Miserly Victorian quatter John Millicent dies, leaving his wealthy estate to his daughter Louisa under the guardianship of the unpleasant Mortimer Marchand. Political candidate Leslie Leighton saves her life and they are attracted to each other but Mortimer disapproves, determined to keep control of the estate and marry Louisa himself. A dying woman's confession places Louisa within his power and while Leslie is in New Zealand, wrests her consent to marry him. But she changes her mind at the last moment Leslie having condemned her and flees to Sydney as a governess. Marchand's information proves useless and Leslie searches for her until he finds her again ... (PB)