Sir Philip Gordon is the master of a manor in the countryside of England. Sir Philip married late in life and his wife was only able to provide for him a single child. This child is a daughter, named Stephen at Sir Philip's insistence. Sir Philip adores his daughter and is determined to give her a perfect life full of love. However, as his daughter grows, Sir Philip comes to realize his child is different. Sir Philip begins collecting books that tell him about his daughter, explaining her condition and how to deal with it. Sir Philip embraces this philosophy, but finds himself unable to share the knowledge with his wife or his daughter, in fear of hurting them.