[1] The novel begins in London and follows the title character, an adult orphan who is about to commit suicide by throwing himself into the River Thames when he is prevented from doing so by an unknown young woman.

When a group of coal miners from South Wales sing to raise funds in the town square, Gwilym makes an impassioned plea to the people to support them.

A fire breaks out in Joseff's former house, leading to the death of a child as well as Arthur, who is killed attempting to rescue him.

Although motivated by purely humanitarian concerns, this begins to make some of his fellow workers suspect that Gwilym and Morrus are somehow in league.

The rioting crowd break into the room to get at Gwilym and Morrus, however they are saved by a by now extremely ill Richard, who appears with a pistol threatening to shoot anyone who takes another step.

Whilst describing it as a "fine story," one contemporary reviewer felt that the novel's ending, in which the antagonist, Mr. Morrus, remains the owner of the quarry, undermined it's message.