The Bertrams are visited by their niece, Kitty, who has been sent out from Australia to stay with them after her parents' deaths. She is accompanied by her cousin Lottie. There is much discontent at first and reluctance on the part of Jane, the Bertrams' daughter, at having Lottie, a wild young Australian girl, stay with them. However, Ralph, Jane's brother, falls in love. Their neighbours, the Fontaines, come to visit the Betrams and the story describes their relationships. The daughter, Mary, forms a mutual admiration for a local farmer, Tom Hinton, and they become engaged. However, Mary is vain and adores attention, and she flirts with other men, which makes Tom jealous enough that the engagement is called off. Despite the fact that they both still love each other, Mary is too proud to apologise until it is too late and Tom is killed while looking for poachers. Lottie and Ralph get married and take over the farm, while Jane and Mrs Bertram eventually move back to the village. In a few years, Kitty becomes engaged to Dick Fontaine.
