Tale of youthful follies. A young Englishman raised chiefly in Italy, George Vincent Barron, unexpectedly becomes heir to his guardian's estates in England. He displaces the old man's former heir - Gilbert Thorne - who attempts to strip him of his fortune by gambling. Thorne attempts to poison Barron when his scheme is discovered, but Barron survives, mends his ways, marries, etc. (PB)