'Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1' Summary

The Vernon's Banking House is a thriving bank in England. After Mr. Rule, a clerk in the bank, hears rumors about a potential collapse of the bank, he seeks out bank owner John Vernon, but finds that Vernon has disappeared. Mr. Vernon's wife has no information about his disappearance or matters of the bank. However, Catherine, a part-owner of the bank, uses her fortune to stop a run on the bank.

Decades later, Mrs. Vernon and her 14-year-old daughter Hester move back to Redborough. When Hester meets Catherine, she forms an unfavorable impression, but she makes friends with Edward, who is Catherine's confidante and protege.

Five years later, Hester befriends the elderly Morgans, suffers through family dinners and rebuffs a marriage proposal from Harry, another of Catherine's proteges.

The Morgans' grandson Roland, briefly introduced in Part I, is developed as a love interest for Hester. The Morgans express their concern about his character in part due to his job as a speculator.

Ellen starts hosting tea dances, which allow the youths to mingle unsupervised and Hester to 'come out' in society. Mrs. John Vernon is excited to help her daughter Hester come out. Additionally, Mrs. Vernon's pearls, which she gives to Hester, provide a point of contention.

Roland's sister Emma then comes to stay with the Morgans. She tries to get herself invited to the dances so that she may also 'come out' and marry. Meanwhile, Edward makes his interest in Hester known and his discontent with Catherine grows.

Hester nearly finds out about her father at one of Catherine's parties.

Hester's love life is revisited and marriage is discussed, while Roland talks business with Edward and Harry. Harry is opposed to speculating with the bank's money, but Edward seems enthusiastic.

Edward's betrayal hurts Catherine, as well as harming the bank's business. Edward runs away and marries Emma.

Afterwards, Catherine and Hester work together to retain the bank's status and stability.

The name Hester is a Persian name. It means "Star".