Carinthia Jane Kirby is the daughter of a sea captain and a runaway countess. She is under the care of her uncle, the miserly
Lord Levellier. During a ball, Lord Fleetwood, immensely rich but spoiled, meets Carinthia. Charmed by her, he proposes and she accepts. Later, Fleetwood realizes his irresponsibility and folly. He didn''''t want to marry her, and hopes that she will realize it too. But Carinthia does not, and besides, Lord Levellier is determined to make the Marriage happen. He thinks the engagement is just perfect to get rid of Carinthia from his charge. The marriage pushes through. Fleetwood treats Carinthia abominably, and eventually, abandons her and their child.
Carinthia goes to Whitechapel to the house of Gower Woodseer, a man she meets in Europe. His father, a minister, helps her find a shelter. Gower and Fleetwood also know each other, finds out where she is, and tries a reconciliation. Unfortunately, it''''s too late, for she has decided to join her brother Chillon to become an army nurse to Spain. Fleetwood decides to become a Roman Catholic monk.