Jane Em'ly is the maid in a lodging house. Brought up in a foundling home, and barely educated, Jane tenders to all the guests with remarkable efficiency and unceasing zeal. She is a girl of radiant goodness and kindness. The lodgers - the irrascible Major, the prim spinster, Miss Crabbe, the rough Mr Turton, an apprentice, who would like to take Jane Em'ly as a wife, and Jim Coverdale, a young gentleman author in reduced circumstances - are all in receipt of many kindnesses from Jane Em'ly. The young author, friendless and lonely, finds her the only good thing in his life, and by degrees, falls in love with her. Jane Em'ly, who had never hoped for love, or dreamed of happiness for herself succumbs to Jim's attentions. However, Jim feels the gulf between their social situations is too great, and leaves. Jane Em'ly is heart-broken. Jim finds he can't live without her, and returns to take her as his bride.