In 1905, and after 10 years of missionary work in Africa, Reverend Fortescue (Michael Palin) is recalled to England where his bishop (Denholm Elliott) gives him a new assignment - to minister London's prostitutes. The Reverned hopes his fiancee will object and give him an excuse to decline this new assignment. The wealthy Lady Ames (Maggie Smith) is expected to fund the work but there is a catch.
