After Joel Everstow got sent down from Oxford University, he returned home with the reason for his expulsion, Miss Charlotte Plumb. Right from the start, tension grew between Miss Charlotte and Joel's sister, Priscilla. Priscilla railed against fate and longed to leave her previously happy home. Throughout all her attempts at love and a life of her own, Charlotte always stood in the way. The situation grew worse and worse until Priscilla realizes she can never escape.