George Morland newly master of Morland Place embarks on a grand improvement & expansion of the estate. His sister Henrietta eager to be both good & useful marries the scholarly rector Mr Fortescue. & in London their cousin Lady Venetia Fleetwood moved by the medical horrors of the Franco-Prussian war sets out to become a doctor. But the agricultural slump threatens Morland Place with ruin; the medical world rejects Venetia with contempt; & Mr Fortescue proves to be not what he seems. The Morlands have to come to terms with hard reality & find their happiness in other unexpected places.