In which Captain Winstanley assumes stewardship of the Squire Tempest estates with a firm resolve to curb financial extravagance, instituting rigorous retrenchments that unsettle the accustomed household order. The quiet authority of his economy reshapes the life at Abbey House, closing doors once open to charity and altering the very spirit of the place, much to the distress of those bound by tradition.

In which young Violet Tempest finds herself enveloped in a quiet solitude at the Abbey House, cherishing the familiar comforts of her father’s estate while dreading the inevitable return of new masters and the changes they bring. Amidst the autumnal splendour of the Scottish landscape, she encounters the painful reality of her father’s treasured horse being sold, stirring a tempest of grief and resentment within her heart.

In which Violet Tempest returns home to the Abbey House after a woodland walk, only to find an atmosphere tinged with vexation and awkward family tensions, particularly surrounding the disappointing reception of her mother's arrival. Amidst the scattered luggage and quiet discontent, the new household dynamics unfold with delicate social observations and subtle undercurrents of disquiet.

In which Violet Tempest, burdened with sorrow and estrangement, finds a fleeting comfort in the unfaltering affection of her late father’s foxhounds, and renews acquaintance with Roderick Vawdrey, who offers a sympathetic ear amidst her turmoil. They walk through familiar woods, discussing her mother's unhappy second marriage and the uncertain prospects it casts upon Violet's future, revealing a delicate interplay of loyalty, hope, and quiet resistance.

In which the delicate and shifting atmosphere of a household on the eve of a wedding reveals the complexities of a mother's hope and a daughter's steadfast resistance, with horses and trousseaux bearing silent witness to changes both tender and wrenching. Against the backdrop of evening shadows and whispered doubts, a poignant mother-daughter reconciliation unfolds, tempered by unspoken sorrow and reluctant acceptance.

In which the delicate equilibrium of the Abbey House is unsettled by Mrs. Tempest’s imminent remarriage, stirring deep resentment in her daughter Violet, who grapples with the lonely bitterness of loss and disapproval amid the genteel hypocrisies of society. Against a backdrop of genteel drawing-rooms and whispered gossip, Violet’s silent rebellion contrasts with her mother’s dreamy preparations, weaving a quiet tension that presages the fragile nature of their home.

In which the quiet dignity of Mrs. Tempest's wedding is marked by the presence of the best people and the delicate tension of a reluctant Violet amidst the festive yet constrained celebration; the Abbey House wears an air of uncertain change as old comforts yield to new realities. The evening closes with Violet's poignant solitude, finding only her faithful companion Argus to share the weight of her unshed grief and unspoken fears.

In which Violet Tempest returns home contemplative after a festive afternoon, only to confront her mother with grave misgivings about a new suitor, setting the tone for a solemn domestic discourse. The gentle evening air contrasts with the tension within the Abbey House, where a mother and daughter grapple with differing hopes and fears beneath the quiet light of the moon.

In which the splendid Southminster library serves as the backdrop for a lively gathering where Lady Almira's wedding gifts spark admiration and conversation, while Violet, known as Vixen, grapples with her own reflections and the curious attentions of Roderick Vawdrey. Through their dance and conversation amidst art and tropical palms, secrets hover gently beneath the surface, colouring their reunion with a mixture of nostalgia and unspoken truths.

In which the cheerful arrival of Whitsuntide draws Violet Tempest into the innocent delight of a rustic school-feast amid the blossoming forest, where simple joys and children's games offer a soothing balm to her restless spirit. A chance encounter during the fading light leads to a walk beneath silver beeches with an old friend, rekindling memories and earnest hopes amid the tranquil beauty of the Hampshire woods.