The protagonist in this Greek tragedy set during the early years of World War II is Marisa Monroe, a vivacious southern girl whose parents convince her to go to school up north to attend Smith College. There she meets Allen Bidwell who is attending the University of New Hampshire. They fall in love, World War II begins, they marry, and Allen goes to the South Pacific in the navy. As the perils of the conflict increase, Marisa realizes Allen will never survive the war's disasters without some type of extraordinary help. Marisa instinctively follows the example of her namesake and great-grandmother who saved her husband from destruction during the Civil War through divine intercessions. Marisa emulates her great-grandmother to ensure Allen lives and returns from the war he confronts.