Lady Marauder bears a son on the same day that the wife of the village carpenter gives birth to a son by the very proletarian name of Wilson. Lord James Marauder, pleased to have an heir, cannot abide his elder brother and neighbouring landowner, the Duke of Silsbury, but dies before he can enjoy the satisfaction of inheriting the Duke's estate. Young Marauder in turn hopes for the Dukedom, and is so disappointed at discovering that he is not the heir, once the Duke's death finally occurs, that he vows to take revenge by devoting his life to democratic ideals -- in practise sexual immorality and brigandage ("Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" is the quotation on the title page). Marauder makes the beautiful Fanny his mistress instead of his wife, haunts emigré society and London's democratical clubs, readily kills his opponent in a duel, changes his identity to foment rebellion in Ireland, and finally kidnaps and attempts to rape Fanny's sister, Emily. Wilson, who has become the Duke of Silsbury's trusted steward, fights with Marauder in Ireland, and in volume IV rescues and marries Emily, while the ruined Marauder commits suicide, and Fanny is left to a life of lonely repentance.