"The story of the 1890s scandal in which a young woman named Madeline Pollard sued congressman William Campbell Preston Breckenridge for breach of promise. Pollard won the suit, and the mystery of who helped her pay the extravagant legal expenses in order to bring Breckinridge down illuminates a shift in the sexual politics of the Victorian era"--. Provided by publisher.

Gold to be made -- A bright and brainy woman -- A bastard catch'd -- The left-hand road -- The Wanton widow -- Not so easily handled -- What shall we do with our daughters? -- For the likes of me -- The needle, the school room, and the store -- A house of mercy -- Miss Pollard's ruin in Lexington -- Somebody's daughter -- A man of passion -- Hindered, not ruined -- The front parlor and the back gate -- The cavalier and the puritans -- Refusing to behave -- Redemption.