Upon the Robin's Breast covers a four year span 1875-1879. The historical backdrop is the election of Wade Hampton to the governorship of South Carolina. It was a tumultuous time in the state's history. Another war was nearly fought over this election. The central characters are Bravard Middleton, scion of an old Charleston family and Civil War veteran. He falls in love with Ernestine Coleman, a belle of breeding and a girl of his class. She's more than 20 years his junior. One obstacle remains: He's a married man, unable to loose himself from a good and faithful wife. The story begins in Charleston, moves up to Columbia and eventually back to the lowcountry, culminating in an outbreak of yellow fever and eventually love comes full circle.