Mallen family saga. Thomas Mallen, the Squire of High Banks Hall, fathers many illegitimate sons, each of whom inherit a distinctive streak of white hair. Forced to sell the Hall, Thomas moves to humbler surroundings, taking with him his wards, Barbara and Constance, and their governess, Anna Brigmore. The young girls find romance with the Radlet brothers, one of whom, Donald, is acknowledged by Thomas as his bastard son.