Roe, a Presbyterian minister living in New York after the Civil War, went to Chicago and was caught up in the great fire. This inspired him to write this romantic novel. Dennis Fleet is in love with Christine. He wants her for his wife, but more important he wants her soul to turn to Christianity. When Christine's father is killed in the fire and her European suitor Baron Ludolph instead of helping saves valuable papers, Christine realizes the noble and moral character of Dennis.