Peg Woffington, an actress, makes her successful debut at the Covent Garden Theatre, London, in 1747. Ernest Vane, a country gentleman in the city on business, becomes infatuated with the lady and postpones his return to his home and wife. The latter goes to London to be with her husband. Peg returns Vane's affection, to the displeasure of Sir Charles Pomander, an unscrupulous rival. Triplet, an impoverished painter and writer of verse, is an old friend of Peg's less happy days. She goes to his home to bring food to his family and is shadowed by Pomander and Vane. They cover their embarrassment by ordering Triplet to do literary work for them. Vane gives a party for Peg, during which his wife arrives. Pomander apprises her of the situation. She eventually appeals to Peg to return her husband. That lady, because Mrs. Vane has treated her as a woman with a heart, restores her happiness, dismisses Pomander and devotes herself to her work.