The dying mother, tells her only child, an orphan, of the wealth and power of her family and of her royal blood. Guided by the honesty of an old Indian servant, Dorothy, known in America as Pepita, the orphan, goes to Europe to see for the first time her relatives. It is in the House of Danvers that she first meets Richard Danvers, the elder son of the Earl of Danvers. It is a case of love at first sight. The Earl of Danvers does not depend solely upon his heritage, being an inventor of great ability. His invention of a new X-ray machine is, in the opening part of the story, unsuccessful. This, combined with the degeneracy of his younger son, brings failure and ruin to the respected Earl of Danvers and his family. Richard, the elder son, is engaged to Dorothy, and is forced, through financial ruin, to break the engagement. He goes to America to seek his fortune in the mines. Dorothy's great love for Richard and her wonderful knowledge of the big American country Richard is going to, prompts her to follow her sweetheart. She engages passage on the same steamer and boards the same train, unbeknown to her lover. She precedes him in the big open country, and changing her pretty traveling dress for the picturesque Indian dress of her girlhood days, she encounters many thrilling experiences. Upon Richard's arrival in the mining country, he purchases an outfit to try his luck as a prospector, and at a psychological moment confronts Dorothy fighting for her life in the hands of a Western desperado. Richard, breaking into the door of the cabin, saves Dorothy, known only as Pepita. Dorothy at no time gives any sign of recognition to Richard. Love dominates and the finale brings the lovers together in their English estates, success to the Earl of Danvers in his invention and the degeneracy of the younger son strengthens and develops into supreme manhood.