Esther, after finding happiness in the Barfield household, has been seduced by William and is horrified to learn he has run off with Peggy, Mrs. Barfield's niece.
Peggy and William's marriage has ended in divorce. Esther has had her baby boy and after much hardship has found a good place with Miss Rice. She has promised to marry the dependable Fred Parsons, but then William re-enters her life.
Esther and William, happily running the King's Head, take in Margaret Gale, Esther's old friend, now forced to prostitution. Betting in the pub has brought Fred Parsons to threaten their peace with the law.
