Erik Gorin, at the beginning of this novel, is only a young man in love; in love with the secrets of the universe, and with a gray-eyed girl named Savina. It is Savina who sees in him the fires of greatness, who knows that in him there is something of the lightning which he creates. It is she who gives back to him the reflection of his best desires and aspirations, from their early years on university faculties until Erik's worldly success in industry.