The story takes place in ancient Rome. The main characters, Titus and Chloe, were attracted to each other, but the difference in status, Titus being the son of a nobleman and Chloe being his house slave, prevented them from seeing each other. However, when Titus lost his home and family in the great earthquake in Pompeii, Chloe married him and they moved to Rome together. Titus wants Chloe to enjoy her new life as a free citizen, but she ends up taking care of him because of the way she has felt for so many years.