Eighteen-year-old Rebecca Lennox, daughter of a former priest, is ostracized by the villagers of Dunmow. They regard her as cursed, by both her cleft palate and her gift of second sight. Rebecca finds solace in the statue of St. Michael the Archangel, to whom she prays devotedly within the sanctity of her old parish church. But when a young Catholic priest arrives in the village, it seems that she has finally found a mortal confidant. Michael is not repelled by her infirmity, and his charm and gentleness remind her of her beloved statue. Then changes come to Dunmow. A new parson is appointed—more interested in the black arts than the teachings of religion. For Henry Frogmore, holy orders are an opportune cover for his nefarious activities, but in Rebecca and Michael, he finds powerful opponents. And in the ensuing struggle, the price for each of them is dear.