Our three heroes are born on three adjacent beds, a mere three seconds apart. United by a shared nature, they often feel each other's emotions, as if those emotions are their own. When a fire burns through their homes, killing their families, they are cast apart. Mayer is adopted by a wealthy couple, Archibald by a loving uncle and aunt, and Hugo is dumped in the workhouse. They finally reunite, many years later, only to fall in love with the very same woman, at the very same time; feeling each other's love as if it is their own. But, turned into three very different people, by three very different upbringings, they court her in very different ways. The consequences are extreme; inspiring our heroes to spend their lives chasing money, power and love, in the vain hope that these things will help them to win the girl. We romp through history; watching on as bankers create money out of nothing, and the British Empire takes over the world, before arriving at the most exhilarating of finales.