The story tells of a girl, who, born in a small town, is left penniless by the death of her mother. She is befriended by the local minister, who secures for her a position in a cheap lodging house in the city of London, where she unwittingly arouses the displeasure of the mistress and is discharged. With only a few clothes and a pet canary as her sole possessions, she tramps the big city in search of work, finally attracting the attention of Lancelot Melmont, a young musician, who induces his landlady to give Mary Ann a position as maid. Here she becomes happily situated, until Sid, a dance hall habitué, is attracted by her charms and persecutes her. She is protected by Lancelot and there is a fast-growing feeling of companionship between the two, when Mary Ann receives the disquieting news she has been left a fortune. Against her protest she is taken from the boarding house and placed in a wealthy private family. Several years later, when Mary Ann’s foster parents are giving a reception in her honor, Lancelot, now a famous composer, is one of the guests. The two again meet and the companionship, which was commenced during their boarding house days, ripens into a feeling of love that ends in their marriage.