Esmeralda Foster, an attractive girl, is very much impressed with Duncan Miller, a crafty country swain, who makes love to Esmeralda because of her father's wealth. Ben Holt, who has been adopted by the Fosters, is deeply and sincerely in love with Esmeralda, and his intentions are very much encouraged by Esmeralda's father, who esteems Ben very highly, in fact he has gone so far as to say that he hopes he will marry his daughter. Miss Louise Lennox, a novelist, summering in that section of the country, finds the young people a very interesting study. She readily recognizes Duncan's mercenary desire and Ben's sterling qualities. She becomes better acquainted with them through a little accident to her manuscript. Esmeralda really loves Ben, but she is infatuated by Duncan. She consents to marry the latter and induces Ben to tell her father that he cannot marry her because he does not love her. When Ben tells Mr. Foster, he is furious, and drives him from the house. Miss Lennox meets Ben making his way across the field with his kit thrown over his shoulder. She asks him the trouble and when he tells her, she, with ready wit, decides upon a scheme to show Duncan in his true colors. She first secures Ben a position at the Esmeralda Inn. She then dresses herself in her most bewitching attire, writes a note to Duncan to meet her at the Old Mill at 2 o'clock, and another note to Esmeralda to meet her at the same place at 2.30. Ben arrives promptly at 2. She talks love to him and makes herself so enchanting that he falls deeply in love with her and declares she is the only woman he ever loved. At 2.30 he is declaring on his knees that he never loved Esmeralda, who appears upon the scene and overhears him. The poor girl weeps bitterly and refuses to have anything more to do with him. Duncan flees, thoroughly ashamed of himself. Ben, who has been invited to keep himself within reach, is called by Miss Lennox. Esmeralda, when asked if she loves Ben, says she has always loved him, but did not know it. Miss Lennox takes her departure and leaves the two young sweethearts to their happiness.