The story follows Elizabeth Lacy, a young woman who serves as a companion to Lady Cunningham in Rockledge. Elizabeth reflects on her past, once filled with love and comfort, now overshadowed by loss and servitude. Her life took a downturn after the death of her parents, leaving her to fend for herself. Her engagement to Bruce Armytage was thwarted by his family's interference, and he never returned to her after a foreign tour. Elizabeth's life is monotonous until she receives an invitation from her friend, Mary Rodwell, to celebrate Amy's engagement. At the gathering, Elizabeth is shocked to meet Bruce, who is Amy's fiancé's cousin. Misunderstandings about past engagements are cleared, revealing that Bruce believed Elizabeth was engaged to another. The story concludes with Bruce and Elizabeth reconciling, realizing their separation was due to a misunderstanding, and they rekindle their love.
By Florence Marryat · First published 1873 · Genre: Romance, Victorian Fiction, Drama