Set in Yorkshire during the period of Napoleon Wars, the novel articulates the social realities of economic hardship, the Luddite riots, dissatisfaction with the government and an inadequate Church. In the foreground of these concerns, a mill-owner, Robert Moore, in pursuits of financial security, ignores the suffering of his workers to such an extent that an attempt is made on his life. At the same time he affects the lives of two women the shy Caroline Helstone and the vivacious Shirley. This edition also consists of Introduction, Notes on the Text, Bibliography, A Chronology of the Author and Explanatory Notes.