The story tells of the Davies family who live in Merthyr Tydfil, the ‘iron capital’ of Wales, commencing in the 1850s.
Despite the coming of the union movement and the election of members of parliament, Merthyr is still effectively ruled by the iron masters and coal owners.
Ann does not recover, and Rhys, racked with guilt, is now a changed man, gentler in his ways and eschewing his visits to the public house.
She is courted by the flamboyant and prosperous Shon Howell, the ‘Cheap Jack’, who is disliked by the town's tradesmen as he undercuts them, but admired by many for the entertainment he provides.
Megan also studies tonic sol-fa, and in 1873 visits London as part of the Cor Mawr (Great Choir), the South Wales Choral Union, which wins the national competition at Crystal Palace.
Strikes in the coal mines see women reduced to begging Megan for financial assistance; her inheritance begins to dwindle, but she cannot refuse them.
Will, the other brother who lives next door, is full of enthusiasm with the nascent union movement and is now working in the mine as a haulier – a considerable rise in status.
Moriah is singing with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and travels to Italy, where she adopts the professional name of Madam Moriana.
He persuades her to leave the small rented cottage in ‘the Row’ and restore Marged's large house, so that the brothers in America will have a place to stay when they visit.
Joe becomes a partner in a steamship company with a loan from Megan; he hopes to join the ‘merchant princes’ of Cardiff, making big money out of coal and steel export.
He repays the loan with interest, but Megan is upset when Joe announces that he's going to leave chapel and join the Church of England to please his future wife.