In 1793, Kitty Bellairs travels to Bath, Somerset for a vacation. She is a famous flirt, with about 40 previous affairs. Her coach wagon is stopped by a highwayman, but the man falls in love with her. He exchanges a few kisses with Kitty, in return for her safety and that of her fellow passengers. Among the passengers is Lord Varney, who is in love with Kitty but is too shy to make romantic advances. In Bath, Kitty is romanced by Captain O'Hara. A jealous Lord Varney finally declares his love for Kitty. While Kitty contemplated a choice between Varney, O'Hara, and the "manly" highwayman, she reunites with her married friend Lady Julia Standish. Julia has long been neglected by her husband, and seeks advise on how to get his attention. Kitty and Julia conspire to convince Sir Jasper Standish that his wife has a lover, in hopes to rekindle his interest in her. Lord Varney visits the Standish household in order to romance Kitty, but Lord Standish mistakes him for his own wife's lover. The jealous husband challenges Varney to a duel. Kitty is forced to resolve the situation, because she has already seen Varney lose at sword duels and she fears for his life. Kitty chooses Varney over her other suitors.