This is the story of orphaned Cissie Brodie who does everything she can to care for her younger siblings. They are forced to live in cave on the fells and live in depressed circumstances. Matthew Turnbull is a poor, handsome carpenter who falls in love with Cissie and helps her - but Matthew must choose between his love for her and the need to support his elderly parents (in short, marry for love or marry for money).

Cissie is raped by a drunken, young aristocrat (Clive Fischel) and soon finds herself in a custody battle with Lord Fischel - the grandfather of her child. Clive returns from banishment at sea a changed man and vows to "set things right" with Cissie.